Research Methodologies
Objectives
The Research Methodologies course main objective is to introduce the principles of scientific investigation to the students, helping them to adopt appropriate methodologies in the Master Dissertation. It is intended to build up in students the ability to develop autonomous research in their area of expertise and/or to design and develop innovative approaches in a business context.
General characterization
Code
10614
Credits
3.0
Responsible teacher
António Carlos Bárbara Grilo, Radu Godina
Hours
Weekly - 2
Total - 2
Teaching language
Português
Prerequisites
This course has no mandatory precedences, but it is necessary to have knowledge about all the second cycle courses contents.
Bibliography
- Booth, W.C., Colomb, G.G., Williams, J.M., Bizup, J., FitzGerald, W.T., 2016. The Craft of Research, Fourth Edition, Edição: Fourth. ed. University of Chicago Press, Chicago.
- Creswell, J.W., Creswell, J.D., 2018. Research Design: Qualitative, Quantitative, and Mixed Methods Approaches, Edição: Fifth. ed. SAGE Publications, Inc, Los Angeles.
- Waddell, D.C.D., 2019. A Step-by-Step Guide to Complete a Dissertation: Using a Quantitative Research Methodology. Independently published.
- Simons, H., 2009. Case Study Research in Practice, Edição: 1. ed. SAGE Publications Ltd, Los Angeles; London.
- Stake, D.R.E., 1995. The Art of Case Study Research. Sage Publications, Thousand Oaks.
- Trochim, Donnelly, Arora, K., 2015. Research Methods: The Essential Knowledge Base, Edição: 2. ed. Cengage Learning, Boston, MA
Teaching method
Theoretical-practical classes take place mostly with an oral presentation of the themes, supported in multimedia material. After the teacher presentation, the students develop in a group, in the classroom, a set of activities that include:
Practical case analysis
Analysis and discussion of scientific documents
Writing scientific texts
Presentation of work done
Evaluation method
The final evaluation of the Research Methodologies (MI) course unit (UC) will be based on the following elements:
1.Assessment of each Activity i (Ai): 2 group activities will be held and will be evaluated as follows: 1) the degree of success in carrying out the activity and 2) the contribution of each student to the execution of the activity.
The groups will be 4 or 5 students and their composition can be changed in the various activities to be developed during the semester.
To perform the activities you will need at least 1 computer / tablet per group.
2. Individual Work (IT): work to be performed as specified.
Delivery Date: 20th of December 2019, until 16:00.
3.Group Work (TG): consists of a presentation to be performed as specified. The groups will consist of 4 or 5 students.
Date of submission: After the submission of works
All work (TG and TI) has to be elaborated according to the available template.
The final grade of MI will be composed as follows:
Final grade = 0.3 * TG1 + 0.3 * TG2 + 0.4 * TI
at where:
TI - Individual Work Grade (Deliver on 20/12/2019, until 16:00)
TG1 - Group Work Grade 1 (Deliver on 08/10/2019 T1 and 11/10/2019 T2)
TG2 - Group Work Grade 2
The grade of each of the evaluation components is rounded to one decimal place.
Approval occurs if the final grade is 9.5 or higher.
Subject matter
What is research?
The use of scientific methodologies for phenomenon investigation.
Inductive and deductive approach.
The different types of research: qualitative vs. quantitative and basic vs. applied.
The features of a Master''''s Dissertation.
The state of the art: its importance and methodologies to follow.
Definition of research questions and objectives.
The case study methodology.
The survey methodology.
Strategies for collecting and analyzing data.
The importance of ethics in scientific research.
Scientific writing style.