Research Project Laboratory

Presentation

This course aims to test and deepen the practical application of personal skills associated with the process of developing a research project (construction, collection, processing, analysis and interpretation of data). This also consolidates competences such as the capacity for research, collection and sociological reflection on various types of information sources. Similarly, this UC aims not only to solidify competences in the elaboration of research reports, monographs, etc. as well as enable the maturation of oral presentation skills sustained in clear and structured objectives, clarity of reasoning and argumentation sustained in scientific knowledge.

Taking this into account, the UC is structured to consolidate knowledge focusing more on the practical application of the acquired knowledge including familiarization with the method and the scientific language through the development of a research project.

Part of this Programme

Sociology

Level of Qualification|Semesters|ECTS

| Semestral | 5

Year | Type of course unit | Language

3 |Mandatory |Português

Code

ULHT45-16977

Recommended complementary curricular units

For this course is fundamental basic knowledge of Portuguese as well as the Methodology of Scientific Work in Social Sciences.

Prerequisites and co-requisites

n/a

Professional Internship

Não

Syllabus

1. Brief review of the steps of the scientific procedure: The starting question; The exploitation; The problematic; The construction of the analysis model; The observation; Analysis of information; The conclusions.
2. Brief presentation of research projects and review of information gathering tools.
3. Data collection from previously built instruments and identified sources.
4. Construction and validation of collected data.
5. Selection of techniques and treatment and analysis of collected data.
6. Analytical interpretation and formal presentation of data (analysis grids, tables, graphs, etc.).
7. Systematization of results and explanation of technical and scientific arguments.
8. Planning and formal organization of the research report in accordance with applicable technical, scientific and deontological standards.
9. Writing the research report for written and oral presentation.

Objectives

It is intended that students:
(i) deepen their knowledge and apply, in practice, data collection, construction, processing, analysis and interpretation skills.
ii) Know and identify the different phases and methodological strategies of scientific research;
iii) Develop skills of observation and analysis of the social reality that surrounds them;
iv) Acquire knowledge and skills that enable them to develop research projects.
v) Mature oral presentation skills sustained by clear and structured objectives, clarity of reasoning and argumentation sustained by scientific knowledge.

Teaching methodologies and assessment

Using the diversity of pedagogical supports, throughout the semester, it is sought that students get involved in the learning process through reflective debate on the reading of texts and the realization of research pre-projects carried out around one of the topics.
Continuous assessment is preferred.The assessment is continuous, based on individual and group work:

• Analysis of a scientific article (10%);
• 1st Assessment Paper - Exploratory Study Report on one of the themes associated with the syllabus (35%);
• 2nd Assessment Paper - Preliminary Research Project - development of the work developed in the Exploratory Study Report (35%);
• Oral presentation of the project (15%);
• Class participation (5%).
• Students who obtain a grade lower than 9.5% in the continuous assessment must take the final exam.

References

Almeida, J. F.; Pinto, J. M. (1995). A investigação nas ciências sociais (5.ª ed). Lisboa: Editorial Presença.

Campenhoudt, L. (2003). Introdução à Análise dos Fenómenos Sociais. Lisboa: Gradiva

Durkheim, É. (1980). As Regras do Método Sociológico. Lisboa: Presença.

Giddens. A. (1978). Novas Regras do Método Sociológico. Rio de Janeiro: Zahar.

Nogueira. L. C. et al. (2008). Metodología de las Ciencias Sociales. Madrid: Tecnos.

Nunes, A. S. (1996). Questões preliminares sobre as ciências sociais (12.ª ed). Lisboa: Editorial Presença.

Laville, C., & Dionne, J. (1999). A construção do saber: manual de metodologia da pesquisa em ciências humanas. In A construção do saber: manual de metodologia da pesquisa em ciências humanas.

Quivy. R. & L. Champenhoud (2003). Manual de Investigação em Ciências Sociais. Lisboa: Gradiva

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