Research Methods in Social Sciences

Paper Code: 
RMT131
Credits: 
08
Contact Hours: 
45.00
Max. Marks: 
100.00
Objective: 

This course aims to provide an understanding of the nature of  social research.

It aims to familiarize the students with the tools and techniques of research.

 

9.00
Unit I: 
Scientific Research
  • Scientific Research :    Characteristics, Steps, Types(Pure, Applied, Quantitative, Qualitative, Longitudinal, Comparative)
  • Meaning, Nature and Aims of Social Research
  • Research Approaches: Positivistic, Interpretative and Critical

 

9.00
Unit II: 
Methods of social research
  • Methods of   Social  Research: Field Study method, Experimental method, Survey method, Case study method, Statistical method, Historical method, Evolutionary method.
  • Value free Scientific Research.

 

9.00
Unit III: 
Research Design
  • Research Design: Meaning, Functions, Characteristics of a good research design
  • Types of Research Design: Exploratory, Descriptive,  Experimental , Cross sectional, Longitudinal.

 

9.00
Unit IV: 
Types of Data
  • Types of Data: Primary and Secondary
  • Techniques of Data Collection: Questionnaire, Schedule, Case study, Interview and Observation

 

9.00
Unit V: 
Hypothesis
  • Hypothesis: Meaning, Merits and Demerits
  • Sampling: Basic Concepts, Merits and Demerits; Probability sampling; Non Probability sampling; Sample size, Sampling errors
References: 
  • Blaikie, Norman, Approaches to Social Enquiry, Cambridge, Policy Press, 1993.
  • May, Tim, Social Research: Issues, Methods and Processes. Buckingham, Open University Press, 1997.
  • Patton, Michael Quinn, Qualitative Evaluation Methods. New Delhi, Sage Publications, 1988.
  • Reissman, Catherine K. Qualitative Studies in Social Work Research, New Delhi. Sage Publications, 1994.
  • Swartz, Omar, Conducting Socially Responsible Research, New Delhi, Sage Publications, 1997.
  • Ramachandran, P. Issues in Social Work Research in India, Bombay, Tata Institute of Social Sciences, 1990.
  • Society for Participatory Research in Asia, Participatory Research: An Introduction (Participatory Research Network series No. 3), New Delhi PRIA, 1995.
  • Wright, Susan E. 1986  Social Science Statistics. Boston: Allyn & Bacon Inc.
  • Loether, H.J. & McTavish, Donald. 1974  Inferential Statistics for Sociologists.
  • Boston: Allyn & Bacon Inc.
  • Kurtz, Norman R. 1983  Introduction to Social Statistics. Paris: McGraw-Hill Book Co.
  • Elifson et al. 1990  Fundamentals of Social Statistics. McGraw Hill Publishing Co.
  • Levin, Jack .1983  Elementary Statistics in Social Research. New York: Harper & Row Publishers
  • Cohen, Louis & Holliday, Michael. 1982 Statistics for Social Scientists. New York: Harper & Row Publishers
  • Malec, Michael, A. 1977 Essential Statistics for Social Research. New York: J.B.Lippincott Co.
  • Ahuja. Ram. 2006, Research Methods, Rawat Publications.

 

Academic Session: 
2015-16
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