Research Methodology Seminars I

Code:

SMI1

Acronym:

SMII

Keywords
Classification	Keyword
CNAEF	Fine Arts

Instance: 2023/2024 - 1S

Active?	Yes
Responsible unit:	Fine Arts Department
Course/CS Responsible:	Master in Fine Arts

Cycles of Study/Courses

Acronym	No. of Students	Study Plan	Curricular Years	Credits UCN	Credits ECTS	Contact hours	Total Time
MAP	28	Plano de Estudos do MAP_Publicação em DR de 31 de agosto de 2020	1	-	3	24	81

Teaching language

Suitable for English-speaking students

Objectives

1. To provide a basic understanding of the scientific procedure and the fundamental dimensions of the research process in Fine Arts and Art Studies;
2. To familiarize students with fundamental concepts, central problems, theories and practices inherent in the research process and the logic of empirical research;
3. To enable students to develop research practices based on the identification of an idea and formulation of a problem, on rational and logically elaborated argumentation, on research and organization of information and on structured, clear and consistent written and oral communication of objectives, methods, results and sources used;
4. Promote the development of an ethical and critical awareness of research activities and the production of scientific knowledge about the arts.
5. To teach students how to write academic texts.

Learning outcomes and competences

1. Transforming a theme into a feasible research topic;


2. Utilize electronic tools for bibliographic referencing;


3. Identify credible sources and navigate databases and libraries efficiently;


4. Drawing up literary and bibliographical records;


5. Collect primary sources using specific techniques;


6. Provide a theoretical and methodological framework for research;


7. Analyzing primary sources;


8. Collect and critically analyze secondary sources;


9. Structure an academic text appropriately;


10. Write a clear and concise abstract;


11. Write an effective and convincing academic text;


12. Structure the text in a coherent way that encourages reading;


13. Acquire text editing skills.

Working method

Presencial

Program

1 - Presentation of the program, learning objectives and assessment methods

2 - Extended mind

3 - From theme to topic and from topic to subtopic

4 - Angle of approach

5 - Which sources to use?

6 - Collecting primary sources

7 - Analyzing primary sources

8 - Collecting and critically analyzing secondary sources

9 - Constructing an argument

10 - Writing structures

11 - Writing the abstract

12 - Writing, editing and revising the text

13 - Case study

Mandatory literature

Barnet, Sylvan; A Short Guide to Writing about Art, Boston: Pearson,, 2011
Belcher, Wendy Laura; Writing Your Journal Article in 12 Weeks, Thousand Oaks, California: Sage, 2009
Turabian Kate L.; A^Manual for writers of research papers, theses, and dissertations. ISBN: 978-0-226-81638-8

Teaching methods and learning activities

The classes promote the link between theory and practice, as well as student autonomy. To this end, each lesson is structured into three main parts.

There is an expository phase, where the key concepts are covered, including theoretical and practical aspects relevant to the week's topic. The aim of this stage is to develop critical understanding of the thematic content and ensure the necessary framework for the subsequent activity.

This is followed by a fundamentally practical stage, in which case studies are presented that demonstrate how the knowledge acquired can be applied in concrete situations. This approach, centered on the concrete, facilitates the consolidation of concepts and provides the opportunity to explore the applicability of the theoretical dimension, deepening reflection.

At the end of each lesson, an exercise is proposed which the students will have to carry out independently over the course of the week, until the next lesson. This work, of a practical and/or theoretical nature, aims to complement the learning that has taken place in the classroom, encouraging independent research and the active application of what has been covered.

Evaluation Type

Distributed evaluation without final exam

Assessment Components

Designation	Weight (%)
Trabalho escrito	50,00
Apresentação/discussão de um trabalho científico	50,00
Total:	100,00

Amount of time allocated to each course unit

Designation	Time (hours)
Apresentação/discussão de um trabalho científico	4,00
Estudo autónomo	37,00
Frequência das aulas	20,00
Trabalho escrito	20,00
Total:	81,00

Eligibility for exams

In terms of assessment, the integrated system reflects the skills that students should have acquired in the course.

Firstly, students are asked to write a research report focusing on the following five fundamental questions:



What is the research topic?

What is the chosen angle of approach?

What are the primary sources used?

What method was used to analyze the primary sources?

What are the main secondary sources?



This report will make it possible to assess the student's understanding, as well as their ability to synthesize and the depth of their critical analysis. This component will represent 25% of the final assessment.

Subsequently, there will be an in-depth discussion of the report which aims to assess the student's understanding of the topic, as well as their ability to defend their ideas and conclusions. This component of the assessment accounts for 25% of the final grade.

Finally, each student must hand in a written text which will be the end product of this process, which will allow us to assess the ability to synthesize and articulate information in a coherent and reasoned manner, as well as the ability to write an academic text. This part represents 50% of the final assessment.

Calculation formula of final grade

Report - 25%
Report discussion - 25%
Final paper - 50%

Classification improvement

Grade improvement, under the conditions set out in articles 10 and 11 of UP's General Regulations for Student Assessment, is permitted by means of an assessment along the same lines as the distributed assessment. Thus, students wishing to improve their marks will have to undergo the same type of assessment as other students, as described above, with the final assessment being the result of the sum of the three compulsory components indicated above.

In the case of a grade improvement, these three tests will be taken and handed in on a single date, subject to the teacher's appointment, during the deadline for the final assessments.