Introduction to Research Methodology

By Prof.Mohammad Azher | Aligarh Muslim University

Learners enrolled: 4023 | Exam registration: 990

ABOUT THE COURSE:

The objective of this course is to introduce the subject of research and methodology to the undergraduate B.A., B.Sc., and B.Com. Honours/Research (FYUP)/postgraduate classes. It is concerned with initial and basic concepts of the subject. It is to act as grounding work for exposing the students to prepare for a higher level of the subject in Ph.D. coursework.

INTENDED AUDIENCE: Undergraduate BA, BSc, and BCom Honours/Research (FYUP)/Postgraduate Students

PREREQUISITES: Bachelor/Master Degree Continuing

Summary

Course Status :	Ongoing
Course Type :	Core
Language for course content :	English
Duration :	12 weeks
Category :	Humanities and Social Sciences
Credit Points :	4
Level :	Undergraduate/Postgraduate
Start Date :	20 Jan 2025
End Date :	11 Apr 2025
Enrollment Ends :	03 Feb 2025
Exam Registration Ends :	28 Feb 2025
Exam Date :	25 Apr 2025 IST

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

Page Visits

Course layout

Week 1: Meaning of Research, Characteristics of Scientific Research, etc.

•Science and Common Sense

•Characteristics of Scientific Research

•Steps in Scientific Research

•Methods of Scientific Research

•Criteria of Good Research

Week 2: Aims, Objectives, and Types of Research

•Normative Research, Scientific Research, and Value-Free Research

•Aims and Objectives of Research

•Types of Research – Part I

•Types of Research – Part II

•Research Approaches

Week 3: Some Necessary Aspects of Social Science Research

•Significance of Research in Social Sciences

•Scientific Methods

•Defining the Problem of Research

•Concepts and Constructs

•Meaning and Function of Research Design

Week 4: Research Design

•Characteristics of a Good Research Design

•Phases in Research Design

•Important Concepts Relating to Research Design

•Research Design in Case of Exploratory Research Studies

•Research Design in Case of Descriptive and Diagnostic Research Studies

Week 5: Research Design and Sampling

•Research Design in Case of Hypothesis-Testing Research Studies (Experimental Research)

•Informal Experimental Designs

•Formal Experimental Designs

•Sampling and Its Purposes

•Steps in Sample Design

Week 6: Sampling

•Principles of Sampling

•Sample Size Determination

•Non-Random Sampling

•Random Sampling

•Complex Random Sampling

Week 7: Measurement and Scaling Techniques

•Classification of Measurement Scales

•Criteria of Good Measurement

•Comparative Scaling Techniques

•Non-comparative Scaling Techniques

•Likert Scales

Week 8: Scaling Techniques, Data Collection and Methods

•Guttman and Bogardus Scales

•Types of Data

•Primary Data Collection – Observation Method

•Interview Method of Data Collection

•Collection of Data Through Questionnaires

Week 9: Data Collection, Methods and Preparation

•Projective Techniques

•Collection of Secondary Data

•Case Study

•Pilot Study and Pre-Testing

•Questionnaire Checking, Editing and Coding of Data

Week 10: Data Preparation and Analysis

•Classification

•Tabulation

•Graphical Representation

•Types of Analysis

•Statistics in Research
Week 11: Hypotheses and Synopsis Writing

•Hypotheses

•Difference Between a Proposition, a Hypothesis and a Theory

•Basic Concepts Concerning Testing of Hypothesis

•Synopsis Writing I

•Synopsis Writing II

Week 12: Synopsis Writing, Ethics and Referencing Style

•Synopsis Writing III

•Steps in Writing a Research Report

•Appraisal of the Research Proposal/Project

•Ethics in Research

•Referencing Styles

Books and references

Kothari, C. R. (2004). Research Methodology: Methods and Techniques. India: New Age International (P) Limited.
Saravanavel, P. (1991). Research Methodology. (n.p.): Kitab Mahal.
Ahuja, R. (2001). ResearchMethods. India: Rawat Publications.

Instructor bio

Prof.Mohammad Azher

Aligarh Muslim University

Prof. Mohammad Azher has been teaching Research and Methodology to P.G. students for about a decade at the Department of West Asian and North African Studies. For the last five years, he has also been teaching this subject to Ph.D. students in their coursework.

Prior to joining A.M.U., Muhammad Azhar worked as a Reader at the Academy of Third World Studies, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi. Before that he was Research Associate at the Gulf Studies Programme, Centre of West Asian and African Studies, School of International Studies, Jawahar Lal Nehru University, New Delhi. Before that he also worked as Consultant at Indian Council of Research in International Economic Relations, New Delhi.

Muhammad Azhar obtained his M.A. (Economics), M.Phil. and Ph.D. from Jawahar Lal Nehru University, New Delhi.

His area of research & teaching interest includes energy economics, finance, economic and trade cooperation and research and methodology. He has contributed research articles in various international and national journals like Arab Studies Quarterly (Washington), Middle Eastern Studies (Oxfordshire), Diaspora Studies (Oxfordshire), OPEC Energy Review (Oxford), OPEC Review (Oxford), OPEC Bulletin (Vienna), BISS Journal (Dhaka), Journal of South Asian and Middle Eastern Studies (Villanova), Journal of Economics and International Relations (Hong Kong), International Studies (New Delhi), Journal of West Asian Studies (Aligarh) and Islam and Modern Age (New Delhi), Contemporary Arab Affairs (Brill Publishers-Netherlands), The Journal of Energy and Development (University of Colorado-United States).

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: April 25, 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 8 assignments out of the total 12 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 AMU.
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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