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
MGPE-015 Introduction to Research Methods (Elective Course)
Overview
Syllabus
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
Taught by
Dr Sadananda Sahoo
