Social Research Methods

Paper Code: 
SOC 301
Credits: 
3
Contact Hours: 
45.00
Max. Marks: 
100.00
Objective: 

This course aims to provide an understand of the nature of social phenomena, the issues involved in social research and the ways and means of understanding and studying social reality. Thus, the emphasis is threefold. Firstly, on the study of research methods as a means of understanding social reality. Second, the tools and techniques are only instruments and not the end or goal of research. Thirdly, there are different perspectives and methods (as in quantitative and qualitative research) of understanding social phenomena. There are no universally accepted methods.

9.00

The Scientific Method: Meaning and Features.          

Meaning and Nature of Social Research: Positivistic and Interpretative.

9.00
Unit II: 

Research Design: Exploratory, Descriptive, Experimental, Cross Sectional, Longitudinal.

9.00
Unit III: 

Data: Forms and Sources; Techniques of Data Collection: Questionnaire, Schedule, Case Study, Interview, and Observation.

9.00
Unit IV: 

Hypothesis: Concept and Types; Sources of Hypothesis; Utility of Hypothesis in Social Research.

9.00
Unit V: 

Sampling: Basic Concept, Merits and Demerits; Probability Sampling; Non Probability Sampling; Sample Size.

Essential Readings: 

 

 

References: 
  • Jayaram, N. 1989. Sociology: Methods and Theory. Madras: McMillan.
  • Kothari, C.R. 1989. Research Methodology: Methods and Techniques, Bangalore, Wiley Eastern.
  • Young, P.V. 1988. Scientific Social Surveys and Research. New Delhi: Prentice Hall.
  • Ahuja. Ram. 2006, Research Methods, Rawat Publications.
  • Wilkinson and Bhandarkar, Methodology and Techniques of Social Research, New Delhi: Himalaya Publishing House.
  • Blyman, Alan. 2001, Social Research Methods, Oxford University Press
  • Babbie, E.R. 2006, the Practice of Social Research, Wadsworth Publishing Company.
  • Sarantakos, S. 2005, Social Research, Palgrave MacMillan.
  • Galtung, John. 1967, Theory and Methods of Social Research. George Allen & Unwin
  • Goode,W.J. & Hatt, P.K. 1952, Methods in Social Research, New York , McGraw Hill

 

Academic Session: 
2017-18
  • Printer-friendly version
  • PDF version