Research Methods in Social Sciences

Paper Code: 
RMT131
Credits: 
3
Contact Hours: 
90.00
Max. Marks: 
100.00
Objective: 

Learning outcome (at course level)

Learning and teaching strategies

Assessment Strategies

  
 
  1. Understand the need for research in social science sector.

 

  1. Select appropriate tools and techniques of research

 

  1. Formulate an appropriate research design according to the nature of research problem

 

  1. Formulation of hypothesis for research problem

 

  1. Selection of appropriate sampling method

Approach in teaching:

Interactive Lectures, Discussion, Tutorials, Reading assignments, Demonstration

 

Learning activities for the students:

Self learning assignments, Effective questions, Simulation, Seminar presentation, Giving tasks, Field practical

Class test, Semester end examinations, Quiz, Solving problems in tutorials, Assignments, Presentation, Individual and group projects

 

 

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

 

9.00
Unit IV: 
UNIT-IV
  • Types of Data: Primary and Secondary
  • Techniques of Data Collection: Questionnaire, Schedule, Case study, Interview and Observation.
9.00
Unit V: 
UNIT-V
  • Hypothesis: Meaning, Merits and Demerits
  • Sampling: Basic Concepts, Merits and Demerits; Probability sampling; Non Probability sampling; Sample size, Sampling errors.

 

Essential Readings: 
  • Blakie, 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: 
2023-24
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