Curricular Unit:			Code:
Research Methods and Techniques in Information Sciences			904MTIC
Year:	Level:	Course:	Credits:
1	Master	Communication Sciences (Communication Technologies)	4 ects
Learning Period:		Language of Instruction:	Total Hours:
		Portuguese/English	52
Learning Outcomes of the Curricular Unit:
The UC seeks to develop the methodological knowledge from research in Communication Science vs. Information Sciences, aiming to deepen the research skills of students and to provide an understanding of the major problems facing different stages of investigation. The analysis of the measurement tools of informational and communicational phenomena in contemporary society. In this perspective, an interdisciplinary approach exposes the principles of qualitative and quantitative research and the usual methodological tools in Information Sciences.
Syllabus:
1. Theoretical foundations of research in Information Sciences 1.1. Research models: a comparative study 1.2. Research methods: deductive and inductive 1.3. Technical research: qualitative, quantitative and mixed 1.3.1. Main qualitative techniques of gathering information. The content analysis, interviews, biographical approaches, observation, case studies. 1.3.2. Major quantitative techniques for gathering information. Surveys, registration forms 2. The process of research in Information Sciences 2.1. Scientific research in CI 2.2. Approach of investigation procedures 2.3. The starting question 2.4. The exploration 2.5. The problematic 2.6. The construction of the analysis model 2.7. The observation and data collection 3. Preparation of a research project
Demonstration of the Syllabus Coherence with the Curricular Unit's Objectives:
a) Develop knowledge and methodological skills to design and manage integrated and scalable way, the project research leading to the dissertation; b) Know and understand the main technical options available for research in information science, proper preparation of the dissertation; c) Promoting the ability to structure and manage research projects; d) Promote the ability of presentation and critical and reflective discussion of research projects. The UC is divided into sessions, where they offer information and methodologies considered relevant to the postgraduate students deepen: 1) Parameters specializes in information science research. 2) Analysis of models available and tested methods in different areas of specialization in Information Sciences. 3) technical options available for research in information science and ability to apply them in their own projects. 4) Primary Structure of the dissertation.
Teaching Methodologies (Including Evaluation):
Thematic exhibition, open to debate and questioning of the content with students. Monitoring of research work in the preparatory stage for discussion and improvement of methodological choices. Preparation, presentation and defense of a thesis plan (50%) + written test (40%) + participation (10%)
Demonstration of the Coherence between the Teaching Methodologies and the Learning Outcomes:
The course is supported in lectures and questioning techniques, supplemented with research by each student and materialized in the realization and presentation of research activities carried out by students. The preparation of a thesis project, even though preparatory, constitutes, together with the assessment of knowledge, a relevant evaluation of research skills of students instrument when they are concerned or theoretical content and the ability to apply the methods and taught research techniques.
Reading:
Columbié, Radamés Linares, “Epistemology and information science: rethinking an inconclusive dialogue”, 2010. Disponível na Internet: http://scielo.sld.cu/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S1024-94352010000200002 Coutinho, C.P., Metodologia em Ciências Humanas e Sociais, 2ª ed., Coimbra: Almedina, 2014. Guerra, I. C., Pesquisa Qualitativa e Análise de Conteúdo, Estoril: Principia, 2006. Quivy, Raymond; Campenhoudt, Luc Van – Manual de investigação em Ciências Sociais. 5.ª ed. Lisboa: Gradiva, 2008. Perosanz, J. J. I., Métodos cuantitativos de investigación en comunicación. Barcelona: Bosch, 2006. Veja-Almeida, Rosa Lidia; Fernàndez-Molina, J. Carlos; Linares, Radamés - Coordenadas paradigmáticas, históricas y epistemológicas de la Ciencia de la Información: una sistematización. Information Research [Em linha]. Vol. 14, nº 2 (2009). [Consultado a 30 Mar. 2012] Disponível na Internet.