Cursos / 1º Ciclo / Faculty of Law :: Criminology

MÉTODOS QUANTITATIVOS EM CRIMINOLOGIA - 2025/2026

1º curricular year
Semestralidade: 1st semester
ECTS: 6

Teachers

Leading Teacher: Prof. Doutor Samuel Moreira

Class type and School hours

Teórico-prática : 2 Horas
Orientação Tutorial : 1 Horas

Teaching Language

Portuguese

Main Aims/Objectives

This course unit has the general objectives of acquiring knowledge and skills within the scope of quantitative scientific research methods, with a focus on the area of Criminology.

Specific Aims/Objectives

- Perspective quantitative research within the scope of theoretical-epistemological paradigms;
- Understand the logic of scientific research in general and quantitative scientific research in particular;
- Know the process of quantitative research;
- Know the main quantitative research methods and their respective components;
- Know the ethical precepts to consider in quantitative research.

Skills to be acquired

It is expected that students acquire:
- Skills in explaining concepts, processes, methods and procedures involved in quantitative research;
- Skills in methodological analysis and discussion of quantitative studies;
- Skills in simulating quantitative research, particularly in terms of planning, formulating objectives and hypotheses, designing the data collection method and instrument and outlining the ethical issues to be considered.

Teaching Procedures

- Combination of expository and interrogative methods, promoting students´ involvement in the discussion and reflection on the exposed contents.
- Theoretical-practical classes, combining the exposure of the program contents with exercises for applying and consolidating the exposed contents.
- Tutorial classes are mostly dedicated to monitoring and guiding students in preparing a written assignment.

Programme

I - Introduction to Quantitative Scientific Research
1. Scientific knowledge vs. common sense
2. Theoretical-epistemological framework of quantitative research
3. Essential concepts in quantitative research

II - The Quantitative Research Cycle
1. Formulation of the research problem: initial definition of the research question
2. Review of scientific literature: existing knowledge, identification of gaps, refinement of the research question and hypotheses
3. Research design: definition of the type of study, target population and sample, data collection method and instrument and operationalization
4. Data collection: procedures and implementation of the method/instrument
5. Data analysis: statistical analysis techniques and hypothesis testing
6. Interpretation of results
7 Conclusion

III - Ethics in the Quantitative Research Process
1. Object of research in Criminology
2. The role of the researcher
3. Voluntariness, anonymity, confidentiality and other core aspects

IV - Quantitative Research Methods and Techniques
1. Types of studies: cross-sectional, longitudinal and experimental
2. Sampling strategies
3. Data collection techniques: a deepening on surveys (by questionnaire and interview)

V - Data analysis

Evaluation Type

- Continuous Evaluation: 2 tests and 1 written assignment (consisting of the analysis of a scientific article based on a quantitative empirical study) and its oral presentation and defense.
- Final Evaluation: exam.

Teaching Resources

Scientific publications, audiovisual materials, and practical exercises.

Sustainability Objectives

Keywords

Scientific research
Quantitative scientific research
Quantitative scientific research methodology

Main Bibliography

Complementary Bibliography