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ASSIGNMENT SOLUTIONS GUIDE (2014-2015)

M.S.O.-2
Research Methodologies and Methods
Disclaimer/Special Note: These are just the sample of the Answers/Solutions to some of the Questions given in the
Assignments. These Sample Answers/Solutions are prepared by Private Teacher/Tutors/Auhtors for the help and Guidance
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Solutions. Please consult your own Teacher/Tutor before you prepare a Particular Answer & for uptodate and exact
information, data and solution. Student should must read and refer the official study material provided by the university.
SECTION I
Q. 1. Discuss the major concerns in epistemology.
Ans. Epistemology or theory of knowledge is the branch of philosophy concerned with the nature and scope of
knowledge. Much of the debate in this field has focused on analyzing the nature of knowledge and how it relates to
similar notions such as truth, belief, and justification. It also deals with the means of production of knowledge, as well
as skepticism about different knowledge claims.
Human beings have propensity to clarify and know the world around them, which leads to a range of elucidation. It
is very general for a huge segment of humanity to look for scientific clarifications. Such clarifications bring about the
rage of establishment, generally religious authority. As science made growing progress enlightening consecutively the
mystery of nature on which humankind had tried to have power over. The tactic engaged in natural and physical sciences
rule as what are the finest processes of acquiring knowledge.
Greek philosopher Aristotle accurately said, all philosophy initiate from the basic sense of human beings encounter
and in this sense it leads to different theories. As a result not astonishing that the question of what is true or adequate
knowledge so it translates into scientific methodology. In this chapter, we will look at some extensive issues regarding our
understanding of social reality around us, with reference to particular philosophies in the context of different schools of
thought.
Some Major Concerns of Epistemology: Here we will discuss about the main concerns of epistemology, which
deals with the source of knowledge, what is knowledge, what is truth etc. epistemology is majorly related to the source,
nature, scope of knowledge.
The usual question which comes in the mind of a student at this point is what is metaphysics? Metaphysics is the field
of philosophy which tries to look at the basic nature of truth, if it is visible or not. It looks for an explanation, basic and
simple which can be applied to everything (humans or anything). It tries to describe what anything would be like. Therefore,
a metaphysician tries to find out what underlies everything.
If we peep into the history of epistemology, it is easy to distinguish trend instead of confusing contradictory positions.
The drift points out that theory emphasize the permanent character. For a few philosophers the objects we see are over
sense observations. They are communicating product of mind and body.
If we trace the renaissance period two main theories took place at that time. They were empiricism and rationalism.
Empiricism considers knowledge as a product of sensory insight. This theory says that source of knowledge is sensual
experiences. It also means that the technique of observation and experiment used in natural sciences. Rationalism says
that mind may catch reality directly, sometimes without senses. Let us discuss them one by one.
Q. 2. Discuss the significance of correlation and regression as statistical tools in social research.
Ans. Correlation: In statistics, correlation is any of a broad class of statistical relationships between two or more
random variables. Correlations are useful because they can indicate a predictive relationship that can be exploited in
practice. Correlations can also suggest possible causal or mechanistic relationships; however, statistical dependence is
not sufficient to demonstrate the presence of such a relationship. Correlation is computed into what is known as the
correlation coefficient, which ranges between 1 and +1.

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In general statistical usage, correlation or co-relation can refer to any departure of two or more random variables from
independence, but most commonly refers to a more specialized type of relationship between mean values. There are
several correlation coefficients, often denoted by r, measuring the degree of correlation. The most common of these is the
Pearson correlation coefficient, which is mainly sensitive to a linear relationship between two variables. The correlation
is one of the most common and most useful statistics. A correlation is a single number that describes the degree of
relationship between two variables. Lets work through an example to show you how this statistic is computed.
Correlation is a statistical technique that can show whether and how strongly pairs of variables are related. For
example, height and weight are related; taller people tend to be heavier than shorter people. The relationship isnt perfect.
People of the same height vary in weight, and you can easily think of two people you know where the shorter one is
heavier than the taller one. Nonetheless, the average weight of people 5'5'' is less than the average weight of people 5'6'',
and their average weight is less than that of people 5'7'', etc. Correlation can tell you just how much of the variation in
peoples weights is related to their heights. An intelligent correlation analysis can lead to a greater understanding of your
data.
Regression: In statistics, regression analysis includes any techniques for modeling and analyzing several variables,
when the focus is on the relationship between a dependent variable and one or more independent variables. More specifically,
regression analysis helps us understand how the typical value of the dependent variable changes when any one of the
independent variables is varied, while the other independent variables are held fixed. Most commonly, regression analysis
estimates the conditional expectation of the dependent variable given the independent variables - that is, the average
value of the dependent variable when the independent variables are held fixed. Less commonly, the focus is on a quartile,
or other location parameter of the conditional distribution of the dependent variable given the independent variables. In
all cases, the estimation target is a function of the independent variables called the regression function.
A statistical measure that attempts to determine the strength of the relationship between one dependent variable
(usually denoted by Y) and a series of other changing variables (known as independent variables). The two basic types of
regression are linear regression and multiple regressions. Linear regression uses one independent variable to explain and/
or predict the outcome of Y, while multiple regressions use two or more independent variables to predict the outcome. The
general form of each type of regression is:
Linear Regression: Y = a + bX + u
Multiple Regression: Y = a + b1X1 + b2X2 + B3X3 + ... + BtXt + u
Where
Y = the variable that we are trying to predict
X = the variable that we are using to predict Y
a = the intercept
b = the slope
u = the regression residual.
In multiple regressions the separate variables are differentiated by using subscripted numbers.
There are some methods to calculate the regression equation:
1. Calculation of Regression Equation Using Actual Mean
From actual mean values of X and Y
Regression equation of Y on X can be calculated by using the formula:
YMy = byx (X Mx)
And byx = r(y/x)
Then the regression equation can be represented as:
Y My = (xy / x2) (X Mx)
Where y and x are independent variables.
2. Calculation of Regression Equation Using Assumed Mean
Regression equation of Y on X can be calculated with the assumed mean as well with the help of the following
formula:
Y My = byx (X Mx)
Where byx = [dx dy (dxdy)/N] / [dx2 (dx)2 / N]
Y and X are dependent and independent variables respectively
My and Mx mean of Y and X respectively

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SECTION II
Q. 3. Use of participatory method in social science reseacrh.
Ans. Its history can be traced back by referring the educators like Freire and Illich. They were against the idea of
formal schooling and believed in the idea of alternative pedagogy which was later known as participatory research. They
tried to fill in the gap of the teacher and taught.
Delineation Of Key Features: Let us now discuss the features of participatory research methodology:
Participatory approach is receptive and definite on attachment and partisanship along with marginal groups whose
observations are marginalized in social sciences. Before proceeding further towards the traditional research methodology,
first we should have some knowledge of what all includes in the concept of participation. This expression has obtained
several explanations and connotations in distinctive perspectives. Participation research has mainly three dimensions:
Participation demands the contribution of all persons related with decision-making about how a certain thing
has to be prepared.
Participation entails mass contribution to the labour for expansion. This means the interest of all people who
were influenced by the execution of decree.
All individuals who were drawn in the above mentioned points share product of the efforts put in by them for the
development.
This information about participation talks about the whole socio-economic system of change and growth. There is no
doubt that there is a broad gap in between the macro level goals of society and what really happens in the name of
participation. The involvement of human beings in implementation and planning of a programme is called as community
participation. If community is not a part of decision-making process and in other activities then we cannot call it participation.
Simply accepting and the hiring unpaid labour is the most horrible form of exploitation. So students are expected to
squabble for fuller participation of community. This kind of participation is purely hypothetical. These kinds of ideas are
put forward by the educators of adult learners. Participation has central importance for participants and researcher is also
considered as a participant. Community participation makes sure assimilation of aboriginal knowledge and proficiency in
development of plans. This brings about independence from the purported experts. Participatory research aims to result in
improvement in the conditions of livelihood of the people, who are a part of the research.
Participatory research condemns conventional research for its inattentiveness to the problems of grassroots people.
On the contrary conventional research criticizes participatory research for lack of scientific values. Participatory research
doesnt consider itself as the only substitute of conventional research.
The next question raises in the mind of the students now is how to design research to promote increased participation.
Participatory research presumes that through this method, research by its own becomes a means for participatory
development. Practitioners of participatory research promote and are appreciate this method as it helps them understand
social identity, to develop into mindful of their individual relationship with other social relationships influence them.
While promoting participatory research in social sciences, we have to agree to the fact that structuring participatory
practice and establishments is a self-motivated and steadily evolving process in the reply of the social needs and ethics
and existing abilities and means to fulfil them. Participatory method cannot be implemented in a day or two. It takes time
to grow with experience and practice about the working of the method.
The basis of PR methodology is to bring about a positive change in the target community. Changing the situation of
the oppressed, marginalized, exploited to a more favourable situation. Target group will also contribute in the development
of the research, formulation of goals, data collection, etc. which comes by decision taken by the people of the community.
The ultimate aim is to ensure complete ownership of knowledge by the community/ or the target population. Therefore,
we can say that it is a method which tries to bring about a positive and developmental change in the conditions of life of
the population/target group, who themselves participate in the process of development. For example a health camp is
organized in the community. The population is expected to keep a regular check on the health related issues in the area.
Like in the season of monsoon not to collect the damp water, it may lead to dengue and malaria. By accepting this fact it
may seem clear that the community is moving towards a positive change.

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