Research Methodology

Code:

CINF023

Acronym:

MINV

Instance: 2014/2015 - 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	52	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

Learning outcomes and competences

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

Working method

Presencial

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
Christensen, L. B. ; Experimental methodology, Pearson Education, Inc., 2004
Coutinho, C.; Metodologia de Investigação em Ciências Sociais e Humanas: Teoria e Prática, Almedina, 2011
Quivy, R., & VanCampenhoudt, L.; Manual de Investigação em Ciências Sociais, Gradiva, 2008
Hill, M.M., & Hill, A.; Investigação por questionário, Edições Sílabo, 2008

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

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.

Software

Nvivo
SPSS
WebQDA

Evaluation Type

Distributed evaluation with final exam

Assessment Components

Designation	Weight (%)
Exame	60,00
Trabalho escrito	40,00
Total:	100,00

Amount of time allocated to each course unit

Designation	Time (hours)
Estudo autónomo	76,00
Trabalho de investigação	86,00
Total:	162,00

Eligibility for exams

Students are not obliged to be present at classes.

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.