Karyavattom: A national-level workshop on research methodologies was organised by the School of Communication and Information Science (SCIS) in association with the Internal Quality Assurance Cell (IQAC) of the University of Kerala (UoK). The research problems, questions, design, the method and current practices in the subject fields were critically analysed and evaluated.
The research methods in Communication and Journalism disciplines, as well as Library and Information Science, are undergoing tremendous changes. The conventional methodological practices as well as innovative patterns of these disciplines, are inspiring research scholars and PG students to creatively engage in this area.
SCIS, which includes the Departments of Communication and Journalism and that of Library and Information Science, planned the workshop as an annual interdisciplinary academic meet. The one-day workshop, which was held on March 20 at the Botany Seminar Hall of the North Campus, was meant for research scholars, post-graduate students and faculty members of both departments.
The inaugural function was followed by sessions. The first session on 'Methodology-Ideas and Frameworks in Qualitative Analysis' was conducted by Dr Jayaseelan Raj, Asst professor, Centre for Development Studies, Thiruvanathapuram. He stressed on the importance of fieldwork and participant observation in research from an anthropologist's point of view. 'Plagiarism and Citation styles' was a topic of the second session. A Abunnasar, library officer, Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology, Thiruvananthapuram, led the session.
The afternoon session was handled by Dr Francis. P Barclay from the Central University of Tamil Nadu, Thiruvarur. He talked about the topic 'Methodology-Perspectives and Bases in Quantitative Analysis.' He detailed each step in the research process with some practical examples and exercises. The exercises gave an insight on how to approach a problem and find a solution for it, which is fundamental in research.
The workshop ended in the evening after a group discussion in which PG students and research scholars participated.
Earlier, Dr Lalmohan P, SCIS director, delivered the welcome note at the inaugural programme. The inaugural address was by Prof P Ajayakumar, pro-vice chancellor, and Prof. Gabriel Simon, IQAC director, presided over the function. Dr S Naseeb, syndicate member, Dr MS Harikumar, the head of Communication and Journalism Dept, and Dr B. Miniseries, the head of Library Science Dept, also took part in the inaugural ceremony. Asst Professor Maggie J thanked the audience.