Methods and Techniques of Social Research

Objectives

The discipline of I.M.T.I.S. has as main objectives:

1. Provide the scientific assumptions underlying the social research

2. Give the students the theoretical foundations and develop skills for conceiving and conducting social research

3. Promote the application of methodologies appropriate to the social work

4. Show how the principles of scientific method applied to the field of Sociology and Social Work

5. Provide the ethical and deontological principles underlying the social research

Program

1. Understanding the basic

1.1. The production of knowledge in social sciences

1.2. Objectivity and neutrality in social research

2. Research design and strategies for social research

2.1. Methodology, method and technique

2.2. The quantitative and qualitative approaches

3. Conceptualization of the research framework

3.1. Rupture and object construction

3.2. The exploratory work

3.3. The theory and the definition of theoretical problem

3.4. The formulation of hypotheses and construction of an analytical model

4. The measurement principles

4.1. The construction and operationalization of concepts

4.2. Variables and indicators

4.3. The measurement levels

5. Ethics in research

5.1. The general ethical principles

5.2. Ethical principles in the field research

5.3. The Code of Professional Ethics for Social Work

6. The drafting and submission of theses and scientific reports

6.1. General structure of presentation

6.2. The Quotes

6.3. The rules for references submission

Teaching Methodologies

Knowing that this course has a strong practical component, which to be conveniently grasped by students implies profound theoretical knowledge, verbal methods and active methods are transversal to all program modules. On the other hand, in order to enable a better understanding of theoretical concepts in the practice of land, the option is also by intuitive methods, where this is possible, by demonstrating in practical classes and advised texts provided to students.

Bibliography

Almeida, João Ferreira e Pinto, José Madureira (1995), A investigação nas Ciências Sociais. Lisboa: Editorial Presença

Bell, Judith (1997), Como realizar um projecto de investigação. Lisboa: Gradiva

Booth, Wayne et al (2000), A arte da pesquisa. Säo Paulo: Martins Fontes.

Ferrari, Alfonso Trujillo (1982), Metodologia da pesquisa científica. São Paulo: McGraw-Hill do Brasil

Fortin, Marie-Fabienne (2006), Fundamentos e etapas do processo de investigação. Loures: Lusodidacta

Sampieri, Roberto Hernandez et al (2006), Metodologia de pesquisa. São Paulo: Mc Graw-Hill

Silva, Augusto Santos e Pinto, José Madureira (Org.) (1986), Metodologia das Ciências Sociais. Porto: Ed. Afrontamento

Pauwels, Eléonore (2007), Ethics for researchers. Luxembourg: Office for Official Publications of the European Communities

Código de Ética Profissional dos Assistentes Sociais http://www.apross.pt

Carta Europeia do Investigador

http://ec.europa.eu/euraxess/pdf/brochure_rights/eur_21620_en-pt.pdf