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Research Methodology in Economics

Research Methodology in Economics

Code	12418
Year	1
Semester	S1
ECTS Credits	6
Workload	OT(15H)/TP(30H)
Scientific area	Economics
Entry requirements	N.A.
Mode of delivery	Face-to-face.
Learning outcomes	The general objective of this course is to introduce students to: advanced concepts of scientific research; the scientific method; the definition and building of hypotheses; and the diversity of research methodologies. The specific objectives of the course are: - develop skills that motivate for the building of scientific knowledge in Economics; - prepare students for formulating research hypotheses; - train students in the various methods of research in Economics; - train students in the methods and techniques of collection, validation, analysis and interpretation of data and other information; - enabling students to design and write a research project in Economics; - promote in students the ethical concerns in research in Economics.
Syllabus	1. SCIENCE AND SCIENTIFIC KNOWLEDGE - Metaphysics and epistemology - Scientific knowledge and common sense - Deductive and inductive reasoning - Hypothetic-deductive method - The specificity of Social Sciences 2. STAGES OF THE SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH PROCESS - Research question - Exploratory readings - Problematic - Model of analysis - Observation - Results analysis - Conclusions 3. SEARCH AND REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE - Main bibliographic databases - Literature review 4. METHODS AND TECHNIQUES OF COLLECTING, TREATMENT AND ANAYSIS OF INFORMATION IN ECONOMICS - Qualitative and quantitative information - Primary and secondary data - Statistic and econometric methods - Interpretation of results and robustness analysis 5. PREPARING, STRUCTURING AND PRESENTING RESEARCH PROJECTS - Preparing the dissertation research project - Formal structure of the dissertation - Presentation of the research work and results 6. SCIENTIFIC WRITING - General guidelines - References and bibliographic citations
Main Bibliography	Ethridge, D. (2004). "Research Methodology in Applied Economics", 2nd ed., Blackwell. Jonker, J., & Pennink, B. (2010). "The essence of research methodology: a concise guide for Master and PhD students in Management Science", Springer, Berlin Heidelberg. Quivy, R., & Campenhoudt, L. (2019). "Manual de Investigação em Ciências Sociais", Gradiva – Publicações, Lisboa. Walliman, N. (2017). "Research methods: the basics", 2nd ed., Routledge. Carvalho, J. E. (2009). “Metodologia do Trabalho Científico – “saber-fazer” da investigação para dissertações e teses”, 2ª ed., Escolar Editora Vilelas, J. (2017). “Investigação – O Processo de Construção do conhecimento”, 2ª ed. Edições Silabo
Teaching Methodologies and Assessment Criteria	The topics of the methodology of economic research will be covered by the teacher throughout lectures. Classroom lectures include the discussion of applied research articles and case studies. The continuous evaluation is composed by: i) a written test (50%); ii) elaboration of a literature review (25%); iii) the writing and presentation of a preliminary research proposal (25%). In order to be accepted for the final exam, students must obtain a minimum grade of 6 in the continuous evaluation.
Language	Portuguese. Tutorial support is available in English.