Faculdade de Ciências Sociais e Humanas

Methodologies Seminar on Territorial Management

Code

722041109

Academic unit

Faculdade de Ciências Sociais e Humanas

Department

Geografia e Planeamento Regional

Credits

5

Teacher in charge

Maria Dulce Pimentel

Weekly hours

3 letivas + 1 tutorial

Teaching language

Portuguese

Objectives

The aim of this course is to support students designing and developing adequate methodological approaches to their research projects (Dissertation, Project report or Intership report).
1) Know how to develop methodologies for research on Territorial Management;
2) Develop research skills, reasoning and communication within the projects in Territorial Management;
3) Deepen the knowledge on theories and methods of research in Geography;
4) Promoting independent work at different stages of the research process.

Prerequisites

Completion of the first year of the Master´s degree.

Subject matter

1. Introduction to research methods in Territorial Management
1.1 Questioning the main issues
2. Project design
2.1 Research topics
2.2 Definition of the problem
2.3 Objectives and hypotheses
2.4 Bibliography (how to search and how to use). Critical literature review
2.5 Sources
2.6 Choosing the method
3. Methods and techniques for gathering and analyzing information
3.1 Quantitative
3.2 Qualitative
3.3 Critical analysis from examples
4. Drafting the thesis / report
4.1 Frequent difficulties and errors
4.2 Using other authors: citations, plagiarism, etc..
4.3 Foot notes
4.4 Conclusion
5. Presentation and discussion of the students´ projects

Bibliography

CLIFFORD, Nicholas J; VALENTINE, Gill (ed.) (2005), Key Methods in Geography. London: Sage.
COUTINHO, Clara Pereira (2011), Metodologia de Investigação em Ciências Sociais e Humanas: Teoria e Prática. Coimbra: Almedina.
LIMB, Melanie; DWYER, Claire (eds.) (2001), Qualitative Methodologies for Geographers. Issues and Debates. London: Arnold
STAKE, Robert E. (2009), A arte da investigação com estudos de caso. Lisboa: Fundação Calouste Gulbenkian.
QUIVY, Raymond & Luc VAN CAMPENHOUDT (2005), Manual de Investigação em Ciências Sociais, 4.ª ed. Lisboa: Gradiva. (ISBN 972-662-275-1)

Teaching method

Theoretical classes encouraging students´ participation, featuring case studies.

Evaluation method

The evaluation will be based on the writen and oral presentations of the methodology most suited to the project, intership or dissertation developed by the student.
Essay (60%)
Oral presentation (20%)
Participation and attendance (20%)

Courses