Steps in Social Science

Research
By
Merajud Din Drangay
Ph. D Research Scholar
Department of Commerce
Annamalai University
Annamalai Nagar
 RESEARCH
To Study a subject in detail, especially
in order to discover new information or reach a
new understanding…………

Research is work that involves studying

something and trying to discover facts about it.
Formulating the Determining Hypothesis
Research problem Sample Design Testing

Generalization
Extensive Collecting the and
Literature Survey Data
Interpretation

Development Execution of the Preparation of

Working Project the Report/Thesis
Hypothesis

Presentation
Preparing Research Analysis of the
of the
Design Data
Report/Thesis
STEPS OF research

Step I

Read some books on Research

Methodology
1. Research Methodology
Methods and Techniques
- C.R. kothari
(New Age International (P) Ltd, Publisher)

2. Research Methodology
- Prof. (Dr.) A. Mustafa
(AITBS Publishers, India)

3. Research Methodology
Methods, Tools & Techniques
- Gopal Lal Jain
(Mangal Deep Publication Jaipur, India)

4. Quantitative Research
Methods in the Social Sciences
- Paul S. Maxim
(Oxford University Press)

Continue…
5. Research Methodology
Text and Cases with SPSS Applications
- Dr. S.L Gupta
- Hitesh Gupta
(International Book House Pvt. Ltd.)
6. Action Research
- Dr. Smitha V.P
(A.P.H Publishing Corporation)

7. Social Research Methods

Qualitative and Quantitative Approach
- H. Russell Bernard
(SAGE Publication)

8. Research Methods
Tips and Techniques
- G. Vijaylakshmi
- C. Sivapragasam
(MJP publishers)

Continue…..
9. How to Research
Tips and Techniques
- Lovaine Blaxter
- Christina Hughes
- Malcolm Tight

10. Research Methodology

- R. Panneerselvam
(PHI Learning Private Limited)

11. Getting Research into Practice

Edited By
- Collette Clifford
- Jenny Clark
(Churchill Livingstone)

12. Research Methodology in Social Sciences

- Devendra Thakur
(Deep & Deep Publications Pvt. Ltd.)
 STEP - 2

Reading of PhD theses, Working Papers and other

Research Papers
 Title of PhD Thesis
 Name of the Scholar
 Name of the Research Supervisor
 Statement of the problem
 Objectives of the study
 Collection of Data
 Sample Design
 Chapter Scheme
 Suggestions
 Conclusion
 Questionnaire
 bibliography
 Extensive Reading of UGC Listed Journals in
Social Sciences
Example:-
FOR COMMERCE
 Indian Journal Accounting
 Journal of Accounting and marketing
 Journal of commerce and Accounting Research
FOR MANAGEMENT
 International journal of Management Review
 Annual Review of Organizational Psychology and
Organizational behavior
 Academy of Management Journal

cont…….
For Economics
◦ The review of Economics and Statistics
◦ The Quarterly Journal of Economics
◦ Journal of Economic Growth

For Pol. Science

◦ Indian Journal of Society and Politics
◦ Journal of Advanced Research in Pol. Science and
Governance
◦ International Political Science Review

cont…..
 Multidisciplinary Journals

 The Journal of World investment and Trade

 International Journal of Advanced and Innovative Research
 International Journal of Comparative Literature and
Translation Study
 Annals of Arts, Culture & Humanities
 Proceeding of the National Academy of Science of the
United States of America.
 STEP - 3
Identification of Research Gap

Research Gap – Meaning

Research Gap – is it must? – Yes

Research Gap is must for

For Practical Implications
For Theoretical Implications
 RESEARCH – DIAGNOSIS

Conventional Methods
 Self Enthusiasm
 Peripheral Factors
Read specific parts of the most suitable article
 Refer the key concepts section of the most relevant journals

Sophisticated method
 Science Indicators
 Google Trends
 Social Mention like Springer, Google Ads & Broad
Reader
 STEP - 4
Preparation of the Synopsis
‘The better your proposal, the better outline for
proposed research work’

Preparation of Title
 Subject
 Organization
 Geographical area
 Period of Study
Revision of Proposal to make sure that it
is…
 Clearly Written
 Well Structured
 Good review
 Methodology
 Explaining the Significance of your Research
 Research Aspects

 Clear Working Title

 Clear Statement
 Background Knowledge
 Consideration of Methods
 Key references – APA or HRS
 Specimen of Synopsis
 Introduction
 Subject
 Organization
 Geographical Area
 Span of the Study
 Definition of Terms
 Objectives of the Study
 Hypothesis
 Scope
 Importance
 Research methodology
 Collection of data
 Limitation of the Study
 Chapter Scheme
 Time plan of PhD Research Work
 STEP - 5
Preparation for Pre-registration
Viva Voce / DRC-I
 Preparation of Synopsis (PPT)
 Pre Registration Viva-Voce – presentation of outline of
research work in front of DRC
 Incorporation of directions and changes
 Preparation of final copy
 Submission of proposal
 STEP – 6
Writing Theoretical Background
 Introduction
 Concepts
 Definitions
 Advantages
 Principles
 Functions
 Types or classification
 Social relevance
 Theoretical background should be properly
confined with the title of research
 STEP - 7

Review of Literature
 Purpose – to identify the Gap in the knowledge
 Exhaustive of literature
 STEP - 8
Review of Legislation and other
aspects to be reviews

Background and introduction

Definitions
Rules and regulations
Ordinances, circulars and forms etc.
 STEP - 9

Profile of the Study Area

 STEP – 10

Growth & Development of

Respected Sector
 Annual Reports
 Government Reports
 Office Records
 Census Survey
 Changes took Place
 STEP – 11
ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION OF PRIMARY AND
SECONDARY DATA

Certain Statistical Packages and tools can be used

for analysis according the need of the study
 Regression
 Correlation

 One Way Anova

 Two Way Anova

 Chi Square Test

 T-Test

 F-Test

 Pie Charts

 Bar Diagrams

 Time Series anyalysis etc.

 STEP - 12
Preparation of strong foundation and making alignment of
research topic which involves theoretical background,
review of literature, review of legislation, growth of
organization and analysis of secondary data.

Objectives and Hypothesis should be redesigned after foundation work

 Sample Design – Important Consideration
 Accessibility of Data
 Accuracy of Data
 Time limit
 Availability of Data

Conclusion and Suggestion

 Logical conclusion according to tables
 Constructive and appropriate Suggestions
While typing the report students should take care of the following points.
1. Font: The entire body of the text body should be typed in the font style of Times New
Roman.
2. Size : The size of font for the text body of Thesis should be 12. Main Heading should be
bold and font size 14. Sub-headings should be bold and font size 12.
3. Line Spacing: the entire Thesis should be typed with 1.5 line spacing except intended
paragraph, tables and footnotes.
4. Paragraph Spacing: The entire thesis should be typed with the six points before and after
paragraph spacing.
5. Margins: The entire Thesis should be typed with left margin 1.5”, right margin 1”, top and
bottom margin 1”.
6. Alignment: The entire Thesis should be typed with justifies alignment except tables. The
tables are to be typed with centre alignment.
7. Tables and Graphs: Tables and Graph should be placed as near possible to the text
possibly do not break the tables into pages.
8. Heading / Titles: Heading and titles of the text paragraph and text material should be on
same page.
9. Quotations: Quotations should be quoted in inverted commas.
10. Page Numbering: the main page of the text body should be numbered continuously in
Arabic numbers. Page number may be inserted in the header right most top or at the centre
of bottom in the footer. Preferably, the material should be numbered in roman numerals.
Page number should be inserted at the bottom right hand corner.
11. Water marks and Logo: Water marks and Company logo is not allowed to be used in the
report anywhere.
 While taking out the print out, following points should be
taken care of:

1. Paper Type:
(a) Paper: Executive Bond Papers
(b) Size: A4

(c) Paper Color: White

(d) Variety: Plain Finish

(e) Length: 29.7 cms

(f) Width: 21 cms

(g) GSM: 75 or 85

2. Ink Color: Black color for the text and multicolor for diagrams and charts.
3. Number of Copies: 07 and 1 CD
4. Binding with Golden Embossing
Duration:
2 Years – with M. Phil
3 Years – Direct Ph.D

Suppose the duration of Ph.D is July 2017 to July 2020

July – September 2017 - Extensive Reading

October – December 2017 - Collection of Review
January – February 2018
 Preparation of Synopsis
 Meeting with DRC
 Registration of Topic

cont…….
March – May 2018
 Starting with theoretical background
 Find key words, definitions and operational
definitions
 Finalization of theoretical background
 Simultaneous preparation for Course Work
Exam.
June 2018
Completion of Course Work I & II
July 2018
Preparation of Articles, Monographs or
Working Papers in UGC listed journals.
cont……
 August – September 2018
 Review of Literature
 Participation in Workshops/Conferences

October – December 2018

 Collection of Data
 Analysis of Secondary Data
 Preparation of Progress Report

For Primary Data

 Designing of Questionnaire
 Pilot Survey
 Collection of Data

cont….
 January – March 2019
 Analysis and Interpretation of Data
 Testing of Hypothesis
 Publish Second Working paper
 Findings, Conclusion and Suggestions
April 2019
 First Draft correction
May 2019
 Pre PhD Presentation
 Modification & Finalization
 Second Draft Submission
June 2019
Submission of Final Copy of PhD Thesis