Workshop on Research Methodology for IInd MSW students

A one-day workshop on ‘Research Methodology’ was organsied by the Department of Social Work, St Joseph’s College (Autonomous), Bengaluru, for the II^ndyear MSW students. The workshop was handled by two faculty members from the Department of Social Work- Dr. Alan Godfrey,Assistant Professor and P.G. Coordinator and Dr. S. Rama Gokula Krishnan, Assistant Professor. The workshop began at 9 AM with a true or false game on the basics of research. Dr. Krishnan explained the various concepts involved in research such as empiricism, data, research question, variables, and constructs. This session was followed by an activity for students which involved selecting a research topic. This provided an opportunity for students to apply what they had learnt. The students were divided into four groups and were asked to come up with a research question containing a topic involving constructs that were measurable. Post the activity, a session on review of literature was handled by Dr. Godfrey where he discussed matters such as the relevance of literature review and research gap. He also explained about the need and importance of following a particular research process and establishing a theoretical and conceptual framework in research. Dr. Krishnan conducted an exercise on choosing a concept and explaining its etymology and evolution which would form part of any study’s introduction. After a team discussion, representatives from each of the four groups presented a brief description of a concept of their choice. This was followed by a session where Dr. Krishnan explained the concept of dependent and independent variables. Students from each group were asked to draw and explain a conceptual framework with independent and depended variables. Dr. Krishnan then explained about the types of hypotheses. 

Post lunch, Dr. Krishnan explained the concept of research design and the various types of research designs. Dr. Krishnan covered several other topics such as sampling techniques, essentials of a good report, plagiarism and ethics in research, and so on. The results of the group activity were announced at the end of the session. The workshop was concluded at 4 PM by a vote of thanks by the Head of the Department Lt. Akshay D. Mandlikwho also asked the students to provide an anonymous online feedback on the workshop.