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PhD Course Work guidelines: Mandatory for PhD scholars

Compulsory Course Work:

As per UGC Minimum Standards and Procedure for Award of PhD Degree Regulations 2016, a PhD
scholar shall be required to undertake course work for a minimum period of one semester which is
compulsory pre-requisite for both full time and part time candidates.

It shall consist of one or more courses on Research Methodology which shall cover areas such as
quantitative methods, computer applications, research ethics and review of published research in the
relevant field, training, and field work and other areas found relevant to the discipline concerned. Other
courses shall be advanced level areas in the subjects concerned for enabling the students to acquire deep
knowledge in the preparation for PhD degree.

All the candidates admitted to the PhD program shall be required to complete the PhD course work
prescribed by the University & respective Department during the initial / first semester. Research
Supervisor along with Research Advisory Committee shall prescribe the courses and recruit faculty to
teach candidates prescribed courses.

The concerned Department must be involved in teaching of Course Work, especially related to selection
of Title and preparation of Synopsis.

A candidate will complete his Course Work of six months through intensive classes, assignments, review
of literature, short studies under the recognized Supervisor & Research Advisory Committee.

After the completion of Course Work, examination will be conducted by Examination section of the
University. In case candidate fails or drops in examination, one more chance will be given for the
compulsory Course Work Examination.

However, if the student is not in a position to complete the course work in the prescribed time limit as
above, due to genuine reasons, may file an appeal and on the recommendation of the Research Advisory
Committee, the Dean may grant extension up to additional one semester. Failing to complete the course
work within the extended period (within first year of admission) may lead to cancellation of candidature.

Scholars admitted to the PhD program shall be required to complete the course work prescribed by the
respective departments during the initial one year from the date of registration, failing which the
registration shall be automatically cancelled.

SYLLABUS FOR COURSEWORK: Research Methodology

Objective: To identify and apply appropriate research methodology in order to plan, conduct and
evaluate basic research. The Course will enable scholars to develop the foundation for research skills at
appropriate levels.

Part A: (Common for all faculties)

1. Basics of Research: Definition of research - Objective of research - Scientific research - Ethics in

research, Plagiarism, how to write research proposal

2. Types and Methods of Research: Classification of Research- Descriptive Research - Diagnostic

Research/Study - Evaluation Research/Studies - Experimental Research - Analytical Study of Statistical
Method - Surveys - Case Study - Field Studies & others.

3. Review of Literature: Need for Reviewing Literature - What to Review and for What Purpose -
Literature Search - Procedure - Sources of Literature.

4. The Planning Process of Research: Selection of a Problem for Research – Formulation of the
Selected Problems - Hypothesis Formation - Measurement - Research Design/Plan, Research process.
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5. Sampling: Sampling Techniques or Methods - Choice of Sampling Techniques - Sample Size -

Sampling and Non-Sampling Errors.

6. Methods of Data Collection: Meaning and Importance of Data - Sources of Data - Use of
Secondary Data - Methods of Collecting Primary Data.

7. Quantitative and Qualitative Data: Observation Method - Experimentation - Simulation -

Interviewing - Panel Method - Mail Survey.

8. Tools for Data Collection: Types of Data - Construction of Schedules and Questionnaires -
Measurement of Scales and Indices - Pilot Studies and Pre-tests.

9. Field Work: The Nature of Field Work - Selection and Training of Investigators - Sampling Frame
and Sample Selection.

10. Processing & Statistical Analysis of Data: Editing - Classification and Coding - Transcription -
Tabulation - Introduction to Statistical Software: SPSS - Graphical Representation.

Statistical Analysis - Measures of Central Tendency - Measures of Dispersion - Measures of

Association/Relationship - Regression and Correlation Analysis - Hypothesis Testing (For Proportion
and Means) - Test of Significance.

11. Computer Application in Research: Introduction to MS Excel, Using Formulas and Functions,
Hand on to SPSS, Features for Statistical Data Analysis, Generating Charts/Graphs, Introduction to MS
Word, Features and Functions, Writing Report in MS Word, Introduction to Open Office or Latex,
Creating Presentation in MS Power Point, Introduction to Internet Based Search, Use of Advanced
Research Techniques.

12. Report Writing: Types of Reports - Planning of Report Writing - Research Report Format -
Principles of Writing - Documentation - Data and Data Analysis in Thesis - Writing of Report - Typing of
Report - Briefing - Preparation of Manuscript for Publication of Research Paper - Pictures and Graphs,
Citation styles, writing a Review of Paper, Bibliography, Writing Synopsis & Thesis.

13. Ethics in Research:

Course Outline: This course explores techniques for recognizing, analyzing, and resolving ethical
dilemmas facing healthcare professionals and biomedical researchers in today's highly regulated
environment. Use of humans and animals in research, data acquisition and management, protection of
human subjects / animals involved in research programs.

14. Responsible conduct of research & Publication Ethics:

Course Outline: Promotion of academic integrity & prevention of misconduct including Plagiarism,
using Plagiarism detection software tools, reference management tools, proper attribution, copyright &
intellectual property right policies etc.

Include elements of responsible conduct of research, publication ethics, use of plagiarism detection tools
and reference management tools as a compulsory course work for Research Scholars.

Part B: (Research Methodology as per faculty/subject requirement) (Shall be covered by

respective supervisor, Research Advisory Committee).

COURSE STRUCTURE: (This may include lectures, seminars, and tutorials).

Sl. No Name of course Remarks

1 (Part A-Common for all) Research Methodology As mentioned above
2 Part B: Subject related Research Methodology
2.a. Subject specific topic (Assignment)
2.b. Seminar about literature review or research paper Respective guide & RAC
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Course work examination & qualifying marks criteria:

a) A PhD. scholar has to obtain a minimum of 55% of marks or its equivalent grade in the UGC 7-
point scale in the course work in order to be eligible to continue in the program and submit the
dissertation/thesis.

b) Maximum two chances shall be given to the scholar for clearing the coursework, failing to
which may lead to cancellation of admission.

c) 75 % attendance for coursework classes is required.

Evaluation process of coursework:

Paper setting & evaluation: The Controller of Examination section shall appoint paper setters nominated
by Vice-Chancellor at his own discretion or from the list recommended by PhD committee.

Research methodology paper of the course work:

Subject Type of Question Marks Centre Name

Descriptive questions 60
(15 marker any 4 out of 6)
Research Methodology (Objective/short University Exam Centre
(Part: A) Common for all objective 40
structured) 8
marker any 5 out
of 6)

Subject Subject specific topic Centre Name

(Assignment)
Concerned research guide will
Research Methodology give topic for assignment Under supervision of respective
(Part: B) as per guide in PhD research institute
Faculty/Subject Seminar about literature review through the
requirement or research paper (in relevant Research Advisory Committee.
subject)

Note:
The course work is a pre-requisite for PhD program and all admitted candidates shall be required to
complete the prescribed course work within the first year of PhD program.

Qualifying Examinations on prescribed Course work will be conducted by the university.