- Verify knowledge from scientific angle: Prof Brar
An advanced training workshop on “Qualitative Methods and
Techniques in Social Science Research” began today at the North-Western Regional
Centre of the ICSSR Complex on the Panjab University campus here today. About 50 young
teachers and research scholars from the region are participating in the
workshop.
Professor Bhupinder Brar, Honorary Director of the Regional Centre and Dean
University Instruction, Panjab University, welcomed the participants. Highlighting
the importance of such training workshops in social science research, he informed that on
the tremendous demand from scholars from the region, the ICSSR North-Western Regional
Centre organizes four such workshops in a year.
The session began with a brief introduction of the participants and a detailed
overview of the programme. Professor Brar while speaking on ‘Epistemological Issues
and Qualitative Research’ said that the social scientists believed that qualitative
and quantitative research methodology was the same thing as they feel that at one stage
the qualitative data becomes relevant to quantitative and quantitative becomes
qualitative. “The epistemology addresses the issue of methods to be adopted for doing
the research and the data/knowledge obtained is to be verified from facts and
scientific angle. The faiths and practices cannot be considered as a tool of
research, as these cannot survive from the scientific point of view”, Professor Brar
added.
Professor Shalina Mehta, course coordinator said that the research methodology
will be an intense exercise. She dwelt upon how qualitative methods were different
from quantitative methods and explained how the data is to be related to one’s
research. She stressed on the use of visual methods in conducting the research.
Dr. Pampa Mukherjee, course coordinator emphasised the need of quality
research and advised the participants to be realistic and fair while collecting data
for research. She also felt the need for field research.
The resource persons for this workshop have been drawn besides from Panjab
University, Jammu University, J.N.U. New Delhi, University of Delhi and the UNESCO.
Mr. P.K. Saini, Deputy Director, proposed a vote of thanks.
Press Note
No.127
AK/PS
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