Session 1 Presentation of the course Structuring an essay ... 1... · Session 1 Presentation of the...

Session 1

Presentation of the course Structuring an essay/dissertation

Aurora A.C. Teixeira

URL: http://www.fep.up.pt/docentes/ateixeira/

Research Methods and beginning of the preparation of the Dissertation

MIETE, 20th September 2014

“Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance, you must keep moving.” (Albert Einstein)

Nobel Laureate Herbert A. Simon

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Presentation of the course


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To allow students to make use of the knowledge learned (in the

first year of the Master programme) in preparing their dissertation

plan.

At the end of the course, the student should be able to:

understand some basic concepts of research and its

methodologies,

identify appropriate research topics and a research problem,

prepare a project dissertation proposal.

Research Methods - Aims

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At the final essay, the student is expected to:

clearly identify the research question(s) and discuss the

gap/opening question he wants to study in its master dissertation;

fully perform a literature review and systematize the relevant

literature in a main framework;

justifiably identify the methodology suitable to analyze the

problem in research (based in the relevant literature)

plan the research work through a chronogram.

Research Methods - Learning outcomes and competencies

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The oral presentations have to be spoken (and the

corresponding slides written) in English.

The reports can be written in English or Portuguese.

Research Methods – Language

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1. How to write a scientific paper/research

2. Bibliographic and Statistical databases

3. Quantitative research methods. Data analysis.

4. Individual tutorials.

Research Methods - Program

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Teaching sessions.

Tutorial sessions for reflection, discussion and

motivation for future work of dissertation project.

Presentation and discussion of dissertation themes,

intermediate dissertation project draft and final project.

Research Methods - Teaching methods and learning activities

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Saunders, Mark; Lewis, Philip and Thornhill, Adrian;

Research Methods for Business Students, Prentice-Hall,

Edinburgh, 2009 (5th. ed.)

Tracy, Sarah J., Qualitative Research Methods: Collecting

Evidence, Crafting Analysis, Communicating Impact,

Willey, 2013.

Research Methods – support bibliography

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Type of evaluation

Continuous assessment without final exam.

Important note:

Attendance is mandatory. If a student misses more than 3 classes, he/she will

fail the course.

Research Methods – Evaluation (1)

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Calculation formula of the final mark


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Final Grade=0,05×Report 1 (Abstract)+0,05×Abstract

Presentation+0,25×Report2 (Literature review)+

+0,10×Literature review Presentation+0,40×Report 3(Final

proposal)+0,15×Final Proposal Presentation

Failure to submit by the date specified any of the reports or absence (albeit

justified) in the presentation sessions will involve assigning zero value to that

evaluation component.

Academic fraud, including plagiarism in any component of evaluation, will

automatically imply failure in the course without recourse and subsequent

process to the Director and Scientific Commission.

If it is shown the recurrence of the fraud behavior the MIETE’s Scientific

Committee may decide for a maximum penalty – to prevent the student to

access to the dissertation and thus obtaining the master's degree.


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It is expected that the student will produce a research

proposal with high scientific rigor and that constitutes a

scientific contribution to the field of Innovation and

Entrepreneurship.

Research Methods – Evaluation criteria (1)

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Report 1 [Abstract] [up to 1000 words, all included]

Identification of the subject to explore and main(s) goal (s) of

work (research question) (50%)

Preliminary framing the relevant research question in the

literature (20%)

Rigor, quality and diversity of references / citations, quality and

clarity of the text (30%)


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Report 2 [Literature review] [up to 6000 words, all included]

Context of work / motivation / relevance of the study (20%)

Clear identification of the subject to explore and main(s) goal(s) of the work

(research question) (20%)

Framing the relevant research question in the literature, structure /

coherence of the literature review (20%)

Definition of key concepts (20%)

Rigor, quality and diversity of references / citations, quality and clarity of the

text (20%)


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Report 2 [Literature review] [up to 6000 words, all included]

Context of work / motivation / relevance of the study (20%)

Clear identification of the subject to explore and main(s) goal(s) of the work

(research question) (20%)

Framing the relevant research question in the literature, structure /

coherence of the literature review (20%)

Definition of key concepts (20%)

Rigor, quality and diversity of references / citations, quality and clarity of the

text (20%)


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Report 3 [Final Proposal] [up to 10000 words, all included]

Framing the relevant research question in the literature, structure / coherence

of the literature review (20%)

Contribution of research / main gap to be filled in the relevant area of research

(20%)

Integration and critical interpretation of the distinct contributions of the

literature (30%)

Consistency of the methodological approach with the research question (15%)

Rigor, quality and diversity of references/citations, quality and clarity of the text

(15%)


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Presentations [1st presentation: 5 min; 2nd and 3rd presentations: 10 min]

Organization and structure of the presentation (50%)

Clarity of presentation (50%)


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Research Methods – Sessions’ schedule (1)

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Date Lecturer/Invited

researcher Description

1ª 20

sept Aurora Teixeira

Presentation of the curricular unit and respective functioning, rules, and evaluation. Allocation of subjects to students. Planning and structuring a research proposal.

Presentation of a potential research topic (Andreia Cardoso, UITT)

2ª 27

sept Paula Carvalho (FEP

Library) Statistical databases

3ª 4 oct Paula Carvalho and

Elisabete Ribeiro (FEP Library)

Bibliographic databases

4ª 11 oct Sara Cruz (PhD at FEP) Research in creative industries

5ª 18 oct

Sheila Leite (PhD, Universidade Federal

de Mato Grosso, Brazil; PosDoc at FEP)

Research in academic entrepreneurship

6ª 25 oct Aurora Teixeira Bibliometrics as a tool for performing a comprehensive literature review

26 October

Mandatory delivery of the Abstract/Resume of the research theme/topic (deadline: 23h59 send by email to [email protected]).

Word limit: 1000 words Summary containing information about the topic to investigate, purpose

and scientific relevance. (5% of the final grade/mark)

mailto:[email protected]


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7ª 1 nov Aurora Teixeira Oral presentation (by each student) and discussion of the theme /

topic to be investigated (5% of the final grade/mark)

8ª 8 nov Aurora Teixeira The Statistical Process in Quantitative Research. Types of data;

Statistics and Data Analysis; Collection of information. The Process of Sampling. Examples.

9ª 15

nov Aurora Teixeira

SPSS: introduction and input data coding. Initial analysis of data; statistical inference: hypotheses testing.

10ª 22

nov Pedro Cosme

Introduction to R (free software environment for statistical computing and graphics).

29

nov There is no class

30 November

Literature review report (deadline: 23h59 send by email to [email protected]).Word limit: 6000 words

Containing the proposed topic, a review of relevant literature and the main question to be investigated

(25% of the final grade/mark)



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11ª 6

dec Aurora Teixeira

Oral presentation (by each student) and discussion of the literature review

(10% of the final grade/mark)

12ª 13

dez Aurora Teixeira Individual tutorial

13ª 20

dez Aurora Teixeira Individual tutorial

29 December

Full research proposal document (deadline: 23h59 send by email to [email protected]).Word limit: 10000 words

Containing the literature review, the methodology to be adopted in face of the main research questions, and the

timetable of the research. (40% of the final grade/mark)

14ª 17 jan

Aurora Teixeira/external

examiners

Public defense of the research proposal (15% of the final grade/mark)


Structuring a research proposal


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[Note: a scientific/paper with 20-25 pages article comprises typically 8,000-10,000 words; a dissertation comprises

typically 15000-20000 words]

Cover (optional)

Abstract / Summary (including Keywords) [150-200 words (dissertation: up to 500 words]

Acknowledgements (if any)

Table of Contents (optional)

Index of Tables and Charts (optional)

Introduction [10-15% of the total words]

Main body text: description, argument, development [50-70% of the total words]

Analysis, synthesis, evaluation and explanation [20-25% of the total words]

Conclusion [10% of total words]

References

Structure of an essay / dissertation (1)

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Cover (optional)


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Abstract / Summary (including Keywords) [150-200 words (dissertation: up to 500 words]

Aim of the work

Contribution to the literature or framing the work in the literature

Study methodology

Main results and / or conclusions.


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Source: Coimbra, Cátia (2013), “On the determinants of the internationalization speed of Academic Spin Offs”, Master in International Economics and Management

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Acknowledgements (if any)


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Source: Almeida, Ana (2014), “On the Work Values of Entrepreneurs and Non-Entrepreneurs: A European Longitudinal Study”, MIETE

Table of Contents (optional)

Index of Tables/Figures (optional)


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Introduction [10-15% of the total words]

motivation of the study (why is the study relevant?)

objectives and main question of the study

how (methodology) is intended to answer the question

description of the study design/structure


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Motivation

Contribution

Goal

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Contribution

Method

Structure


1. Main description and explanation

Considers central issues that are raised by the question - explores and explains in

detail the issues and central factors.

Explores the issues of historical context and / or theoretical framework - provides

a detailed description and overview of the issues, debates and trajectories.

Explores and elucidates the positions of the authors / main theoretical

contributions.

Introduces evidence, data and academic comment.


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2. Development and expansion

Introduces, analyzes and evaluates critical and competing perspectives.

Analyzes the trajectory of developments and debates (and the issues / factors

underlying its development trajectory).

Provides a critical analysis of key issues and perspectives (that is based on

existing theoretical positions).

Provides a critical analysis of data and evidence (ponders support for existing

theoretical perspectives).


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Analysis, synthesis, evaluation and explanation [20-25% of the total words]

To evaluate the accuracy of perspectives and competing arguments.

What inferences can be drawn from the materials analyzed in the previous

sections?

Discuss (critically) the results of empirical studies: what inferences can be drawn

from such projects?

Discuss the problems of existing theories and suggest possible 'remedies'.

Provide a discussion of the contribution of theoretical / conceptual / empirical

understandings and knowledge for the study area studies.

Offer a 'personal' assessment of topic (but remember that unfounded opinions

are not legitimate for an academic work). Support the arguments by referencing

theoretical and empirical studies or concrete statistical data.


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Conclusion [10% of total words]

Return to the research question - ensure that the issue was properly formulated and answered.

Provide a synopsis of the main points and evaluate the veracity of the different perspectives.

Discuss the problems and shortcomings of the existing theoretical and empirical research.

Provide suggestions for action.

Identify the ways in which the empirical or theoretical work can be reconfigured in order to generate explanations and descriptions to the most appropriate subjects for analysis.

Which theories or perspectives are more durable or convincing - is that evidence conclusive?

Which additional research is needed to clarify the study area?


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References

The references are presented at the end of the work, before any annexes.

References should be cited in the text according to the surname(s) of author(s) followed by the year of publication in parentheses.

References with more than two authors should be cited using the surname of the first author followed by ‘et al.’


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Source: Neves, José (2014), “Exports-R&D investment complementarity and economic performance: Are companies located in peripheral countries different?”, MEGIN

References

If the same author has more than one publication in the same year, the references should be distinguished by the letters a, b, c, ... after the year of publication.

References should be listed in alphabetic order of authors’ surname.

References to Internet sites appear in the text in the usual way, e.g. Williams (2006). In the list of references should include the full URL, and the date it was accessed.


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References

Journal articles

Book

Book’s chapter


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