Dissertation

Code:

M202

Acronym:

DISS

Keywords
Classification	Keyword
CNAEF	Psychology

Instance: 2025/2026 - A

Active?	Yes
Responsible unit:	Psychology
Course/CS Responsible:	Master Degree in Psychology

Cycles of Study/Courses

Acronym	No. of Students	Study Plan	Curricular Years	Credits UCN	Credits ECTS	Contact hours	Total Time
MPSI	189	Plano de Estudos 2021	2	-	30	60	810

Teaching language

Suitable for English-speaking students

Objectives

The aim of this course is to carry out scientific research in the field of Psychology, resulting in a written dissertation to be defended in public examinations.

This research can take different formats (e.g. empirical study, systematic literature review, theoretical essay), reflecting the thematic and methodological diversity of Psychology itself.

Learning outcomes and competences

At the end of this course, student should:

1. Conduct an original research, as planned in the “Project Seminar”;

2. Analyze and discuss the results of the research;

3. Report on the work carried out and its results in a dissertation that should approximate the format of a scientific/academic article.

Working method

Presencial

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

N/A

Program

Syllabus:

The contents are variable according to the dissertation theme selected by the student. However, individual research work, empirical or otherwise, in the field of Psychology is involved in every case. It is also involved the preparation of an original dissertation, written according to the format defined in a specific regulation, as well as its discussion in a viva. Thus, the ethical, methodological, data analysis and interpretation issues, as well as scientific writing, are commonly discussed.

The Regulations for the Master's Degree in Psychology and the Rules for the dissertation are available in the "Documents" section of the SIGARRA page for the Master's Degree in Psychology.

Mandatory literature

American Psychological Association; Publication manual of the American Psychological Association. ISBN: 978-1-4338-3216-1

Complementary Bibliography

Adelheid A. M. Nicol; Presenting your findings. ISBN: 978-1-55798-593-4
Adelheid A. M. Nicol; Displaying your findings. ISBN: 978-1-4338-0707-7

Teaching methods and learning activities

Taking the objectives and learning goals into account, the pedagogical method is fundamentally based on tutorial sessions to support/supervise the research work and the writing of the dissertation, culminating in its discussion in a viva.

As stipulated in the document "Gestão de recursos humanos docentes da FPCEUP: princípios orientadores" of April 6, 2016 (https://sigarra.up.pt/fpceup/pt/LEGISLACAO_GERAL.ver_legislacao?p_nr=5591), seminars with dissertation supervisors can be held individually or in small groups, on a weekly or at least fortnightly basis.

Software

NVIVO
Software de análise estatística (e.g., SPSS, JASP, R)
Gestor de referências (e.g., EndNote, Mendeley, Zoreto)

Evaluation Type

Evaluation with final exam

Assessment Components

designation	Weight (%)
Apresentação/discussão de um trabalho científico	100,00
Total:	100,00

Amount of time allocated to each course unit

designation	Time (hours)
Apresentação/discussão de um trabalho científico	4,00
Elaboração de relatório/dissertação/tese	200,00
Estudo autónomo	310,00
Trabalho de campo	310,00
Trabalho de investigação	310,00
Total:	1134,00

Eligibility for exams

N/A

Calculation formula of final grade

The evaluation supposes the accomplishment of individual work (Dissertation) that participates with 100% for the FC. The Final Classification results from the deliberation of the jury of appreciation of the Dissertation, after its discussion in public examination, as defined in the regulations and norms of the master's.

Examinations or Special Assignments

As defined in the regulations, failure to pass the assessment (dissertation) implies re-registration and the completion of a new assignment.

Internship work/project

N/A

Special assessment (TE, DA, ...)

N/A

Classification improvement

N/A

Observations

The working language of this course is "Portuguese - Suitable for English-speaking students", as the language of the course can be adjusted by agreement between the student and supervisor.