Research Methodology Syllabus for M.A. Economics

Research Methodology (Paper-4) M.A. Economics Part-II

This course aims at preparing students to strengthen their research abilities with the standard paraphernalia of research methodology. The contents of this course are designed to facilitate research at micro and macro levels and of both qualitative and quantitative nature. Apart from learning research techniques and developing necessary skills, the participants of this course would also develop scientific and rational thinking.

Prerequisite for this course is intermediate-level knowledge of economic theory,  statistics, and econometrics along with some degree of writing and computer skills.

Topics:

• Importance of Research Methodologies.
• Research techniques in social sciences and their limitations.
• Theory and basis of research.
• Empirical and theoretical research.
• Stages of research process.
• Identification of problem/issue, data, theory and estimation and related problems.
• Thinking, Field Research Designs; the process of field research, Exploratory Research, Casual Inference.
• Methods of communication in survey.
• Vision survey and communication techniques.
• Art of asking questions and getting quality information.
• Preparation of Research Proposal Questionnaire,
• Sample Design; the Nature of Sampling,
• Measurement and Scaling; Measurement, Measurement Scales, the Characteristics of Sound Measurement,
• the Development of Measurement Tools,
• Scaling, the Nature of Scaling, Response Methods, Scale Construction.
• Data Collection Methods, Survey Instruments and Field Procedures, Survey Instrument Designs, the Survey Situations, the Instrument Development Process, Questionnaire Development, Field Procedures, Personal Interviewing, Telephone Interviewing, Interviewing by mail, observations.
• Experimentation and Simulations; Experimentation and Simulation.
• Choice of Research Technique, Experimental Research Design, Simulation, Observation, Observation Designs.
• Use of Secondary Data; the Nature of Secondary Data Sources, the Use of Secondary Data, Types of Secondary Data Sources, Statistical Sources, Data Research Procedures, Evaluating Secondary Data.
• Vision Survey: Interpretation of Replies.
• Data Presentation and Analysis: Elements of Analysis, Data Preparation, Special Data Problem, Tabulation, Data Presentation, and Data Analysis.
• Report Writing; the Questions and analysis of Research Proposal. Organization of Research Paper.
• How to format and Write country Research Report.
• Executive summary and abstract of a report, Conclusion and its basis.
• Evaluation of Research Work.
• The Research Report, Research Report Format, Writing and editing of research Report.

Recommended Books: 

1. Birchenhall C. and Grout P., (latest edition), Mathematics for Modern Economics, Herifaq Publishers, New Delhi.
2. Holt, Rinehart and Winston, Holt-Sounders Japan Ltd. Tokyo (Latest edition).
3. Johnson, Glenew Research Methodology for Economists: Philosophy and Practice, McMillan Publishing Co. (Latest edition).
4. Kidder Louise H., Research Methods in Social Relations.
5. Lambert, P., (1985) Advanced Mathematics for Economists. Static and Dynamic Optimization, Basil Black Well.
6. Neuman W. Lawrence, (1997) Social Research Methods, Qualitative and Quantitative Approaches, Allyn and Bacon; Boston.
7. Sckaran Business Research Methods
   
8. Uma, Sekarn, (1992), Research Methods for Business. A Skill Building Approach, John Willey & Sons, Inc.
   
9. Young Pauline V., (latest edition), Scientific Social Survey and Research, Prentice Hall Inc.
   
10. Zikmund William, G., (1994), Business Research Methods, The drydem Press.