The Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR) and the Institute of Social and Cultural Studies (ISCS) organized a collaborative Certificate Course Work on Research Methodology from 13th April to 3rd June 2024 on every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday along with some other days in order to facilitate students discussion on sampling techniques, research design etc.
As a faculty for the Course Work well known academicians from St.Xaviers College, Kolkata extended their support. The topics like Introduction to Research Methodology, Qualitative Research Methodology, Meta-Analysis and Narration Control, Mixed Method of Research, Use of Archival Sources in Research, Research Proposal Development were covered by Dr. Jhumpa Mukherjee, Associate Professor, Head, Department of Political Science, St. Xaviers College(Autonomous), Kolkata; whereas the quantitative segment of research pedagogy including Quantitative Research Methodology, Sampling techniques with illustrations, Logical Reasoning in Research, Research Design was covered by Dr.Samrat Roy, Assistant Professor, Department of Economics, Faculty of Commerce, St.Xavier’s College(Autonomous), Kolkata.
The Course Work was attended by the ICSSR Researchers, ISCS Researchers along with students enrolled in Masters as well as PhD programmes at University of Calcutta. The regular in person research methodology course work at the Central Office of ISCS at 46A, Jatin Das Road, Kolkata-700029 discussed theoretical framework and practical applications of research with an aim to enable students to actually participate in some of the important research methods, and conduct vital research to build competencies in the field of Social Science and Humanities.
In order to orient students with the role of ICT in the area of research an exclusive session was organized. The Session was conducted by Dr. Madhu Agnihotri, Assistant Professor and Head of the Department (Information Technology), St. Xaviers College (Autonomous), Kolkata who deliberated about the harnessing power of AI in research and academics. As AI powered tools are significantly used in present times to plan experiments, collect data, and analyze it efficiently in an unbiased manner. AI tools also helps to write and edit manuscripts, cite relevant sources, and identify journals best suited for the scope of their studies.
In juxtapose to the usefulness of the AI, the presentation marked the challenges as well as the ethical consideration which needs to kept in mind while operating the AI tools with regard to research algorithms, manuscript preparation and citing research sources.
The sessions indulged in one to one discussion with the faculty, where the participants discussed about the research interests and did seek suggestions pertaining to their research designs from the experts themselves.
As a reference apparatus a Course Work handbook was given to each and every participant covering diagrammatic representations of research tools, content covered during the course work with proper illustrations and explanations.
The students were also presented with a Certificate of participation and for each and every class the students were provided with refreshments. As a part of logistics a regular attendance record was maintained. The 21 Days Course Work covering 30 hours to teaching and learning laid a mandate of 80 % of attendance which was fulfilled by all the participants.
The Course work stimulated a multi-disciplinary curricula in order to induct students in the discovery of answers systematically through rightful applications of research methods, resolving ambiguities and thereby paving a way towards drawing a solution and developing a blueprint for progress and growth for business-industry sustainable livelihood.