2026
Geography Research Project
Name: Geography Research Project
Code: PAO15307L
18 ECTS
Duration: 15 weeks/468 hours
Scientific Area:
Geography
Teaching languages: Portuguese
Languages of tutoring support: Portuguese
Sustainable Development Goals
Learning Goals
Research Project in Geography is a curricular unit that takes place at the end of the Degree in Geography. It can be carried out in the areas of Physical Geography, Human Geography or related areas, with a view to valuing interdisciplinarity and the pivotal nature of geographical science. The aim of this curricular unit is for students, under the guidance of a teacher, to design and develop an original research project in geography.
In the Geography Research Project, students are expected to be able to achieve the following set of objectives:
1. Select a research topic and define an object of study.
2. Situate the topic and object of study within a theoretical framework of reference and the current ?state of the art?.
3. Define and apply a work schedule.
4. Present and discuss the research work.
In the Geography Research Project, students are expected to be able to achieve the following set of objectives:
1. Select a research topic and define an object of study.
2. Situate the topic and object of study within a theoretical framework of reference and the current ?state of the art?.
3. Define and apply a work schedule.
4. Present and discuss the research work.
Contents
Research project: guiding principles of research (philosophy of science); project design (geographical science); operationalization of the project (methods).
- Stages of the research process: definition of the starting question; exploration of the object of study; problematization of the object of study; identification of the key concepts; structure of the research (relationships between concepts); identification of the hypotheses; collection of data appropriate to the development of the hypotheses; processing of the data; conclusions - answers and/or theses.
- Carrying out a self-assessment exercise at the final stage of the project.
- Stages of the research process: definition of the starting question; exploration of the object of study; problematization of the object of study; identification of the key concepts; structure of the research (relationships between concepts); identification of the hypotheses; collection of data appropriate to the development of the hypotheses; processing of the data; conclusions - answers and/or theses.
- Carrying out a self-assessment exercise at the final stage of the project.
Teaching Methods
The Geography Research Project is based on a close working relationship between the students and their supervising teams. In this context, students choose, within the framework of their supervised autonomy, a research topic/problem in the field of geography, which can be of a more fundamental or applied nature.
Throughout the semester, work and tutorial meetings take place on a regular basis and according to a timetable agreed between students and supervisors.
In addition to these, a series of group seminars are planned, where students are expected to share the progress of their work and present and discuss the results achieved.
Throughout the semester, work and tutorial meetings take place on a regular basis and according to a timetable agreed between students and supervisors.
In addition to these, a series of group seminars are planned, where students are expected to share the progress of their work and present and discuss the results achieved.
Assessment
Continuous assessment:
(60%) - Scientific article on the research topic chosen by the student.
(10%) - Participation in an initiative promoted by the Geography Course Committee.
(15%) - Oral presentation.
(15%) - Overall performance in the presentation and discussion of the scientific paper at the assessment time.
Final assessment:
Scientific paper 80%
Oral presentation 20%
(60%) - Scientific article on the research topic chosen by the student.
(10%) - Participation in an initiative promoted by the Geography Course Committee.
(15%) - Oral presentation.
(15%) - Overall performance in the presentation and discussion of the scientific paper at the assessment time.
Final assessment:
Scientific paper 80%
Oral presentation 20%
Accreditations and Certifications
