PT|EN
Research Methods and Final Work Plan
Courses
Cod: 22296
Department: DCET
ECTS: 6
Scientific area: Computer Engineering
Total working hours: 156
Total contact time: 30

The aim of this CU is to provide students with a space for the development of a critical scientific spirit, while identifying and assimilating the main processes, methodologies and research practices in computer engineering. These approaches will then be poured into the act of planning a dissertation, project or internship.

It is expected that the student when completing this course unit will be able to:
1. Recognize the importance of scientific research in the development and technological advancement of computer systems and solutions;
2. Identify the main characteristics, different phases and methodological strategies of scientific research, with special emphasis on the area of information technology;
3. Identify the main characteristics of scientific texts and the writing and argumentation techniques used in their elaboration;
4. Apply the methodological research strategies and the techniques of scientific writing to carry out a preliminary study of the state of the art in a scientific sub-area of information technology and present its results;
5. Apply the state of the art vision and an epistemological perspective in planning a final master's work, with characteristics of dissertation, project or internship.

1. Research methods and techniques: basic motivation; epistemological approaches; traditional research; interpretative research; design and development research; computer research; techniques.
2. State-of-the-art survey methods.
3. Reading and writing scientific texts.
4. Final work planning.

Creswell, John W. Research design: qualitative, quantitative and mixed methods approaches, 3rd ed (2008). London: Sage Publications. ISBN: 978-1412965576.
 
Glattorn, A., Randy, L.J. Writing a winning dissertation: a step-by-step guide, 2nd edition (2005). Corwin Press. ISBN:978-0761939610.
 
Zobel, J., Writing for Computer Science, 2nd ed. (2004), Springer, ISBN: 978-1-85233-802-2.
 
National Academy of Sciences, National Academy of Engineering, et al. On Being a Scientist: Responsible Conduct in Research, 3rd ed. (2009), The National Academies Press, ISBN: 978-0-309-11970-2.
 

Evaluation is made on individual basis and it involves the coexistence of two modes: continuous assessment (60%) and final evaluation (40%). Further information is detailed in the Learning Agreement of the course unit.