Research Methods

Recommended Prerequisites

Not applicable.

Teaching Methods

Four complimentary activities will be carried out:

1. Interactive lectures;

2. Reading and Debate Seminars;

3. Discussion of topics at the forum of the curricular unit;

4. Oral presentation and discussion of the ongoing research.

Learning Outcomes

This seminar develops theoretical and instrumental skills necessary for scientific research in the field of Information Science or Information Science related fields. At the end of this course, the students will be able to:

1. handle the essential knowledge for the development, rigorously, ethically and autonomously, of scientific research projects;

2. develop skills in reviewing, interpreting, and using the results of published research;

3. identify and apply data collection methods and techniques and data analysis models used in social research;

4. design, test, and validate data collection instruments (questionnaire, interview guide, observation form, field notes, research diaries, among others);

5. prepare and present research papers and synthesis;

6. search,  retrieve, collect and organise relevant information in scientific databases.

Work Placement(s)

No

Syllabus

1. Fundamentals and ethics of scientific research

2. The research process. Research models and planning

3. Research methods. Methods of data collection and analysis

4. Design, modelling and validation of research tools

5. Creation of bibliographic reference databases

6. Scientific writing.

Assessment Methods

Assessment
Research work: 25.0%
Synthesis work: 75.0%

Bibliography

Barbour, R. (2020). Introducing Qualitative Research: A Student’s Guide. Sage.

Creswell, J. W., & Creswell, J. D. (2018). Research Design: Qualitative, Quantitative, and Mixed Methods Approaches. Sage.

Denzin, N. K, & Lincoln, Y. S. (Eds.). (2017). The Sage Handbook of Qualitative Research. Sage.

Flick, U. (2020). Introducing Research Methodology: Thinking Your Way Through Your Research Project. Sage.

Mertens, D. M. (2021). Research and Evaluation in Education and Psychology: Integrating Diversity with Quantitative, Qualitative, and Mixed Methods. Sage.

Pickard, A. J. (2013). Research Methods in Information. Facet Publishing.

Yin, R. (2017). Case Study Research and Applications: Design and Methods. Sage.