MGPE-015 Introduction to Research Methods (Elective Course)

This course is dedicated to understanding how to pursue research in Gandhi and Peace Studies and related disciplines of social sciences and analyse, interpret, and make sense of the social world. The course begins with broad questions about knowledge production that underguard our approach to any social science discipline or related inquiry. The researcher will next learn about and practice both qualitative and quantitative research methods, including digital content analysis, interviewing, and survey research. As part of the course, students will learn the rudiments of using statistical software for analysing survey responses; no prior training in statistics is required (or expected). The goals of this course are for you to: 1. Develop your own empirical research question(s) and ability to find answers. 2. Understand how social scientists generate knowledge about the social world, and why we do it the ways we do. 3. Know how to use a variety of tools and approaches to assist in your (or others’) research

 

WEEK

TOPICS

 

Week-1

NATURE OF SOCIAL SCIENCE RESEARCH

Meaning, Objectives of Social Science Research

Motivating Factors of Social Science Research

Social Science Vs Physical Sciences

Basic Assumptions of Social Research

Subject Matter, Sources of Data

Difficulties of Social Science Research

 

Week-2

TYPES OF SOCIAL SCIENCE RESEARCH

Fundamental, Pure or Theoretical Research

Discovery of a New Theory, Development of the Existing Theory

Applied Research, Various Other Categories of Research

The Ex-post Facto Research, Advantages

Disadvantages, Laboratory or Experimental Research

Field Investigation Research, Survey Research

Evaluation Research, Action Research

Week-3

MAJOR DEBATES: NORMATIVE AND EMPIRICAL PARADIGMS

Normative Paradigm

Constitutive Norms and Ethics of Science

Values and Value Judgements in Social Science

The Feasibility of Argumentation about Norms

Empirical Methods and Applications

Nature of Assumptions, Normative vis-à-vis and Empirical,

Natural Law, Dialectical Materialism

The Recent Trends

Week-4

GANDHIAN APPROACH TO UNDERSTANDING SOCIAL PROBLEMS

Characteristics of Gandhian Approach

Gandhi as a Social Scientist and Social Inventor, Social Problems

Poverty and Unemployment

Violence between Individuals

Groups and Nations, Disunity and Friction between Social Groups

Education, Sanitation and Public Health, Nutrition

Problems and Issues

Religion, God and Truth , Ends and Means, Non-violence,

Methodological Analysis of Gandhian Framework

Week-5

DEFINING THE RESEARCH PROBLEM (REVIEW OF LITERATURE)

Selecting a Research Topic

Intensifying Knowledge

Turning a Topic into a Research Problem

The Subjects and the Time Frame

 

Week-6

 

RESEARCH FRAMEWORK: CONCEPTS AND THEORY

Meaning of Concepts

The Concept of Abstraction, Concepts and Communication

Features of Good Concepts, Reconceptualisation

Theories and Definition of Theory

The Role of Theory: Theory as Orientation

Theory as Conceptualisation and Classification

Another Task of Theory

Theory Predicts Facts,

Theory points to gaps in our knowledge

Deduction and Induction

Difficulties of Theory Testing

 

Week-7

TYPES OF RESEARCH DESIGN

Defining the Research Problem

Knowledge of the Rules, Clarification of Concepts,

Methods of Data Collection,

Operationalisation, Sampling the Subjects

Presentation of Findings

Week-8

DEFINING DATA (TYPES OF DATA)

Classification of Data, Documentary Data, Quantitative Data

PRESENTATION OF DATA: QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE

Principles of Table Construction

Qualitative Data

Modes of Analysis of Qualitative Data and Presentation

COMPUTER APPLICATIONS IN SOCIAL SCIENCE RESEARCH

Before the Advent of Computers and After,

Microsoft Programmes, Websites, Search Engines

 

Week-9

FIELDWORK/ ETHNOGRAPHY

Understanding Fieldwork: Definition and Basic Elements

Understanding Ethnography: Definition and Purpose

Characteristics of Ethnography, Ethnography: Methods of Data Collection and Analysis, Ethnographic Interviews, Document Analysis

Survey, Observation, Participant Observation

Observation: Recording and Analysis

Ethnography: Problems

Issues and Dilemmas

Week-10

CONFLICT MAPPING

Conflict Map: Purpose

Usage and Limitations

Basic Elements of a Conflict Map

Ways of Conflict Mapping, Paul Wehr

William W. Wilmot and Joyce L. Hocker

How to map a conflict situation?

SCIENTIFIC PRESENTATION (STYLE, CITATION, FOOTNOTES ETC)

Abbreviations, Table of Contents, Lists of Tables,

Charts, Figures,

Special Abbreviations and Glossary,

Pagination and Chapters, References and Bibliography,

Quotations,

Style and Language

Week-11

NARRATIVES/ STORY TELLING

Understanding Narratives and Stories

Narrative Analysis: Definition

Origin and Features

Narrative Analysis Approach with respect to Conflict Situations

Tools for Analysis, Narrative Theories, Decisions regarding Data Collection

Practicalities of Data Collection & Data Analysis

Understanding the Interviewee’s Perception: Questions for the Researcher

Coding, Methods of Narrative Analysis

 

Week-12

DIVERSE LEVELS OF ANALYSIS

Understanding Analysis

Levels and the Purpose of Analysing Levels

Conflict: Levels of Analysis, Macro & Micro Levels

Individual, Societal, International & Global Levels

Micro Issues to Systemic Concerns, Violence: Levels of Analysis

Peace: Levels of Analysis, Peace-building: Levels of Analysis

Levels of Actors and Their Approaches to Peace-building

ORGANISING RESEARCH FINDINGS

Statement of the Problem

Theories and Hypotheses

Analysis and Interpretation

Testing of Hypotheses

Organising Findings of Case Study