Research Methodology

Code:

CINF023

Acronym:

MINV

Instance: 2010/2011 - 2S

Active?	Yes
Responsible unit:	Department of Journalism and Communication Sciences
Course/CS Responsible:	Bachelor of Arts in Information Science

Cycles of Study/Courses

Acronym	No. of Students	Study Plan	Curricular Years	Credits UCN	Credits ECTS	Contact hours	Total Time
CINF	56	Plano Oficial a partir de 2008/2009	1	-	6	-

Teaching language

Portuguese

Objectives

a) To adopt a critical attitude toward professional problems
b) To question the logic of the social processes of scientific production
c) To characterize and to apply different methodologies in the scientific production of Social Sciences
d) To critically apply and analyze different data collection instruments
e) To know and to apply formal norm for research presentation


1. To know scientific research fundamentals
2. To develop a critical and creative spirit when confronting problems related with their future profession
3. To present skills for team work
4. To develop skills for organizing and presenting individual work
5. To solve problems - to organize and plan research work based on acquired knowledge

Program

A –The development of Science
1. Socio- historical and epistemological conditions of Science development
2. Scientific goals
3. Characteristics and advantages of the scientific method
B – Theoretical and methodological questions of Social Sciences’ research
1. The role of theory in Social Sciences
2. Empirical language and theoretical language
3. The four poles of research methodology
C – Research Methodology in Social Sciences
1. Scientific research stages
2. Qualitative and quantitative research
3. Methods of data collection (documental research, observational methods, surveys)
4. Analysis and interpretation of results (content analysis, parametric and non parametric tests)
D – The research report
1. Writing and presenting scientific work
2. References and editorial style
3. Presenting research at professional Conferences

Mandatory literature

Albarello, l. ; Práticas e métodos de investigação em ciências sociais, Gradiva Publicações, 1997
Ceia, C.; Normas para apresentação de trabalhos científicos, Editorial Presença., 1992
Lessard-Hébert, M., Goyette, G., & Boutin, G. ; Investigação qualitativa: fundamentos e práticas, Instituto Piaget, 1994
Bryman, A. & Cramer, D. ; Análise de dados em Ciências Sociais: Introdução às técnicas utilizando o SPSS, Celta Editora, 1882
Hill, M.M. & Hill, A. ; Investigação por questionário, Edições Sílabo, 2000
Quivy, R., & Van Campenhoudt, L. ; Manual de Investigação em Ciências Sociai, Gradiva, 1992
Christensen, L. B. ; Experimental methodology, Pearson Education, Inc., 2004

Complementary Bibliography

Sousa, G. V. ; Metodologia da investigação, redacção e apresentação de trabalhos científicos, Livraria Civilização Editora, 1998
Clark-Carter, D. ; Doing quantitative psychological research: from design to report. , East Sussex: Psychology Press Ltd, 1997
Silva, A. S., & Pinto, J. M.; Metodologia das ciências sociais, Edições Afrontamento, 1986
Eco, U.; Como se faz uma tese em Ciências Humanas, Editorial Presença, 1980
Santos, B. S.; Introdução a uma ciência pós-moderna, Edições Afrontamento, 1989

Teaching methods and learning activities

A methodology combining theoretical lectures based on the necessity of theorizing ideas presented by students, group work, debates based on examples of scientific research studies developed in the area of Social Sciences.

Evaluation Type

Distributed evaluation with final exam

Assessment Components

Description	Type	Time (hours)	Weight (%)	End date
Attendance (estimated)	Participação presencial	56,00
Written work	Trabalho escrito	50,00		2011-03-31
Test	Exame	2,00		2011-07-16
	Total:	-	0,00

Amount of time allocated to each course unit

Description	Type	Time (hours)	End date
Study preparation	Estudo autónomo	54	2011-06-17
	Total:	54,00

Eligibility for exams

Students are obliged to be present at 75% of the classes, exception made for all cases attended by law.

Calculation formula of final grade

Research work – 40%; final examination – 60%.

Examinations or Special Assignments

Not applied

Special assessment (TE, DA, ...)

Not applied

Classification improvement

In accordance to actual Norms.