Institute Core

COURSE TITLE: RESEARCH AND TECHNICAL COMMUNICATION

COURSE CODE: HSI500

DURATION: 13 weeks; (39 lectures)

Introduction to Research Communication

Grammar & Rhetoric

Sentential and supra sentential structure, Narrative and structuring argument; Common

Errors in composition

Reading Skills for Literature Review:

Previewing techniques; Understanding the gist of an argument;

Identifying the topic sentence; inferring lexical and contextual meaning; recognizing

coherence and sequencing of sentences

Writing Skills (PART 1):

Sentence formation; Use of appropriate diction; Paragraph and Essay Writing;

Coherence and Cohesion.

Summarization, paraphrasing, outlining, Non Linear description, Narrative, Instruction

and reporting, Descriptive, Explanatory, Analytical and Argumentative Writing,

enhancing editing skills, Punctuation.

Writing Skills (PART 2):

Introduction to Terminology, Concept of Research

Preparing Research Proposal/ Synopsis

Term Paper Writing

Formulating Thesis Statement

Using Quotations & Substantiation of Quotes

Writing Introduction

Referencing (All Style Sheet)

Footnotes/ Endnotes

Writing Conclusion

Preparing Appendix

Preparing Bibliography (All Style Sheet)

Preparing Abstract

Writing Acknowledgement

Concept of Key Words

Preparing Content page/ List of Tables and Figures

Using classified materials, Plagiarism, and copyright material

Presentation Skills

Course

Type

Course

Code Name of Course L T P Credit

PhD-DC HSC 501 Research Methodology 3 0 0 9

Course Objective Develop scientific thinking with research to research in the social sciences

Learning Outcomes Upon successful completion of this course, students should:

Be aware of the various research methodologies used in social research

Critically evaluate research findings in area of interest/expertise

Work towards producing original research in their area of interest

Unit No.

Topics to be Covered Lecture Hours

Learning Outcome

1

Foundations of Research:

Scientific research: meaning, types, history

Research thinking: constructs, variables,

operationalization, hypotheses

Research Process: paradigms, steps, pitfalls

Scientific Theories: Types, constituents, attributes

9

Understand the basic foundations

and philosophy of social

scientific research

2 Reviewing Literature:

Narrative, Scoping, Systematic and Meta-analysis

Literature Review Protocol

6

Understand how to critically

analyze research evidence in

social sciences

3

Empirical Research: Research Design: triangulation, concepts and types

Measurement: process, levels & scales, reliability &

validity

Sampling: need, strategies

6

Have a broad overview of judging

empirical research

4

Data Collection: Primary sources: qualitative and quantitative

techniques

Secondary Sources: documents, content-analysis

6

Awareness about methods of

social data collection

5

Data Analysis:

Quantitative Methods: description, inference,

predictions

Qualitative Methods: strategies and operations

6

Understand data analysis tools

used in social research

6 Emerging Issues in Social Research:

Fixing the qualitative and quantitative divide

Big data: social research in the digital age

6

Appreciation of critical

challenges in conducting social

research

Required Reading:

Bhattacherjee, A. (2012). Social Science Research: Principles, Methods, and Practices.

Textbooks Collection. 3. [Available freely at http://scholarcommons.usf.edu/oa_textbooks/3 ]

Recommended Readings:

Bryman, A. (2012). Social Research Methods. Oxford: OUP

Neuman, W.L. (2014). Social Research Methods: Qualitative and Quantitative Approaches.

Edinburgh: Pearson

Siddaway, A.P., Wood, A.M., & Hedges, L.V. (2019). How to do a systematic review: A best

practice guide for conducting and reporting narrative reviews, meta-analyses, and meta-

syntheses, Annual Review of Psychology, 70, 9.1 – 9.24

Baumister, R. F. & Leary, M.R. (1997). Writing narrative literature reviews, Review of

General Psychology, 1(3), pp. 311-320

Salganik, M.J. (2019). Bit-by-Bit: Social Research in the Digital Age. Princeton: Princeton

University Press

Course

Type

Course

Code Name of Course L T P Credit

PhD-DC HSC 504 Social Theory and Sociological Perspectives 3 0 0 9

Course Objective

The course focuses on major theoretical frameworks to analyse culture, institutions, organizations,

relations, interactions and identity. The intention is to clarify and critically discuss how these levels of

analysis can elucidate social phenomena and how a specific phenomenon can be studied and analysed

through different sociological theories.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

Familiarize themselves with select major social and sociological perspectives;

Identify the factors of social phenomena and comprehend them with reference to several

theoretical framework

Use social/sociological theory for research and practice.

Unit

No. Topics to be Covered

Lecture

Hours

Learning

Outcome

1 Social/Sociological Theory Meaning, types and characteristics of theory

Role of Theory in Research

3

To introduce the

social theory

2

Functionalist Perspectives Origin of Functionalism

Meaning and general arguments of Functionalism

Contributions of:

B. Malinowski: Culture and Function, views on primitive

society

A.R. Radcliffe-Brown: Social structure, structural

functionalism

T. Parsons: Voluntaristic Action Theory, Notion of System,

Pattern variables

9

To introduce

functionalist

perspectives of

social theory

3

Structuralist and Conflict Perspectives Meaning and General Arguments

Contribution of:

Claude Levi‐Strauss: Structuralism

L. Althusser – structural Marxism; Ideological state apparatus

K. Marx: Inequality and conflict

R. Dahrendorf: Dialectical conflict theory

L. Coser: Conflict Functionalism

9

To introduce the

structuralist views

and conflict

theory

4

Interactionist Perspectives General Arguments

Contributions of:

G. H. Mead: Mind, Self, Society

C. H. Cooley: Looking-glass self

H. Blumer: Symbolic interactionism

E. Goffman: Dramaturgy, Presentation of self in everyday life

9

To introduce the

Interactionist

view

5 Phenomenology and Ethnomethodology General Arguments

Contributions of:

9

To introduce the

phenomenological

and ethno-

Schultz: The phenomenology of social world

Garfinkel: Ethno‐methodology

P. Berger and Luckmann: The social construction of reality

methodological

perspectives

TOTAL LECTURE HOURS 39

Essential Readings:

Alexander, Jeffrey C. 1987. Twenty Lectures: Sociological Theory since World War II. New

York: Columbia University Press.

Althusser, L. 2006. For Marx, London: Verso

Berger, P. And T. Luckmann. 1967. The Social Construction of Reality, New York: Anchor.

Blumer, H. 1969. Symbolic Interactionism, N.J.: Prentice Hall.

Brittan Arthur 1973 Meanings and Situations. London: Routledge and Kegan Paul

Collins, R. 1997. Sociological Theory. Jaipur and New Delhi: Rawat.

Craib, Ian. 1992. Modern Social Theory: From Parsons to Habermas (2nd edition). London:

Harvester Press.

Dahrendorf, R. 1959. Class and Class Conflict in Industrial Society: London: Routlegde and

Kegan Paul.

Garfinkel. Harold. 1984. Studies in Ethno‐methodology. Oxford, Blackwell

Mead, G.H. 1962. Mind, Self and Society. Chicago: Chicago University Press.

Merton, R.K. 1968. Social Theory and Social Structure. New York: Free Press

Parsons, T. 1951. The Social System. New York: Free Press.

Schutz, A. 1967. The Phenomenology of the Social World, Evanston: Northwestern Universit

y Press.

Sturrock, John ed. 1979. Structuralism: From Levi Strauss to Derida. Oxford: Oxford Univer

sity Press.

Suttles G. 1972. The Social Construction of Communities University of Chicago Press.

Turner, Jonathan H. 2006. Handbook of Sociological Theory. Springer

Waters Malcom 2000. Modern Sociological Theories. London: Sage Publications

Zeitlin, I. M. 1998. Rethinking Sociology: A Critique of Contemporary Theory. Jaipur: Rawat

Further Readings:

Bottomore, Tom. 1984. The Frankfurt School. Chester, Sussex: Ellis Horwood and London:

Tavistock Publications.

Collins, R. 1994. Four Sociological Traditions, New York, Oxford University Press

Ritzer, G. & Goodman. 2003. Modern Sociological Theory, New York: McGrow‐Hill

Ritzer, G. 1992. Sociological Theory, New York: McGraw‐Hill

Course Type Course

Code Name of Course L T P Credit

PhD -DC HSC 508 Understanding Philosophy 3 0 0 9

Course Objective

A critical survey of some of the major Western and Indian philosophical viewpoints to bring to the fore their

significance in human lives.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, students will:

be able to understand the basic concept of Western and Indian Philosophy

Improve the ability to think creatively and critically.

Unit

No. Topics to be Covered

Lecture

Hours Learning Outcome

1

Introduction: Introduction, Philosophy and

Critical thinking, traditional divisions of

Philosophy, Free will, Causations.

6

To understand the fundamental

issues of Philosophy.

2

The Major Branches of Philosophy: Metaphysics

Epistemology

Ethics and Applied Ethics

Logic

9

To know about the philosophy and

its branches

3

Western Philosophical Quest: Classical Period

Modern Western Philosophy

9

To understand the key concept of

western philosophy.

4

Indian Philosophical Systems: Vedas and Upanishads

Bhagavad Gita

Orthodox and Heterodox Systems

9

To be acquainted with the key

concept Indian philosophical

systems.

5

Philosophy of Religion:

Proves for the Existence of God

Problem of Evil

6

To comprehend the major

philosophical themes Philosophy

of religion.

Total 39

BOOKS RECOMMENDED

1. Thilly, F., A History of Philosophy, Central Book Depot, Allahabad, 1984

2. Sharma, C.D., Critical Survey of Indian Philosophy, Motilal Banarasidas, New Delhi, 1960

3. Sinha, Jadunath. Outlines of Indian Philosophy. Varanasi: Pilgrim Publishing, 1999.

4. Hiriyanna, M, The Essentials of Indian Philosophy, George Allen and Unwin Ltd., London, 1949.

Course

Type

Course

Code Name of Course L T P Credit

PhD-DC HSC 509 Perspectives on Human Behaviour 3 0 0 9

Course Objective

The objective of the course is to familiarize students with a variety of personality theories, their

history, and applications.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, students should:

Be able to understand influential personality theories and constructs

Be able to identify meaning and appropriate application of course concepts

Be able to explain personality-related processes that underlie individual differences in behavior

Be able to recognize the interaction of situational and individual characteristics on the

development of personality

Unit

No. Topics to be Covered

Lecture

Hours Learning Outcome

Personality: Basic concepts, Evaluation,

Classification of theories 6

Understanding the foundations

of personality, definition, basic

concepts

Type and Trait Theories

6

Understanding the various

type and trait approaches by

highlighting the basic

concepts, strengths and

limitations of each.

Psychodynamic approaches: Freud, Jung,

Adler, Erikson and Horney

9

Understanding the concepts of

psychoanalysis and also the

strengths and limitations of

other psychodynamic

approaches

Humanistic approaches: Maslow, Rogers,

Bandura, Influence of existential psychology 9

Understanding the different

humanistic theories and seeing

its application if life.

Contemporary issues: Moderns views on

personality, cultural influences, Indian

perspectives 9

Recognising the current issues

and debates in personality

research by focusing on

contemporary research on

personality and contextual

understanding of personality

Readings:

Theories of Personality by Richard M. Ryckman, 9th edition

Theories of Personality by Duane P. Schlutz and Sydney Ellen Schultz, 10th edition

The Oxford Handbook of Personality and Social Psychology Edited by Kay Deaux and Mark

Snyder

Course Objective This course aims to give students training in basic quantitative methods used in social sciences

Learning Outcomes Upon successful completion of this course, students should:

Develop analytical skills in problem solving

Implement various quantitative techniques using software (Python/R)

Develop intuitive understanding of the quantitative techniques

Write beginner-intermediate level programs in Python/R

Unit No.

Topics to be Covered Lecture Hours

Learning Outcome

I

Data Literacy Basics:

Changing face of social research.

Understanding data: datasets, spreadsheets, big

data.

Self-study:*

Installation, Basic functions, Data Types in

Python/R

4

Understand how research

particularly data collection and

analysis are changing with

coming of big data

2

Data Management:

Types of Data: Measurement scales, Variables

Self-study:*

Conditionals, Importing data and string

manipulation, Cleaning Data in Python/R

4

Understand types of data and

concept of tidy data

3

Description: Making summaries Visualization techniques – types, when to use which

plot

Descriptive statistics – measures of central tendency

and measures of variability

Self-study:*

Making plots and visualization, and calculating s

summary statistics in Python/R

6

Familiarity with various graphical

and descriptive statistical methods

4

Inference: Understanding causes

Hypothesis testing: basic concepts, assumptions

t-test, ANOVA

Self-study:*

Implementing t-test, ANOVA in Python/R

6

Understand how statistics are used

to answer the question of WHY in

social research.

5

Prediction: Guessing the future

Association: Correlation, Causation

Regression: Basics, Types

Self-study:*

Implementing Correlation and Regression in

Python/R

6

Understand how statistics can be

used to make predictions about

social variables.

*NOTE:

Self-study is for learning software (Python/R) techniques using resources identified by

course instructor or by student. Each week will have a target syllabus which the students

can complete on their own pace but within the week. The techniques learned in the

previous week will be applied in the class using social variables.

Course

Type

Course

Code Name of Course L T P Credit

PhD-DC HSC 502 Fundamentals of Data Analysis 2 0 0 6

Text Book:

Canning, J. (2014). Statistics for the Humanities. Brighthon, UK. Retrieved from

http://statisticsforhumanities.net/book/

Required Reading:

Dierker, l. (2021). Passion Driven Statistics. Retrieved from:

https://ldierker1.github.io/passiondrivenstatistics/

R Track:

Navarro, D. (no date). Learning statistics with R. Available freely at:

https://learningstatisticswithr.com/

OR

Python Track:

Weed, E. (no date). Learning statistics with Python. Available freely at:

https://ethanweed.github.io/pythonbook/landingpage.html

Optional Readings:

Salganik, M.J. (2017). Bit by Bit: Social Research in the Digital Age. Princeton, NJ:

Princeton University Press.

Urdan, T.C. (2016). Statistics in Plain English. Routledge

Resources for Self-study

Python:

https://www.datacamp.com

https://www.py4e.com/

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL8nC8L7kjElf5sAXep7wwY06HW3JvfQ5S

R:

https://www.datacamp.com

https://swirlstats.com/

https://youtu.be/_8A0zx51BKs?list=PL2fQHGEDK7YzW-06PZYcboa1IfcqTSil-

Course

Type

Course

Code Name of Course L T P Credit

DC HSC 503 SEMINAR COURSE 0 0 3 3

Course Objective

The course aims to give students a practical overview of academic research process.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, students will:

be able to undertake independent literature review.

develop skills for analyzing, critiquing and synthesizing diverse views/findings.

to enhance their scientific writing and presentation skills.

Unit

No. Topics to be Covered Week/s Learning Outcome

1 Introduction

Assignment of Topic 1

2 Exploratory Review:

Undertake a scoping or narrative review of selected area and

summarize findings. 2 - 4

Student will be able to

carry out an academic

review

3

In-Depth Review:

Undertake an extensive/systematic/critical review of a

selected area. The review should result in identification of

gaps in the area, a methodology to address the gap and

potential contribution of the study.

The presentation will be similar to a project proposal.

5 - 9

Student will be able to

carry literature review in

depth developing skills

of critiquing.

Student will also gain

familiarity in with

project proposals.

4

Study:

A study (empirical/survey/conceptual/analytical/descriptive)

will be carried out. Presentation will include background,

literature, methodology/theoretical frame-work, findings and

discussion

10 - 12

Student learns to carry

out a scholarly study and

present findings in as

expected in an academic

environment

5

A term paper similar to a journal article will be required.

This may be prepared taking a new topic or from the

seminars already given in the course.

13

Student gains familiarity

with academic writing

skills.

NOTE:

The student is required to organize and present his findings in unit 2, unit 3 and unit 4 in

the form of a seminar and also submit a term-paper in the final week of the course. In

addition, the student will be required to submit a written report every week to the course

instructor at the scheduled lab meetings.

Suggested Readings:

Petticrew, M. & Roberts, H. (2006). Systematic Reviews in the Social Sciences. Malden:

Blackwell Publishing