Thesis Project

Code:

DCCI04

Acronym:

PT

Keywords
Classification	Keyword
OFICIAL	Communication Sciences

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	-	12	40,5	324

Teaching language

Portuguese

Objectives

This curricular unity finishes, consolidates, systematizes and applies the knowledge obtained in the different curricular units of the 1st year of the study cycle and the acquisition of competences related to the research methodology and techniques applicable to specific themes in the field of Communication and Information Sciences, resulting in the development of the doctoral thesis project.

Learning outcomes and competences

As a result of a student-centered pedagogical model, with a blended learning approach (face-to-face and online activities), and a project orientation (of a doctoral thesis), with expository and active sessions, a student upon completing this curricular unit should be able to:

1. Identify a research problem;
2. Develop a literature review and know the state of the art;
3. Apply the research methodology, tools and techniques;
4. Design the doctoral thesis project;
5. Present (written and oral) and defend the thesis project.

Working method

Presencial

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

Not applicable.

Program

- Scope and objectives

- Research questions

- State of the art review

- Preparation of the analysis model

- Definition of research methodology

- Identification of techniques and definition of the strategy for data collection

- Publication plan and Contingency Plan

- Schedule of activities

- Relevant bibliographic references

2. Elaboration of the thesis project based on the work developed by the student in the previous courses, especially in the course “Research Methods and Techniques”

3. Presentation and discussion in class of the doctoral thesis project developed by each student, with a view to its final elaboration

Mandatory literature

Alvesson, M.; Sköldberg, K. ; Reflexive methodology: new vistas for qualitative research , Sage, 2017. ISBN: 9781473964242
Berger, A.; Media and Communication Research Methods: an introduction to qualitative and quantitative approaches, Sage, 2019. ISBN: 9781544332673
Bryman, A.; Social research methods, Oxford University Press, 2012. ISBN: 9780199689453
Cornelsen, J. M.; Escrever com normas guia prático para a elaboração de trabalhos técnico-científicos, Imprensa da Universidade de Coimbra, 2012
Coutinho, C.; Metodologia de Investigação em Ciências Sociais e Humanas: teoria e prática , Almedina, 2015
Gray, D. E.; Doing research in the real world , Sage, 2022. ISBN: 9781529742435
Hewson, C.; Vogel, C.; Laurent, D. ; Internet research methods: a practical guide for the social and behavioural sciences, Sage, 2016. ISBN: 978-0-7619-5920-5
Snee, H. (ed.) et al.; Digital Methods for Social Science: an interdisciplinary guide to research innovation, Palgrave-Macmillan, 2016. ISBN: 9781137453662

Teaching methods and learning activities

Pedagogical model centered on the student, with a blended learning approach (face classroom activities and online activities) and a project-oriented approach (doctoral thesis).

1) Face classroom activities (expository/active): aims enhancing the debate and discussion of the topics that students choose for their thesis projects, the structure of each thesis, and the applied research methods and techniques, as well as the monitoring and evaluation of the work carried out and presented by the student, also assuring the interaction with supervisors, under the coordination of the CU responsible;

2) Online activities (tutorial/active): aims allowing close monitoring of the progress of the ongoing work (project development and research) through regular interaction between supervisors and students, based on the communication tools adopted (including email and video conferencing).

keywords

Humanities > Information science
Social sciences > Communication sciences

Evaluation Type

Distributed evaluation without final exam

Assessment Components

Designation	Weight (%)
Participação presencial	5,00
Defesa pública de dissertação, de relatório de projeto ou estágio, ou de tese	25,00
Trabalho escrito	70,00
Total:	100,00

Amount of time allocated to each course unit

Designation	Time (hours)
Apresentação/discussão de um trabalho científico	1,50
Elaboração de projeto	50,00
Estudo autónomo	50,00
Frequência das aulas	39,00
Trabalho de investigação	160,00
Trabalho escrito	23,50
Total:	324,00

Eligibility for exams

Not applicable.

Calculation formula of final grade

FC = (CP x 0,05) + (OP x 0,25) + (WW x 0,70)

CP - class participation
FC - final classification
OP - oral presentation and discussion
WW - written work

Examinations or Special Assignments

Not applicable

Internship work/project

In line with the pedagogical model followed, which essentially focuses on the autonomous work of the student and on the development of research skills, the type of evaluation of this curricular unit is essentially based on the elaboration of a written work, its oral presentation, participation and discussion in class. Once completed, the thesis project is presented and discussed in a qualifying examination, before a jury of 3 elements, which must include an examiner (doctorate) from an external institution, a member of the Scientific Committee and the supervisor.

Special assessment (TE, DA, ...)

Not applicable.

Classification improvement

Not applicable.