Research Methodology

Paper Code: 
GEO141
Credits: 
4
Contact Hours: 
60.00
Max. Marks: 
100.00
Objective: 
Candidates will be able to understand the meaning, need, design and significance of research and will be able to formulate a research design format, problem and hypothesis. Candidates will be able to differentiate between variable and types of research and will be able to select appropriate sampling method for their work. They will be able to understand different types of data collections for research and format of report writing. They will be able to apply the appropriate statistical techniques for their research. Apart from statistical techniques RS and GIS techniques are also beneficial for research so that they can apply such techniques after completion of this course
15.00
Unit I: 
 Research : meaning, Definition and Objectives of research,
 Types of Research- Descriptive Vs Analytical, Applied Vs Fundamental,
 Quantitative Vs Qualitative, Conceptual Vs Empirical Research,
 Significance of Research
 Research Design: Meaning, concept, need, designs for different type of research, library, laboratory and field research; advantages of designing research
 Research problem and developing research proposal: selection of research area and topic, statement of the research problem, its scope, steps involved in defining the problems.
 Defining concepts, objectives, basic assumptions, delimitation and limitations of the problem, statement of hypothesis

 

15.00
Unit II: 
 Variables: independent and dependent variables, Quantitative and Qualitative variables, discrete and continuous variables, confounding variables, methods of controlling variables, measurement of variables.
 Sampling: meaning, characteristics of a good sample design, step in sampling design, types, advantages
 Techniques of Primary data collection: Questionnaire, schedules, interview, observation and other methods;
 Secondary data Criterion: reliability, suitability and adequacy of data.
 Processing and analysis of data: processing operation: editing, coding, classification and tabulation of data, Cartographic Presentation of Data, elements of data analysis, role of statistics in data analysis, statistical tables
 Report writing: types and format
15.00
Unit III: 
 Probability: basic aspects, probability of combination of events, probability of random variables, distribution of random variables.
 Measures of central tendency- mean, median, mode
 Common distribution functions: binomial probability distribution and normal distribution curve.
 Measures of dispersion: range, mean deviation, variance, standard deviation, coefficient of variation.
 Regression and correlation: least square methods of fitting a regression line, curvilinear regression, correlation methods, correlation coefficient.
15.00
Unit IV: 
 Selected techniques of spatial analysis: concentration & dispersal of economic activities,
 Combinational analysis
 Methods of measuring regional disparities & inequalities
15.00
Unit V: 
 Network analysis,
 Use of software for quantitative geographical analysis,
 Introduction to RS & GIS
 Integrated area development planning, methods of delimiting regions
Essential Readings: 
 Elhance, D.N., Fundamentals of Statistics, Kitab Mehal, Allahabad, 1972.
 Peter, J. Taylor, Quantitative Methods in Geography, Houghton Mifflin Company, Boston, 1977.
 Robert Hammond and Patrik Mc Cullagh, Quantitative Methods in Geography, Clarendon Press, Oxford, 1974.
 Gupta, C.B., an Introduction to Statistical Methods, Ram Prasad and Sons, Agra, 1971.
 Peter Haggett, Andrew D. Cliff and Allan Frey, Locational Models, Vols. I and II, Arnold Heinemann, New Delhi, 1977.
Academic Year: 
2023-2024