Research Methodology

Code:

MCI0027

Acronym:

MI

Keywords
Classification	Keyword
OFICIAL	Information Science

Instance: 2015/2016 - 1S

Active?	Yes
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	18	Plano de estudos oficial	2	-	6	56	162

Teaching language

Suitable for English-speaking students

Objectives

The aim of this course unit is to familiarise students with the principles and the available methodological and technical instruments, which enable an adequate selection when carrying out an individual research project.

Learning outcomes and competences

After being approved to this Unit, students will be able to:

Prepare and design a research work;

Explain, select and use data collection methods and techniques;

Explain, select and use data analysis and processing methods;

Communicate research results;

Manage a small individual research project.

Working method

Presencial

Program

PART 1: STARTING THE RESEARCH PROCESS

• Major research paradigms 
• Reviewing literature 
• Defining the research 
• The research proposal 
• Sampling  

PART 2: RESEARCH METHODS

• Case studies 
• Surveys 
• Ethnography 
• Action research 
• Historical research 
• Grounded theory

PART 3: DATA COLLECTION TECHNIQUES

• Interviews 
• Questionnaires 
• Observation 
• Focus groups 
• Analysis of existing, externally created material 

PART 4: DATA ANALYSIS AND RESEARCH PRESENTATION

• Qualitative analysis 
• Quantitative analysis 
• Presenting the research 

Mandatory literature

ALISON JANE PICKARD; Research Methods in Information, Facet Publishing, 2013. ISBN: 9781856048132
Gilberto Andrade Martins e Carlos Renato Teophilo; Metodologia de Investigação para Ciências Sociais Aplicadas, Editora Atlas, São Paulo, 2007

Complementary Bibliography

Yin, Robert K.; Case study research. ISBN: 0-8039-5663-0
P de Bruyne, J. Herman e M de Schoutheete; Dynamique de la Recherche en Science Sociales, Presses Universitaires de France, 1974
Quivy, Raymond; Manual de investigação em ciências sociais. ISBN: 972-662-275-1

Teaching methods and learning activities

This UC sessions are structured around previous readings that exemplify the themes of the course content. The readings have various origins and illustrate the knowledge sources, scientific communities and approaches. Priority is given to discovery through weekly homework in a way to make the class debates more dynamic and enlightening. This UC is articulated with the UC Dissertation. enabling a project-based learning with richer assessment components.

Software

NVivo
SPSS 11

Evaluation Type

Distributed evaluation without final exam

Assessment Components

Designation	Weight (%)
Defesa pública de dissertação, de relatório de projeto ou estágio, ou de tese	0,00
Participação presencial	10,00
Trabalho escrito	90,00
Total:	100,00

Amount of time allocated to each course unit

Designation	Time (hours)
Elaboração de projeto	60,00
Estudo autónomo	42,00
Frequência das aulas	28,00
Trabalho de investigação	32,00
Total:	162,00

Eligibility for exams

- minimum grade 40% a cada uma das componentes definidas 
- 75% minimum presence in classes

Calculation formula of final grade

25% - (PD) Dissertation project 
15% - (DPD) Dissertation project defence
25% - (RR) Literature review
25% - (TPC) weekly assignements 
10% - (PA) class participation