COURSE OUTLINE 1: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
Resource Person: Muhammad Feyyaz,
Assistant Professor,
Focus areas: Research Methodology, Peace and Conflict Studies, terrorism studies
Contact: muhammad.feyyaz@umt.edu.pk
Introduction to course manual
This course manual has been divided into two parts. Part I encompasses structural aspects of the
course; Part II focuses on detailed exposition of the course contents, learning strategies and
complementary sources. The term ‘module’ has been employed in the manual to refer to subparts
of the course. Users are required to keep this manual at hand, in hard or soft form, for reference
etc. If any gap is observed in the manual; students are welcome to contact the resource person for
clarification.
PART I - COURSE STRUCTURE
Course description. The course aims to identify and scientifically measure gaps in intellectual
and demonstrable capacities of the participants and measurably improve upon these to prepare
them to confront a competitive real world environment. To this end, this semester long course
covers the entire spectrum of research and attendant methodologies, including the theoretical
fundamentals and epistemological dimensions of the subject. The course aims to facilitate
understanding of major concepts, definitions, characteristics, trends and tools employed in
modern day research. Apart from discussing multifaceted structural aspects involved in writing
of a research thesis, the course develops and hones skill sets required to undertake quality
research through a number of hands-on exercises. Employment of capacity assessment tools, is a
regular feature of the learning continuum to measure progress.
Learning objectives / outcomes
a) Deepened understanding of Research Methodology as a discipline
b) Research developed as a core competency to problematize real life issues
c) Conceive, design, and organize rigorous and multipurpose research projects
d) Ability to construct independent and collaborative research projects
e) Technical knowhow in hypothesization; measurement , testing, validation and analysis
methods to replicate research
f) Enable to design, organize and conduct surveys, interviews and polls
g) Informed, about and sensitive to ethics in research
Course summary
a) Credit hours - 3
b) Duration – one semester (45 contact hours)
c) Schedule - first semester. Topics will be tentatively programmed in the order as
arranged in Part II.
Course contents
a) Module 1 - Capacity assessment and goal setting
b) Module 2 - Introduction to research
c) Module 3 - Research ethics and requirements
d) Module 4 - Epistemology of social sciences research
e) Module 5 - Research process
f) Module 6 - Computer and internet applications in research
g) Module 7 - Structure and organization of research paper
h) Module 8 - Literature review
i) Module 9 - Research problem – crystallization and development of statement of the
problem
j) Module 10 - Research approach, design and methods
k) Module 11 - Data collection
l) Module 12 - Analysis – forms, models and methods
m) Module 13 - Notes and bibliography
n) Module 14 - Exams
o) Module 15 – IEs
p) Module 16 - Field work / Library sessions
Course material and readings: All of the course material referred to in this module is available
in the UMT library, on first come first serve basis. It will be convenient to make copies of
suggested material to facilitate access by the entire class. Online resources are also available in
the Library through learning resource centre to access research material from academic journals
of international repute. Besides, students will be encouraged to seek out relevant literature
available in other locally available libraries and publishing houses. Please note; mandatory
readings under respective modules have been underlined.
Participation: Effective learning can take place only through sharing of knowledge by the
resource person and corresponding responsiveness on part of learners. The success of this course
is, therefore, largely dependent upon a purposeful and active participation by the students in all
its activities. The students will be well advised to come thoroughly prepared for each activity for
drawing optimum benefits from the course.
Instruction methods and tools
a) Capacity assessment tests
b) Lecture cum discussion (LD)
c) Lecture cum practice (LP)
d) Research simulation exercises
e) Individual exercises (IE) and presentations
f) Workshops
g) Field work / visits
h) Research proposal
The Grading system
a) Grading scheme in vogue:
Letter
Undergraduate / Graduate Degree
Grades
Programs
Grade Points
A+/A
4.0
A-
3.7
B+
3.3
B
3.0
B-
2.7
C+
2.3
C
2.0
C-
1.7
F
0.0
b) Grading emphasis
1) Participation – 15 %
2) Assignments:
a. IEs – 10%
b. Class work and presentations – 10%
c. Projects: field work – 5%
3) Mid semester exams – 20 %
4) Final exams – 25 %
5) Research proposal – 15%
Total 100%
c) Grading criteria
1) Submitted assignments reflect the required content and knowledge.
2) Originality of substance and ideas, research design and innovative solutions.
3) Coherent organization of contents.
4) Scholarship (citations and references list where appropriate).
5) Moral integrity and research ethics adhered to.
6) Tangible level of interest and keenness
Course Policies
A Note on the Academic integrity:
The university policies on academic dishonesty will be
strictly followed. These policies prohibit all acts of cheating, lying, and deceit in their diverse
forms, especially plagiarism. Plagiarism involves presenting someone else’s ideas or written
work as your own, without giving proper citation and credit to the original source.
Make-up Exams and Late Assignments: There will be no make-up exams, unless there is a
valid (documented) reason for not taking the scheduled exams, or prior arrangements have been
made with the instructor. Five percent of the grade will be deducted for each day an assignment
is late.
PART II - DETAILED COURSE OUTLINE, READINGS AND LEARNING MODES
Modules, time distribution and instructions
Ser
a)
Module
Capacity
assessment
and
Time allocation
Instructional
IEs
(@session)
mode
1
LD
-
2
LD
-
goal setting
b)
Introduction to research
c)
Research
ethics
and
1
LD
-
of
social
4
workshop
-
requirements
d)
Epistemology
sciences research
e)
Research process
2
LD
-
f)
Computer and internet
2
LP
-
2
LD
-
4
LD-LP- Library
1
applications in research
g)
Structure and organization
of research paper
h)
Literature review
visits
i)
Research
problem
crystallization
–
2
LP-exercise
1
1
LD
1
4
LD
-
and
development of statement of
the problem
j)
Research approach, design
and methods
k)
Data collection -1
l)
Analysis – forms, models
2
LD
1
2
LD
1
6
Field work
1
Exams
-
-
5
and methods
m) Notes and bibliography
n)
Data
collection
questionnaire,
II
–
sample
surveys and interviews
o)
Capacity assessment
8
p)
Reserve
2
Total
45
Detailed outline of modules and readings
Capacity assessment and goal setting. This session is meant to assess existing level of
understanding on the subject with a view to ascertain gap between existing capacity and the
desired learning outcomes. Besides, it will elicit students’ expectations from the course in order
to adjust course contents, if need be.
Introduction to research. This introductory LD will highlight salient aspects of research to
include the following:
a) What is research, and how it is different from non-research writing?
b) Why do we do research; what is its purpose and objectives?
c) What are the contributions of research in human activity?
d) How research methodology is different from methods?
e) How research at various levels of education is differentiated?
f) What are general types of research, and which of them is of our concern, and why?
g) What is social research and its salient spheres?
h) What is the jargon of research, concepts, and definitions?
i) What are the characteristics of research process and requirement?
j) Existing research paradigms, approaches and logical processes.

Readings
a)
Research Methodology - a step by step guide for beginners Ranjit Kumar 3rd Edition
chapter 1, University of Western Australia 2013
b)
Patrick J.M. Costello, Action Research first South Asian Edition 2005, chapter 1
c)
Uwe Flick, Introducing research methodology, Sage Publications, New Delhi 2011,
chapter 1.
d)
For further reading on quantitative and qualitative research, see list of readings at p.17
chapter 1, Uwe Flick, Introducing research methodology, Sage Publications, New
Delhi 2011.
e)
Bridget Somekh and Cathy Lewin (Ed), Theory and methods in social science, Sage
publication 2011, chapter 1
f)
Dr Prasant Sarangi, Research Methodology, Taxmann publications 2010, chapter 1.
g)
S.C.Sinha, and A.K. Dhiman, Research Methodology, Ess Ess publications, New
Delhi 200 2, chapter 2 (Kinds of research, 62-70).
h)
Dr. Siknadar Hayat, Research Methodology Manual National Management College
Lahore, 2013.
i)
Loraine Blaxter, Christina Hughes and Malcolm Tight. How to Research, New Delhi:
Viva Books, 1999.
j)
Wayne C. Booth, Gregory G. Colomb, and Joseph M. Williams. The Craft of
Research, Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1995.
k)
Hilary Coombes, Research Using IT. New York: Palgrave, 2001
Research ethics and requirements. This session will be utilized to apprise the students of
ethical, moral and professional requirements for a genuinely pursued research undertaking.

Readings
a)
The Little Book of Plagiarism, Quality Assurance Division Higher Education
Commission of Pakistan, available at
http://www.hec.gov.pk/InsideHEC/Divisions/QALI/QADivision/Pages/Plagiarism.as
px
b)
Plagiarism Policy Quality Assurance Division Higher Education Commission of
Pakistan, available at
http://www.hec.gov.pk/InsideHEC/Divisions/QALI/QADivision/Pages/Plagiarism.as
px
c)
Ian Gregory, Ethics in Research first South Asian Edition 2005, chapters 3-5
d)
Bridget Somekh and Cathy Lewin (Ed), Theory and methods in social science, Sage
publication 2011, chapter 3
e)
Dr Prasant Sarangi, Research Methodology, Taxmann publications 2010.
Epistemology of social sciences research. This workshop will cover structure, evolution,
theory, and various epistemological traditions until its post modern state. The purpose is to
sensitize the participants about philosophical development in the theories of knowledge, rationale
in learning these and how epistemology relates to their spheres of academic and applied interest
in contemporary setting. The discourse, among other things, shall cover nature, sources and
limits of knowledge with particular focus to social sciences, encompassing the following:
a) What is knowledge and its epistemology?
b) Philosophical debates in knowledge development- the rise of science
c) The notion of paradigm, paradigm shift, and its proponent
d) Main competitors in epistemology
e) Positivism, empiricism, social realism and alternative theories:
1)
Interpretive Theory
2)
Critical Theory and Dialectics
3)
Deontological Theory and Value Pluralism
4)
social constructivism
5)
Communitarianism
6)
Post-Modernism
Computer and internet applications in research. In addition to on-site and through literature
review, online research enlarges the range of resources to carry out a wholesome investigation of
a given problem. Consequently, this LP aims at familiarizing the students with entire spectrum of
computer and internet applications, resource sites, ways to access, and methods to integrate and
transform data into intelligible forms.
Research process. This LD highlights, explains and discusses main steps involved in
undertaking research. The aim is to help inform, guide and rationalize thought processes of the
participants about the research as a formal activity. Complemented by other learning methods, it
is hoped that procedural aspects involved in research are ingrained and nurtured into a natural
thinking habit of the learners while dealing with assigned problems in professional careers.

Readings
a) Uwe Flick, Introducing research methodology, Sage Publications, New Delhi 2011,
chapter 4.
b) Introduction in Bruce Curtis and Cate Curtis, Social Research: a practical
introduction, Sage publications, 2011.
c) Section 1 – major steps in research process, in Dr. Siknadar Hayat, Research
Methodology Manual National Management College Lahore, 2013,
Structure and organization of research paper. A research paper comprises several parts. The
focus here during this session LD will be to apprise the students of established components of a
research assignment. Each aspect will be discussed threadbare in an interactive manner to
facilitate learning.

Readings
a) S.C.Sinha, and A.K. Dhiman, Research Methodology, Ess Ess publications, New
Delhi 200 2, chapter 16.
b) Dr Prasant Sarangi, Research Methodology, Taxmann publications 2010, chapter 8.
c) Adam Przeworski and Frank Salomon, The Art of Writing Proposals, Social Science
Research Council available at
http://www.ssrc.org/workspace/images/crm/new_publication_3/%7B7a9cb4f4-815fde11-bd80-001cc477ec70%7D.pdf.
Literature review: Meaning of literature of review, rationale as well as importance to carry out
review of literature for a given research assignment, sorting of required material and
methodologies involved in its reduction to writing, are key prerequisites to undertake a
productive research exercise. Principal reason in failing to comprehend and appropriately
articulating this dimension of research methodology is lack of emphasis on practice in pedagogy.
These aspects will be fully ensured during a two session long LD and LP which will be
strengthened by own time IE by the students.

Focus of learning:
a) Rationale for literature review
b) Approaches of Literature review
c) Framework of literature review
d) How to look for literature Making sense of information
e) Writing critical review

Readings
a) Laura Roselle, Sharon Spray, Research and writing in international relations, chapter
2 available at http://www.gbv.de/dms/sub-hamburg/641771797.pdf
b) Uwe Flick, Introducing research methodology, Sage Publications, New Delhi 2011,
chapter 3.
c) Bridget Somekh and Cathy Lewin (Ed), Theory and methods in social science, Sage
publication 2011, chapter 2
d) International Journal of Social Research Methodology (see sample copy
http://www.tandfonline.com/toc/tsrm20/current#.Uc_zrztBOos and other free
articles).
e) International Journal of Research & Method in Education (see sample copy at
http://www.tandfonline.com/toc/cwse20/34/1#.Uc_x9ztBOos and other free articles).
f) Glance through relevant current issues of social sciences journals in Journal of
research methods and methodological issues, available at
http://www.scientificjournals.org/current_issue.htm
Research problem, crystallization and development of statement of the problem. This is the
foremost activity that is of fundamental significance to steer the research toward objective ends.
This LP will encompass discussion followed by two simulation exercises to draw statement of
the problem i.e., identification of issue, research questions and hypothesis.

Focus of learning:
a) What is research problem?
b) Why the need to formulate the research problem?
c) How to identify the research problem
d) Formulation of the problem statement
e) Development of research questions and hypothesis

Readings
a) Laura Roselle, Sharon Spray, Research and writing in international relations, chapter
1.
b) Uwe Flick, Introducing research methodology, Sage Publications, New Delhi 2011,
chapter 2.
c) David Plowright, Using mixed methods:frameworks for an integrated methodology,
Sage publication California, chapter 2
d) S.C.Sinha, and A.K. Dhiman, Research Methodology, Ess Ess publications, New
Delhi 200 2, chapter 6.
e) Dr Prasant Sarangi, Research Methodology, Taxmann publications 2010, chapter 2.
Research approach, design and methods.
A review of available research by university
graduates suggests this being the most misunderstood dimension of research. In addition to an
LD, both simulated design studies and IEs will also form part of this teaching period spanning
two sessions.

Focus of learning:
a) Relationship between methodology & design
b) Purpose of research design
c) Developing Conceptual and operational framework
d) Types of research design (Theory building/ testing/ extension; Inductive/ deductive)
e) Steps in Research Design
f) Research designs in quantitative, qualitative and and mixed-methods (Survey, Case
study, Experimental design, Historical research methods, Content Analysis as
research Method.

Readings
a) S.C.Sinha, and A.K. Dhiman, Research Methodology, Ess Ess publications, New
Delhi 200 2, chapter 4 (Kinds of research, 98-106).
b) Bill Gillham, Case Study research methods, first South Asian Edition 2005, general
reading with attention to chapters 1, 3.
c) Lia Litosseliti, Using focus groups in research first South Asian Edition 2005, general
reading with attention to chapter 1
d) Roger Gomm, Social Research Methodology: A critical introduction, second edition
Palgrave Macmillan, 2008, New York, Chapter 3 –Controlled Experiments, 4 (
section 4.3 – decision-making simulation), 5 – computer simulations
e) A.D.Jankowicz, Business Research Projects, second edition, Chapman and Hall 1995,
Chapter 9-10.
f) Dr Prasant Sarangi, Research Methodology, Taxmann publications 2010, chapter 3
Data collection. Data occupies a central place in the accomplishment of a research project. It is
not a simple task, however, due to the variety of types of data, multiple limitation factors
inherent in the structure of data, including reliability issues, collection and analysis strategies
and environment, to mention a few. Primarily, search for data is governed by the research
approach, underlying the design i.e. quantitative, qualitative, mix methods etc. Methods are
determined accordingly. This discourse aims to cover these aspects:
a) What is data collection?
b) Types of data collection.
c) Primary vs. secondary data
d) Qualitative and quantitative
e) Sampling techniques and design
f) Methods, tools and techniques for data collection

Readings
a) David Plowright, Using mixed methods:frameworks for an integrated methodology,
Sage publication California, chapter 2-5
b) A.D.Jankowicz, Business Research Projects, second edition, Chapman and Hall 1995,
Chapter 10-12.
c) Dr Prasant Sarangi, Research Methodology, Taxmann publications 2010, chapters 56.
d) Jenny Houssart & Hilary Evens, Conducting task‐based interviews with pairs of
children: consensus, conflict, knowledge construction and turn taking, International
Journal of Research & Method in Education (see sample copy at
http://www.tandfonline.com/toc/cwse20/34/1#.Uc_x9ztBOos).
e) S.C.Sinha, and A.K. Dhiman, Research Methodology, Ess Ess publications, New
Delhi 200 2, chapter 7, 13.
f) Bruce Curtis and Cate Curtis, Social Research: a practical introduction, Sage
publications, 2011.
g) S.C.Sinha, and A.K. Dhiman, Research Methodology, Ess Ess publications, New
Delhi 200 2, chapter 8.
Analysis – forms, models and methods. Particular attention will be paid to expose the students
to a variety of prevailing analytical concepts, frameworks, tools and methods in use in academic
and practical fields. Following aspects will be covered:

Focus
a) Definition, rational and place of analysis in research
b) Difference in fact, analysis, inference and synthesis.
c) Types of analysis, analysis models and methods in social sciences research
d) How to construct an analytical method or framework?
e) Quantitative analysis: parametric methods, procedures, data structures and analysis
f) Qualitative analysis: approaches, methods, data differentiation and analysis
g) Method to carry out critique of research efforts

Readings
a) Uwe Flick, Introducing research methodology, Sage Publications, New Delhi 2011,
chapter 8.
b) Dr Prasant Sarangi, Research Methodology, Taxmann publications 2010, chapter 13.
c) S.C.Sinha, and A.K. Dhiman, Research Methodology, Ess Ess publications, New
Delhi 200 2, chapter 14.
d) S.C.Sinha, and A.K. Dhiman, Research Methodology, Ess Ess publications, New
Delhi 200 2, chapter 16.
e) Savitri Abeyasekera, Quantitative analysis approaches to qualitative data:
why, when and how at
http://www.reading.ac.uk/ssc/n/resources/Docs/Quantitative_analysis_approaches_to
_qualitative_data.pdf.
f) Elementary Quantitative Data Analysis: Chapter 8 at, http://www.sagepub.com/upmdata/46056_Pages_from_Chambliss_(4e)_Chapter_8.pdf.
Notes and bibliography. This LD cum LP will mark the culmination of interactive part of the
course. Its primary objective is to apprise and sensitize the class in articulating references used in
the research. Various models and traditions employed by research writers, academic institutions
and journals will be discussed to amplify practical manifestation of addressing this key segment
of research methodology.
a)
Section 3 - Notes and Bibliography in Dr. Siknadar Hayat, Research Methodology
Manual National Management College Lahore, 2013,
Assignments
There will be six assignments to be carried out in own as well as allotted time, some of which
will be presented in the class by randomly nominated individuals or groups.