Class Research Seminar

The Research Seminar curricular unit is situated within the field of advanced research training in Education Sciences and aims to support students in the design and development of research leading to the award of a Master's degree. The curricular unit promotes the further development of students' research projects by articulating the delimitation and problematisation of the object of study, the critical review of the literature, the theoretical framework, and methodological choices. Particular emphasis is placed on ensuring coherence between the research problem, questions and objectives, and the methodological design, as well as on providing a sound rationale for the decisions made throughout the research process. The analysis and discussion of dissertations, doctoral theses, and research projects contribute to the development of the reflexivity, autonomy, and scientific rigour required for the completion of the Master's dissertation.

Not applicable

SC1. Literature review and research framework 1.1. Critical analysis of scientific literature. 1.2. Research trends, gaps and contributions. 1.3. Scientific, policy, regulatory and institutional documents. SC2. Theoretical and methodological framework 2.1. Epistemological, conceptual and methodological foundations. 2.2. Coherence between the research problem, objectives, questions and methodological design. 2.3. Operationalisation of the research. SC3. Research development 3.1. Planning and monitoring. 3.2. Data collection, processing and analysis. 3.3. Methodological and analytical choices. SC4. Academic writing 4.1. Dissertation structure. 4.2. Theoretical and empirical grounding. 4.3. Referencing, ethics and research integrity. SC5. Research communication 5.1. Presentation and discussion of the research. 5.2. Scholarly argumentation and integration of feedback. 5.3. Dissemination of research knowledge.

The CU incorporates methodologies centred on students' active participation and progressive autonomy, using their own research projects as contexts for learning. Emphasis is placed on the analysis and discussion of issues emerging from ongoing research projects, peer review, formative feedback and regular presentations of work in progress, fostering collaborative and reflective learning processes. Tutorial guidance is combined with opportunities for self-regulation and progress monitoring, enabling students to identify difficulties, substantiate decisions and adjust their research pathways. The use of digital resources and environments supports information searching, organisation and sharing, academic writing and collaboration, contributing to the progressive development of autonomy and research competences.

A bibliografia será ajustada ao objeto, objetivos e desenho metodológico de cada dissertação, privilegiando literatura científica atual e relevante. Booth, W.., Colomb, G.., Williams, J., Bizup, J., & FitzGerald, W. (2024). The craft of research (5th ed.). University of Chicago Press. Creswell, J.., & Creswell, J.(2023). Research design: Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches (6th ed.). SAGE. Flick, U. (2022). An introduction to qualitative research (7th ed.). SAGE. Machi, L. & McEvoy, B.(2022). The literature review: Six steps to success (4th ed.). Corwin. Punch, K. (2014). Introduction to social research: Quantitative and qualitative approaches (3rd ed.). SAGE. Yin, R.  (2018). Case study research and applications: Design and methods (6th ed.). SAGE.