Research Methodology

Code:

MCI0027

Acronym:

MI

Keywords
Classification	Keyword
OFICIAL	Information Science

Instance: 2025/2026 - 1S

Active?	Yes
Web Page:	https://moodle2526.up.pt/course/view.php?id=4153
Responsible unit:	Department of Informatics Engineering
Course/CS Responsible:	Master in Information Science

Cycles of Study/Courses

Acronym	No. of Students	Study Plan	Curricular Years	Credits UCN	Credits ECTS	Contact hours	Total Time
MCI	15	Plano de estudos oficial	2	-	6	42	152

Teaching language

English

Objectives

This course aims to provide students with basic knowledge and skills on the methodological and technical principles and tools for carrying out research activities. In particular, it aims to support students in planning and defining the methodology of their dissertations.

Learning outcomes and competences

At the end of the course, students will be able to:

Prepare research 

•  Prepare a literature review


•  Draw up an assessment of the state of the art


•  Define research questions, research hypotheses, and the research problem


•  Defining the research objectives and drawing up the objectives tree

Conceiving/designing a research project 

• Select the type/paradigm of research best suited to the problem


• Identify and distinguish data collection methods and techniques for research work: Interviews, Surveys, Focus Groups, and ethnographic methods.


• Define the type of data analysis to be used

 Analysing data 

• Distinguish between qualitative and quantitative data analysis


• Distinguish between types of variables


• Differentiate descriptive analysis from inferential statistics


• Know when and why to apply certain statistical methods


• Identify appropriate computer applications for different types of data analysis

Communicate research results 

• Define the form of the document and the structure of the contents of a research report, scientific article, and dissertation


• Create a presentation summarising the research carried out

Manage a dissertation project 

• Break down a project into tasks based on its objectives 


• Estimate the time it will take to complete the tasks and define a timetable 


• Monitoring the completion of tasks


• Know the details of a data management plan


• Know research ethics codes and policies

Working method

Presencial

Program

Part 1: The Beginning of the Research Process

• Main research paradigms


• Literature review


• Research definition


• The research proposal


• Sampling

Part 2: Research methods

• Case study


• Survey


• Experimental research


• Ethnography


• Delphy study


• Quadrupole method


• Action research


• Historical research


• Grounded theory


• Design Science Research

Part 3: Data Collection Techniques

• Interviews


• Questionnaires


• Observation


• Diaries


• Focus groups


• Analysing external materials

Part 4: Data Analysis and Research Presentation

• Qualitative analysis


• Quantitative analysis


• Research presentation

Part 5: Project management

• Project planning


• Research data management


• Research ethics

Mandatory literature

ALISON JANE PICKARD; Research Methods in Information, Facet Publishing, 2013. ISBN: 9781856048132

Complementary Bibliography

Yin, Robert K.; Case study research. ISBN: 0-8039-5663-0

Teaching methods and learning activities

The sessions of this course are structured, between the lecturer's presentation and the execution of practical exercises, around previous readings that illustrate the various topics on the syllabus. These readings come from multiple sources to describe the different types of knowledge sources, scientific communities, and approaches, encouraging discussion and the development of critical thinking.

This course is articulated with the Dissertation course, enabling project-based learning with richer assessment components.

Software

Overleaf
SPSS 11
QualCoder 3.7

Evaluation Type

Distributed evaluation without final exam

Assessment Components

Designation	Weight (%)
Trabalho escrito	70,00
Apresentação/discussão de um trabalho científico	30,00
Total:	100,00

Amount of time allocated to each course unit

Designation	Time (hours)
Estudo autónomo	40,00
Frequência das aulas	42,00
Apresentação/discussão de um trabalho científico	20,00
Trabalho escrito	50,00
Total:	152,00

Eligibility for exams

Students must not exceed 25% of absences from the theoretical-practical classes.

Calculation formula of final grade

Final Grade = Min (round (10% Manifesto + 15% Video Pitch + 60% Report/Monograph + 15% Presentation + 5% CEDME); 20)

CEDME corresponds to the module "How to Write a Master's Dissertation in Engineering" held in the FEUP Library.

The student obtains a pass if he/she has a final mark >= 10 and a Report/Monograph >= 10.

Special assessment (TE, DA, ...)

Conclusion of all assessment components.

Classification improvement

Improving the classification of all assessment components through course attendance is allowed.

Observations

To complete the proposed activities, students must be enrolled in the Dissertation course and have a topic and supervisor.