SNDT Women’s University

4 credits Online Course on Research Methodology

2014

Detailed Course Syllabus

Credits: 4

Marks: 100

Delivery mode: online

Prerequisites: Basics of research methodology and ICT Skills

Faculty/Instructor: Pl refer to detailed course plan below

Overview

Research is an essential part of Higher education today. University, an abode of knowledge

is expected to conduct genuine and high quality research which has impact on the society.
Teaching and Research should be synthesized so as to bring in relevance to the academic
activity in the university. Linkages with Industry as well as other Government and Non-
Government organizations also have very valuable influence on the research conducted in
the Universities. SNDT Women’s University places great importance on research. Faculty
research, sponsored research as well as Departmental/ Institutional research are important
research activities in the University.

Ph. D. Programme in SNDT Women’s University is one such research activity which aims at
enhancing, sharpening research skills of future researchers. In order to provide basic
understanding about research in specific area, each Master programme has introduced a
course (at least 4-credit) on Research methodology. This is true of all Universities in India
as it is a mandatory requirement of Ph. D. Scholars.

This online course is planned to provide knowledge and skills in research methodology to
Ph.D. Scholar (newly registered) as well as others who are interested in keeping up with
new trends in research methodology in their respective discipline.

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Course Objectives

After completing this course you will be able to:

 Understand framework for scientific enquiry.
 Use electronic resources to conduct literature review
 Examine trends and patterns in the use of various research methods
 Select appropriate research method for conducting empirical research
 Use /develop/select appropriate tools for data collection
 Select statistical tools for data analysis
 Use appropriate software for data analysis
 Use appropriate style of preparing bibliography
 Prepare a research proposal
 Appreciate the benefits of various types of research

Prerequisites

 For Ph. D. Scholars: Admission to Ph.D. Programme in SNDT Women’s University

Knowledge and skills

 Basic knowledge of research process

 Readings of suggested articles/papers

ICT Related Skills

 Use of computer and internet

 Use of email
 Knowledge of web 2.0 tools (like use of Blog, Group, Google document/Google
Drive, etc. ) is desirable.

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Course Outline

The course Modules and units for Research Methodology (RM) include the following:

Module 1: Research

Objectives: After completing this module you will be able to:

1. Understand framework for scientific enquiry.

2. Differentiate between ‘Basic’, ‘Applied’ and ‘Action’ Research
3. Select and define appropriate research problem and parameters

Content

1.1 What is research?

1.2 Types of research, some contemporary thoughts on Research
1.3 Basic, Applied, Action, Evaluation research

Module 2: Literature Review

Objectives: After completing this module you will be able to:

1. Understand importance of electronic databases

2. Know various techniques of literature review
3. Prepare a review on a selected topic of study.
4. Differentiate between literature search and literature review

Content

2.1 Use of Electronic Databases

2.2 Use of Online Journals

Module 3: Research Process

Objectives: After completing this module you will be able to:

1. Identify Research problem

2. Propose higher order objectives / Research Questions
3. State Hypotheses
4. Identify measures to test hypotheses

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Content

4.1 Objectives, Research Questions

4.2 Hypothesis
4.3 Assumptions

Module 4: Research Methods

Objectives: After completing this module you will be able to:

1. Understand various methods of research

2. State characteristics of research methods
3. Understand various qualitative research methods
4. Explain importance of qualitative research methods
5. Compare Ethnographic study and Case Study methods.
6. State types of Survey method
7. Compare various Survey designs
8. Use appropriate survey design
9. Explain various Experimental designs
10. Describe types of Action Research
11. Understand process of conducting action research
12. Explain need for using mixed methods.
13. Select appropriate research design
14. Select the most appropriate design for the research study

Content

4.1 Qualitative Research

4.1.1 Ethnographic
4.1.2 Naturalist
4.1.3 Case Study
4.1.4 Oral History

4.2 Quantitative Research

4.2.1 Survey
Descriptive, correlational, causal-comparative
4.2.2 Experimental
Experimental Designs

4.3 Action Research (AR)

4.3.1 Philosophy of AR
4.3.2 Types of AR

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 4.4 Mixed Methods
4.4.1 Need for use of Mixed methods
4.4.2 Triangulation

Module 5: Tools and Techniques of Research

Objectives: After completing this module you will be able to:

1. State characteristics of tools of data collection

2. State characteristics of techniques of data collection
3. Understand strength of various tools of data collection
4. Develop tool for data collection
5. Select appropriate tool for data collection
6. Understand the coding requirements of the analysis process
7. Review atleast 1 tool and 1 test used for data collection
8. State the procedure for data collection
9. Prepare a plan for data analysis

Contents

5.1 Qualitative Research

5.1.1 Focussed Group Interviews

5.1.2 In-Depth Interviews
5.1.3 Participative Observation
5.1.4 Content Analysis
5.1.5 Corroboration
5.1.6 Triangulation

5.2 Quantitative Research

5.2.1 Questionnaire
5.2.2 Interview Schedule
5.2.3 Observation Schedule

Module 6: Sampling

Objectives: After completing this module you will be able to:

1. Understand concept of population and sample

2. Understand the process of sampling and generalizability of research
3. State characteristics of different sampling procedures

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 4. Identify various techniques of sampling
5. Select appropriate sampling technique

Content

6.1 Types of Sampling

6.1.1 Sampling Design/Types of samples
6.1.2 Procedure/Techniques of sampling
6.1.3 Sampling and Generalisability of results

6.2 Sampling for Quantitative & Qualitative Studies

Module 7: Data Analysis

Objectives: After completing this module you will be able to:

1. Understand various types of data

2. Identify statistical tools for Descriptive analysis and inferential analysis
3. Select appropriate statistical tool for data analysis
4. State statistical significance of the tools used.
5. Test hypothesis using appropriate statistical tool.
6. Use software for data analysis (SPSS)

Content

7.1 Type of Data and need for Analysis

7.2 Statistical Tools
7.2.1 Descriptive Statistics
Measures of Central Tendency, Variability, Association
7.2.2 Inferential statistics
t-ratio, F-Ratio, Analysis of Co-Variance
chi-square

7.3 Use of Software for Data Analysis

7.3.1 SPSS (Quantitative)

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Module 8: Bibliography

Objectives: After completing this module you will be able to:

1. Understand importance of preparing bibliography
2. Identify different styles of preparing bibliography
3. Select appropriate style of bibliography for your research study
4. Differentiate between citation and bibliography

Content

14.1 Bibliography and Citation

14.2 Styles of preparing Bibliography
14.2.1 APA (American Psychological Association) Style
14.2.2 MLA (Modern Language Association) Style
14.2.3 AMA (American Medical Association) Style
14.2.4 Other styles (discipline specific)

14.3 Selection of appropriate style of Bibliography

Module 9: Research Ethics

Objectives: After completing this module you will be able to:

1. Understand importance of ethical research
2. Suggest ways for observing ethics in research

Content

9.1 Ethics in Research

Module 10: Preparation of Research Proposal

Objectives: After completing this module you will be able to:

1. Understand process of preparing research proposal
2. Assess a given research proposal
3. Prepare a research proposal

Content

10.1 Process of preparation of research proposal,

10.2 Objectives, Research Questions, hypothesis, assumptions

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Evaluation/Assessment Scheme

1. Quizzes on Modules (Multiple Choice Questions) 15 %

These will be 7 quizzes of 6-10 marks.
2. Final End of Course Test (30 MCQs) 15 %
3. Assignments (4 in number) 25 %
3 Individual and 1 group assignment
4. Posts on Discussion Forum (6 Forum questions) 10 %
5. Participation in Synchronous Sessions 05 %
(Minimum 10 sessions should be attended)
6. Preparation of a research proposal 30 %

Grade: O+ 86+ O 80-85

A 70-79 B 60-69
C 50-59 D 40-49
F below 40

Additional Course Readings

Additional readings are provided for all modules as downloadable PDF files on Moodle
classroom website or as links to readings located on the Internet. Check the readings and
presentations for each module.

Access Moodle classroom

Access Moodle Classroom for more readings (in pdf format) and presentations by the
faculty/Instructor. This classroom is created especially for your batch and all faculty
members will use it to upload their SLM and presentations week-wise. Access to the
Learning Management System (LMS), Moodle, will be provided from June 20, 2015.

Pre-Course Activities

1. Register yourself for the Online Course by sending email to rmonline@sndt.ac.in with
an attachment of Registration Form.
2. On submission of the Registration form, you will get an invitation from the Course
teacher/Admin to log in to your Moodle Account, specially created for this Online
Course. Please log in and explore Moodle Learning Management System (LMS).
3. You will also receive an invitation from Admin of this course for WizIQ. We shall be
conducting many activities including synchronous interactive sessions using WizIQ.

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4. A blog (Research Methodology 2015) is created for this Online Course; all participants
are required to visit this blog regularly.
5. Please create your own blog for this course using blogger.com. Please invite the
teachers/ instructors of this course to your blog. All these blogs will be connected to
the Course blog. Participants are expected to write on their blog regularly (including
some assignments). You will be posting on this blog your thoughts, reflections as well
as some assignments (which need to use blog specifically).
6. Resources will be posted on the Moodle Course website as well as WizIQ so that all
participants get access to all the learning resources.
7. There will be one Synchronous Interactive session of One Hour each per week (11 am
to 12 noon).

Course methodology

It is an online course conducted using Moodle as Learning Management System (LMS). The
learning Modules will be posted on Course website on Moodle. Detailed course schedule is
posted on the course website which will give you an idea of all the activities/ assignments/
project work etc. expected of you. There will be group work as well. Active participation of
all the participants is very essential.

A blog is specially created for this Course (http://sndtwu-rm615.blogspot.in/). There will be

a weekly posting on this blog. All participants are expected to create their own blog or use
their existing blog and post their comments on the Professor’s blog regularly. Research
Methodology blog will be a restricted blog for the participants by invitation only.

Quizzes on each unit (and subunits) will be available on Moodle Course site at a date and
time announced in the class at least 3 days in advance.

Post Course Activities

The Course aims at facilitating the process of understanding concepts and trends in
Research methodology. The participants are expected to prepare a research proposal after
going through this 4-credit course. This proposal should be submitted within one week of
the course closure (Sept. 27). The HOD and Guide will arrange for a Presentation of
proposal after giving feedback on the same.

A Certificate (Hard copy as well as a pdf file) of successful participation will be issued by
the Director, BCUD on successful completion of all tasks/assignments.

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Readings:

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, . (2005). : . (M)

, (2011). : (M)

, (2007). . : . (M)

In English

Adams, J., Khan, H. T. A., Raeside, R. & White, D. (2007). Research methods for graduate
business and social science students. New Delhi: Response Books

Alston, M. & Bowles, W. (2003). Research for social workers: an introduction to methods
( nd ed.). New Delhi: Rawat.

Angrosino, M. (2007). Doing ethnographic and observational research. Los Angeles: Sage

Banks, M. (2007). Using visual data in qualitative research. Los Angeles: Sage.

Barbour, R. (2007). Doing focus groups. Los Angeles: Sage.

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Bond, A. (2007). Your master’s thesis: How to plan, draft, write and revise (2nd ed.). New
Delhi: Viva Books. (J)

Boeije, H. (2010). Analysis in qualitative research. New Delhi: Sage.

Chaudhary, C. M. (2009). Research methodology. Jaipur: RBSA publishers. (J)

Clark, P., Vicky, L. & Creswell, J. W. (2008). The Mixed methods reader. Los Angeles: Sage
Publ. (J)

Cohen, L., Manion, L. & Morrison, K. (2007). Research methods in education ( th ed.).
Oxon: Routledge.

Coppin, J. & Nelson, E. (2005). The art of inquiry: A depth psychological perspective ( nd
ed.). Connecticut: Spring Publ.

Creswell, J. W.(2007). Qualitative inquiry & research design : Choosing among five
approaches nd ed.). Thousand Oaks: Sage

Creswell, J. W. (2009). Research design [qualitative, quantitative, and mixed method

approaches]. (3rd ed.). London: Sage. (J)

Czaja, R. & Blair, J. (2005). Designing surveys[ a guide to decisions and procedures]. ( nd
ed.). Thousand Oaks: Pine Forge Press

Dane, F. C. (2011). Evaluating research. [methodology for people who need to read
research]. Los Angeles: Sage. (J)

Das, D. K. (2004). Practice of social research social work perspective. Jaipur: Rawat

Engel, R. J. & Schutt, R. K. (2009). The practice of research in social work ( nd ed.).
Los Angeles: Sage

Flick, U. (2009). An introduction to qualitative research (4th ed.). Los Angeles: Sage. (J)

Flick, U. (2007). Managing quality in qualitative research. Los Angeles: Sage

Flick, U. (2007). Designing qualitative research. Los Angeles: Sage

Fowler, F. J. (2009). Survey research methods ( th ed.). Los Angeles: Sage

Gibbs, G. R. (2007). Analyzing qualitative data. Los Angeles: Sage

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Glenn, J. C. (2010). Handbook of research methods. New Delhi: Oxford Book Company.
(J)

James, E. A., Milenkiewicz, M. T. & Bucknam, A.(2008). Participatory action research for
educational leadership : Using data-driven decision making to improve schools. Los
Angeles: Sage

Kamath, R. & Udipi, S.(2010). Thesis and scientific writing: Process form and content.
Udaipur: Agrotech Publishing Academy.(J)

Kitchin, R. & Duncan F. (2005). The Academic's guide to publishing. New Delhi: Vistaar

Kothari, C. R. (2008). Research methodology : Methods and techniques ( nd rev ed.). New
Delhi: New Age International

Kumar, A. (2011). Methods in psychological research. New Delhi: Anmol Publ.

Kvale, S. (2007). Doing interviews. Los Angeles: Sage (J)

Lenburg, J. (2007). Viva facts on file: Guide to research. New Delhi: Viva Books.

Locke, L. F., Silverman, S. J. & Spirduso, W. W.(2010). Reading and understanding

research (3rd ed.).
Los Angeles: Sage Publication.(J)

Madan, P., Paliwal, V. & Bhardwaj, R. (2010). Research methodology . New Delhi: Global
Vision Publishing House. (J)

McBride, D. M. (2010). The Process of research in Psychology. Los Angeles: Sage

McBride, D. M. & Cutting, J C.(2010). Lab manual for psychological research ( nd ed.). Los
Angeles: Sage

Nadkarni, M. V. & Deshpande, R. S. (eds.) (2011). Social science research in India

[institutions and structure]. New Delhi: Academic foundation.(J)

Nestor, P. G. & Schutt, R. K. (2012). Research methods in psychology: Investigating

human behavior. Los Angeles: Sage

Oates, B. J. (2006). Researching information systems and computing. New Delhi: Sage

Pathak, R. P. (2008). Methodology of educational research. New Delhi: Atlantic Publ

Pandya, S. R. (2010). Educational research. New Delhi: A P H Publ

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Phophalia, A. K. (2010). Modern research methodology [new trends and techniques].
Jaipur: Paradise Publisher.(J)

Polonsky, M. J. & Waller, D. S. (2009). Designing and managing a research project [a

business student's guide]. New Delhi: Response Books. (J)

Publication manual of the American Psychological Association. (2010).(6th ed.).

Washington: American Psychological Association.

Rapley, T. (2007). Doing conversation discourse and document analysis. Los Angeles:
Sage

Ruane, J. M. (2005). Essentials of research methods : A guide to social science research.

Malden: Blackwell.

Rubin, A. & Babbie, E. R. (2011). Methodology for social work research. New Delhi:
Cengage Learning India

Salkind, N. J. (ed.) (2010). Encyclopedia of research design vols. - Los Angeles: Sage

Sarantakos, S. (2005). Social research ( rd ed.).New York: Palgrave Macmillan

Sharma, J. N.(2007). Research methodolog : The discipline and its dimensions. New Delhi:
Deep & Deep

Shenoy, G. V. & Pant, M. (2006). Statistical methods in business and social sciences.Delhi:
Macmillan India Ltd. (J)

Smith, J. A. (ed.) (2008). Qualitative psychology : A practical guide to research methods

( nd ed.). Los Angeles: Sage

Taylor, B., Sinha, G. & Ghoshal, T. (2006). Research methodology : A guide for
researchers in management & social sciences. New Delhi: Prentice Hall of India.

Vijaylakshmi, G & Sivaporagasam (2008). Research methods [tips and techniques] .

Chennai: MJP Publishers. (J)

Whittaker, A. (2009). Research skills for social work. Exeter: Learning Matters

Wimmer, R. D. & Dominick, J. R. (2006). Mass media research: Process, approaches, and
applications. New Delhi: Cengage Learning.(J)

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