Research Methodology for Social Sciences

Research Methodology for Social Sciences provides guidelines for designing and conducting evidence-based research in social sciences and interdisciplinary studies using both qualitative and quantitative data. Blending the particularity of different sub-disciplines and interdisciplinary nature of social sciences, this volume: - Provides insights on epistemological issues and deliberates on debates over qualitative research methods; - Covers different aspects of qualitative research techniques and evidence-based research techniques, including survey design, choice of sample, construction of indices, statistical inferences and data analysis; - Discusses concepts, techniques and tools at different stages of research, beginning with the design of field surveys to collect raw data and then analyse it using statistical and econometric methods. With illustrations, examples and a reader-friendly approach, this volume will serve as a key reference material for compulsory research methodology courses at doctoral levels across different disciplines, such as economics, sociology, women's studies, education, anthropology, political science, international relations, philosophy, history and business management. This volume will also be indispensable for postgraduate courses dealing with quantitative techniques and data analysis.

Rajat Acharyya is Professor of Economics at Jadavpur University, Kolkata, and Director (additional charge) of UGC-Human Resource Development Centre, Jadavpur University, India. He was the former Dean, Faculty of Arts, Jadavpur University (2013-2016). Professor Acharyya received his MSc (Economics) degree from Calcutta University in 1990 and PhD (Economics) degree from Jadavpur University in 1996. He was a Ford Foundation postdoctoral fellow at Rochester University, New York, USA, during 1997-98. Professor Acharyya has written five books and published more than 60 articles in journals and edited volumes. His recent books include International Trade and Economic Development (co-authored with Saibal Kar, 2014) and International Economics: Theory and Policy (2013). He was awarded the EXIM Bank International Trade Research Award in 1997, Global Development Network (Washington D.C.) Research Medal in 2003, the Mahalanobis Memorial Medal in 2006 and Shikhsaratna (Best University Teacher) Award by the Government of West Bengal in 2016. Nandan Bhattacharya is Assistant Director of the UGC-Human Resource Development Centre, Jadavpur University, India. Dr Bhattacharya received his MSc (Zoology) degree in 1992 and PhD (Zoology) degree in 2004 from Vidyasagar University, India. He has published several articles in different reputed journals and delivered lectures at different colleges and institutes of higher learning within and outside West Bengal. He has coordinated and designed course curriculums for orientation programmes, workshops and short-term courses specially conducted for college and university teachers/librarians under the UGC Guidelines. His areas of research interest inlcude ecology, education and communication skill development, amongst many others.

Introduction Part I: Epistemological Issues 1. Methodological or Epistemological Issues in Social Research Part II: Debates in Research Methods 2. Towards a Pragmatic Centre: Debates on Qualitative Methodology 3. Ethnographic Fieldwork: The Predicaments and Possibilities 4. Diversity in Economics: An Examination and Defence of Heterodox Approach Part III: Methods of Conflict Analysis and Policy Evaluation 5. Game Theory: Strategy Design in Conflict Situations 6. Impact evaluation: a simple need and a difficult choice of methodology 7. Construction of Different Types of Indices in Social Science: Some Numerical Examples Part IV: Quantitative Research Methods and Predictive Analysis 8. Designing a Primary Survey-Based Research 9. Sampling Methods: A Survey 10. An Introduction to Statistical Inference 11. Problem of Endogeneity in Social Science Research 12. Quantitative Methods for Qualitative Variables in Social Science: An Introduction