Research Methods and Techniques

Code:

ICPD0015

Acronym:

MTIN

Instance: 2016/2017 - 2S

Active?	Yes
Responsible unit:	Department of Communication and Information Sciences
Course/CS Responsible:	Third cycle of studies in Information and Communication in Digital Platforms

Cycles of Study/Courses

Acronym	No. of Students	Study Plan	Curricular Years	Credits UCN	Credits ECTS	Contact hours	Total Time
ICPD	10	ICPD - Study Plan	1	-	8	-

Teaching language

Suitable for English-speaking students

Objectives

- To know the fundamentals of scientific research.

- To develop a critical attitude of initiative when addressing issues that may be the object of scientific research.

 - To understand the strengths and limitations of various research methodologies in the Social Sciences.

 - To solve problems – to organize and to plan research - based on acquired knowledge.

Learning outcomes and competences

- To adopt a critical attitude to the problems raised by professional practices;

 - To critically characterize, compare and apply different theoretical and methodological devices that that provide support to scientific research;

 - To apply and critically analyze different instruments for collection and treatment of information;

Working method

Presencial

Program

I - Introduction to scientific research

1. Choosing the theme

2. Review of the literature

3. Research planning

4. Quantitative and qualitative research

 II - The process of investigation

5. Methods for data collection

5.1. Documentary research

5.2. Observation techniques

5.3. Interview

5.4. Questionnaires and surveys

5.5. Other methods of data collection

6. The analysis and interpretation of data

6.1. Qualitative data analysis

6.2. Quantitative data analysis

6.2.1 Parametric and nonparametric techniques

6.2.2 The technique and the software for statistical analysis

 III Formal aspects of work

6.3. Writing and presenting scientific papers

6.4. References and editorial style

6.5. Presenting research work at scientific conferences

Mandatory literature

Berger, A. ; Media and Communication Research Methods: An Introduction to Qualitative and Quantitative Approaches, Sage, 2000
Bryman, A., & Cramer, D. ; Análise de dados em Ciências Sociais: Introdução às técnicas utilizando o SPSS, Celta Editora, 1992
Coutinho, C. ; Metodologia de Investigação em Ciências Sociais e Humanas: Teoria e Prática, Almedina, 2011
Ollyer, G., & Lingstrom, R. ; Business Week Guide to Multimedia Presentations, McGraw-Hill, 1994
Hill, M.M., & Hill, A. ; Investigação por questionário, Edições Sílabo, 2008
Quivy, R., & VanCampenhoudt, L.; Manual de Investigação em Ciências Sociais, Gradiva, 2008
Sampieri, R. H., Collado, C. F., & Lúcio, P. B. ; Metodologia de Pesquisa, McGraw-Hill Interamericana do Brasil Ld.ª, 2006
Sousa, G. V.; Metodologia da investigação, redacção e apresentação de trabalhos científicos, Livraria Civilização Editora, 1998

Teaching methods and learning activities

Lectures for teaching the fundamental theoretical concepts, supported by slides and availability of materials. Strategies of a more exploratory kind will be used, namely, seeking of bibliographic resources, on databases of repositories of scientific knowledge peer-reviewed, as well as quantitative and qualitative tools for data treatment.

Developing an individual work, with accompaniment in classroom and at distance learning, where a research plan is done at an advanced level (defining the research question, the objectives of the study, bibliographic search, construction of the analysis model, method to make the research work and publications where it is relevant to publish work in the field - indicating the impact factor). Students are encouraged to capitalize the work and the research developed for the planning of their own doctoral dissertation.

Software

SPSS
Web QDA

keywords

Humanities > Information science
Social sciences > Communication sciences

Evaluation Type

Distributed evaluation without final exam

Assessment Components

Designation	Weight (%)
Defesa pública de dissertação, de relatório de projeto ou estágio, ou de tese	15,00
Trabalho escrito	85,00
Total:	100,00

Amount of time allocated to each course unit

Designation	Time (hours)
Elaboração de projeto	60,00
Estudo autónomo	50,00
Total:	110,00

Calculation formula of final grade

Assessment: written document of the research work plan (85%) + oral presentation of the work (15%).