Research Methodology
1
2024-2025
03017226
Research Methods
Portuguese
English
Face-to-face
SEMESTRIAL
6.0
Compulsory
3rd Cycle Studies
Recommended Prerequisites
Not applicable.
Teaching Methods
The course is mainly based on tutorial type lectures, where discussion on the program topics is supported by PowerPoint slides (available to students in the course Internet site). In parallel, some working visits are performed to research centers of FCTUC.
The student is supervised by a faculty member to provide scientific guidance to his own dissertation project.
Learning Outcomes
This curricular unit aims at supporting the students in their preparation of a their MSc dissertation project: the student should be able to select his own research area and advisor, acquire comprehensive and up-to-date knowledge of the literature related to his research area, select and understand appropriate research methodologies, be able to perform critical analyses, and develop a framework to guide his analysis. The student should also understand the knowledge dissemination process, including the nature of the dissertation, research articles and the peer review process, and research talks. Additionally, the student will learn about research funding and grantsmanship.
Parallel to these strategic objectives, the student should get a strong human background and the skills that will enable him to do autonomous as well as collaborative research in full compliance with ethic and societal issues.
Work Placement(s)
NoSyllabus
1 – Research Objectives
2 – Initial Steps
3 – Starting Research
4 – Literature Review
5 – Research Strategy
6 – Personal balance during research
7 – Dissertation
8 – The viva
9 – Dissemination
10 – Research proposal (prior to each new research)
11 – Ethical considerations.
Head Lecturer(s)
Eugénio Miguel de Sousa Rodrigues
Assessment Methods
Assessment
Active participation in class: 10.0%
1st Report and oral presentation: 40.0%
Dissertation project and respective defense: 50.0%
Bibliography
- CHAPMAN, D. (Editor), (1988), How to do Research At the MIT AI Lab. AI Working Paper 316.
- ELLIOTT, D. & STERN, J. E. (Editors) (1997), Research Ethics: A Reader. University Press of New England.
- MARSHAL, S. & GREEN, N. (2010), Your PhD Companion, 3rd Edition. Howtobooks.
- NAS – NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES (1995), On Being a Scientist: Responsible Conduct in Research - (2.ª ed.). National Academy Press, Washington, D.C.
- NAS – NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES (2009), Ensuring the Integrity, Accessibility, and Stewardship of Research Data in the Digital Age. National Academy Press, Washington, D.C.
- NAS, NAE, IOM – NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES, NATIONAL ACADEMY OF ENGINEERING, INSTITUTE OF MEDICINE (1992), Responsible Science: Ensuring the Integrity of the Research Process (Volume I). National Academy Press, Washington, D.C.