Course Contents

Week No: Topics to be covered Assignments/Quiz 1. Qualitative versus Quantitative Research: Applications and Examples, An overview of Research Designs, Elements of Research proposal 2. Grounded Theory: Historical overview: Procedure and Techniques, Theory generation: Use and place of Literature Review in grounded theory: Grounded Theory Process: Approaches to Grounded Theory: Straussian & Glaserian, 7th Stage Model for Grounded Theory 3. Cooperative Inquiry 4. Introduction to cooperative inquiry 5. Brief History of Co-operative Inquiry 6. Stages of cooperative inquiry & Steps of cooperative inquiry 7. Initiating the inquiry group ,The first meeting , Subsequent meetings, Cycles of action and reflection, 8. Data generation and analysis, Application of Co-operative Inquiry 9. Focus Group: Types of focus groups, Highly Structured Group Less Structured Group , Two-way focus group : Dual moderator focus group ,Duelling moderator focus group ,Respondent moderator focus group Teleconference focus group 10. Formulation of focus group, Recruitment of Participants:, Choosing the venue, Preparation of the material, Running the session, Data management, Transcription of interview, Method of coding, Data analysis, Report preparation, Advantages & Disadvantages of focus group 11. Conversation Analysis (CA), Definition: Origins of CA, Distinctive Features of CA, 12. Objectives & Characteristics of CA, Analysis in CA :Basic Structures &Steps in Analyzing Data 13. Discourse Analysis, Methodology 14. Discourse Analysis, Procedure and application 15. Quasi Research Design, Experimental, Quasi-Experimental, and Ex Post Facto (Causal-Comparative) Research, Characteristics of Experimental Research 16. Diagramming Research, Internal Validity Threats & How to Handle Internal Validity Threats, External validity Threats & How to Handle External Validity Threats

Course Synopsis

Course Description: The course is designed to facilitate the students to keep abreast of the changes and improvements in the field of research. To understand the research process from the researchers perspective. To compare their research practices with different methods used by others in similar settings. Objectives: To understand the full implications of research as it might affect a researcher. To learn to make the decisions a researcher needs to make and possible alternatives to those decisions. To appreciate the consequences of the results and conclusions.

Course Learning Outcomes

At the completion of the course the student should be able to: 1. Understand methodology of scientific research and various research designs. 2. Design, conduct, analyze and interpret findings of an empirical investigation. 3. Read through and evaluate research papers in scientific journals. 4. Identify ethical concerns in a research study.