Methodology of Scientific Research in Education

Recommended Prerequisites

Knowledge previously acquired in Curricular Units of the 1st cycle of studies is important, for example in Statistics and Education; Methodology of Educational Research I; Methodology of Educational Research II.

Teaching Methods

Teaching based on theory and practice, focusing on exercises to be conducted in SPSS, previously accompanied by a theoretical explanation justifying its importance and clarifying what can be sought in the data, depending on the underlying theories, previous studies already done on the issues under analysis, the previously formulated hypotheses and even the personal and professional experience of the researcher.

Learning Outcomes

To understand and apply independently the main concepts involved in the construction of scientific knowledge in the field of Social and Human Sciences. 

- To understand the complexity of the scientific process in the study of human and social phenomena.

-To be able to plan a scientific research in education either linked to quantitative methodologies, or more connected to qualitative methodologies or even making use of mixed methodologies.

- To be able to autonomously develop a scientific research in education, respecting all its stages, discerning about their implications for intervention, and methodological limitations and open issues for future studies

- To be able to read and critically interpret scientific researches already published.

- To be able to write a scientific report, either a Master thesis, or a scientific article.

- To be aware and learn to reflect on the ethical principles that should guide science

Work Placement(s)

No

Syllabus

1.  The quantitative process of scientific research: revision of fundamental steps.

1.1  Main characteristics of scientific knowledge.

1.2  Problem formulation and scientific hypotheses.

1.3  General characteristics of research plans and their possible use.

1.4  The choice of the sample and the different sampling techniques.

1.5  Quantitative techniques of data collection.

1.6  Ethical issues

1.7  The validity of a scientific research: internal validity and external validity.

1.8  General guidelines on the organization of a scientific report of a quantitative nature.

2.  Clarification of theoretical concepts in the context of statistical data analysis

2.1  Descriptive statistics and inferential statistics

3. The qualitative research process: Features and issues of validity and fidelity

3.1  Data collection qualitative techniques

3.2  Analysis and interpretation of qualitative data

Head Lecturer(s)

José Manuel Pacheco Miguel

Assessment Methods

Assessment
Exam (100%) or Project (50%) + Fieldwork or laboratory work (50%): 100.0%

Bibliography

Ary, D. et al. (1990). Introduction to research in education. Forth Worth: Holt, Rinehart and Winston, Inc.

Bryman, A. & Cramer, D. (2001). Quantitative data analysis with SPSS release 10 for windows. A guide for social scientists. East Sussex: Routledge.

Drew, C. J. & Hardman, M. L. (1985). Designing and conducting behavioral research. New York: Pergamon Press.

Cohen, L., Manion, L. & Morrison, K. (2011). Research Methods in Education (7th Ed.). London: Routledge.

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

Field, A. ( 2005). Discovering statistics using SPSS (2nd ed). London: SAGE.

 Tabachnick, B & Fidel, L. (2001). Using multivariate statistics. Needham Heights, MA: Pearson Allyn & Bacon.