Syllabus

Research Methods and Methodology for Social Sciences

"Social research involved the interaction between ideas and evidence. Ideas help social researchers make sense of evidence, and researchers use evidence to extend, revise and test ideas"- Charles C. Ragin
Challenges in Area of Social Research
Research methodology forms the base of a scientific investigation to the commonly social and economic issues of a population. Though, most of the universities and institutions provides courses on research methodology for M. Phil and Ph. D students, they largely contain deficiencies in respect to recent advancement in the subject of research methodology, usage of statistical software, use of large and small scale datasets, range of techniques for analyzing qualitative data etc. A common challenge faced by almost all social science researchers is that of conceptualizing research topic suitably, use of appropriate methodology and evaluation of work. These problems are evident when researchers confront in one or other form in formulation of the research problems; review of relevant literature; deciding upon conceptual framework; selection of research design; formulation of research questions/ hypothesis and testing of hypothesis; selection of sampling methods; developing interview schedules, and other relevant tools for data collection; collecting data from the field and field management; choosing suitable techniques of data analysis; using computer and information technology (ICT) for data and knowledge management, analysis and report writing and presentation; using distributive cognition to settle different results obtained through different research path. Any research design is characterized by both opportunities and constraints, and the selection of the optimal design is always a trade off between the strengths and weaknesses of different options, viewed in the context of feasibility. Thus main challenge in social research is selecting most suitable from various alternatives at different stages of research and identifying a place for obtained result in `group of results obtained through different paths. To address these issues, it is required to frame an up-dated syllabus which may be adopted in various teaching and research institutions. It may be mentioned that there are some institutions (London School of Economics) where research methodology is being taught as a full fledged subject and students are awarded M.Sc/M.A. in research methodology. Between two extremes- loose and unorganized course and very focused course at master level, there is scope of course which may be integrated and suitable for researchers belonging to different area of social science. This course has been designed by keeping above aim in mind.

Course Description
This syllabus is scripted differently comparing to conventional syllabus generally in use by Indian Universities and Institutes. This syllabus is not linked with particular level

(Master / M. Phill / Ph.D) rather it is prepared as per need of developing research capabilities. Generally academic syllabi are based on available resources and are equally affected by various constraints. They highlight what will be imparted but do not clearly state or hide what is to be essential to proceed in area of social research. It is expected that this syllabus will make an attempt to fill these gaps. Hyperlinks provided in this syllabus will help in collecting resources and getting online courses for self-learning. This syllabus can be made dynamic by putting it at suitable sites based on web 2.0 technologies. In this way it can evolve with collaborative assessment of need and availability of resources. Syllabus is divided into two parts- foundational and application. Foundational part has been divided in thee modules- conceptual foundation, statistical foundation and foundation for ICT. Applications, based on components of foundational part, has been divided in three parts- (a) preparation of quantitative and qualitative data (b) analyzing quantitative and qualitative data (c) Final project

Course Objective
Course on research methods is of paramount importance for higher studies in area of social science. The purpose of this course is not to provide a mechanical way for research in social science but to tailor so that students can learn effectively the different approaches and methods developed in area of social research and how they confront and synthesize with each other. With these confrontation and synthesis, they would be in a position to decide what tools and techniques are suitable in context of constraints and available resources and what may be best practices for dealing with current research problems with background knowledge regarding available methods, tools and techniques. After successful completion of this course, students are expected to be equipped with knowledge and skills necessary to: (1) Identify situation, perspective, values and belief of researcher in context of research problem (2) Develop skills to identify suitable frame of analysis and interpretation for logical explanation and generalization. (3) Use research vocabulary (technical terms, definitions and standard words), particular to the area of research being undertaken, correctly (4) Writing research proposal in appropriate structure by keeping recent developments in social research methodology in mind. (5) Understand relationship between paradigm, theory, model and data (development of framework). (6) Attempt to develop model (diagrammatic as well as statistical) to understand mechanism of intervention and causal connections. (7) Select appropriate research methods by identifying its advantages and limitations. (8) Use current technology, including the Internet for collective reading, writing and thinking. (9) Organizing data in suitable format for analysis. (10) Understand challenges in designing evaluation studies

(11) Implement procedures for assuring the ethical conduct of research, including the necessity of obtaining informed consent; inclusion of safeguards to ensure the confidentiality of research data

Course Plan
Although this course is intended to develop according to learner perspective but its current status is apart from its goal due to lack of suitable on-line courses. It is difficult, at least for beginner, to accomplish this course without sincere assistance in class-room. Hence this course is prepared for blended learning. At best students can use hyperlinks to fill the gaps in classroom. Prerequisites for this course is sound understanding of intermediate level (10+2) mathematics. Complete course may be planned in two semesters (120 lectures including two papers and a lab session in each semester). 40 lectures are assumed for a paper. First semester will be devoted for foundations for social research. It will include- conceptual foundation, statistical foundation and foundation of ICT (Information and Communication Technology). Sequence and integration of modules is important for reasons of linking to next and thus need to be intact. Details of sequence and integration of modules can be seen in course diagram. It is assumed that given sequence of module and topics is most suitable sequence to cover them. Modules of first semester are meant for foundation of research methods while modules of second semester is for application of foundational concept. Foundational

Conceptu al

ICT

Statistica l

Application (Research Design)

Resear ch Propos al

Preparatio n of Instrument

Data Collection

Data Manageme nt

Analysis

Report Writing

Approach
Due to constraint of time many topics, which require relatively longer time for mastering them, will be discussed in brief. Purpose of inclusion of such topics in course is to highlight importance of such topics, and not the in-depth training. Key references and

reading materials for providing sufficient exposure on such topics will be given to students for facilitating need-based training. In order to promote the interest and facilitate usage among students, steps along with core concepts to use these references and material will be demonstrated in the class. In second semester, which will be devoted to application part of course, theory classes will be linked to practical classes. Attempts will be made to synchronize course on ICT in such a way that topics covered in statistical foundation course may be implemented on Excel (and possibly through one statistical software). Similarly students will also be encouraged to use MS Word, Internet, PowerPoint for collecting and preparing notes (including presentation) related to topics covered in conceptual foundation. In each class, students will also be assigned some time to jot down key concepts, definitions as well as problem areas of that lecture on paper which will be submitted to instructor. In each module, project will be assigned to group of students at beginning of module so that team member can discuss topic of module in context of assigned project.

Modules for the course

(1) Foundation of research methods in social science (10 lectures) Under this module, fundamentals of Research Methods in Social Sciences will be presented in context of its goals, its paradigms, its historical development, its approaches its interaction with research methods in other sciences. Debate and discussion regarding complex and controversial issues will be organized during lecture. Concept maps will be created with interaction of students. a. What is social research? b. Critical thinking: Fundamental skill for research i. Meaning analysis ii. Argument analysis iii. Basic logic iv. Scientific reasoning v. Values vi. Fallacies and bias vii. Creative thinking c. Type of knowledge and its management: Tacit and explicit knowledge d. Sociology of knowledge e. Theories regarding truth: Correspondence theory, coherence theory, semantic theory, Social construction of reality f. Representation of social problem in terms of research problem g. Language of research: types of research, research question, hypothesis, variable, relationship h. General issues of measurement and indices: validity and reliability

i. How different stream of subjects provide models to understand, explain and predict certain phenomena? j. Philosophy of science: evolution of scientific methods for social science, sociological positivism, skeptism, hypothetico- deductive model k. Some influential philosopher to research method: Aristotle, Francis Bacon, August Comte, John Stuart Mill, Emile Durkheim, Max Weber, Karl Popper, Thomas Kuhn, Karl Pearson, R.A. Fisher, Barney Glaser, Anselm Strauss, Robert Chamber, Charls C. Ratin, l. Paradigm, theory, model and data. Validation of theory and model m. Social science paradigm i. Holistic vs individualistic perspective ii. Objectivity vs subjectivity iii. Realism, idealism, rationalism, historicism, relativism iv. Quantitative vs qualitative research v. Methodological vs ontological n. Positive vs normative economics (for economics only; may be excluded) o. Research methods for political economy (may be excluded) p. Types of research: descriptive, exploratory, constructive and empirical (confirmatory) research q. Tools and techniques of fixed research design: correlational (case control, cross-sectional, longitudinal, cohort) design, experimental and quasi-experimental design r. Tools and techniques flexible research design- grounded theory, ethnography, case study, content analysis, participatory survey, phenomenology, discourse analysis, interpretive analysis s. Identification of researchs own position in context of research problem t. Ethics of social research (2) Foundation of ICT in social research (40 lectures) Due to significant change in computational power in recent years, old courses of research methods needs to be revised in context of ICT. Purpose of this module is to create foundation to use tools of ICT. Specific tools like tools for preparing data entry and validation program or tools to analyze qualitative data will be covered in other modules. Foundation tools of ICT are of general nature. Emphasis will be given to those parts which are more influential to research methods. Coverage of this module will be as follows. a. Computer fundamental b. MS Word: with special consideration of using references, different objects and templates c. MS Excel: with special consideration of Excel as statistical data processing platform

d. Use of internet: with special consideration of using web as knowledge management tool (Search, Blogs, Wikis, Tagging, RSS and Syndication) e. Understanding features and techniques of web 2.0: Web 2.0 services and applications for research, collaborative work and teaching f. MS PowerPoint g. Introduction of statistical software (3) Foundation for using statistical tools, techniques and methods (30 lectures) Statistics plays a major role in area of social science research. For creating a good user of statistics, statistical methods will be presented with their underlying assumptions, concepts and definitions used in particular method, steps of computation with rationality, interpretation of outputs and less emphasis on mathematical proofs. Whenever needed proof of fundamental concepts will be demonstrated through simulation. Students will get exposure for using statistical methods as tool available through ICT to analyze data. Following topics will be cover under this module. a. b. c. d. e. f. g. h. i. j. k. l. m. n. o. p. q. r. s. Statistical literacy as well as statistical orientation to view the world Permutation and combination Understanding probability as measure of chance Probability distribution and central limit theorem Standard error Bayesian technique to understand causal reversal and evidence Descriptive statistics: proportion, rates and ratios, types of growth rates, measure of central tendency and variation, correlation, effect-size Multiple and partial correlation Correlation vs causation Sampling and estimation technique for finite population Inferential statistics Statistical tests for confirmatory analysis Contingency tables to understand relationship between two characteristics Regression analyses: Ordinary Least Square, logistic regression Statistical models for representing theory and understanding general relationships Fundamentals of understanding time series data Fundamentals of `design of experiment Representation of information through matrix: Basic matrix algebra Tools for exploring latent information: Principal component and Factor analyses

(4) Preparing primary data- quantitative and qualitative (40 lectures) a. Preparation of instruments

b. Preperation of sampling weights c. Preperation of data entry and validation program through CSPro (5) Data analysis- quantitative and qualitative (30 lectures) a. Understanding organization of data b. Data types: Scale of measurement c. Visual representation of data and its summary d. Use of weights for getting estimates e. Tabulation as tool of descriptive analysis: simption paradox, confounders f. Tools of exploratory analysis g. Use of data as evidence h. Use of statistical models for analysis i. Causal analysis through observational and experimental data j. Content analysis for quantitative data by using software k. Spatial and time series analysis l. Quantitative comparative analysis m. Social network analysis n. Using large size multilevel hierarchical data like NSS, DLHS, NFHS (6) Impact evaluation (10 lectures) a. Types of evaluation research b. Basic issues while undertaking impact evaluation c. Logic models d. Basic theory of impact evaluation: problem of section bias and counterfactuals e. Different approaches to impact evaluation: Randomization, Propensity score matching, double difference method, instrumental variable method, Regression discontinuity and pipeline method, measuring distributional program effects, using models to evaluate policies. (7) Final project a. Guidelines for preparing a research proposal b. Steps of research process c. Guidelines for writing a research report

In-class activities
10 Most Important Words
1.

Think about what you will learn in this class. What are you expecting?

2.

Based on your current knowledge of the course content, list the 10 most important words or ideas you expect to explore more fully this semester. Jot down a thought why each word or idea made your list of the top 10. 3. Pair up with a partner. Choose someone you haven't met yet. Compare your list of 10 words with theirs. From the 20 words you and your partner have, whittle the list down to 10 again. Don't worry if one person has more on the list than the other. It doesn't matter. 4. Square up with another pair. Repeat the process, narrow your lists back down to 10 words.

Assignments and Projects

1. 2. 3. 4.

5.

6.

Homework assignments are scheduled throughout the semester. Module project will be assigned by instructor to different groups (created by instructor) of students Final project will be based on choice of a research proposal a literature review by individual student and finally by group of students (created by instructor). A research proposal has to give the overall impression that team has a command of the literature in specific field. It should offer evidence of work pending to be done, and ideas about how to competently conduct at least one small piece of that work. Furthermore, proposal should give the reader a clear idea of how to replicate that research work. Final presentation of literature review by team demonstrates awareness, understanding and discussion among team members. In it, they should present a balanced view of the various positions held by experts, highlighting and synthesizing areas of agreements and disagreements. Before preparation of final summary of their literature review or research proposal, presentations by individual members will be done to the instructor.

Supporting cites
Writing APA Style Workshop - from Purdue's Online Writing Laboratory. Common Errors in English - About misuse of words and large number of common errors. Using English for Academic Purposes - This website has an abundance of resources for using English in the academic setting. There are many links, suggestions for making oral presentations, writing essays, and even taking notes during lectures. Search Skills Four NETS for Better Searching - A tutorial to improve your use of Google. FindSpot - For learning of search syntax on most major search sites.

Tools List of citation management software Can be used to find free suitable citation management software Google Docs ReframeIt Statistics Resources Voices in Statistics Links for learning and using statistics . Additional Reading as well as Practice Link

Open Course on Critical Thinking Logic and Creativity links for external sites are available

Brief course with suitable

Causal reasoning Presentation of Mills method on causal reasoning Comparative study of research methods Articles by different authors on different components of research methods Methods in behavior research specially useful for psychology Qualitative Comparative Analysis Links for online course and software Social Science Research Methodology for Information Studies: students will be able to read and critique the library and information science literature of their own choosing as well as be able to contribute to the advancement of the field in the future with their own research and decision-making about appropriate research methods and be more competitive The Nature and Philosophy of Science Philosophy of science Critical thinking: Resources related to critical thinking, philosophy of science, (especially causality), and analysis of educational concepts Raven paradox related to testing a hypothesis Constructing Social Research by Charles C. Ragin Sociobiology: E.O. Wilson

Supporting Important Books

Economy and Society by Max Webber The Sociological Imagination by C. Wright Mills Suicide by Emile Durkheim Rules of Sociological Methods by Emile Durkheim Durkheim is Dead (novel) by Arther Asa Berger Understanding Process of Economic Change- Douglass C. North Asian Drama- Gunnar Myrdal The Mathematics of Collective Action-James Samual Coleman and Robert Smith

Relation with other courses