Research Laboratory - Project Execution

Code: SOC02421L

12 ECTS

Duration: 15 weeks/312 hours

Scientific Area: Sociology

Teaching languages: Portuguese

Languages of tutoring support: Portuguese

Regime de Frequência: Presencial

Sustainable Development Goals

1. Erradicar a pobreza - Acabar com a pobreza em todas as suas formas, em todos os lugares

3. Saúde de qualidade - Assegurar uma vida saudável e promover o bem-estar para todos, em todas as idades.

4. Educação de qualidade - Assegurar a educação inclusiva, e equitativa e de qualidade, e promover oportunidades de aprendizagem ao longo da vida para todos.

5. Igualdade de género - Alcançar a igualdade de gênero e empoderar todas as mulheres e meninas.

10. Reduzir as desigualdades - Reduzir as desigualdades dentro dos países e entre eles.

16. Paz, justiça e instituições eficazes - Paz, justiça e instituições eficazes promover sociedades pacíficas e inclusivas par ao desenvolvimento sustentável, proporcionar o acesso à justiça para todos e construir instituições eficazes, responsáveis
e inclusivas em todos os níveis.

Learning Goals

This CU is organized in small form-focused seminars, and aims to promote reflective skills, analytical and methodological regarding the components and stages of an investigation process. It is expected that students should be able to:
1- Design a methodology appropriate to the problem of theoretical research
2- Define a population and construct a sample
3- Select the data collection techniques and build their devices
4- Apply the system to gather information- Organize and exploit the information collected, analyze and interpret this information according to the problem and the analysis model
5- Produce a final research report

I. The process of sociological research
1. Objectives, levels of analysis and research strategy
2. The indirect nature of observation and measurement.
3. Interference problems: social observation
II. Strand and logic intensive monographic
III. Universe and Sample Construction
IV. Survey questionnaire
V. Inquiry by interview and biographical method
VI. Treatment and analysis of information
1. Technical content analysis
2. Statistical techniques
3. Analysis and interpretation of results

Teaching Methods

Teaching and learning methodologies are directly linked to the institutional pedagogical policy at UÉvora, specifically the principles of student-centered teaching; development of disciplinary and cross-disciplinary skills; linking teaching and research; use of digital resources as tools to promote learning; use of digital resources as tools for communication management and flexibility; self-regulated assessment practices for student learning; and relationship with the community.
The teaching-learning process is organized into theoretical-practical (TP) sessions, using expository, active, and interrogative methods through a project-based methodology. The theoretical exposition is supported by audiovisual resources and bibliographic references that allow the theoretical, analytical, and methodological guidelines of the CU to be framed, systematized, and problematized. At the same time, collective reflection is promoted through the discussion of work-in-progress and the use of digital resources, namely planning and monitoring tools with open-source software and apps. Students are invited to carry out an individual project, on a topic of their choice, and to present and collectively discuss the results of their work in progress. The creation of spaces for reflection and debate using group dynamics stimulates critical questioning and questioning, while improving written and oral communication and argumentation.
The sessions are complemented by tutorial guidance and independent work, based on reading the supporting bibliography, analyzing other projects, and providing feedback on the work carried out. Independent work ensures the effective development of activities and guarantees cross-cutting reflection, including of an ethical nature, on the execution of the research project, strengthening intellectual autonomy, theoretical and methodological depth, and the capacity for self-organization.
When deemed appropriate, sessions are replaced by fieldwork and participation in open classes with researchers, professionals, and other invited experts, as well as in intra- and extra-academic events (conferences, exhibitions, study visits, among others), seeking to create complementary moments of meaningful learning. These sessions constitute training opportunities beyond the classroom, which stimulate reflective thinking and dialogue between academic knowledge and the contexts of professional practice and related sociological intervention.

Assessment

Students who cumulatively meet the following conditions are considered eligible for the continuous and exam assessment (normal period): attendance at 75% of classes (with the exception of TE and equivalent); participation in the assessment processes within the stipulated regimes and deadlines (see RAUE); minimum passing grade (9.45) in all assessment elements.
The continuous assessment system is designed to reflect the learning objectives of the course unit, while promoting the development of analytical, critical, reflective, and communicative skills. The assessment is based on three complementary elements, linked in such a way as to promote integrated and active learning:

1 Scientific article (60%). In this component, students are invited to write a scientific article summarizing the work developed, organized according to the guidelines of a peer-reviewed scientific journal.
1 Scientific poster (20%). In this component, students are invited to prepare and orally present a scientific poster that will be publicly displayed to the community.
1 Field Diary (20%). In this component, students will be invited to present a reflective field diary with evidence of weekly classroom and distance learning activities. Without prejudice to specific tutorial support, feedback will be given on the weekly activities that make up the field diary.
In the exam assessment system, applicable in other periods - normal, appeal, special, or extraordinary - an individual exam is taken, which accounts for 80% of the final grade, and an article is submitted, which accounts for 20%. This combination allows for a comprehensive assessment of the ability to develop a research project, ensuring that the objectives of the course unit are met outside the continuous assessment system.