Class Research Methodologies in Education

The Research Methodologies in Education curricular unit is situated within the field of research training in Education Sciences and aims to develop the fundamental knowledge and competences required to understand, design and plan research processes. The curricular unit addresses the foundations of research in Education, the construction and problematisation of the object of study, the main research designs and methodological approaches, and procedures for data collection and analysis, while considering principles of research ethics and integrity. It also promotes the critical reading and analysis of research, as well as the ability to formulate research problems and make informed methodological decisions. Within the study programme, it provides a foundation for the progressive development of research competences, which are subsequently further developed in the Research Seminar and applied in the completion of the Master's Dissertation.

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SC1. Foundations of Research in Education 1.1. Nature, purposes and specific features of research. 1.2. Paradigms and epistemological foundations. 1.3. Qualitative, quantitative and mixed-methods approaches. 1.4. Research ethics and integrity. SC2. Research Design and Planning 2.1. Research problem, objectives and research questions. 2.2. Literature review and theoretical framework. 2.3. Research designs and strategies. 2.4. Methodological coherence. SC3. Data Collection and Analysis 3.1. Techniques and instruments: observation, interview, questionnaire and document analysis. 3.2. Introduction to qualitative and quantitative data analysis. 3.3. Research quality and rigour across different methodological approaches. SC4. Research Communication 4.1. Academic writing and the structuring of scientific texts. 4.2. Referencing and the ethical use of sources. 4.3. Presentation and discussion of scientific work.

The CU adopts methodologies centred on students' active participation and on learning about research through the analysis and resolution of methodological problems. The critical analysis of research studies and research situations enables students to discuss epistemological and methodological choices, assess the coherence of research designs, and substantiate decisions concerning data collection and analysis. Practical activities include the formulation of research problems and questions, the development and analysis of data collection instruments, and the discussion of analytical procedures. Collaborative work, peer review and formative feedback promote scholarly argumentation, critical reflection and shared learning. Digital resources support information searching, organisation and analysis, academic writing and collaboration, contributing to autonomy and the development of research competences.

Coimbra, M.; Martins ,A.O. (2013).O estudo de caso como abordagem metodológica no ensino superior. Revista Nuances: Estudos sobre educação , 24 (3) 31-46. http://dx.doi.org/10.14572/nuances.v24i3.2696. Coutinho, C. P. (2022). Metodologia de investigação em Ciências Sociais e Humanas: Teoria e prática (3.ª ed.). Almedina. Creswell, J. W., & Creswell, J. D. (2018). Research design: Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches (5th ed.). SAGE. Freitas, A., Matos, J. F., Piedade, J., Teodoro, V. D., & Serradas Duarte, R. (2024). Teaching research methodologies in education: Teachers' pedagogical practices in Portugal. Open Education Studies, 6(1), 20240002. Matos, J. F., et al. (2023). Designing courses on research methods in education: ReMASE framework. CeiED. Tuckman, B. W. (2012). Manual de investigação em educação. Fundação Calouste Gulbenkian.