2024

Methods and Techniques of Sociological Research II

Name: Methods and Techniques of Sociological Research II
Code: SOC02406L
6 ECTS
Duration: 15 weeks/156 hours
Scientific Area: Sociology

Teaching languages: Portuguese
Languages of tutoring support: Portuguese
Regime de Frequência: Presencial

Presentation

Stimulating the spirit of scientific discovery and learning how to do sociological research using the best methods and techniques for a more rigorous observation of social life

Sustainable Development Goals

Learning Goals

- Provide the basic methods and techniques of scientific research;
- Learn the different stages of practical implementation of a social research, integrating theories and methods;
- Interpret, critically, the methodologies used in works of disclosure, in general scientific research and particularly in the domain of social sciences, especially sociology;
- Contribute to a critical and relativist analysis of the scientific knowledge in its methodological and practical aspects.
- Justify specific methodological and technical components of other curriculum subjects.

Contents

The Collection of Information: the triggered information (interview); direct observation (characteristics, types, limitations and control procedures).
Validation, Processing and Synthesis of the Information: validation of the data (internal and external validation); the coding and quantitative and qualitative processing of the data; Tabulation and graphical representation of empirical data.
The Research Report: General aspects of a Research Report; analysis of concrete research reports.

Teaching Methods

The Curricular Unit has a theoretical and practical nature. In theoretical classes, the teacher presents the program contents orally, mobilizing national and international bibliography, and documentary and audiovisual materials. Practical classes consist of exercises in the application of theoretical content, preparation of group research projects, discussion of group projects and articles published in reference journals in the field of sociology, based on extensive and intensive exemplary studies in the application of different methods and techniques. Mandatory reading texts and support materials are available on Moodle. Outside of classes, tutorial sessions for practical group work can be scheduled. In addition, students can clarify doubts in the teacher's office, during office hours, or at another time by appointment via email.

Assessment

Students can opt for the continuous assessment system or the final assessment system.

In the continuous assessment regime, students are assessed based on the following assessment elements: a) Individual test, written and without consultation, with a weighting of 50% for the final grade; b) Group work, oral and written, with a weighting of 50% for the final grade. The work grade includes participation and carrying out activities in practical classes (10%) and writing and delivering the final project (40%). To be approved in continuous assessment, the individual test grade cannot be lower than 7 points.

In the final assessment regime, students are assessed based on the following assessment element: a) Written exam, individual and without consultation, with a weighting of 100% for the final grade.

Teaching Staff