Research Methods and Techniques

Presentation

Curricular unit included in a 2nd Cycle study plan that aims to provide the tools for planning and conducting an emprical research study.

Part of this Programme

Applied Neuropsychology

Level of Qualification|Semesters|ECTS

| Semestral | 3

Year | Type of course unit | Language

1 |Mandatory |Português

Code

ULHT789-2614

Recommended complementary curricular units

Quantitative Methods of Data Processing

Prerequisites and co-requisites

n/a

Professional Internship

Não

Syllabus

• Selection of a research topic
• Bibliographic search
• Types of research
• Types of data
• Stages of the scientific research process
• Formulation of objectives and hypotheses
• Selection and characterization of the sample
• Selection of evaluation measures
• Study Planning
• Data collection and archiving
• Data analysis
• Written and graphical representation of results in accordance with APA standards
• Interpretation of results
• Scientific writing 

Objectives

This curricular unit aims to provide knowledge related to the steps involved in the design of a research work, the different techniques for collecting, analysing and interpreting data, in order for students to obtain the necessary skills to carry out a research, from the selection of the subject to the scientific writing according to the APA norms. At the end of this curricular unit the student will be to identify the steps and stages of a research, namely the selection of a theoretical model and formulation of the study hypotheses, selection of measures, data collection, analysis and writing of the manuscript.

Teaching methodologies and assessment

Students will have access to some topics using the lecturing method in the classroom (and 7 e-learning classes). Students will go through the research steps with the aim of preparing a scientific paper. 

The continuous evaluation in this curricular unit consists of (a) preparation and submission of an application to the Ethics Committee (25%) and (b) preparation of a paper, the weighting of 75% distributed by the delivery of a written report (45%), oral presentation (20%) and individual defense of work (10%). The assessment can be carried out individually or in groups of 2/3 people, delivered in digital format.

Class attendance is mandatory. It is intended that the performance in the different moments of evaluation ensures the acquisition of the necessary competences for approval in the curricular unit.

The final evaluation consists of a written exam including all the covered contents (100%). 

References

• APA (2010). Publication manual of the American Psychological Association (6th ed.). Washington: APA.
• Frankfort-Nachmias, C., Nachmias, D. & DeWaard, J. (2015). Research methods in the social sciences. New York, NY: Worth Publishers.
• Hugdahl, K. (2013). Experimental methods in Neuropsychology (Neuropsychology and cognition). NY: Springer US.
• Samekh, B. & Lewin, C. (2004). Research methods in the social sciences. London: Sage Publications.

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