Student development programme on Research Methodology

The Student Development Programme on Research Methodology was conducted by the department of Social Work for II year MSW students over a span of five days. The aim of this programme was to equip participating students with essential skills and knowledge necessary for conducting effective research across various social work fields.

Objectives:

• To familiarize students with different research methodologies.
• To enhance students’ understanding of research design, data collection, and analysis techniques.
• To provide practical exposure through interactive sessions.
• To cultivate critical thinking and analytical skills among participants.

Day 1: Review of Literature

Date: 26.02.2024

Resource person: Dr. M.V Sunil Librarian,
Systems and general management,
SDMIMD, Mysuru

The workshop covered a range of topics related to the review of literature. Key areas addressed included:

The Purpose of a Literature Review: The session explored the importance of a literature review in establishing the context of research, identifying research gaps, and informing research questions.

Developing Research Topic: Participants learned strategies for refining broad research interests into focused and manageable topics.

Search Strategies and Resources: The workshop provided guidance on conducting effective searches for relevant academic sources through databases, library resources, and online search engines.

Critical Analysis of Literature: This session focused on techniques for critically evaluating research articles, including assessing methodology, research findings, and limitations.

Organizing Sources and Taking Notes: The resource person discussed strategies for managing large amounts of research data, including reference management software and note-taking techniques.

Writing Literature Review: The workshop concluded with tips for synthesizing and integrating research findings into a well-structured literature review section for a research paper or thesis.

A detailed discussion and Hands on: The resource person later taught several applications and tools available to aid in searching for literature reviews and academic papers namely Google Scholar, Web of science, Mendely, Zoter and concluded the session.

Day 2 and 4: Social Science package for social sciences

Date: 29.02.2024 and 7.03.2024

Resource person: Dr. Usha C.
Assistant Prof and Head
Dept of Commerce
KSOU, Mysuru

The workshop started with an overview of SPSS, explaining its significance in data analysis and its role in research methodology. Participants were introduced to the SPSS interface, including the data editor, variable view, and output window.

1. Data Import and Management:

• Participants learnt how to import data into SPSS from various sources and formats.
• They were guided through the process of cleaning and preparing data for analysis, including handling missing values and outliers.

2. Descriptive Statistics:

• The workshop covered basic descriptive statistics in SPSS, such as calculating measures of central tendency and dispersion.
• Participants learnt how to generate frequency distributions, histograms, and descriptive tables using SPSS.

3. Inferential Statistics:

• Participants were introduced to inferential statistical analyses available in SPSS, such as t-tests, ANOVA, and regression analysis.
• They learnt how to perform these analyses, interpret the results, and generate appropriate output.

4. Data Visualization:

• The workshop included a section on data visualization in SPSS, demonstrating how to create charts, graphs, and plots to visualize data.
• Participants learnt how to customize visualizations and export them for use in reports and presentations.

5. Practice Sessions:

• Throughout the workshop, participants were engage in hands-on practice sessions to apply what they’ve learned in SPSS.
• They worked on exercises and case studies that reinforce key concepts and techniques.

6. Integration with Research Methodology:

• The workshop emphasized the role of SPSS in the research process, showing how it can be used to analyze data collected through various research methods.
• Participants understood how SPSS complements their knowledge of research methodology and enhances their ability to conduct rigorous research.

Day 3: Advanced Ms Excel

Date: 5.03.2024

Resource person: Dr. Srinivas K.R
Associate Prof
Dept of Business administration
PBMMEC, Mysuru

1. Advanced Formulas and Functions:

• Recap of basic Excel functions (SUM, AVERAGE, COUNT, etc.).
• Introduction to advanced functions such as VLOOKUP, HLOOKUP, INDEX, MATCH, IFERROR, etc.
• Demonstrations and hands-on exercises to apply these functions in research data analysis scenarios.

2. Data Validation and Conditional Formatting:

• Utilizing data validation rules to control input and ensure data integrity.
• Applying conditional formatting to highlight trends and patterns in research data.
• Practical exercises to implement data validation and conditional formatting techniques.

3. Pivot Tables and Pivot Charts:

• Understanding PivotTables and Pivot Charts for summarizing and analyzing large datasets.
• Creating PivotTables to aggregate and visualize research data effectively.
• Customizing PivotTables and Pivot Charts to meet specific research analysis requirements.

4. Data Visualization with Charts and Graphs:

• Design principles for creating effective charts and graphs in research reports.
• Utilizing advanced chart types and formatting options in Excel.
• Hands-on practice to create visually appealing charts and graphs to communicate research findings.

Day 5: Report Writing

Date: 14.03.2024

Resource person: Dr. Nanjunda
Associate Prof
Centre for social exclusion and inclusive policy
Manasa Gangotri, University of Mysore

The primary objective of this final session of the workshop was to enhance the report writing skills of social researchers, enabling them to effectively communicate their research findings, analysis, and recommendations in written formats tailored for academic, organizational, and public audiences.

Contents:

1. Introduction to Report Writing in Social Research:

• Overview of the importance of report writing in social research.
• Explanation of different types of research reports (e.g., research papers, project reports, policy briefs) and their purposes.

2. Understanding Audience and Purpose:

• Identifying the target audience for research reports (e.g., academic peers, policymakers, general public).
• Clarifying the purpose and goals of reports (e.g., disseminating research findings, influencing policy decisions, informing public discourse).

3. Structuring a Research Report:

• Guidelines for structuring research reports, including abstract, introduction, literature review, methodology, findings, discussion, conclusion, and recommendations.
• Importance of logical flow, coherence, and consistency in report structure.

4. Writing Clear and Concise Reports:

• Techniques for writing clearly and concisely to ensure reports are accessible and engaging to diverse audiences.
• Strategies for conveying complex research findings in a reader-friendly manner.
• Practice exercises to improve clarity and conciseness in report writing.

5. Incorporating Evidence and Data Analysis:

• Importance of providing evidence and data analysis to support research findings and conclusions.
• Strategies for presenting quantitative and qualitative data effectively in reports.
• Discussion on ethical considerations in reporting research findings and handling sensitive data.

6. Effective Communication through Writing:

• Tips for engaging readers and conveying credibility and authority through written communication.
• Guidance on using appropriate language, tone, and style for different audiences and purposes.
• Practice activities to enhance communication skills in writing.

7. Reviewing and Editing Reports:

• Importance of thorough proof reading and editing to ensure accuracy and clarity.
• Techniques for reviewing reports for coherence, consistency, and adherence to research objectives.
• Peer review and feedback sessions to improve editing skills.

8. Case Study Analysis and Report Writing Practice:

• Participants were taught to analyze research case studies and draft sample reports based on provided information.

The Student Development Programme on Research Methodology provided an enriching learning experience for participants, equipping them with essential skills and knowledge to undertake research effectively. The programme received positive feedback from participants, indicating its success in meeting its objectives.