Research Methodologies and Epistemology II

Code:

MC112

Acronym:

MIEII

Keywords
Classification	Keyword
OFICIAL	Epistemologia e Metod. de Invest. em Educação

Instance: 2014/2015 - 2S (since 15-09-2014 to 22-05-2015)

Active?	Yes
Course/CS Responsible:	Criminology

Cycles of Study/Courses

Acronym	No. of Students	Study Plan	Curricular Years	Credits UCN	Credits ECTS	Contact hours	Total Time
MC	32	Plano Oficial de MC - 2010	1	-	6	54

Teaching language

Portuguese

Objectives

This course completes the track on research methodology, initiated with Research Methods and Epistemology I (1st semester).
Therefore, with this course we intend that students solidify both qualitative and quantitative research methods that are very useful when researching Criminology themes. It also aims to train students in the use of specialized software in data analysis.

Learning outcomes and competences

In particular, in this course it is intended that students are able to:

Part A - Qualitative Research:

• To apply the methods of observation, interview and documentary analysis in order to study different dimensions of the criminal phenomenon.
• To know the methods of qualitative data analysis, and learn to apply the techniques of content analysis.
• To develop skills of analysis, discussion and critique of different techniques of qualitative analysis in Criminology.


In Part B - Quantitative Research:

• To perform preliminary exploratory analysis of quantitative data;
• To describe available data based on descriptive statistics;
• To apply suitable statistical methods when making inference;
• To interpret and comment statistical software outputs (SPSS outputs).

Part C - Combined research methods – Qualitative and Quantitative

• To understand the possible complementarity between quantitative and qualitative research methods, profiting from that.

Working method

Presencial

Pre-requirements (prior knowledge) and co-requirements (common knowledge)

n.a.

Program

Part A - Qualitative Research
1. Qualitative methods for collecting data: qualitative interview (individual, focus group, life stories), observation and document analysis;
2. Data analysis in qualitative research;
2.1. Preparing data for analysis (proceedings);
2.2. Qualitative data analysis techniques.
3. The quality of qualitative research: objectivity, fidelity, validity and generalization.

Part B - Quantitative Research
1. A brief introduction to data analysis and statistical software (SPSS)
2. Measures of descriptive statistics and introduction to inference
3. Relationship between two variables;
4. Differences between groups;
5. Regression models
6. Data reduction

Part C - Combined research methods – Qualitative and Quantitative
1. Epistemological background;
2. Examples of research designs/processes.

Mandatory literature

Albarello Luc 070; Práticas e métodos de investigação em ciências sociais. ISBN: 972-662-554-8
Bachman Ronet; The^practice of research in criminology and criminal justice. ISBN: 0-7619-8706-1
Bardin Laurence; Análise de conteúdo. ISBN: 978-972-44-1320-4
Flick Uwe; Métodos qualitativos na investigação científica. ISBN: 972-9413-67-3
Foddy William 1942-; Como perguntar. ISBN: 972-8027-54-0
Mason Jennifer; Qualitative researching. ISBN: 0-8039-8986-5
Bachman, Ronet e Raymond Paternoster; Statistical Methods for Criminology and Criminal Justice, McGraw-Hill, 2003. ISBN: 0-07-251844-8
Weisburd David; Statistics in criminal justice. ISBN: 978-0-387-34112-5
Bushway Shawn 340; Quantitative methods in criminology. ISBN: 0-7546-2446-3
Marôco, João; Análise estatística com o PASW Statistics (ex-SPSS). ISBN: 9789899676305

Complementary Bibliography

Blumer Herbert; Symbolic interactionism. ISBN: 0-520-05676-0
Denzin Norman K.; Interpretive interactionism. ISBN: 0-8039-3003-8
Denzin Norman K.; Handbook of qualitative research. ISBN: 0-8039-4679-1
Fowler Jr. Floyd J.; Survey research methods. ISBN: 0-7619-2191-5
Hagan Frank E.; Research methods in criminal justice and criminology. ISBN: 0-205-44739-2
King Roy D. 340; Doing research on crime and justice. ISBN: 978-0-19-928762-8
Hagan Frank E.; Research methods in criminal justice and criminology. ISBN: 0-205-44739-2
Howell, David; Statistical Methods for Psychology, Belmont: Thomson Wadsworth, 2007
Pestana Maria Helena 1958-; Análise de dados para ciências sociais. ISBN: 972-618-391-X

Teaching methods and learning activities

Theoretical/practical lectures.
During lectures, theoretic concepts will be described, explained, and applied to research examples of Criminology.

Software

IBM SPSS Statistics (v21 ou v22)

keywords

Physical sciences > Mathematics > Statistics
Social sciences > Criminology

Evaluation Type

Evaluation with final exam

Assessment Components

Designation	Weight (%)
Exame	100,00
Total:	100,00

Eligibility for exams

n.a.

Calculation formula of final grade

Final grade will correspond to the final exam classification.

Examinations or Special Assignments

cf. general regulamentation.

Internship work/project

n.a.

Special assessment (TE, DA, ...)

cf. general regulamentation.

Classification improvement

cf. general regulamentation.