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Preparation of Research Proposal in Social Sciences

By Dr. Prateek Chaurasia   |   Banaras Hindu University
Learners enrolled: 277
ABOUT THE COURSE:
This course will provide students with the necessary skills and knowledge to develop strong and impactful research proposals in the field of social sciences. Students will understand the basic concepts of the research proposal, conducting literature reviews, formulating the title, developing the rationale of the study, objective, research questions, developing hypotheses designing research methodologies and writing the references. The course will emphasize the systematic writing and articulation of the research idea/s into logically and technically organized as well as sound research proposals.

INTENDED AUDIENCE: Postgraduates and doctoral students from Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities Disciplines.

PREREQUISITES: Graduation

INDUSTRY SUPPORT: Industry working in the field of research in social sciences and Humanities.
Summary
Course Status : Upcoming
Course Type : Core
Language for course content : English
Duration : 8 weeks
Category :
  • Teacher Education
Credit Points : 2
Level : Postgraduate
Start Date : 18 Aug 2025
End Date : 10 Oct 2025
Enrollment Ends : 18 Aug 2025
Exam Registration Ends : 29 Aug 2025
Exam Date : 24 Oct 2025 IST
NCrF Level   : 6.5 — 8.0

Note: This exam date is subject to change based on seat availability. You can check final exam date on your hall ticket.

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Course layout

Module 1: Basics of Research Proposal 
  1. What is a research proposal?
  2. Why to make a Research Proposal? 
  3. Key aspect of Proposal preparation. 
  4. Basics of research language. 
  5. Precautions While Making a Research Proposal. 
Module 2: Component of Research Proposal 
  1. Components of research proposal Part-I.
  2. Components of research proposal Part II.
  3. Components of research proposal Part III.
  4.  Designing and formatting of research proposal.
  5. Identification and Formulation of the research problem
Module 3: Introduction, Review of Related Literature & Rationale
  1. Identifying the emerging trends and research gap.
  2. Write an introduction for a research proposal. 
  3. Writing a Review of Related Literature
  4. Understanding & conceptualizing research gaps.
  5. Developing a precise rationale for the Study. 
Module 4: Research Questions, Stating Problem & Operational Definition
  1. How to articulate, frame, and write the research questions? 
  2. Stating the problem of the study (with clarity, brevity and preciseness). 
  3. Writing Operational Definition/s of Key Terms need and significance  
  4. Relationship between research questions and objectives. 
  5. Smart Research Writing: Using Digital Tools
Module 5: Objectives and Hypothesis 
  1. Formulating the objectives of the study (with intent and brevity). 
  2. Concept of concomitant objectives. (Need and Use) 
  3. Understanding the hypotheses of the Study.
  4. Types of Hypothesis.
  5. Formulation of hypothesis of the Study. 
Module 6: Variable, Population and Sample 
  1. Understanding and defining variables (types) 
  2. Selecting the appropriate design. (Methodology)
  3. Understanding the concept of population and its significance.
  4. Understanding the concept of sampling and sample 
  5. Techniques of sampling.
Module 7: Selection of Sample, Tool and Data Collection  
  1. Identification and selection of the sample.
  2. Defining the relevant sample in the proposal (need & impact)
  3. Understanding the Instruments/Tools. 
  4. Data Collection (Quantitative, Qualitative & Mixed Data)
  5. Data coding and feeding (using software).
Module 8: Data Analysis, Delimitations, Referencing and Budgeting
  1. Data Analysis (Quantitative)
  2. Data Analysis (Qualitative & Mixed) 
  3. Understanding and writing the Delimitation of the study. 
  4. Referencing and its various types. 
  5. Budgeting in a Research Proposal (detail and short). 



Books and references

1. Mouly, G. J. (1978). The science of educational research (3rd ed.). Van Nostrand Reinhold.
2. Kerlinger, F. N. (2008). Foundations of behavioral research (4th ed.). New Delhi: Surjeet Publications.
3. Keeves, J. P. (1990). Educational research, methodology, and measurement: An international handbook. Pergamon press.
4. Best, J. W., & Kahn, J. V. (2006). Research in education (10th ed.). Pearson Education.
5. Good, C. V. (1959). Introduction to educational research (1st ed.). New York, NY: Appleton-Century-Crofts.
6. Van Dalen, D. B. (1979). An introduction to educational research (4th ed.). New York: McGraw-Hill.
7. Garrett, H. E. (1966). Statistics in education and psychology (6th ed.). Bombay: Vakils, Feffer and Simons Ltd.
8. Guilford, J. P. (1956). Fundamental statistics in psychology and education (3rd ed.). New York: McGraw-Hill.
10. Myers, J. L. (1979). Fundamentals of experimental design. Boston: Allyn and Bacon.
11. Fisher, R. A. (1935). The design of experiments. Edinburgh: Oliver and Boyd.
12. Johnson, B., & Christensen, L. (2019). Educational research: Quantitative, qualitative, and mixed approaches (6th ed.). New Delhi: Sage Publications.
13. Mc Burney, D.H &White ,T.L. (2007). Research Methods,7th Ed. Delhi: Akash Publication.
14. Ary, D., Jacobs, L. C., & Sorensen, C. (2010). Introduction to research in education (8th ed.). Canada: Cengage Learning.
15. Bailey, C.A.(2007). A Guide to Qualitative Field Research. California: Pinus Forge Press.
16. Kothari, C. R. (2004). Research methodology: Methods and techniques (2nd ed.). New Delhi: New Age International Publishers.
17. Creswell, J. W. (2014). Research design: Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches (4th ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE Publications.
19. Cohen, L., & Manion, L. (1994). Research methods in education (4th ed.). London: Routledge Falmer.
21. Koul, L. (1997). Methodology of educational research (3rd rev. ed.). New Delhi: Vikas Publishing House.
22. Travers, Robert M.W. (1958). An Introduction to Educational Research. New York: Macmillan.
24. Asthana, H. S., & Bhushan, B. (2007). Statistics for social sciences. New Delhi: Prentice Hall of India.
25. Patton, Michael Quinn (1982). Qualitative Evaluation Methods. London: Sage Publication.

Instructor bio

Dr. Prateek Chaurasia

Banaras Hindu University
Dr. Prateek Chaurasia is working as an assistant professor, in the Faculty of Education, Banaras Hindu University. He has also served at the Mizoram University and Regional Institute of Education, NCERT, Bhopal, M. P. as an assistant professor. Dr. Chaurasia has completed his Master in Education (M.Ed.) from the Regional Institute of Education, NCERT, Ajmer, Rajasthan and is a recipient of a Gold medal in M.Ed. He has obtained his Ph.D. from Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh. He is a recipient of prestigious fellowships like the UGC junior research fellowship & NCERT Doctoral Fellowship. He is working in the field of mathematics education, educational technology and assessment in education. He has published many research articles in national and international journals of repute. He is leading the major and minor research projects funded by premium institutions like ICSSR, Mizoram University and the Regional Institute of Education. He has also contributed to various government projects in the capacity of resource person.

Course certificate

The course is free to enroll and learn from. But if you want a certificate, you have to register and write the proctored exam conducted by us in person at any of the designated exam centres.
The exam is optional for a fee of Rs 1000/- (Rupees one thousand only).
Date and Time of Exams: 24 October 2025 Morning session 9am to 12 noon; Afternoon Session 2pm to 5pm.
Registration url: Announcements will be made when the registration form is open for registrations.
The online registration form has to be filled and the certification exam fee needs to be paid. More details will be made available when the exam registration form is published. If there are any changes, it will be mentioned then.
Please check the form for more details on the cities where the exams will be held, the conditions you agree to when you fill the form etc.

CRITERIA TO GET A CERTIFICATE

Average assignment score = 25% of average of best 6 assignments out of the total 8 assignments given in the course.
Exam score = 75% of the proctored certification exam score out of 100

Final score = Average assignment score + Exam score

Please note that assignments encompass all types (including quizzes, programming tasks, and essay submissions) available in the specific week.

YOU WILL BE ELIGIBLE FOR A CERTIFICATE ONLY IF AVERAGE ASSIGNMENT SCORE >=10/25 AND EXAM SCORE >= 30/75. If one of the 2 criteria is not met, you will not get the certificate even if the Final score >= 40/100.

Certificate will have your name, photograph and the score in the final exam with the breakup. It will have the logos of INI and BHU.

Only the e-certificate will be made available. Hard copies will not be dispatched.

Once again, thanks for your interest in our online courses and certification. Happy learning.

- INI Team


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