Subject: Scientific Research Methodology

Scientific Area:

Computing

Workload:

70 Hours

Number of ECTS:

7,5 ECTS

Language:

English

Overall objectives:

1 - Overview of different research methods, with a focus on quantitative methods.
2 - Planning, execution and statistical analysis of research studies.
3 - Reporting of research studies and paper writing.
4 - Development of additional research skills such a peer review, how to give an academic talk and management of time.

Syllabus:

1 - Literature review
2 - Experimental research
3 - Experimental design
4 - Validity
5 - Interviews and questionnaires
6 - Working with human subjects
7 - Statistical analysis: preparing data, descriptive statistics and distributions
8 - Statistical analysis: hypothesis testing, testing between 2 samples, statistical power
9 - Statistical analysis: Multi-level designs
10 - Statistical analysis: categorical variables, correlation and regression
11 - Observational studies and Diaries
12 - Case studies
13 - Writing a research paper
14 - Ethics in research
15 - Management of time
16 - Peer review
17 - Giving an academic talk and networking at conferences

Literature/Sources:

H. Coolican , 2019 , Research Methods and Statistics in Psychology , Routledge
J. Lazar, J. Feng, H. Hochheiser , 2010 , Research Methods in Human Computer Interaction , Wiley

Assesssment methods and criteria:

Classification Type: Quantitativa (0-20)

Evaluation Methodology:
The curricular unity has an introductory nature and is intended to have autonomous work from the students. During the curricular unity students will be taught and encouraged to discuss topics related with the syllabus and in relation to the theoretical and experimental work of their projects. The evaluation is composed by a number of assignments related to the life cycle of their projects, namely: literature review, research question and experimental design, training in research with human subjects, statistical analyses, paper writing and peer review. The assignments have the following weights in the final grade: Literature review - 10% Research question & Experimental design - 20% Training in research with human subjects - 10% Data analysis & Discussion of results - 20% Paper writing - 30% Peer review - 10%