Research Methodology

Recommended Prerequisites

Not applicable.

Teaching Methods

The unit is structured as follows: a) two introductory sessions, ten sessions divided in modules and two final sessions; b) fifteen modules are offered to address different data collection and analysis techniques; c) each student chooses five modules (among the fifteen offered in each edition), with the assistance of the lecturer in charge of the unit.

The teaching methodologies may vary from one module to another, but in every module some activities and exercises are proposed with a practical focus.

Learning Outcomes

This course aims to present the main paradigms and research methodologies, encouraging a critical analysis of their use in different contexts to better understand and study management issues and problems.

By successfully completing this unit, it is expected that students will be able to:

• Identify research paradigms and approaches and critically evaluate their advantages and disadvantages;

• Be aware of a variety of methodologies and be capable of analysing their potentialities and limitations;

• Use the appropriate terminology •Build and validate some data collecting instruments, such as questionnaires and interview plans

• Apply quantitative and qualitative data analysis techniques

• Design a research proposal

Work Placement(s)

No

Syllabus

Giving an identical emphasis to qualitative and quantitative approaches, the main focus is on the development of the competencies needed to develop research plans appropriate and consistent. The following topics are addressed: (1) The research process: assumptions and stages; (2) Literature review and bibliographic databases; (3) Primary and secondary sources of data; (4) Data collection: methods and procedures – observation, interview and questionnaire; (5) Data analysis: qualitative and quantitative techniques; (6) Design of a research proposal: key components and assessment criteria.

Head Lecturer(s)

Patrícia Helena Ferreira Lopes de Moura e Sá

Assessment Methods

Evaluation
Synthesis work: 50.0%
Assessment continuous: 50.0%

Bibliography

BRYMAN, Alan ; BELL, Emma — Business research methods. 2nd ed. Oxford : Oxford University Press, 2007. [BP 658 BRY]

HILL, Manuela Magalhães ; HILL, Andrew – Investigação por questionário. 2ª ed. rev. e corr., 2ª reimp. Lisboa : Edições Sílabo, 2005. [BP 303 HIL]

HUSSEY, Jill ; HUSSEY, Roger — Business research : a practical guide for undergraduate and postgraduate students. Basingstoke : Macmillan Press, 1997. [BP 001.8 HUS]

SAGE (THE) handbook of qualitative research. Editors Norman K. Denzin ; Yvonna S. Lincoln. 3rd ed. Thousand Oaks : Sage Publications, 2005. [BP 303 SAG]

SAUDERS, Mark ; LEWIS, Philip ; THORNHILL, Adrian — Research methods for business students. 4th ed. Harlow : Financial Times/Prentice Hall, 2007. [BP 001.8 SAU]

Nota: Para cada módulo é indicada bibliografia específica