BA 3 rd Year, Sem. V , Course III (Practical) Programme /Class Degree Year B.A III Semester V Subject Sociology Course code A070503P Course Practical Application of Research Methodology/Project Work

 BA 3 rd Year, Sem. V , Course III (Practical) Programme /Class Degree Year B.A III Semester V Subject Sociology Course code A070503P Course Practical Application of Research Methodology/Project Work

"Social Research: Unlocking the Secrets of Society" 

In this elective course, students embark on a fascinating journey into the world of social research, where they uncover the hidden patterns and dynamics of human society. The course is divided into four key modules:

Module I: Meaning and Definition of Social Research

Students will grasp the fundamental concepts and definitions of social research, understanding its role in unraveling social phenomena.

They will explore the basic steps involved in conducting social research, from formulating research questions to drawing meaningful conclusions.

Module II: Formulation of Hypothesis and Selection of Research Problem

This module delves into the art of hypothesis formulation and the critical process of selecting research problems.

Students will learn to identify research gaps and craft hypotheses that guide their investigations into social issues.

Module III: Techniques of Data Collection

Students will gain hands-on experience in various data collection techniques, including constructing interview schedules, designing questionnaires, employing case study methods, and conducting observations.

They will understand when and how to use each technique effectively in different research contexts.

Module IV: Classification and Presentation of Data

This module equips students with skills in organizing and presenting data. They will learn about coding methods, data classification, and the preparation of tables, graphs, bar charts, and pie diagrams.

Students will discover how to visually communicate their findings for maximum impact.

This elective course empowers students to become proficient social researchers, capable of investigating complex societal issues, formulating hypotheses, collecting data, and effectively communicating their insights. It is open to all, offering a valuable toolkit for understanding and navigating the intricacies of the social world.

Social Research

Meaning and Definition

Social research is the systematic inquiry into the social world. It is a process of collecting, analyzing, and interpreting data to understand social phenomena and to solve social problems.

Social research is used in a variety of fields, including sociology, anthropology, economics, political science, and psychology. It is used to study a wide range of topics, such as social inequality, poverty, crime, education, and health.

Basic Steps in Social Research

The basic steps in social research are:

Identification of the research problem: What do you want to learn?

Review of the literature: What has already been written about the research problem?

Development of a research design: How will you collect and analyze the data?

Data collection: This may involve interviews, surveys, questionnaires, observation, or other methods.

Data analysis: This involves cleaning and organizing the data, and then using statistical methods to identify patterns and trends.

Interpretation of results: What do the results of the data analysis tell you about the research problem?

Dissemination of findings: This may involve writing a research report, giving a presentation, or publishing an article in a scholarly journal.

Formulation of Hypothesis and Selection of Research Problem

When formulating a research problem, it is important to choose a topic that is interesting to you and that is feasible to study. It is also important to make sure that the research problem is clear and specific.

Once you have identified a research problem, you need to develop a hypothesis. A hypothesis is a tentative statement about the relationship between two or more variables.

For example, a hypothesis for a study on the relationship between education and income might be: "People with higher levels of education will have higher incomes."

Use of techniques of data collection

There are a variety of data collection methods that can be used in social research. The most common methods include:

Interviews: Interviews involve asking questions to participants and recording their responses.

Surveys: Surveys involve asking questions to a large group of participants using a questionnaire.

Questionnaires: Questionnaires are written forms that participants complete on their own.

Case study method: The case study method involves studying a small number of cases in great detail.

Observation method: The observation method involves watching and recording the behavior of participants.

Construction of Interview Schedule, Questionnaire, Case study method, Observation method

When constructing an interview schedule or questionnaire, it is important to make sure that the questions are clear, concise, and unbiased. It is also important to make sure that the questions are relevant to the research problem.

When conducting a case study, it is important to collect data from a variety of sources, such as interviews, documents, and observations. It is also important to triangulate the data, meaning that you should collect data from multiple sources to verify your findings.

When conducting observation, it is important to be objective and to avoid influencing the behavior of the participants. It is also important to take detailed notes of your observations.

Classification and Presentation of data: Use of coding method, Classification, Preparation of tables, Graphs, Bar and Pie diagram

Coding is a process of assigning numerical or alphabetical symbols to data. This makes it easier to organize and analyze the data.

Classification is the process of organizing data into categories. This can be done based on one or more variables.

Tables and graphs are used to present data in a clear and concise way. Bar and pie diagrams are two common types of graphs that are used to present data.

Conclusion

Social research is a valuable tool for understanding and solving social problems. By following the basic steps of social research, you can collect and analyze data to answer your research questions.

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