Research Methodologies

Year
1

Academic year
2017-2018

Code
03011110

Subject Area
City Planning

Language of Instruction
Portuguese

Mode of Delivery
Face-to-face

Duration
SEMESTRIAL

ECTS Credits
6.0

Type
Compulsory

Level
3rd Cycle Studies

Recommended Prerequisites

Not applicable.

Teaching Methods

Lectures combining theoretical explanations with conceptual and real-case discussions.

Learning Outcomes

Developing research skills by providing practical examples from both qualitative and quantitative research for a balanced and comprehensive grounding in research methodology. It presents a way of thinking that helps students gain a clear idea of the different methodologies adopted in research, methods of data collection, analysis of qualitative and quantitative research and how to structure a work plan.

Work Placement(s)

Syllabus

THE ESSENCE OF THE RESEARCH PROCESS. FORMULATING THE RESEARCH PROBLEM. CONCEPTUALISING THE RESEARCH STRUTURE. THE IMPORTANCE OF DATA: Collecting, processing and displaying data: available tools and options, data collection and selection of the sample; reliability and key conditions of validity. WRITING A RESEARCH PROPOSAL: Guideline to Academic Writing. Writing an Empirical Journal Article. How to write a Scientific Paper. Template for Thesis or Dissertation writing. RESEARCH SOFTWARE SUPPORT TOOLS: Bibliography Support Software: EndNote. RESEARCH METHODOLOGIES: Basic Research Methods. Research Methods in Social Sciences. Statistical Power and Sample Size Calculation. Pitfalls of data analysis. QUALITATIVE RESEARCH METHODOLOGIES: Analysis Criteria for Qualitative Studies. The Proposal in Qualitative Research. Research Proposal Evaluation Form: Qualitative Methodology. Assessing and Presenting Qualitative Research. Triangulation to increase internal validity. CASE STUDIES.

Head Lecturer(s)

António José Pais Antunes

Assessment Methods

Assessment
Participation in classroom activities; home assignments; and written final exam: 100.0%

Bibliography

- Creswell, J. Research design: qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches, Sage, 2009

- Gauch Jr HG, Scientific Method in Practice, Cambridge UP, 2003

- Robson C, Real World Research, Blackwell, 2002

- Yin, K. Case Study Research: Design and Methods (Applied Social Research Methods). Sage Publications, 2008

- Neufville, R. Thesis Definition And Preparation; Some General Guidelines. Materials from a thesis proposal class MIT, 1998