Research Techniques, Statistics and Computer Applications

By Prof. Mohammad Akram | Aligarh Muslim University

Learners enrolled: 78

ABOUT THE COURSE:

This course on “Research Techniques, Statistics and Computer Applications” intends to provide the learners the scientific knowledge related to methodological perspectives, research techniques, quantitative and qualitative methods, statistical calculations and basic computer skills required to conduct empirical research, data collection/ fieldwork and scientific analysis in Social Sciences in general and Sociology in particular. In today's data-driven world, the ability to gather, analyse, and interpret information is more critical than ever. Academic disciplines as well as market forces need trained individuals who know how to use the scientific research tools and techniques to collect primary data and draw inferences from these and this course intends to impart these skills.

This course intends to bridge the gap between theoretical research methodologies and practical application. The syllabus of this course is very comprehensive and addresses all important topic relevant at UG, PG and even PhD level. Students preparing for UGC NET/JRF, GATE and various other competitive and research related exams will also find this course very relevant. It will also be very helpful for other learners who have never read sociology or social sciences at college level.

INTENDED AUDIENCE: Core paper for Undergraduate, Postgraduate & Research students studying Sociology;

Elective & Open Elective for all students studying at Undergraduate or Postgraduate level in any of the Social Sciences or Humanity disciplines.

Further, this is relevant for anybody interested in research or field work, survey work, enumeration, data science, social work, policy making and data analysis.

This is also relevant for common educated people who want to understand empirical research or field work.

PREREQUISITES: No necessary pre-requisite; anybody enrolled in Sociology course can opt for this as a Core/Elective course. As Elective/Open Elective, it could be used by anybody in any faculty interested in research/ field work/ data collection/ data analysis. This course begins with basic understanding required at UG level and anybody after passing class 12th can get enrolled.

INDUSTRY SUPPORT: Any industry/service related to research/ field work/ data collection/ data analysis will find this course relevant.

Summary

Course Status :	Upcoming
Course Type :	Elective
Language for course content :	English
Duration :	12 weeks
Category :	Sociology
Credit Points :	4
Level :	Undergraduate/Postgraduate
Start Date :	21 Jul 2025
End Date :	10 Oct 2025
Enrollment Ends :	28 Jul 2025
Exam Registration Ends :	15 Aug 2025
Exam Date :	25 Oct 2025 IST
NCrF Level	6.0

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: Scientific Research and Scientific Method, Social Research, Types of Social Research, Social Reality, Research Techniques in Research Methodology

Week 2: Philosophy of Science, Theory and Fact, Objectivity and Reflexivity, Hypothesis, Research Questions

Week 3: Epistemological Background, Positivism, Hermeneutics and Interpretivism, Realism and Critical Rationalism, Post Modernism and Constructivism, Scientific Realism

Week 4: Research Design, Major Types, Exploratory, Descriptive, Explanatory and Experimental, Logic of Inquiry, Inductive, Deductive, Abductive, Retroductive

Week 5: Questionnaire, Schedule, Observation, Interview, Quantitative and Qualitative Research

Week 6: Scale and its Types, Sampling and its Types, Probability and Non-probability Sampling and their types

Week 7: Survey or Survey Method, Case Study Method, Oral and Life History, Ethnography, Panel Study, Content Analysis

Week 8: Use of Statistics in Research, Data Types and Data Classification, Frequency, Bar Diagram, Pie Chart

Week 9: Measures of Central Tendency, Mean, Median, Mode, Standard Deviation

Week 10: Correlation, Pearson and Spearman Correlation Coefficient, Chi Square Test

Week 11: Computer Application, Brief History of Computers, Types, Generations, Application of Software Techniques in Data Classification and Analysis, e-Methods

Week 12: Scope and Significance, ICT Applications, Mixed Methods, Manifesto of Social Research (Blaikie), Further Studies and Opportunities

Books and references

Robert L. Miller and John D. Brewer (Editors) (2003) The A-Z of Social Research: A Dictionary of Key Social Science Research Concepts, Sage Publications (London, Thousand Oaks, New Delhi)
Thomas R. Black (2002) Understanding Social Science Research, Second Edition, Sage Publications (London, Thousand Oaks, New Delhi)
Norman Blaikie (2000) Designing Social Research: The Logic of Anticipation, Polity Press (Maiden, MA)
Vinay K. Srivastava (Editor) (2004) Methodology and Fieldwork, Oxford University Press (New Delhi)
Amir B. Marvasti (2004) Qualitative Research in Sociology: An Introduction, Sage Publications (London, Thousand Oaks, New Delhi)
Bridget Somekh and Cathy Lewin (Editors) (2005) Research Methods in the Social Sciences, Sage Publications (London, Thousand Oaks, New Delhi)
Partha Nath Mukherji (Editor) (2000) Methodology in Social Research: Dilemmas and Perspectives, Sage Publication (New Delhi)
Ram Ahuja (2018) Research Methods, Rawat Publications (Jaipur/ New Delhi)
Jose E Lopez and Garry Potter (Editors) (2001) After Postmodernism: An Introduction to Critical Realism, The Athlone Press (London & New York)
N. K. Denzin, & Y. S. Lincoln (2018) The SAGE Handbook of Qualitative Research, Sage Publications
S. Okasha (2016). Philosophy of Science. Oxford University Press

Instructor bio

Prof. Mohammad Akram

Aligarh Muslim University

Prof. Mohammad Akram is Professor of Sociology in Department of Sociology, AMU, Aligarh (India). He has authored three books (Sociology of Health, 2014; Sociology of Sanitation, 2015; Tribal Health, 2008), edited two books (Maternal Health in India: Contemporary Issues and Challenges, 2014; Health Dynamics and Marginalized Communities, 2007) and co-edited two book (Development, Health and Globalisation, 2015; Education in Contemporary India, 2022). He is interested in exploring social determinants of health, maternal health, public health, employment, education and entrepreneurship focusing on equity and inclusive development. He is teaching PG and UG students for more than twenty-five years and has supervised twelve Ph.D. and few M.Phil. students.

Prof. Akram has long experience of teaching papers related to research methods, research methodology and research techniques for more than ten years. His empirical research is helpful in developing parameters for human, social and sustainable development of marginalized groups including tribes, scheduled castes, minorities, women and migrant workers. He was the Coordinator and National Faculty of a GIAN Course (sponsored by Ministry of Education, Government of India and IIT Kharagpur as the nodal agency) conducted on the topic “Social Capital and Health in India”. He remained Deputy Coordinator of the DRS phase I and phase II granted by UGC to his department. Prof. Akram is a member of an Expert Committee on Implementation Research on Tuberculosis (TB) under the India Tuberculosis Research Consortium- (ITRC) Phase II of the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR).

Prof. Akram has presented his research papers and chaired seminar sessions during international conferences held at Gothenburg (Sweden), Toronto (Canada) and Belfast (United Kingdom) and at various institutions in India. He has more than three dozen published research papers in national and international journals. He remained Convener of Research Committee on Population, Health and Society, Indian Sociological Society for four years and also Convener of Research Committee on Health, Ageing and Wellness for two years. He is a member of several academic organizations. His core areas of interest are research methodology, sociology of health, education, social policy, planning and development. He has also completed few research projects (Major & Minor) funded by UGC and published his research papers in internationally and nationally reputed journals.

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: 25 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 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