Project

Given the main objective of this curricular unit, the curricular unit Research Methods and Techniques is very relevant for formal and technical issues related to the elaboration of the Work Plan proposal. The remaining curricular units of the curricular part of the master’s course are relevant to motivate and support the theme proposal/selection and the content development, as they will point to possible research topics and also to deficiencies and opportunities for improvement that organizations currently face.

Classes will alternate between seminars, which seek to spark and motivate students to current and relevant topics in the area of the master’s degree, and the practical work of developing the Work Plan proposal and its follow-up.

This course goal is to prepare a Work Plan proposal for the non-currucilar component of the master’s course, namely:

1. Propose/select a research topic;
2. Critically review the literature relevant to the research topic;
3. Establish assertive, coherent and realistic research objectives/questions, with appropriate quality for a master’s degree;
4. Describe the contribution that the work to be developed will bring to the area(s) to which it belongs;
5. Analyse the appropriate methodological approach;
6. Assess feasibility with regard to data collection/availability/access;
7. Develop a schedule of activities/tasks to be performed;
8. Present and discuss the Work Plan proposal.

1. Structure of the Work Plan to be propose for the non-curricular part of the master’s course
2. Participation in seminars of:
2.1. Research
2.2. Presentation of possible research topics by Professors
2.3. Presentation of projects under development or finalized by current and former students
3. Design, drafting and defense of the Work Plan proposal

NAO

• Cater-Steel, A., Al-Hakim, L. (2009). Information Systems Research Methods, Epistemology, and Applications. IGI Global.
• Clark, T., Foster, L., Sloan, L., Bryman, A. (2021). Bryman’s Social Research Methods. Oxford University Press.
• Davis, M., Davis K.J., Dunagan, M.M. (2013). Scientific Papers and Presentations: Effective Scientific Communication (3rd Ed.). Academic Press.
• Mills, G.E., Gay, L.R. (2018). Educational Research: Competencies for Analysis and Applications (12th Ed.). Pearson.
• Recker, J. (2013). Scientific Research in Information Systems: A Beginner’s Guide. Springer.
• Saunders, M.N.K., Lewis, P., Thornhill, A. (2019). Research Methods for Business Students (8th ed.). Pearson.
• Zobel, J. (2014). Writing for Computer Science (3nd Ed.). Springer.