39132 - RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

Subject type: Mandatory

Coordinator: Jordi Sarola Gassiot

Trimester: Third term

Credits: 6

Academic year: 2025

Teaching course: 1

• Catalan

Oral face-to-face classes will be taught in Catalan. There are documents in Spanish and English, as well as audiovisual materials in Spanish and English.

The Research Methodology subject belongs to Module 4 of Nutrition, Dietetics and Health Sciences of the Degree in Human Nutrition and Dietetics. It constitutes a second approach to research methods after the subject of Demography, Statistics and Epidemiology, and aims to deepen research methodology.

In the study of this subject, the fundamental principles of the research report will be reviewed and the most relevant basic aspects will be summarized in the form of a sequence of steps prior to the implementation of the field phase.

The different types of research, hypotheses, variables, research designs will be differentiated, along with criteria and sample types. It will describe the methodological process, the elaboration of the introduction, the objectives, the results, the discussion and the conclusions, for the construction of a research problem.

We will learn the use of different software for research, both for literature review articles and for the development of research projects.

The gender perspective will be an aspect that the teaching staff will take into account by making an inclusive and non-sexist use of language and promoting the equal participation of everyone in a respectful and inclusive environment both in lectures and in seminar sessions. The different nutritional and dietary responses in both women and men will become visible. Female bibliographic references will be provided in the classroom to the extent that the subject allows it and the full first name of the authors will be used. Regarding the images of the content in the teaching material, the non-perpetuation of stereotypes will be encouraged.

The classroom (physical or virtual) is a safe space, free of sexist, racist, homophobic, transphobic and discriminatory attitudes, either towards students or towards teachers. We trust that together we can create a safe space where we can make mistakes and learn without having to suffer prejudice from others.

Topic 1. Introduction to research.

Topic 2. The research process.

Topic 3. The research report: summary, introduction, objectives, methodology, results, discussion and conclusions.

Topic 4. Search in databases, bibliographic review, gray literature.

Topic 5. Indexes of scientific quality.

Topic 6. Statistics.

SEMINARS

Seminars 1, 2, 3 and 4. The seminar sessions will explain different concepts needed to use them in a practical way and related to topics covered during the course.

The system for assessing the skills and learning outcomes of this subject includes different assessment activities for Subject 4, Nutrition, Dietetics and Health Sciences.

Evaluation of the face-to-face modality:

Evaluation of the virtual modality:

A system of quantitative (from 0 to 10) and qualitative (suspended, approved, notable, excellent, honorary registration) is used according to RD 1125/2003.

In order for the exam grade to be averaged with the rest of the grades obtained during the course of the subject, it will be necessary to obtain a grade equal to or higher than 5 points out of a total of 10 points.

According to UPF regulations, students who have the option to make up the subject are those who have obtained a grade of "fail". If the subject is not passed, the only part that can be retaken is the exam, with an extraordinary exam (retake) within the same academic year.

The use of artificial intelligence (AI) in this subject is regulated in the Learning Plan. It should be consulted to find out the specific conditions of use. 

The evaluation system and recovery period are detailed in the Learning Plan available in the virtual classroom at the beginning of the subject.

Any form of academic fraud will be sanctioned in accordance with the center's assessment regulations. If signs of fraud are detected, including the improper use of generative artificial intelligence tools, the subject's teaching staff may call the student for an individual interview with the aim of verifying their authorship.

Josep Maria Argimon Pallàs, Josep Jiménez Villa. Clinical and Epidemiological Research Methods (5th ed.). Elsevier. Madrid, 2019.

Juan del Rey Calero, Ángel Gil de Miguel, Rafael Herruzo Cabrera, Fernando Rodríguez Artalejo. Fundamentals of Epidemiology for health professionals. Ramón Areces University Foundation. Madrid, 2007.

Moyses Szklo, Javier Nieto. Intermediate Epidemiology: Concepts and Applications. Diaz de Santos,

Leon Gordis Epidemiology. 3rd edition. Ediciones Hancourt SA, 2005.