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  5. Introduction to Research Methodology

Introduction to Research Methodology

Objectives

1. Describe and analyze the theoretical and conceptual foundations of health research.
2. Identify the type of approach most appropriate to the research problem that they will develop in their Doctoral Thesis plan.
3. Critically analyze the principles and applications of quantitative research and mixed methods approaches.
4. Apply the concepts of the different stages of the research process to the specific case of the Doctoral Thesis plan.

General characterization

Code

5788004

Credits

3

Responsible teacher

Maria do Rosário O. Martins

Hours

Weekly - 4

Total - 24

Teaching language

Portuguese

Prerequisites

Not applicable

Bibliography

• Armitage, P., and Berry, G. (2005). Statistical Methods for Medical Research. 4th Edition. Oxford: Blackwell Science Ltd.
• Bowling, A. (2014). Research Methods in Health - Investigating health and health services. 4th Edition. Opening University Press.
• Cresswell, J. W. (2009). Research Design: Qualitative, Quantitative, and Mixed Method Approaches. 3rd Edition. London: Sage Publications.
• Health Research Methodology: A Guide for Training in Research Methods. World Health Organization. Regional Office for the Western Pacific Manila, 2001.
• Fathalia MF. A Practical Guide for Health Researchers. World Health Organization. Regional. Office for the Eastern Mediterranean. 2004.
• Hill, M., and Hill, A. (2009). Investigação por questionário. 2ª Edição. Lisboa: Sílabo.

Teaching method

Use of different teaching-learning methods: theoretical sessions and theoretical-practical sessions with presentation of examples of research plans.

Evaluation method

The evaluation consists of the elaboration of a health research protocol (proposed Thesis plan).

Subject matter

I. Theoretical-conceptual framework of the research: a) Theoretical and conceptual foundations of the different research paradigms: Deductive and Inductive Approach; b) Positivism and Constructivism.
II. Health research approaches: Quantitative, qualitative and mixed methods; Usefulness and application of different research methodologies.
III. The Research Plan: The Research problem; Literature review; Purpose, objectives and hypotheses; Research issue; Methods; Ethics and Ethics Commissions; Budget and Schedule; Results dissemination plan.