Dissertation

Recommended Prerequisites

Students must have acquired the theoretical skills through the completion of the compulsory curriculum units of the 1st year of the Master's course.

Teaching Methods

The “learning by doing” teaching method (teaching through practice) is privileged in this course and includes different methodologies:

 

a. Participation in research group seminars, aiming the development of the knowledge and skills required to conduct a research project and write a scientific paper; it resorts to interactive teaching methodologies focused on active exploration;

 

b. Tutorial supervision, which includes supervised training of practical skills and problem solving inherent to the research process and the writing of a master dissertation or scientific paper. 

Learning Outcomes

This course aims to promote an understanding of the research process in the field of  psychology. It aims to promote skills required for designing and developing a research project, as well as skills required to write a dissertation or a scientific paper.

These include both specific skills and transversal skills:

Specific skills - To be able to:

a) Define or conceptualize a research question;

b) Formulate research hypotheses;

c) Ensure ethical standards along the research project implementation;

d) Conduct a search on scientific literature databases;

e) Write a literature review;

f) Conduct sample(s) collection;

g) Setup a database and perform data analysis;

h) Interpret and discuss findings, recognizing limitations and implications;

i) Communicate findings in a written document;

Transversal skills - To be able to:

j) Develop a critical perspective on scientific knowledge;

k) Consolidate knowledge about methodological and assessment issues.

Work Placement(s)

No

Syllabus

1. Introductory seminars:

a. The scientific research process;

b. Ethical issues inherent to the research process in clinical and health psychology;

c. Planning the different steps for developing a research project;

d. Search in scientific literature databases;

e. Critical analysis of scientific papers;

f. Consolidation of scientific writing skills and guidelines for the presentation and discussion of findings;

 

2. Scientific literature review in the field of the topic under study.

 

3. Design of a scientific research project:

a. Planning the different research project phases;

b. Elaboration of a timeline for the execution of the research project;

c. Writing of the research project;

 

4. Methodology and procedures for an appropriate sample collection.

 

5. Critical reflection about the main findings and outcomes.

 

6. The structure of a master dissertation or scientific paper on the topic under study.

 

7. Writing a master dissertation or a scientific paper.

Head Lecturer(s)

Joaquim Manuel Pires Valentim

Assessment Methods

Assessment
Written presentation of the research product (dissertation) and its oral discussion with a jury: 100.0%

Bibliography

A bibliografia será indicada pelo orientador de acordo com a temática do projeto de investigação/ dissertação a ser desenvolvido por cada aluno.

The bibliography will be indicated by the Professor/ master's advisor according to the theme of the research / dissertation project to be developed by each student.