Workshop on ‘Research Methodology in Social Sciences’
Aligarh: Prof R B Singh, Secretary General of the International Geographical Union emphasised the need for bridging the disparity in research activity and output, both in terms of quantity and quality.
He was speaking as the Chief-Guest at the valedictory function of the ten-day Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR) workshop on ‘Research Methodology in Social Sciences’ held at the Department of Geography, Aligarh Muslim University (AMU).
Prof Singh stressed the need of training scholars on various issues of social science research to highlight challenges of societies.
“The questions of exploration should be decided by the scholars before they begin the field surveys,” he stressed adding that with the survey of slum areas, non-slum areas should also be looked at for comparative understanding of problems.
Prof Qazi Mazhar Ali (Dean, Faculty of Science) discussed the importance of data sources, data collection, processing and analysis for scientific and qualitative research.
He pointed out that open sources of data are valuable during pandemic period for social science research and suggested the participants to visit the University library, which has in store—abundant data on agriculture, economy, society and environmental issues.
Presenting the report of the workshop, Prof Nizamuddin Khan (Course Director) said that the program covered various aspects of research methods and methodology required for high quality research in social sciences, concept of research, statement of research problems, hypothesis and research questions formulation, sampling design, quantitative and qualitative techniques and approach, research design, field survey and observation and thesis writing.
He added that field surveys of villages and urban areas were undertaken and important issues such as research ethics, conducts and legacy were discussed. Firdaus Barbhuia, Firoj Biswas and Himshika Singh received the three best participant awards.
Prof Syed Naushad Ahmad (Chairperson, Department of Geography) delivered the welcome address and Prof Rashid Aziz Faridi conducted the programme.
Dr Mumtaz Ahmad (Co-director of the course) extended the vote of thanks.
Thirty participants from different disciplines such economics, sociology, law, business administration, commerce, political science, West Asian Studies, Geography, Education, were selected from Assam, Jammu and Kashmir, Haryana, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi and Punjab to participate in the workshop.