Introduction to Social Sciences Methodology

Presentation

This curricular unit intends to convey an introductory knowledge to Social Sciences research
methodologies, in general, and, in particular, in Human Resources Management. At the same time, this
curricular unit will ground the preparation of academic studies or papers, throughout the degree, in order
to bounce scientific accuracy and notation.
To this end, emphasis is placed on the concepts of science and on the general and initial notions about
writing articles and academic and scientific documents; the phases to be fulfilled for the elaboration of a
research work and data colection tools  as well to induce individual and group skills on oral and written communication.

Part of this Programme

Human Resources Management

Level of Qualification|Semesters|ECTS

| Semestral | 6

Year | Type of course unit | Language

1 |Mandatory |Português

Code

ULHT38-7125

Recommended complementary curricular units

Matematics, Portuguese and English at upper secondary level are crucial for this Curricular Unit.

Prerequisites and co-requisites

n/a

Professional Internship

Não

Syllabus

1. Epistemology of science and scientific knowledge
   Scientific Knowledge and other forms of knowledge
   Social Sciences and their specificities
   Constraints to scientific knowledge production
2. Methodological Principles of Social Science Production
   Norms for the production of scientific texts (PT and APA Style)
   Abstracts, citations and references, communication and scientific stylistics
3. Planning and the research process
   Types of research
   From the starting question to the construction of a model
   Choice of field of analysis and method, Universe/sample and sampling methods
   Data description and variable definition
4. The Data Collection
   Research Methods and Techniques
   Intensive vs. extensive method or qualitative vs quantitative analysis
   Documentary analysis, Participant observation, Non-participant observation (Interviews,
   Questionnaire survey, Attitude and opinion test and measurement)
   The case study on data triangulation

Objectives

At the end of the unit the students will be able to:

• Describe the theoretical bases that allows to understand the specific study of Social Sciences and HRM;
• Develop general and initial concepts about writing scientific articles or papers;
• Identify the steps to be taken to develop a research paper;
• Recognize and apply data collection tools;
• Develop individual and group oral and written communication skills;
• Develop and strengthen creativity, planning and organization sense, goal orientation, initiative, readiness to learn and teamwork.

Teaching methodologies and assessment

This curricular unit uses a mixed methodology of oral description and active methods, with the aim of
applying theoretical knowledge in order to facilitate the teaching-learning process. The students analyse
texts and researches that aim to generate discussion about the acquired concepts. A working group will
present a final work in classroom. The Continuous Assessment includes at minimum 1 or 2 written texts
and a written group work. Other evaluation formates can be envisaged by the teachers. Students must
present teachers the planning of their written work, defining dates for the conclusion of each one of the
phases.

References

• Coutinho, C. (2018). Metodologia de Investigação em Ciências Sociais e Humanas: Teoria e Prática. Reimpressão da 2ª Edição, Coimbra: Almedina
• Quivy, R., Campenhouldt, L.V. (2018), Manual de Investigação em Ciências Sociais , Reimpressão da 1ª edição de 1992. (ULHT, Cota S / 148.5)
• ULHT (2014). Normas para a Elaboração e Apresentação de Teses, Dissertações, Trabalhos de Projeto https://www.ulusofona.pt/pt/media-ref/normas-dissertacoes-e-teses/download/30_2014_homolocao_normas_elaboracao_teses_dissertacoes.pdf

Office Hours

Comments

O Trabalho Monográfico de Grupo para apresentação em aula aberta consiste na elaboração (e aplicação) de um inquérito por questionário (em suporte papel e on-line), para posterior aplicação e exploração na disciplina do 2º ano de Estatística Aplicada às Ciências Sociais. Deve ser seguida a metodologia de Quivy & Campenhoudt (1992), nas etapas 1, 2 e 3. Constituição dos grupos com um máximo de 3 pessoas. Citações, bibliografia e apresentação, segundo as Normas APA Style e as normas da ULHT.