Presentation by Dr.S. NARAYANASAMY

ProfessorDepartment of Gandhian Thought and Peace

ScienceGandhigram Rural Institute-Deemed University

Gandhigram-624302, Dindigul District, Email: griprofnaray@gmail.com; Mobile:

09442212210Website: www.gandhianentrepreneur.in

RECENT TRENDS IN SOCIAL SCIENCE RESEARCH METHODOLOGY(FROM 1st to 10th AUGUST 2013)

USE OF STUDENTS FOR RESEARCH PROJECTS AND

EXTENSION AS FOUNDATION FOR RESEARCH

ImpermanenceA student went to the Zen master and said,

“My meditation is awful! My mind keeps straying, and my body aches, or I’m nodding off. Its awful!”.

“Don’t worry, it will soon pass,” said the teacher.

After the month the student visited the master again.

“My meditation is fantastic! I feel peace in my heart, vitality in my body and harmony in my soul. Its simply amazing!”.

“Don’t worry, it will pass,” the teacher replied.

Zen Story

India is always accused of not having research-centric institutes.

There are 625 Universities and 30,000 colleges in India today.

Struggling to get into at least the top 200 is a matter of greater concern, necessitating urgent higher education reforms.

Reforms at an individual and institutional level can only result in sporadic excellence, (TNIE dated 21.07.2013, p.9).

Every individual is important – mobile temple – Teacher-student as a ‘mobile researcher’.

Fear for research is created.No standard training for students in research.

Current Scenario of ResearchSpirit of Research Among Students

Research thermometer to be devised for quality research.The quality of University is determined by quality of teachers,

who make it a fertile soil of knowledge by perpetuating quality.

Quality of research should touch the ‘umbilical cord’ of the society / reality to solve the day to day problems.

For the first time in India, Research is made integral part component of teacher performance.

75% seventy five percent of teachers of the 6,99,464 teachers on rolls during 2011-12 are making their first publication because of (API) Academic Performance Indicator.

Well trained student scholars – not available for research projects.

Creating the spirit of research is need of the hour.

Spirit of Research Among Students Cont…

Is there any college of social science research? Only Arts and Science.

Number of Ph.Ds decreased by nearly 19 per cent in 2009 when compared to 2008, as per UGC’s annual report.

Highest number of Ph.Ds was awarded to the arts faculty, followed by science.

“Social Science Research is very underfinanced, the total grant to ICSSR was about 2.3 percent of the total grant to science and about 11 percent of the total grant to medicine”.

ICSSR – Indian Council of Social Science Research – “The budget outlay is about 100 crores now, a big jump from about 36 crore”.

There are (3) three lakh social science faculty in the country. The money available with ICSSR could not meet the research

needs of all faculties.

A Fillip for Social Science Research and Students

State of Research in the Arts and Initiatives taken to Attract Scholars

Several initiatives have been introduced to encourage researcher to come forward.

Ex: Doctoral fellowships have been increased to 500 instead of 150.

ICSSR – instituted ICSSR – Amartya Sen award for distinguished social science researchers.

Special research programme is instituted to encourage research in the area of family and sexual violence.

Issues of family violence, sexual violence, sexual exclusion and gender have been put under a special programme and ICSSR will fund researchers.

ICSSR has decided to fund more research institutes.

A Fillip for Social Science Research and Students

Cont…

At present, 27 institutions are directly funded by ICSSR.

Further, ICSSR has identified 13 states where there are no ICSSR – funded institutions.

The major issue with Social Science Research is that of financing and capacity building.

A major reconstruction of ICSSR set up, was undertaken as recommended by the Deepak Nayyar Committee.

Prof. Sukhdeo Thorat is currently the Chairman of ICSSR, New Delhi.

(Source: TNIE, EDEX, Mon. 11.03.2013, p.12)

A Fillip for Social Science Research and StudentsCont…

Research was occasional – Research ends with Ph.DNow it has become regular for which students can be

used.Criticism about research – API system has paved the way

for proliferation of sub-standard journals and mediocre quality publications.

Ultimately, API would eliminate promotions based on mere years-of-services and focus on academic performance.

A rigorous training for understanding studies and writing research article is the need of the hour among Ph.D students and faculties.

Students must be used for regular research work.

Is Research Occasional or Regular?Use of Students

Welfare of students – Gandhian constructive programmes Use of students is a relative term Students are powerful tools of learned teachersTwo schools: 1) useful 2) Not usefulUsing students with research project depends upon

project leaderAlso depends upon the nature of the project Project team has to identify potentials among the studentsEverybody is useful for research projectPublic, civil society, government officials, research team

and students Students may contribute without understanding project“students are my publications” – Professor saidWe can use students in any form for research projectsStudents can play constructive role in the project area

Use of Students for Research Project

Connecting the community and service Centre – For Ex: A student introduced hospice centre, Faculty got involved in the project supporting aged and wrote research

articles Students give their best and take their best from project Robert Browny said: “ The best is yet to be” Students can bring press clippings and help for browsing, if the

project team gives a specific guidelines/ agreements Everybody should have the spirit of research including students,

research scholars for the success of the research project Students - Eye opener for research proposals/ writing articles

etc.. Students are very sensitive - handle carefully Mature and immature students group

Use of Students for Research ProjectCont…

Human relations between students and project staff are like squirrels, which contributed for building the bridge.

Like Lord Rama – Projects Team Leader and like squirrels – students

Research scholars doing Ph.D work also take the help of their friends, who are students for carrying out doctoral related works. As a result they gain research skills

Higher the participation of students in the research projects, higher the popularity of the project among public and in the project

Example: VIP – Village Immersion Programme – Gandhigram Rural Institute and World Bank – services of students were used during village stay.

Use of students at every stage in the research project is possible

Law student at Madurai fasted against alcohol Pictorial sessions of social problems for research may be useful

for students No “ Brain bank for research” among students at the college /

university level Research project as a training ground for developing the

research skills

Use of Students for Research ProjectCont…

Students can enrich their career under the project Students can be used for collecting data and to undertake a

case analysis Students do their UG project work as well as dissertation work

at the PG level in the Gandhigram Rural Institute – PG Level dissertation in other universities

For example: A study on conditions of Vettiyan – Graveyard workers at the UG level could further be expanded at the PG Level

They can gain knowledge in the Data entry Date collection SPSS – computer package Typing the research project with computer skills“ No participation of students in research today, “No success of research project tomorrow”

Use of Students for Research ProjectCont…

In order to eliminate a transient phase of mediocre quality articles, the University should keep on motivating the entry-level teachers and first generation research publishers.

Improve the quality of research through innovative and effective faculty development programmes along with performance linked incentive system

(Source: TNIE 21.07.13, p.9), email: profspt@gmail.com

Motivation for Research among Students

No research component in the syllabus except a course - No proper training in research.

Research centres alone need not concentrate the research activities – Not set it side only for centres.

Every faculty / academic may concentrate it. Every faculty as a mobile researcher. India has 600-625 Universities. China with 2000 plus Universities. No match to china in the absence of research activities. Most important lesson to be learnt – we need to include research

as a part of academics – Not set it side only for centres. Universities have a feeling that research to be dealt only by

centres of research. If so, why individual faculty is empowered to take up Ph.D

programmes – Every faculty can handle research. UG level – PG level – GRI has project report and dissertation. A course in research methods at the UG / PG level is offered.

Research – A Part of Academics and Students Curriculum Local Research and National Projection

85000 crore allocated for higher education under the Eleventh (XI)th Five Year Plan. Not even half was utilized.

1,10,700 crore had been proposed for higher education under the Twelfth Plan.

Currently / Presently, India is faring slightly better than Russia. India is in the 64th position on the global innovation index from the 62nd

slot. Many institutions in India were world class in teaching, if not in

research and publication. Quality sustenance and enhancement. IQAC – Prime task – to develop a system for Conscious, Consistent

and Catalytic improvement in the performance of institutions. Reinvent curricula, apply student oriented teaching methods,

undertake research and make use of available infrastructure to the fullest extent.

(Source: The Hindu, 02.08.2013, P.2)

Research – A Part of Academics and Students Curriculum Cont…

Extension has human face. Equally, research should be based on humanism and it should know the pulse of the people on daily basis

Extension work based on integrity and honesty. Similarly, research should be based on integrity and honesty.

Environment for humanistic outlook and the world of integrity and honesty to be created through extension and research.

University should have better environment for doing research and extension.

Extension should never take a back seat. Students to be involved in research and extension

programmes with a heart for poor.

Environment for Research and ExtensionInvolvement of Students

Jumping into personal example – obama – two daughters – MALIA and SASHA – Both Obama and first lady are constantly reminding daughters – “Slightly Unreal Environment” – they are growing up in the white house.

Obama daughters have other family members in the middle class and even poor. They see that others struggle

Obama family life – “Not the Norm” – (The Hindu, 02.08.2013, p.14)

University today has white house environment – different norms

University see that others struggle – But they don’t careExtension and Research – for the poor – “To remove every

tear from every eye”.

Environment for Research and ExtensionCont…

In Madurai, EVIDENCE NGO, brings out Reports – fact findings about the scenario in Tamil Nadu based on field study.

DHAN Founder: Ms.Swaminathan Foundation, Chennai – Paadam – Narayan, and several other activists – also undertake field based research

Such organisations influence policy makers and public at large.

NGO’s also makes use of the services of university professors and consultancy is done for bringing realities in the field.

In my opinion, NGO’s make quick study and quick research – (like 2-mts noodle) 2-days deep research - No delay – Satisfying the expectations of the public.

NGO’s prove their excellence in research and contribute for quality research.

University has its own bureaucracy for bringing out research findings.

Research aims to bring out the truth and Academics also highlight it.

Students are placed with NGOs for exposure in GRI, Gandhigram.

Research by Civil Society Vs University Research

Research should be an integral part of all courses in a higher education institution.

Main purpose of research must be to help for solving the problems of the individuals and society in general.

Research should lay the foundation for evolving policies of the government in different fields.

Content of the research studies must be linked with the external visits to the rural and urban communities, industries and other trade centres and their problems.

Research scholars must observe the problems, collect data and analyse with a view to suggest solutions to the problems. (Source: Sarvodaya Talisman, July – August 2013, p.23).

Research work may revolve around a micro-problem and try to solve it.

Think globally; Act locally; Likewise, Follow global research model; Do research on local issues.

How Research Work Should Be?Global Research Model; Local Researchable

Issue along with Students

Claiming the ladder of research is a must for every academic faculty.

Sportsmen cannot enter the playground unless he/she is ready for match.

Researcher should develop the scientific temper and unbiased mind.

Step by step for successful research.While claiming the ladder, somebody may remove the

ladder of research, but you should go on moving with the ladder of research, by way of finding an alternative.

Arm chair research is no use.Field based research alone will speak volumes and

influence policy makers. Ultimately, research will lift you academically.Follow the footsteps of successful researchers and try

to prove your mettle in the world of research.

Claiming Ladder of Research by Students / Scholars

The need of the hour is truth-centric research – students need truth based training in Research – honesty and integrity with human face.

Government is supporting the research project and thereby we become soft to government or pro-government or fear to criticize.

Social Science Research have always the element of fear except the medical research as it goes with scientific but digital test.

TISS – Tata Institute takes up number of research studies. They dig out the facts from Research point of view.

The results of the recent study on the functioning of 28 state pollution control boards are shocking to say the least.

Most of the boards are not headed by specialists no knowledge about pollution related issues.

There was a chairperson with Xth class qualification who is a politician.

Instead of setting up treatment plants, they bribe pollution control authorities.

Is it Truth – Centric Research? Paid Research or Biased Research

Research Project - A gate way for emerging as a scholar.

“Students are my publications” – Professor said. Students should make use of the research projects.The ‘GURUS’ (guides) should not envy success of

their wards but treat them as Professionals Students should follow researchers as role model like

Amartya Sen and M.S. Swaminathan and scientists like Thomas Alva Edison and Alexander Graham Bell and no film stars as their role models.

Students should strive to become researchers while becoming job seekers as well as job providers.

Motivating Young – Students for Research Projects

No End to Research - Guru Vs Students

Shiva Ayyadurai, Director, Massechusetts Institute of Technology, USA, (Native of Muhavur near Rajapalayam) could invent email at the age of 14 when the communication system was complex and primitive in those days.

He got a copy right for his invention in 1978-1982. Many white people even in the US could not believe that a black, that too an Indian, could achieve it. But he went on to invent echo mail and e-medics. There was no end to research activities.

Students could do wonders at anytime, anyplace, and by anybody.

American mind for Research; not Indian mind.

Case Analysis of a Student Researcher

Research atmosphere to be created among students.Students need to be motivated properly for doing

research.Syllabus for individual Ph.D students and a specific

research problem of the individual need to be refined. Students do not get absolute freedom. Exam mind is created from childhood not research mind. Mr.Shiva Inventor of email did wonders at the age of

fourteen. Students today could do more such things if they get

absolute freedom, excellent guide and bent of mind to innovate and experiment.

Freedom for Research among Students

“Students must be bold.Let them not be a robot.Let them be collaborative and question each and everything”.

(Email inventor American Shiva.)Dr.Leslie P. Michelson identified Shiva’s

abilities and challenged him to develop an electronics based inter office mail system. Further, his supervisor treated him as an equal and gave him freedom.

Cont…

Refer the TNIE, Mind space, dated 30.05.2013, p.8, and find an article titled “The Real Varsity Innovation” by S. Giridhar.

A recent clamour is that “innovation and leadership” is a mantra to create outstanding centres of higher education.

MHRD has placed a bill in parliament for designating innovative universities.

What we need is Leadership and Innovation for Research.The vision of the institution is the overarching umbrella –

Vision – MissionVision could be realized through research by way of

removing blocks / solving problems. Students can contribute for innovation and emerge as

leaders and outstanding researchers in the future.

Innovation Through Research

Research in tune with vision and mission – objectives of the institution.

Autonomy and freedom for vibrant, creative and collegial institution.

If the faculties do not align with the vision, then caution comes in.

Negative elements can easily kill all initiative and innovation.

Tensions will exist everywhere, including the best of institutions.

If the members are ideologically and temperamentally in opposite corners, innovation is very difficult.

Faculty’s alignment to the overarching social purpose of the university.

Innovation Through Research Cont…

Research – Soul of Great UniversitiesExtension – Third dimension of the University.Research and extension are complementary to

each other.Great institutions of course do terrific research,

for academic ethos is the soul of great universities.

Serious scholarship is encouraged and respected in the context where research is seen as one of the best ways towards furthering and realizing the vision and social purpose of the university.

Extension builds a healthy bridge – strong bridge – between academics and field practice.

Extension as foundation for research

Innovative practices include many small things that become a way of life at the university.

Visits of the faculty and research scholars to understand the field as part of extension work and weave meaningful research can enrich the academic curriculum at the university while at the same time elevating the quality of analysis of work on the ground.

An institution need not announce that it will be a place of innovation. History will testify that this university or institution is indeed an embodiment of great leadership and innovation (TNIE, Mind space, 30.05.2013, p.8)

Extension as foundation for research Cont…

Innovation is the need of the hour.Under 12th Plan, leadership and innovation

is the theme of higher education.“Village as the classroom”Village as the laboratory.Village as a centre of innovation.Village based programmes provide a

complete freedom and get into immersion for research and experiments.

Village visits for observation.

Innovation through Research Gandhigram Extension Work

Experience

Concurrent and periodical field visit to deal with a particular problem.

VPP – Village Placement Programmes – living experience for research.

Summer placement as participant observer / contributor / builder, etc..

NGO centric placement with a view to improve skills and evolve by understanding methodology.

Village survey works for data collection.Interaction with research supervisors and field supervisors

/ organizers based on exclusive work.Weekly Night Stay in Villages (2003-05) to identify with the

people and to bring out the realities of grassroots level.

Cont…

Village Immersion Programme – to become one among the family members.

Each one, Each village for M.Phil scholars (1984-85) for dissertation work.

Samaj Shilpi – Resident Change Agents (Article is made available)

Peace bus (1994) for Communal Harmony enrooting riot-hit areas, which covered 50,000 people covering 9 districts.

Extension and Action research will make you to emerge as a citizen with scholars attitude keeping legs on the ground.

Cont…