Research Methods and Techniques

Code:

DCCI02

Acronym:

MTI

Keywords
Classification	Keyword
OFICIAL	Social Science

Instance: 2024/2025 - 2S

Active?	Yes
Responsible unit:	Department of Communication and Information Sciences
Course/CS Responsible:	Communication and Information Sciences

Cycles of Study/Courses

Acronym	No. of Students	Study Plan	Curricular Years	Credits UCN	Credits ECTS	Contact hours	Total Time
DCCI	0	study plan	1	-	9	61	243

Teaching language

Portuguese

Objectives

Develop operational skills in the field of research methods.
Develop a reflective and critical attitude towards the use of methodological concepts and procedures.
Understand the strengths and limitations of the various research methodologies in Social Sciences, using searches of bibliographic
resources, in the databases of the repositories, as well as the use of data processing tools.
Solve problems – organize and plan research work – based on acquired knowledge leading to the development of individual work..

Learning outcomes and competences

The curricular unit is designed to create an active learning environment that is structured according to two fundamental principles.
On the one hand, it is structured on the principle of goal-oriented learning: the pedagogical approach is an adapted version of the PBL (Problem Based Learning) methodology, with all learning moments structured around the presentation of concrete problems that require resolution. On the other hand, the learning environment appears to be structured on the principle of collaborative learning: diversity of methodologies (expository and collaborative) capable of guaranteeing autonomous learning.

Working method

Presencial

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

N/A

Program

1. Introduction to research
Research paradigms - from the selection of a theme to the design of the research project
Research planning
Sources of scientific information and literature review
2. Investigation process
Data collection methods – from traditional to digital forms
Data analysis and interpretation
Computational methods in research in Sciences of Communication and Information
Presentation of research results

Mandatory literature

Alvesson, M., & Sköldberg, K.; Reflexive methodology: New vistas for qualitative research (, Sage, 2017
Bryman, A.; Social research methods. , Oxford University Press, 2012
Gray, D. ; Doing research in the real world , Sage., 2022
Hewson, C., Vogel, C., & Laurent, D. ; Internet Research Methods, Sage, 2016
Pickard, A. J.; Research Methods in Information, Facet Publishing., 2013
Snee, H.; Hine, C.: Morey, Y.; Roberts, S. & Watson, H. (Eds.) ; Digital Methods for Social Science: An Interdisciplinary Guide to Research Innovation. , Palgrave-Macmillan, 2016
Tobi, H., & Kampen, J. K. ; Research design: the methodology for interdisciplinary research framework.52(3), 1209-1225., 2018

Teaching methods and learning activities

The planning of an advanced level study, starting from a research question, which must meet the research interests of each student (promoting problem solving through the proposal, organization and planning of a research work) promoting the development of critical
reasoning. The work planning phase is closely monitored by the teachers, allowing problems to be solved based on the acquired knowledge.

Evaluation Type

Distributed evaluation without final exam

Assessment Components

Designation	Weight (%)
Participação presencial	10,00
Apresentação/discussão de um trabalho científico	10,00
Trabalho prático ou de projeto	80,00
Total:	100,00

Amount of time allocated to each course unit

Designation	Time (hours)
Apresentação/discussão de um trabalho científico	2,00
Estudo autónomo	80,00
Frequência das aulas	61,00
Trabalho escrito	100,00
Total:	243,00

Eligibility for exams

Development of an individual work involving the planning of an advanced level research work (definition of the research question, objectives, exploratory bibliographic research, construction of the analysis model, choice of operationalization method as well as research of
publications where it is relevant to come to publish).

Calculation formula of final grade

E+Pp+Tc=100%

Special assessment (TE, DA, ...)

N/A

Classification improvement

N/A