Science and Communication Methods

Code:

RM01

Acronym:

MIC

Keywords
Classification	Keyword
OFICIAL	Research Methodologies

Instance: 2025/2026 - 1S (of 15-09-2025 to 13-02-2026)

Active?	Yes
Responsible unit:	Microscopy
Course/CS Responsible:	Master Degree in Marine Sciences - Marine Resources

Cycles of Study/Courses

Acronym	No. of Students	Study Plan	Curricular Years	Credits UCN	Credits ECTS	Contact hours	Total Time
MCMRM	23	Oficial Plan 2018	1	-	5	50	135

Teaching language

Portuguese and english
Obs.: Inglês, se necessário | English, if needed

Objectives

Present and discuss the scientific method and its most frequent implementation failures.

Review, discuss, and practice forms of scientific communication for different audiences.

Present and discuss bibliometrics, scientometrics, informetrics, and publication systems.

Address research ethics issues and current challenges resulting from the rapid development of new technologies.

Address the ways of interaction between science and society.

Provide opportunities to gain or improve transferable skills.

Learning outcomes and competences

Equip students with the creative and critical ability to effectively communicate scientific results, both orally and in writing, to various audiences.

Enhance research and scientific writing skills, individual communication, and the ability to design scientific studies.

Have the ability to find and interpret metric indicators of scientific output.

Acquisition and improvement of transferable skills.

Working method

Presencial

Program

The fundamental concepts of scientific methodology.

Common basic errors and systems of validation and dissemination of scientific results.

The "scientific world": publishers, editors, peers, authors. The indexing systems.

Presentation of databases and discussion of indicators of scientific impact.

The planning of a scientific study (e.g., proposals for funding, dissertation proposal).

Brainstorming in group for project definition. Conclusion with mind mapping software.

Preparing and presenting a Scientific Poster.

Preparing and presenting an Oral Communication.

Types of articles and the process of writing a scientific article, including training in preparing tables, graphs and photographs.

Writing and presentation of a thesis, of a dissertation or of an internship report.

Bibliographic databases and management of references via software.

Concept, use and "pitch" types in personal and scientific communication.

Introduction to the use of "storytelling" in scientific communication.

Ethics and fraud in science - fundamentals and analyses of cases.

The use of artificial intelligence in academic writing and research.

Communicate science to society.

Mandatory literature

Angelika H. Hofmann ; Scientific Writing and Communication: Papers, Proposals, and Presentations (4th Edition), Oxford University Press, 2019. ISBN: 0190063289
Martin A. Nuñez; A Pocket Guide to Scientific Writing and Publishing, MNRD Publishing, 2025. ISBN: 979-8999170507
Scott L. Montgomery; The Chicago Guide to Communicating Science (Second Edition), University of Chicago Press, 2017. ISBN: 022614450X
Ranjit Kumar; Research Methodology: A Step-by-Step Guide for Beginners (5th Edition), SAGE Publication, 2019. ISBN: 1526449900

Complementary Bibliography

Geoffrey R. Marczyk, David DeMatteo, David Festinger; Essentials of Research Design and Methodology (Essentials of Behavioral Science), Wiley, 2005. ISBN: 978-0471470533
Mildred L. Patten and Michelle Newhart ; Understanding Research Methods: An Overview of the Essentials, Routledge, 2017. ISBN: 0415790522
Petter Laake, Haakon Breien Benestad, Bjorn Reino Olsen; Research in Medical and Biological Sciences: From Planning and Preparation to Grant Application and Publication, Academic Press Inc, 2015. ISBN: 0127999434
Paul D. Leedy and Jeanne Ellis Ormrod; Practical Research: Planning and Design (12th Edition), Pearson, 2019. ISBN: 9780134775654

Comments from the literature

The the course coodinnato distributes fuher study materials and indicates online resources that are supplementary to the suggested bibliograhpy.

Teaching methods and learning activities

Lectures.

Exposure with discussion.

Brainstorming.

Work and discussion of group.

Work and discussion extended.

Representation.

keywords

Social sciences > Educational sciences > Research methodology

Evaluation Type

Distributed evaluation with final exam

Assessment Components

Designation	Weight (%)
Exame	30,00
Participação presencial	5,00
Trabalho escrito	30,00
Trabalho prático ou de projeto	30,00
Prova oral	5,00
Total:	100,00

Amount of time allocated to each course unit

Designation	Time (hours)
Elaboração de projeto	25,00
Estudo autónomo	43,00
Frequência das aulas	42,00
Trabalho de investigação	25,00
Total:	135,00

Eligibility for exams

According to U.Porto and ICBAS standards, namely participation in at least 3/4 of all classes taught.

Calculation formula of final grade

Final Classification Formula (0 to 20 values):

Exam 30% + Poster 30% + Project 30% + Pitch 5% + Participation 5%

Note 1: Participation = a score from 0 to 1 (based on the quality of in-class engagement) x attendance percentage for the classes taught.

Note 2: 1.5 point bonus on Tasks 1 and 2 if done and presented in English.

Examinations or Special Assignments

Task 1 - Poster

Small Group (3 to 4 students, no more than 5 groups):

Realization and presentation of a poster on a theme of your choice.

Whoever presents the poster is drawn on the day and time.

Presentation duration: 5 min. Discussion: 5-10 min.

A self-assessment of the performance of each member of the group is carried out, in % (from 0 to 100), to be delivered on the day of presentation by a spokesperson for the group. Participation % can influence the individual final grade.

Task 2 - Project Proposal

Extended Group (4 to 7 students, no more than 3 groups):

Preparation of project proposal for Master's Dissertation (in generall with 1 year duration).

Simulation work of creating a project based on the form used in the Master's.

Delivery (printed and PDF, up to 24h from its presentation) and oral presentation (10 min), followed by discussion (15 to 20 min).

The group appoints two spokespersons to present the work.

A self-assessment of the performance of each member of the group is made, in % (from 0 to 100), to be delivered on the day of presentation. The % of participation may influence the individual final grade.

Task 3 - "Elevator Pitch"

Minimal time: 30 sec. Maximum time: 1 min. The "pitch" should incorporate so-called "key elements", for example: Who? What? Unique? How?

Task 4 - Final Exam

Multiple choice test.

Classification improvement

After a first pass, the master's student can only improve the grade of the multiple-choice exam. The new rating will be entered into the final grade calculation formula.