Introduction to Research Methodology

Recommended Prerequisites

NA

Teaching Methods

The concepts are presented in order to encourage active participation of students, sharing the experience gained during their previous training (heterogeneous), consolidating their knowledge and developing their critical sense, making them able to put into practice the shared experience. Different types of text and cases are also presented and commented, trying to encourage the reasoning of the students.

The student is evaluated by a written assignment, according to scientific standards, on research methods chosen by the student. The evaluation focuses on content, form and the execution process (used sources, the process by which the references are added to the text, etc.).

Learning Outcomes

The aim of the course is to acquire the concepts and practices of scientific research.

At the end of the course the student should:

1 – Know different research methodologies in order to obtain original contributions on a knowledge field.

2 – Understand the international peer review system and the associated publication system.

3 – Be able to produce a text for scientific communication.

4 – Know several sources of scientific information and how to use them.

5 – Be able to prepare and deliver an oral communication.

Work Placement(s)

No

Syllabus

1- Analysis of different research methodologies, their applicability and expected results: quantitative versus qualitative studies; case studies; Design research; Summative versus formative evaluation.

2 – The international peer review system.

3 – Scientific communication format: references and citations; research reports; papers; dissertations.

4 - Sources of scientific information: usage and applicability.

5- The oral scientific communication.

Head Lecturer(s)

João Paulo Faria Oliveira Costa

Assessment Methods

Evaluation
a written assignment, according to scientific standards: 100.0%

Bibliography

CEIA, Carlos - Normas para apresentação de trabalhos científicos. 7ª ed. Lisboa: Editorial Presença, 2008.

SAUNDERS, Mark; LEWIS, Philip; THORNHILL, Adrian – Research methods for business students. 4th ed. Harlow: Financial Times/Prentice Hall, 2007.

BRYMAN, Alan; BELL, Emma – Business Research Methods. 2sd ed. Oxford University Press, 2007.

Vários artigos científicos (a fornecer).

Informação disponibilizada na Internet por associações científicas.