Thesis Project

Recommended Prerequisites

Knowledge of techniques and styles of academic writing

Teaching Methods

This seminar focuses on the ongoing presentation and discussion of the student’s work and progress before the seminar’s convenor, the respective supervisor, as well as fellow students.

Learning Outcomes

This course links the course on Research Methods to that of the Thesis and aims at overseeing the students in the process of writing their thesis proposal. Seminar classes, alongside supervisions, will help students identify key issues in the development of their research projects, as well as underlying ethical issues.

In the end, each student should be able to design the theoretical and methodological approach for their individual research projects, identifying the appropriate methods and techniques to meet their goals. The research project proposal will be presented and discussed before a jury that will assess the quality and capacity of the student to move forward to the UC Thesis, in a session convened specifically for the purpose.

The research project proposals will be either in the field of political science or sociology, depending on the scientific framework of the student’s research proposal.

Work Placement(s)

No

Syllabus

 The syllabus envisages the gradual development of the individual thesis project, in order to ensure that, by the end of the semester, the proposal is ready to be discussed and defended.

The key issues are:

- Questions, objects and methodological design of the research;

- State of the art and theoretical framework;

- The relationship between epistemological conceptions, theoretical positions and methodological orientations;

- Specialization and inter/transdisciplinarity;

- Thesis’ relevance and contribution;

- Research and/as intervention. Research and ontological politics. Research ethics and responsibility;

Head Lecturer(s)

Alison Laurie Neilson

Assessment Methods

Assessment
Periodic or by final exam as given in the course information: 100.0%

Bibliography

As referências bibliográficas variam de acordo com o conteúdo de cada pesquisa. As leituras de base converge com a UC de Metodologias de investigação:

Bibliographic references vary according  to the content of each research. Basic readings converge with the Seminar on Research Methods:

Becker, H. S. (2008), Segredos e truques da pesquisa. Rio de Janeiro : Jorge Zahar Editor

Becker, H. S.; Richards, P. (1986), Writing for social scientists : how to start and finish your thesis, book, or article. Chicago : University of Chicago Press

Bell, J. (2004), Como realizar um projecto de investigação : um guia para a pesquisa em ciências sociais e da educação. 3ª ed. Lisboa : Gradiva

Denscombe, M. (2011), The good research guide for small-scale social research projects. Maidenhead : Open University Press

Quivy, R.; Campenhoudt, L. Van (2005),Manual de investigação em ciências sociais. Lisboa : Gradiva

Passos, E.; Kastrup, V.; Escóssia, L. (0rgs., 2010),  Pistas do Método da Cartografia. Porto Alegre: Sulinas

 

Taylor, P.; Szteiter, J. (2012), Taking Yourself Seriously: Processes of Research and Engagement. Arlington: The Pumping Station