Research Methods - II

Paper Code: 
PSY 223
Credits: 
4
Contact Hours: 
60.00
Max. Marks: 
100.00
Objective: 

COURSE OUTCOMES

Course Outcomes

Learning and teaching strategies

Assessment Strategies

 
 

On completion of this course, the students will be able to:

CO56: Develop a basic understanding of quantitative research and comprehend different issues in research.

CO57: Recognize and appraise the quantitative research methods and relate them with commercially available psychological tools.

CO58: Demonstrate the ability to perform quantitative data analysis and understand the process of qualitative research.

CO59: Understanding the distinctive features of a select qualitative research method and performing basic qualitative research.

CO60: Inferring various strategies to analyze qualitative research results and demonstrating an understanding of writing a research report.

Approach in teaching:

Interactive Lectures, Discussion, Tutorials, Reading assignments, Demonstration, Team teaching

Learning activities for the students:

Self-learning assignments, Effective questions, Simulation, Seminar presentation, Giving tasks, Field practical

Class test, Semester end examinations, Quiz, Solving problems in tutorials, Assignments, Presentation, Individual and group projects

 

 

12.00
Unit I: 
The Nature of Quantitative Research

The Process of Quantitative Research; Issues of Quantitative Research: Measurement, Causality, Generalization, Replication; Reliability and Validity of Quantitative Research; Critique of quantitative research; Theories of Testing: Classical Test Theory, Item Response Theory

 

12.00
Unit II: 
Quantitative Research Methods

Quantitative Research Methods: Surveys: Designing self-administered questionnaires; Open ended and close ended questions; Guidelines for designing questions; Advantages and Disadvantages of self-administered questionnaires; Development of Scales: Likert Scale, Semantic Differential Scale, Thurstone’s Scale; Item Analysis

 

12.00
Unit III: 
Quantitative Data Analysis and Nature of Qualitative Research

Quantitative Analysis of Data: Univariate Analysis – Frequency tables, Diagrams, Measures of central tendency, Measures of Dispersion; Bivariate Analysis – Relationship, not causality, Contingency tables, Pearson’s r. Elements of Report Writing: Writing APA style quantitative research report

The Process of Qualitative Research: Issues of Qualitative Research: Triangulation; Reflexivity; Reliability and Validity of Qualitative Research; Critique of qualitative research.

 

12.00
Unit IV: 
Qualitative Research Methods

Qualitative Research Methods: Ethnography: Introduction, Access – Overt and covert ethnography, Access to open and closed settings, Key Informants; Roles for ethnographers; Field notes; End of ethnography. Interviews: Conducting a qualitative interview; Qualitative interviewing versus participant observation

 

12.00
Unit V: 
Qualitative Data Analysis and Report Writing

Qualitative Analysis of Data: Grounded theory – Tools, Coding in grounded theory, Outcomes and Criticisms of Grounded theory; Coding – Steps in Coding, Problems in Coding; Thematic Analysis, Narrative Analysis

Writing APA Style qualitative research report

Essential Readings: 
  • Babbie, E. (2004). The Practice of Social Research (10th Ed.). Singapore: Thomson Asia Publications.
  • Bryman, A. (2004). Quantity and Quality in Social Research. Routledge.
  • 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.
  • Shaughnessy, J.J. & Zechmeister, E.B. (1985). Research Methods in Psychology (4th Ed.). United States of America: The McGraw-Hill Companies.

 

References: 

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

  • ResearchGate
  • JSTOR
  • Proquest
  • Shodhganga
  • Delnet
  • Google Scholar
  • National Digital Library (NPTEL)
  • Academia

Journals

  • Perspectives on Psychological Science
  • Annual Review of Psychology
  • Psychological Bulletin
  • Quarterly Journal of Experimental Psychology
  • Psychological Sciences
  • IAHRW International Journal of Social Sciences Review
  • Psychometrika

 

Academic Year: