Ten Day research Methodology Course-ICSSR Sponosred

IIS (Deemed to Be University), Jaipur

ICSSR Sponsored Ten Days Research Methodology Course (RMC)

Organized by Department of Sociology & Social Work and Management Studies

Theme: Qualitative and Quantitative Research in Social Sciences

(12 - 21 December, 2024)

REPORT

The Department of Sociology and Social Work & Department of Management Studies organized an Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR), New Delhi sponsored Research Methodology Course from 12 Dec to 21 Dec.2024. Thirty participants from Gujarat, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Maharashtra and Rajasthan attended this course. This course focused on both qualitative and quantitative research techniques in the social sciences, with the goal of providing emerging researchers with critical skills to conduct high-quality research and utilize their findings for broader opportunities.

The course commenced with a grand inaugural session attended by eminent dignitaries. Professor K.L. Sharma, Pro-Chancellor of Jaipur National University, delivered the keynote address, setting the tone for the course. He was joined by Professor T.N. Mathur, Vice-Chancellor of IIS University, Jaipur; Dr. Raakhi Gupta, Rector and Registrar of IIS; Professor Ila Joshi, Dean of the Faculty of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences; and Dr. Arti Sharma, Course Director. After a traditional lamp-lighting ceremony, Prof. T.N. Mathur delivered the welcome address. Prof. Ila Joshi elaborated the aims and objectives of the course Prof. K.L. Sharma, in his keynote speech, encouraged participants to engage in rigorous empirical research. And vote of thanks was delivered by Dr. Raakhi Gupta.

The first session of the course focused on foundational aspects of research methodology. Dr. Chetan Singai from Chanakya University, Bengaluru, introduced the importance of systematic research, its role in knowledge advancement, problem-solving, and policy formulation. Dr. Singai also covered research design, emphasizing pilot studies, and discussed current trends in transparency and reproducibility in research.

Dr. Shweta Kastiya from IIS University, Jaipur, conducted the next session on formulating research problem. Dr. Kastiya also highlighted the importance of feasibility analysis before beginning research, along with selecting appropriate data collection tools and avoiding the use of fabricated data to ensure research integrity.

On the second day, Prof. Nilima Srivastava from IGNOU, New Delhi, led a session on ethics in social science research and the publication process. She outlined the importance of maintaining research integrity, avoiding plagiarism, and obtaining informed consent. The session included an interactive activity to analyze research papers and enhance participants’ ethical writing skills.

Prof. Jagdish Jadhav from the Central University of Rajasthan conducted the session of Day 2, focusing on research problem formulation and the use of research tools. He guided participants in designing clear research objectives and selecting appropriate tools, particularly survey methods.

On Day 3, Prof. Monika Kannan from Sophia Girls College, Ajmer, provided an in-depth session on sampling techniques. She explained various sampling methods and their practical applications, emphasizing how to minimize bias and determine appropriate sample sizes to ensure valid conclusions.

Dr. Jaspreet Kaur from Vivekanand Institute of Professional Studies, New Delhi, followed with a session on qualitative data analysis, introducing NVivo software to enhance research efficiency.

The fourth day featured Prof. Vishal Sood, Dean of the School of Education at the Central University of Himachal Pradesh, who covered hypothesis formulation and testing. Participants learned how to perform descriptive data analysis using tools like SPSS and MS Excel, including measures of central tendency and dispersion.

Day 5, Prof. Rajiv Gupta, former Head of the University of Rajasthan, led a session on evaluating questionnaires, focusing on reliability and validity testing. Later on Day 5, Dr. Hemlata Manglani from the Central University of Rajasthan provided practical training on descriptive data analysis using SPSS and STATA.

Day 6 began with a session by Prof. Dr. Deep Singh from VGU, Jaipur, on utilizing library resources for research. He discussed the shift from print to digital resources, highlighting tools like Mendeley and Zotero for reference management, as well as AI and big data applications in library systems. Prof. Singh also introduced programs like INFLIBNET and Shodh Ganga for accessing digital materials.

Prof. Dr. Nisha Yadav then conducted a session on the measurement of scales in research, discussing the importance of validity, reliability, and clarity when constructing research tools.

Dr. Roopam Kothari and Dr. Princy Thomas introduced bibliometric analysis and research metrics, focusing on citation counts, h-index, and impact factors. Participants learned to use tools like RStudio for conducting bibliometric studies, enhancing their understanding of research evaluation methods.

Day 7 included a session by Prof. Mamta Jain from the University of Rajasthan on drafting research proposals. She stressed the importance of conducting comprehensive literature reviews to identify gaps, formulating clear research objectives, and designing robust research methodologies. Prof. Sunny Bose from ICFAI Business School, Hyderabad led a session on case studies as qualitative research tools, showing how they can be applied in education, psychology, sociology, and management. He demonstrated how case studies bridge the gap between theory and practice by analyzing complex real-world problems.

On Day 8, Prof. Manju Singh from Banasthali Vidyapeeth talked about field research. She explained various observation techniques and types of interviews, which are essential for gathering qualitative data in real-world settings. Dr. Abhineet Saxena from Amity University conducted a technical session on hypothesis testing, introducing parametric and non-parametric methods and explaining when to use each test.

On Day 9, participants went on a field visit to Chhaprari Village, Seengwana. They conducted a demographic survey and explored factors influencing the adoption of digital payment methods, providing valuable practical experience in applying research methods in rural settings.

The final day of the course featured a quiz and a paper clinic session, where participants presented their research papers and received feedback from Prof. Nisha Yadav and Prof. Deepika Singh. The feedback helped participants refine their papers and prepare for publication. The valediction was presided by Professor Kanchan Mathur, Former Officiating Director, Institute  of Development Studies, Jaipur . Professor M.K. Sharma,Dean,Faculty of Commerce and Management read the welcome address . Dr.Shweta Kastiya ,Course co-director, presented the ten day course report sharing the highlights. Professor Mathur shared her research journey with the participants and she gave away the certificates to them. Dr. Arti Sharma proposed the vote of thanks.

The Ten-Day Research Methodology Course successfully equipped participants with the skills and knowledge needed to conduct high-quality research. With expert lectures, hands-on activities, and fieldwork, the course bridged the gap between theory and practice, preparing participants to tackle real-world research challenges in the social sciences.