MODULE NAME / CODE: ISE7216 / IST7201 – RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
MODULE OBJECTIVE: To introduce the relevant tools of the research process such as research design, research project drafting, research process planning and scientific writing for writing research papers in scientific area
LEARNING OUTCOMES
Develop understanding on various kinds of research, objectives of doing research, research process, research designs and sampling. Identify appropriate research topics. Select and define appropriate research problem and parameters. Analyse the data collected and conduct research in a more appropriate manner. Have basic awareness of data analysis-and hypothesis testing procedures.
TOPICS AND SUB-TOPICS
Unit 1: Introduction to Research Methodology:
From Science to Research: A Historical Introduction Science and Industrialization Changing Contexts of Science Change-Oriented Research Definitions of Research Objectives of Research Motivation in Research General Characteristics of Research Criteria of Good Research Types of Research Research Approaches, Steps in Research Process; Criteria of Good Research;
Unit 2: The Research Problem
Scientific Thinking What is a Research Problem? Selecting the Problem Sources of the Problem Formulation of a research problem, Statement of a Problem Delimiting a Problem Evaluation of a Problem Defining objectives Framing the analysis Defining the methodology: A. Deciding the unit(s) of analysis; B. Selecting cases; C.Collecting data; D. Analyzing data; E. Interpreting the findings
Unit 3: The Review of Literature
Meaning of Review of Literature
Need of Review of Literature Objectives of Review of Literature Sources of Literature The Functions of Literature How to Conduct the Review of Literature Some Hints for the Review of Literature Precautions in Library Use Reporting the Review of Literature
Meaning of Hypothesis Definitions of Hypothesis Nature of Hypothesis Functions of Hypothesis Importance of Hypothesis Kinds of Hypothesis Characteristics of a Good Hypothesis Variables in a Hypothesis Formulating a Hypothesis Testing the Hypothesis
Unit 5: The Research Approach
The Philosophical Background
The Qualitative Approach The Quantitative Approach The Mixed-Methods Approach Criteria for Selecting a Research Approach
Unit 6: The Research Strategies
What are the Research Strategies?
Which Strategy to Choose? Case Studies Experiments Ethnography Phenomenology Ground Theory (GT) Action Research Mixed-methods Longitudinal
Unit 7: Data Collection Methods
Introduction to Survey: definition and typologies
The Survey research process – definition of the research model Survey instrument design process Measurement scales Reliability and validity Sample design Survey administration Data check Data analysis Primary & secondary data, Validity and Reliability of data collection procedures Data preparation Exploratory data analysis Parametric and nonparametric
Unit 8: Sampling
Meaning and Definition of Sampling
Functions of Population and Sampling Methods of Sampling Characteristics of a Good Sample Size of a Sample The Sample Cycle
Unit 8 : Research Ethics
Concept of Ethics. Ethical Standards.
Ethics and morality. Ethical theories: deontology, utilitarian consequentialism, virtue ethics. Ethical regulation and Ethics committees. Informed consent. Key principle and providing information. Anonymity and confidentiality. Breaking confidentiality.
Unit 9 : Risk and safety.
Type of risk. Physical, emotional risks. Assessing and minimizing risks of harm Research Misconduct. Fabricating Data and Falsification Ethical dilemmas Affiliation and conflicts of interest
Unit 10 : Publishing research
Publishing research. Plagiarism in Scientific Writing. Internet Research Ethics. Data protection principles. Report Writing: Discussions, Conclusion, referencing and various formats for reference writing, Bibliography Thesis Writing Thesis writing Formats of publications in research journals including subject classification Impact factor Citation index. Nature of Intellectual Property
ASSESSMENT CRITERIA Assessment: CA: (At Least 2 Assignments + 1 presentation + 2 Test): 50% of FEM + Written Exam: 50% of FEM
READING MATERIAL Text Books: 1. R. C. Kothari, Research Methodology: Methods and Techniques, 2nd edition, New Age International Publisher, 2009 2. Ranjit Kumar, Research Methodology: A Step-by-Step Guide for Beginners, 2nd Edition, SAGE, 2005 3. Stuart Melville and Wayne Goddard, “Research methodology: an introduction for science & engineering students‟” 4. Wayne Goddard and Stuart Melville, “Research Methodology: An Introduction” 5. Research Methodology, S.S Vinod Chandra, S Anand Hareendran, Pearson
References: 1. Practical Research : planning and Design( 8th Edition) – Paul D. Leedy and Jeanne E. Ormrod. 2. A Hand Book of Education Research – NCTE 3. Methodology of Education Research – K.S. Sidhu. 4. Tests, Measurements and Research methods in Behavioural Sciences- A.K. Singh. 5. Statistical Methods- Y.P. Agarwal. 6. Methods of Statistical Ananlysis- P.S Grewal. 7. Fundamentals of Statistics – S.C. Gupta, V.K. Kapoor. 8. Managing Intellectual Property – The Strategic Imperative, Vinod V.Sople, 2nd Edition, PHI Learning Private Limited.
