Scientific Research Methodologies in Life Sciences, Nature Sciences and Engineering

Recommended Prerequisites

Not applicable.

Teaching Methods

The methodology used is based upon students’ active learning. Contents will be presented using different formats: texts, videos and activities for analysis and discussion, taking profit from the wide range of tools that are provided by the platform.

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

Each student can, regularly, interact with colleagues and teachers; sharing their own questions (e.g. need for additional clarification), critical objections, suggestions, perplexities and/our personal testimonies.

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)

Yes

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)

Cláudia Margarida Gonçalves Cavadas

Assessment Methods

Assessment
The final classification of the whole Course will be given in a numerical scale, between 0 and 20 points. Relative weight of Modules 1 to 10: 60% (meaning 12/20 points); relative weight of the remaining Modules of the Course: 40% (meaning 8/20 points): 100.0%

Bibliography

CRESWELL, J. W.  & CRESWELL, J. D. (2018), “Research design: qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches” (5th 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. (2019), “How to Write and Publish a Scientific Paper” (8th ed.). Greenwood. USA.

REED, M. S. (2018), “The Research Impact Handbook” (2nd 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” (3rd ed.). How To Books, Oxford.

TURABIAN, K. L. (2013), “A Manual for Writers of Research Papers, Theses, and Dissertations” (8th ed.). The University of Chicago Press.

WISKER, G. (2001), “The Postgraduate Research Handbook”. Palgrave Macmillan.