Scientific Project Methodology II

Recommended Prerequisites

The knowledge acquired in the course Methodology of Scientific Projects I (1st semester) is very important.

Teaching Methods

Expositive, always using examples. There will also be used scientific articles and excerpts from researches already undertaken, so that students can read and analyze them critically in class and independently, either individually or in groups. For the evaluation of this curricular unit, students must individually prepare an paper.

Learning Outcomes

- Reflection on the contribution that qualitative methodologies can make to research in education and training of adults.

- Knowledge of the main characteristics of qualitative approach and of the relevant research plans and techniques.

- Analysis of the advantages of qualitative methodologies and their main limitations, compared with quantitative methodologies of positivist inspiration.

- To contribute to the creation of positive attitudes regarding the scientific approach to educational problems through qualitative methodologies.

- To promote the ability of a methodological criticism regarding scientific studies of qualitative nature.

- To develop skills that enable to choose the qualitative plan suitable for the study of a specific topic.

- To make master students able to plan, develop and evaluate correctly a qualitative research project in education and training of adults and community intervention

Work Placement(s)

No

Syllabus

Characteristics of qualitative research in education

+ The subjectivity of the discipline and the role of the researcher: dialogue between the (internal) emic perspective and ethical perspective (external)

+ Possible Phases of a qualitative research

+ The credibility of a qualitative study: questions related to fidelity and validity and major threats to internal and external validity; strategies to address them.

+ Detailed analysis of some qualitative research plans

+ The emergence of mixed studies (plans) of research in education

+ Analysis of the main qualitative techniques of data collection

       - The problem of triangulation of data collection techniques and the resulting complexity

       - The use of quantitative techniques in qualitative researches and vice versa: the dangers of "hybrid studies"

+ Suggestions for organizing and writing a formal scientific paper (thesis, article)

+ Ethical issues to consider in the course of a study

Head Lecturer(s)

Cristina Maria Coimbra Vieira

Assessment Methods

Assessement
Exam: 100.0%

Assessement
20% (oral presentation summarizing the lesson to colleagues: 20.0%
Synthesis work: 80.0%

Bibliography

Amado, J. (Org.). (2013). Manual de Investigação Qualitativa em Educação. Coimbra: Imprensa da UC.

Bogdan, R. & Biklen, S. (1994). Investigação Qualitativa em Educação. Uma Introdução à Teoria e aos Métodos. Porto: Porto Editora.

Coutinho, C. P. (2011). Metodologia de Investigação em Ciências Sociais e Humanas: Teoria e Prática. Coimbra: Almedina.

Denzin, N. K. & Lincoln, Y. S. (Eds.) (2000). Handbook of Qualitative Research (2ª Ed.). Thousand Oaks: Sage.

 Vieira, C. C. (1999). A credibilidade da investigação científica de natureza qualitativa: Questões relativas à sua fidelidade e validade. Revista Portuguesa de Pedagogia, XXXIII, 2, 89-116.

Vieira, C.C. (1995). Investigação quantitativa e investigação qualitativa: uma abordagem comparativa. Provas de Aptidão Pedagógica e Capacidade Científica apresentadas à Faculdade de Psicologia e de Ciências da Educação da Universidade de Coimbra.

Yin, R. K. (2008). Case Study Research. Design and Methods (4th ed.). London: Sage