2024
Project Seminar I
Name: Project Seminar I
Code: GES12427D
6 ECTS
Duration: 15 weeks/162 hours
Scientific Area:
Ciências Empresariais, Agricultura e Silvicultura, Social Sciences
Teaching languages: Portuguese
Languages of tutoring support: Portuguese
Sustainable Development Goals
Learning Goals
The aim of this CU is for the student to prepare a thesis proposal consistent with the criteria used by the
FCT (the Portuguese Foundation for Science&Technology) to evaluate research projects for funding. In line
with the theme of each thesis project, the Programme Director appoints a panel of 3 researchers to
evaluate it and to suggest possible improvements. Thus the CU promotes the application of knowledge and
skills acquired in the Research Seminar. More specifically doctoral students are expected to:
a) Reflect on their learning process and be able to cope with the difficulties and decisions raised by the
development of the project;
b) Understand the techniques involved in undertaking a thesis project;
c) Appreciate the role of (inter)national networking in skills development and innovative results;
d) Be aware of other relevant aspects of research practice (e.g. ethics & legal issues);
e) Communicate their work effectively;
f) Learn how to organize their results for publication.
FCT (the Portuguese Foundation for Science&Technology) to evaluate research projects for funding. In line
with the theme of each thesis project, the Programme Director appoints a panel of 3 researchers to
evaluate it and to suggest possible improvements. Thus the CU promotes the application of knowledge and
skills acquired in the Research Seminar. More specifically doctoral students are expected to:
a) Reflect on their learning process and be able to cope with the difficulties and decisions raised by the
development of the project;
b) Understand the techniques involved in undertaking a thesis project;
c) Appreciate the role of (inter)national networking in skills development and innovative results;
d) Be aware of other relevant aspects of research practice (e.g. ethics & legal issues);
e) Communicate their work effectively;
f) Learn how to organize their results for publication.
Contents
1. Basic elements in the design and organization of a doctoral thesis project
Academic research and the doctoral thesis: establishing the framework
The international nature of academic research and the role of networks
Formulating research questions and planning a thesis
Structuring a thesis and the research process. Common problems and errors
Submission, presentation and publication strategies
2. Design and presentation of the proposal
Definition and delimitation of the initial question and possible hypotheses to be tested
Placing the research in an appropriate conceptual and analytical framework and drafting a first assessment
of the state of the art regarding the research problem
Construction of an explanatory model, linking project aims with the conceptual and analytical framework(s)
to be used, and identifying the corresponding interdisciplinary dimensions
Selection of the most appropriate techniques for data collection and analysis
Presentation and discussion of the proposal
Academic research and the doctoral thesis: establishing the framework
The international nature of academic research and the role of networks
Formulating research questions and planning a thesis
Structuring a thesis and the research process. Common problems and errors
Submission, presentation and publication strategies
2. Design and presentation of the proposal
Definition and delimitation of the initial question and possible hypotheses to be tested
Placing the research in an appropriate conceptual and analytical framework and drafting a first assessment
of the state of the art regarding the research problem
Construction of an explanatory model, linking project aims with the conceptual and analytical framework(s)
to be used, and identifying the corresponding interdisciplinary dimensions
Selection of the most appropriate techniques for data collection and analysis
Presentation and discussion of the proposal
Teaching Methods
The CU has a 1st module that is theorico-practical and a 2nd of a tutorial nature, both complemented by
seminars. The latter, conducted by the CUs teachers and guest speakers (including experts from firms in
the sector) aim to show how a research project is conceived, constructed, designed and developed,
addressing innovative and relevant themes and stressing how the knowledge created will be inter- and
transdisciplinary. The aim of the tutorials is for supervisors to monitor their students in order to prepare
the best possible thesis proposal.
A first version of the project, approved by the supervisor, is sent to the programmes Coordinating
Committee, whose Director, in line with the project theme, chooses a 3 member panel (including the
supervisor) to evaluate and suggest improvements to the project. If the revisions meet with the approval of
the panel, the student passes and the project is sent for registration by the Universitys academic services.
Classification is Pass/Fail.
seminars. The latter, conducted by the CUs teachers and guest speakers (including experts from firms in
the sector) aim to show how a research project is conceived, constructed, designed and developed,
addressing innovative and relevant themes and stressing how the knowledge created will be inter- and
transdisciplinary. The aim of the tutorials is for supervisors to monitor their students in order to prepare
the best possible thesis proposal.
A first version of the project, approved by the supervisor, is sent to the programmes Coordinating
Committee, whose Director, in line with the project theme, chooses a 3 member panel (including the
supervisor) to evaluate and suggest improvements to the project. If the revisions meet with the approval of
the panel, the student passes and the project is sent for registration by the Universitys academic services.
Classification is Pass/Fail.
Teaching Staff (2023/2024 )
