Research Methods - I (Theory)

Paper Code: 
24PSY123
Credits: 
04
Contact Hours: 
60.00
Max. Marks: 
100.00
Objective: 

This course will enable the students to acquire practical skills in designing and conducting social science research, emphasizing the application of various research methods, measurement techniques, and sampling strategies to real-world scenarios.

 

Course Outcomes: 

COURSE

Course Outcomes

Learning and teaching strategies

Assessment Strategies

Course Code

Course Title

24PSY123

 

Research Methods - I

 (Theory)

CO13: Develop a basic understanding of pure & applied research and comprehending various paradigms of inquiry to apply in basic research. 

CO14: Appraise the elements of research and determine the importance of sampling.

CO15: Examine the distinctive features of an research design and its application in research.

CO16: Develop and validate various psychological scales and indexes, such as the Likert and Guttman scales, for assessing attitudes, behaviors, and social distances.

CO17: Critically evaluate different paradigms of social research, including macro and micro theories, and apply these paradigms to frame their research inquiries and hypotheses effectively.

CO18:Contribute effectively in course-specific interactions

Approach in teaching:

Interactive Lectures, Discussion,

Learning activities for the students:

Self-learning assignments, application based questions, Seminar presentation

Class test, Semester end examinations, Quiz, Assignments, Presentation

 

12.00
Unit I: 
Human Inquiry & Science

Foundation of social science, dialectics of social research: idiographic and nomothetic explanation, inductive and deductive theory, pure and applied research, qualitative and quantitative data;

Paradigms of social research- Macro theory & Micro theory, Early positivism, social Darwinism.

Steps of Research

12.00
Unit II: 
The Structuring of Inquiry

The purpose of research; Research Design; Units of analysis; Concepts as Constructs; Conceptualization: Indicators and Dimensions; Real, Nominal and Operational definitions.

 

12.00
Unit III: 
Measurement in Behavioral Sciences

Defining variables and attributes; Levels of measurements; Criteria of measurement quality: Precision & Accuracy, Reliability, Validity; Modalities of Measurement: Self-report, Physiological & Behavioral Measures

12.00
Unit IV: 
Indexes and Scales

Indexes v/s scales, Index Construction: Item Selection, Examination of Empirical Relationships, Index Scoring, Index Validation. Scale Construction: Bogardus Social Distance Scale, Thurstone Scale, Likert Scale, Semantic Differential, Guttman Scale

 

12.00
Unit V: 
Selecting Research Participants

Population and Sample; Representative Samples; Sampling frames; Probability Sampling Methods; Non-Probability Sampling Methods; Conscious & Unconscious Sampling Bias

Essential Readings: 

Essential Readings

  • Babbie, E. (2004). The Practice of Social Research (10th Ed.). Singapore: Thomson Asia Publications.
  • Elmes, D. G., Kantowitz, B.H & Roediger, H. L. (2006). Research Methods in Psychology (8th Ed.). Belmont: Thomson Wadsworth Publications.
  • Gravetter, F. J. & Forzano, L.B. (2006). Research Methods for the Behavioural Sciences (2nd Ed.).United States of America: Graphic World Publishing Services.
  • Kerlinger, F. N. & Lee, H.B.(2000). Foundation of Behavioural Research (4th Ed.). Orlando: Harcourt College Publishers.

Suggested Readings

  • Alderson, C. J., Alderson, J. C., Clapham, C., Wall, D., & Swan, M. (1995). Language test construction and evaluation. Cambridge University Press. 
  • Embretson, S. E. (Ed.). (2013). Test design: Developments in psychology and psychometrics. Academic Press. 
  • Murphy, K.R, & Davidshofer, C.O. (1994). Psychological Testing. Principles and Applications. New Jersey: Prentice Hall. 
  • Nunnally, J.C. (1967). Psychometric Theory. New York: McGraw Hill Publication. 

 

E-Resources

 

 

Academic Year: 
2024-25
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