【RETURNING TO THE ESSENCE OF KNOWLEDGE: REFLECTIONS ON READING DR. PAUL S.C. HSU'S "RESEARCH METHODS IN THE SOCIAL SCIENCES: PHILOSOPHY OF SCIENCE AND THEORY CONSTRUCTION"】

This article introduces Dr. Paul S.C. Hsu’s new book, Social Science Research Methods: Philosophy of Science and Theory Building, and highlights its timely relevance in an era shaped by artificial intelligence and highly automated data analysis tools. The book invites researchers to return to the essence of knowledge and to reconsider whether research is primarily about mastering tools or deepening our understanding of the world. Grounded in the philosophy of science, it examines curiosity, scientific methods, ontology, epistemology, methodology, paradigm shifts, and the distinctive nature of social science inquiry. The article underscores that research methods are not merely technical choices; they are closely connected to a researcher’s assumptions about reality, knowledge, and inquiry. Rigorous research requires not only correct procedures, but also clarity of stance, theoretical awareness, and methodological humility. Drawing on Dr. Hsu’s decades of doctoral teaching and scholarly practice, the book serves not only as a methodological guide, but also as a profound legacy of academic responsibility and intellectual reflection.

【Excerpt from the issue No. 01, 2026 of TWAEA's ePaper】