Curricular Unit:Code:
Design of the Project Research, Elaboration and Editing Thesis1151DPIE
Year:Level:Course:Credits:
1DoctorateCommunication Sciences15 ects
Learning Period:Language of Instruction:Total Hours:
Spring SemesterPortuguese/English195
Learning Outcomes of the Curricular Unit:
Skills that allow the design, elaboration and editing of a doctoral thesis.
Autonomy in the planning and execution of theoretical and empirical research in the field of communication sciences.
Reflection on the ethical and social responsibilities of scientific research.
Ability to formulate a problem, identifying hypotheses and variables to circumscribe it.
Ability to critically analyze advanced scientific texts in the area of communication sciences, evaluating and synthesizing them through summaries and critical reviews, promoting critical and abstract thinking.
Effective use of learning and management resources for the organization of scientific production.
Ability to communicate arguments and outcomes of the research.
Syllabus:
1. Steps of the research process
1.1. The choice of the theme and its justification
1.2. Definition of the objectives of the work
1.3. Formulation of the problem and elaboration of research questions and hypotheses
1.4. Literature review: State of the art, bibliographic review and description of the problems
1.5. Elements of academic writing: rigor, objectivity, quotation and paraphrase
1.6. Identification of the case study: methodological explanations and choice of appropriate methods and techniques
1.7. Data collection and treatment: observation, samples, interviews and questionnaires
1.8. Presentation and tabulation of collected data
1.9. Analysis and discussion of results
2. Formal thesis editing issues
2.1. Work formatting: graphic style and style rules
2.3. Formatting the bibliography
2.4. Scientific production management and organization software
3. Dissemination of knowledge
3.1. Publication and presentation of thesis results in academic journals or conferences
Demonstration of the Syllabus Coherence with the Curricular Unit's Objectives:
In order to guarantee the conception and elaboration of a doctoral thesis, the first module will address the stages of the research process, allowing autonomy in the planning and execution of theoretical and empirical research, formulating a problem and identifying hypotheses and variables.
With the objective of creating competences in the critical analysis of scientific texts, promoting critical and abstract thinking, exercises will be carried out to review the state of the art in the area and enunciate the problems inherent to the thesis.
To ensure a correct application of the formal aspects of editing the thesis, the formal elements of academic writing and the styles used in the PhD program are addressed, and resources for management and organization of scientific production are presented.
In order to enable the presentation and communication of the produced scientific knowledge, aspects related to the dissemination of outcomes are addressed and exercised.
Teaching Methodologies (Including Evaluation):
The teaching methodology is based on continuous assessment, with the participation of students in presentations of reading reports and thesis proposals, followed by debate.
Classes are theoretical-practical, with presentations by the teacher and interaction with the students in order to promote discussion of the covered topics. The expository method will be articulated with sessions of application of knowledge and analysis of practical cases.
The final grade of the curricular unit corresponds to the grade of the qualification exam, for which students will deliver, present and defend a document with a proposal for a research project, in which the learning of the discipline materializes.
Demonstration of the Coherence between the Teaching Methodologies and the Learning Outcomes:
In order to understand and apply the steps of the research process, the C.U. adopts a teaching methodology that includes reading and discussing specific bibliography in the area of communication sciences, as well as thematic debates and critical reflections about it. In order to understand and relate the different styles and methods of bibliographic management, as well as aspects related to the rules of editing a thesis, bibliographic reference programs and style manuals will be provided and exercised. In order to guarantee skills for analyzing scientific sources and the ability to articulate them in the writing of the thesis, the presentation of a research project will allow the correct use and treatment of scientific information. The nature of the program thus aims at the evaluation of the development of the capacities stated in the Objectives, through academic writing exercises and the presentation of a thesis proposal.
Reading:
COUTINHO, C. P. (2015). Metodologia de investigação em ciências sociais e humanas. Almedina (bibliotecas UFP)
FORTÍN, M. (2009). O processo de investigação: da concepção à realização. Lusociência. (Bibliotecas UFP)
GRADIM, A. (2016). Anões aos ombros de gigantes: desafios contemporâneos na comunicação de ciência. Livros Horizonte. (Bibliotecas UFP)
HOOLEY, T. et al. (2012). What is Online Research? Using the Internet for Social Science Research. Bloomsbury Academic. (online)
POCINHO, M. (2012). Metodologia de Investigação e Comunicação do Conhecimento Científico. Lidel.
PRODANOV, C. et al. (2013). Metodologia do trabalho Científico. Feevale. (online)
SCHNEIDERMAN, B. (2016). The new abcs of research: achieving breakthrough collaborations. Oxford U P. (Bibliotecas UFP)
SOUSA, J. P. (2006). Elementos de Teoria e Pesquisa da Comunicação e dos Media. ed. revista e ampliada. Edições Universidade Fernando Pessoa.
UFP. (2023). Normas de Estilo para Teses de Doutoramento. (online)
Lecturer (* Responsible):
Jorge Pedro Sousa (jpsousa@ufp.edu.pt)
Patrícia Weber (pweber@ufp.edu.pt)
Rui Torres (rtorres@ufp.edu.pt)