Research Methods

Recommended Prerequisites

Not applicable.

Teaching Methods

Face-to-face teaching method with class lectures, plus a learning component based on problem solving (PBL) as well as presentation of works.

Students are assessed by the development of a research project to be undertaken after the end of classes.

The presence of 75% of the classes is mandatory.

Learning Outcomes

The unit of research methods has as main objective to initiate the postgraduate students in scientific research by giving them competences to prepare research projects, research papers, theses and how to deal with the laboratory in all aspects of research including ethical aspects.     

Work Placement(s)

No

Syllabus

Scientific research: objectives, characteristics, types and divisions. The research process, questions and objectives, originality and ethics. The literature review: how to deal with the topic and the sources. Preparation of literature review. The different types of scientific articles. How to develop the experimental design and how to write a research project. The data collection. Good laboratory practice and how they can influence the reliability of the data.

How to write a scientific paper and a thesis. Method and bibliographic standards.

How to make an oral presentation. Rules for preparation of charts, graphs and slides.     

Head Lecturer(s)

Paula Cristina Vaz Bernardo Tavares

Assessment Methods

Assessment
Resolution Problems: 10.0%
Synthesis work: 90.0%

Bibliography

Gratton C., Jones I. Research methods for sport sciences. (2004). Routledge, USA

Salkind N.j. Métodos de Investigatión. (1999). Prentice Hall, 3a Ed. México

Gustavii B. How to write and illustrate a scientific paper. (2002). Cambridge University Press.

Barrass R. Scientists must write. (2003). Routledge, USA.