Scientific Research Methodologies in Life Sciences, Nature Sciences and Engineering

Recommended Prerequisites

Not applicable.

Teaching Methods

The methodology of this curricular unit is based upon students’ active learning, fostering the deep understanding of contents, promoting the analysis and discussion of real case studies, and also organizing thematic seminars. Contents will be presented using different formats, such as texts, videos and activities for analysis and discussion, taking profit from the wide range of tools that are provided by the platform.

Students are requested to send their feedback on: direct questions formulated by the teaching team; their own questions (e.g. need for additional clarification), critical objections, suggestions, perplexities and/our personal testimonies.

The course is organized following a sequential modular structure, with specific contents, objectives, activities and timings.

Learning Outcomes

This curricular unit aims to prepare students for entry into the international scientific ecosystem, writing theses or reports. The following objectives contribute to this:

• to know the national and international scientific ecosystem, including research structures and networks;
• to know different methodologies in order to obtain original contributions to scientific knowledge;
• to know the process of publication;
• to know, organize and critically analyze sources of information;
• to be able to design experiments and analyze data;
• to recognize the entities and systems of research funding.

Work Placement(s)

No

Syllabus

• Scientific research ecosystems;
• The scientific process and the different methods of scientific research;
• Design of experiments and data analysis;
• Sources of bibliographical information: different types, how to choose, how to use; bibliometric data; literature review (state of the art);
• Design, elaboration and assessment of research proposals (thesis proposal, thesis, proposal for research funding; elaboration and assessment of CV’s);
• Communication of science for different audiences: giving presentations in scientific events, writing scientific articles, addressing other (general) audiences. Open science;
• Management of scientific data;
• Assessment of the impact of scientific research;
• The role of gender equality in scientific research;
• Ethics and scientific integrity.

Head Lecturer(s)

Luís Adriano Alves de Sousa Oliveira

Assessment Methods

Assessment
The student´s active participation along the course modules : 15.0%
The student’s individual work: 85.0%

Bibliography

OLIVEIRA, L. A. (2018), “Escrita Científica: da Folha em Branco ao Texto Final”. Lidel. In Portuguese.
REED, M. S. (2018), “The Research Impact Handbook” (2.nd ed.), Fast Track Impact Ltd. USA.
STEWART, C. N. JR. (2011), “Research Ethics for Scientists: a Companion for Students”. John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
SWETNAM, D. & SWETNAM, R. (2010), “Writing Your Dissertation” (3th ed.). How To Books, Oxford.
TURABIAN, K. L. (2013), “A Manual for Writers of Research Papers, Theses, and Dissertations” (8.th ed.). The University of Chicago Press.

ASHBY, M. (2005), “How to Write a Paper” (6th ed.). Cambridge U.P.
CRESWELL, J. W. & CRESWELL, J. D. (2018), “Research design: qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches” (5.th ed.). Sage. USA.
FENBY-HULSE, K., HEYWOOD, E. & WALKER, K. (Editors) (2019), “Research Impact and the Early Career Researcher: Lived Experiences, New Perspectives”. Taylors & Francis Books. USA.
GASTEL, B. & DAY, R. (2016), “How to Write and Publish a Scientific Paper” (8.th ed.). Greenwood. USA.
LEVIN, P. (2011), “Excellent Dissertations” (2.nd ed.). Open University Press, McGraw-Hill.
OLIVEIRA, L. A. (2012), “Dissertação e Tese em Ciência e Tecnologia” (3.rd ed.). Lidel. In Portuguese.
OLIVEIRA, L. A. (2013), “Ética em Investigação Científica”. Lidel. In Portuguese.