Research Methods in Philosophy I

Code:

MFIL046

Acronym:

MIF_I

Keywords
Classification	Keyword
OFICIAL	Philosophy

Instance: 2021/2022 - 1S

Active?	Yes
E-learning page:	https://moodle.up.pt/
Responsible unit:	Department of Philosophy
Course/CS Responsible:	Masters in Philosophy

Cycles of Study/Courses

Acronym	No. of Students	Study Plan	Curricular Years	Credits UCN	Credits ECTS	Contact hours	Total Time
MFIL	17	MFIL - Study Plan	1	-	3	30	81

Teaching language

Suitable for English-speaking students

Objectives

The CU aims at the mastery of students in dealing with the resources and techniques required for rigorous research. The student will be confronted with the preparation of articles, monographs, dissertation, etc. The CU is connected with work expected from the students within the programme. Works pursued within the CU will thus be related to the student’s research in the seminars, as well as with the dissertation.
One particular aim is that each student prepares a bibliographic support for their own research in the programme. This should be done in a systematic and organized way, identifying, searching for and reading the appropriate bibliography for each kind of work he/she attempts. The CU also integrates practical work with informatic programs and bibliography social networks.

Learning outcomes and competences

At the end of the CU, students should:
1) Know of the main resources for research in Philosophy and about the problems of philosophical research
2) Know how to use the (physical and online) existing resources at the University of Porto
3) Know how to use Philosophy research instruments (specialized encyclopedias, journals, electronic resources, textbooks,
histories of philosophy, monographs, discussion fori)
4) Be autonomous and knowledgeable in their own bibliographic research; create files and bibliographies to give support to their own research.

Working method

Presencial

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

Not applicable.

Program

1. To prepare a master's research: papers, presentations, dissertation
1.1. What is research in philosophy?
1.2. How to write in philosophy?
1.3. Do I need a work plan?

2. The research: from the plan to the reading guide
2.1. Philosophy research resources
2.1.1 Research in Library
2.1.2. Printed and remote access resources
2.2. Searching the web: proliferation of resources and qualitative hierarchy
2.3. Heuristics and selection of work materials

3. Footnoes and Bibliographies
3.1. Sources and secondary bibliography
3.2. The different ways of using bibliography in research
3.3. Styles, templates, rules
3.4. EndNote and Mendeley in research and writing
3.5. Automate bibliography and indexes in Microsoft Word

4. The tools of erudiction
4.1. Reference works
4.2. Journals
4.3. Monographs and essays
4.4. Reading and using “works noone reads”
4.5. How to get to “what matters”

Mandatory literature

Both, W.C — G.G. Colomb — J.M. Williams; The Craft of Research, Chicago, Chicago UP, 1996
Craig, E. (ed.) ; Routledge Encyclopaedia of Philosophy, 10 vol, London, Routledge, 1998
Eco Umberto 1932-2016; Como se faz uma tese em ciências humanas. ISBN: 972-23-1351-7
Grafton, A. ; The Footnote: A Curious History, Cambridge, Harvard University Press, 1999
Harvey, G. ; Writing with Sources: A Guide for Students, Indianapolis: Hackett Publ, 1998
Jacob, A. et al. (ed.) ; Encyclopédie Philosophique Universelle. 4 vol, Paris, P.U.F., 1989
Krummel, D. W; Bibliografias: sus objetivos y metodos, German S. Ruip, 1993
Meirinhos, J. ; Breve guia para a elaboração e apresentação de trabalhos de pesquisa: http://ifilosofia.up.pt/meirinhos/accessus/breve_guia., 2015
Pryor, J.; Guidelines on Writing a Philosophy Paper: http://www.jimpryor.net/teaching/guidelines/writing.html
Zalta, E.N. (ed.) ; The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy: http://plato.stanford.edu

Teaching methods and learning activities

Practical work with the students on the proposed materials.

Evaluation Type

Distributed evaluation without final exam

Assessment Components

Designation	Weight (%)
Apresentação/discussão de um trabalho científico	20,00
Participação presencial	10,00
Trabalho escrito	70,00
Total:	100,00

Amount of time allocated to each course unit

Designation	Time (hours)
Frequência das aulas	20,00
Trabalho de investigação	55,00
Elaboração de projeto	6,00
Total:	81,00

Eligibility for exams

75% of attendance.

Calculation formula of final grade

Practical works and their presentation: proposal of a paper (10%); final, c. 10-15 pages (60%); presentation of the paper or communication and the research, using written media or multimedia (10%).

Examinations or Special Assignments

Not applicable.

Internship work/project

Not applicable.

Special assessment (TE, DA, ...)

Not applicable.

Classification improvement

To the writen paper.

Observations

Not applicable.