Research Methodology

Recommended Prerequisites

n.a

Teaching Methods

The course unit is based on the pedagogical principle of learning by doing, thus favoring a strongly practice-oriented approach. Classes will be organized to combine theoretical exposition by the instructor with the active participation of students, through the execution and discussion of practical exercises that enable the application of acquired knowledge. Students will select a common topic for the development of a collective research project, which will serve as the foundation for in-class exercises and act as a reference point for the continuous assessment component.

Learning Outcomes

At the end of this course unit, students are expected to be familiar with the main components of the research process in the Social Sciences, including the relationship between theory, methods, and data. They should understand how scientific knowledge about social reality is constructed, recognizing the challenges posed by the familiarity with the social world and the need to break away from common sense assumptions. Students should be able to formulate a research question, define a research problem, construct hypotheses, operationalize concepts, and propose variables. They should also be acquainted with and able to apply basic techniques for data collection and analysis, adhering to ethical research principles such as informed consent and confidentiality. This unit aims to develop foundational research skills and to foster a critical and reflective attitude towards the processes of knowledge production in Sociology.

Work Placement(s)

No

Syllabus

1. Science and other forms of knowledge
2. Epistemology, methodology, methods, and techniques
3 The construction of scientific knowledge of social reality
3.1 Nature of the social and conceptual construction of objects
3.2 Epistemological obstacles and the familiarity of the social
3.3 Epistemological rupture
4 The logic of the research
4.1. Elements of research: Theory, data, methods, and techniques
5 Research project design
5.1 Selection of a research topic
5.2 Formulation of research question
5.3 Exploratory work
5.4 Definition of the problematic
6 Construction of the analytical model
6.1 Formulation of hypothesis
6.2 Operationalization of concepts
6.3 Construction of variables
7 Ethics in scientific research
7.1 Informed consent,pPrivacy, and confidentiality
8 Observation
8.1 What to Observe, whom to observe, and how?
9 Data analysis
9.1 Statistical Analysis and Content Analysis
10 Presentation of research findings
10.1 How to structure, write, and Ppresent a research Report

Head Lecturer(s)

Andreia de Jesus Dias Barbas

Assessment Methods

Assessment
Laboratory work or Field work: 15.0%
Research work: 35.0%
Mini Tests: 50.0%

Bibliography

BECKER, H. (2008), Segredos e truques da pesquisa. Jorge Zahar Editor.
BELL, J. (2004), Como realizar um projecto de investigação: um guia para a pesquisa em ciências sociais e da educação (3ª ed.). Gradiva.
CARDOSO, G.; Sepúlveda, R. (2025). Manual de métodos para pesquisa digital. Mundos Sociais.
CRESWELL, J. W.; CRESWELL, J. D. (2018), Research Design: Qualitative, Quantitative, and Mixed Methods Approaches (5ª ed). SAGE.
DENZIN, N. R.; LINCOLN, Y. S.; GIARDINA, M. D.; CANNELLA, G. S. (eds.) (2024), The SAGE Handbook of Qualitative Research (6ª ed.). SAGE.
GONÇALVES, S. P., GONÇALVES, J. P.; MARQUES, C. G. (2021), Manual de investigação qualitativa. Pactor.
GORDON, L. E. (2020), Real Research: Research Methods Sociology students Can Use. SAGE.
QUIVY, R.; CAMPENHOUDT, L. van (2005), Manual de investigação em ciências sociais (4ª ed.). Gradiva.
RIDLEY, D. (2012). The literature review: A step-by-step guide for students. SAGE.