Course Title: Basic Research Methods

Course No. RDS 422 Full Marks: 70

Year: First Pass Marks: 28
Paper: 11 Teaching Hours: 105

Course of Objectives

This course is designed to acquaint the students with basic understanding of research methodology
and to enable them to use simple statistical analysis. After completing the course, the students will be
able to apply their knowledge and skills to developing research tools both in quantitative and

qualitative research, and collect and analyze qualitative and quantitative data. Furthermore, they will
also able to develop proposal/concept note for carrying out the research and familiarize them about
ethical issues.

Content

Unit-I: Concept of Research

1.1 Defining the concept of research
1 .2 Research and scientific method

1.3 Aims of social science research .-----\-?:,-::

1.4 Characteristics of good research

1.5 Researching the social phenomenon: A complex process
1.6 Scope and needs of social research

1.7 Types of research: Application based research, objective based research and information
based research
1.8 The research process: Steps in social science research

Unit-II: Research Design 15

2.1 Meaning and definition
2.2 Purpose of research design
2.3 Essential elements of good research design
2.4 Types of research designs
- Quantitative research designs: Descriptive, exploratory, correlational, developmental

and experimental (Definition, process, advantages and limitations)

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2.5 Qunti ive debate

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Unit-Ill: Hypothesis, Variables and Measurement Scales 15

3.1 Hypothesis: Meaning and definition, Important functions of hypothesis

3 .2 Types of hypothesis: Null and alternative, Directional and non-direction

3.3 Vinable: Concept, need and importance

3.4 Types of variables: Dependent, independent and intervening
3.5 Concept and definition of measurement
3.6 Types of measurement scales: Nominal, ordinal, interval, ratio

Unit-IV: Sampling Methods 10

4.1 Key terminology: population, sample, sampling, universe, sampling frame, Sample size

determination, theoretical population, study population

4.2 Types of sampling techniques
o Probability sampling: simple random sampling, systematic sampling, stratified
sampling, cluster sampling (Definition, procedure, advantages and limitations)
o Non-probability sampling: Snowball sampling, quota sampling, expert sampling,
convenience sampling
4.3 Sampling biases and errors

Unit-V: Data Collection Techniques and Tools 15

5.1 Sources of data: Primary and secondary

5.2 Nature of data: Quantitative and qualitative

5.3 Quantitative data collection techniques and tools: Questionnaire method, Interview

schedule, Non-participant observation (Definition, types, design, techniques/ process,

advantages and limitations )
5.4 Qualitative data collection techniques and tools: Focus group discussion, Participant
observation, Participatory rapid appraisal (PRA), Rapid rural appraisal (RRA)
Unit-VI: Methods of Data Management and Analysis 20
6.1 Data processing and management skills: Data checking, editing, coding, recoding, data
entry, classification, tabulation and presentation of data
6.2 Application of statistics in rural development research

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 - Descriptive statistical analysis: Central tendency ( mean, median, mode), Dispersion

(Range, Quartile deviation, mean deviation, standard deviation, coefficient of

variance)
- Bivariate statistical analysis: Definition, types, calculation and applications of

correlation (Karl Pearson, Spearman Rank correlation) and Simple regression analysis
6.4 Methods and procedures for qualitative data analysis
6.5 Thematic analysis and narrative analysis: Procedures (recording and transcribing,
translating, identifying themes/sub-themes, comparing, exploring and inteapretation of
relationships and patterns)

Unit-VII: Developing Research Proposal and Research Report Writing 20

7.1 Concept and need of research proposal
7.2 Key steps in research proposal development

7.3 Major components/elements of research report

7.4 Research report preparation and Presentation /,-u`

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7.5 Basic concept of APA format in research report kirtipu`

7.6 Ethical issues in research: Informed consent, privacy, anonymity and confidentiality jl:.[€[TchT arnb:u?`€j¥±

References
APA (2020). Publication manual Of the American Psychological Association (Seventh Edition). USA:
APA.

Chambers, R. (1992). Rural appraisal: Rapid, relax and participatory. Norway: Institute Of
Development Studie s.

Creswell, J. W. (2011). Research design: Quantitative and qualitative methods: New Delhi: Sage
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Kaplan, A. (1964). The conduct Of inquiry: Methodology f;or behavioral Science. New York: Chandler
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Kerlinger, F. N. (1986). Foundations Of behavioral research (3rd ed.). New Delhi: Surjeet
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I-.?¥L
Miller, D.C. (1970). Handbook of research design and social measurements. New York: David-MC
Kay Co.
Moser, C.A. & Kalton, G. (1980). Survey method in social science irrvestigation. London: ELBS.

Neuman, W. L. (2007). Social research methods: quantitative and qualitative approaches (6th ed.).
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Pajares, F. (2008). The Elements Of a proposal. USA: Emory University.
Patton, M .Q. (2002). Qualitative evaluation and research method (3rd ed.). New bury Park: Sage
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Punch, K. (2006). Developing eff;ective research proposals. London: Sage Publication.

Singh, A. K. (2006). Test, measurement and research methods in behavioral Science. Patana: Bharati
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Wilkinson, T.S. & Bhandarkar, P.L. (1992). Measurement and techniques Of social research.
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