Assignment Code: MRD-004/AST/TMA-4/2022-23

Course Code: MRD-004

Assignment Name: Research Methods in Rural Development

Year: 2022-2023

Verification Status: Verified by Professor

Long Answers Questions

Attempt any One of the following.

Q1) Describe the methods of sampling in Social Research.

Ans) Sampling is a way to choose the right parts of a target population to create a sample group that is representative of the whole population. Researchers need sample groups to draw conclusions about a sample group that can be applied to the entire target population. Researchers use different sampling methods depending on their resources, how much time they have, the topic of their research, and other factors. Different studies require different sampling methods. There are two broad categories of sampling methods used for social research:

Probability Sampling

In this group, sampling methods are based on the theory of chance. Probability sampling methods make sure that every part of the population has the same chance of being in the sample group. For example, if I have a target population of 100 people, each person will have a 1/100 chance of being selected as a respondent in the study.

Simple Random Sampling: It's a method in which every person in the population has an equal chance of being chosen for the sample. To do this, a random number generator or a random selection process is used to pick a certain number of elements from the population at random. Simple random sampling is the simplest and easiest way to use probability sampling, but if the population isn't all the same, it can also lead to a biased sample.

Systematic Sampling: It’s used where a researcher selects an interval and random starting point to choose their sample. The fixed interval can be calculated by dividing the target population by the chosen sample size.

Stratified Random Sampling: This is a type of random sampling in which the population is split into subsets, or strata, based on things they have in common. These subsets don't include the same things, so there aren't any elements that belong to more than one subset. Some of the things that can be used to define these subsets are age, occupation, location, gender, and so on. After defining the subsets of the population, the researcher uses SRS to choose elements from each of these subsets.

Cluster Sampling: Cluster sampling is a type of random sampling in which populations are split into groups based on variables that have already been set. These clusters don't include the same things, so there are no elements that are in more than one cluster. After these subpopulations are made, some clusters are taken out of the population to make it smaller. Then, SRS or stratified random sampling is used to choose elements from the population. In cluster sampling, the variable that is already known is usually the geographic area.

Non-Probability Sampling

It is based on the judgement of the researcher. Non-probability sampling is based on how many units are available, how much experience the researcher has, and how easy it is for him or her to do a survey. Since these samples are not chosen at random, they are called "non-probability samples”. Depending on the technique used, non-probability samples are classified into purposive, incidental and quota samples:

Purposive Sample: A purposive sample is also known as a judgement sample. This kind of sample is chosen because there are good reasons to think it is a good representation of the whole population. This also considers certain controls that are identified as representative areas, like a city, state, or district; representative characteristics of individuals, like age, sex, marital status, etc.; or types of groups, like school administrators, elementary school teachers, secondary school teachers, college teachers, etc.

Incidental Sample: The term "incidental sample," which is also known as "accidental sample," refers to samples that were taken because units were easy to find. When doing a study on rural development, an IGNOU researcher could choose students enrolled in the Post-Graduate Diploma in Rural Development because these students are easy to reach and meet the study's requirements. But the investigator may not be able to choose either of the two reasons. So, groups of people who don't know each other well aren't usually good examples of a population. The best things about this method are how easy it is to get units, how easy it is to test them, and how complete the data collected is. But the population has been set by the limitations, and no randomization has been done. In these situations, it would be wrong and misleading to try to come to a general conclusion.

Control Characteristics: "Control characteristics" are used by quota sampling to divide a target population into several subpopulations with similar traits. After these subgroups are defined, the researcher chooses elements from each subgroup using non-probability sampling methods like convenience or judgement. This way of picking samples is like stratified random sampling in that it divides the population into subgroups based on certain factors. But the main difference between the two is that in stratified random sampling, SRS is used to pick things from the subgroups, while in quota sampling, judgement or convenience are used instead. For example, if it's important for a study that people from every city in Canada take part, the researcher must group people by city and choose parts from each subpopulation based on how convenient it is or how smart it seems.

Medium Answers Questions

Attempt any Two of the following:

Q1) What is action research? Explain.

Ans) Many authors have pointed out that the words "action" and "research" and what they mean contradict each other. Action is something you do right now, while research is something you plan for and think about in the future. Research starts with careful planning so that sophisticated methods can be used to find out things that can be used by everyone. The goal of action is to get immediate results, not to learn things that can be used in other situations. No matter how good this argument is, this contradiction is clear. Action research is a well-developed way to do research. It is also used a lot in many different fields, such as rural development.

Action research is hard to explain because the meaning is already in the two words. The main goal of action research as a way to solve problems is to put relevant research methods and processes on top of what is happening right now. The process of action research typically begins with the identification of a problem or issue within a particular community or organization. This problem is then investigated through data collection, such as surveys, interviews, and observations. The data collected is analysed to identify patterns and relationships, and to determine the root cause of the problem. Based on this analysis, the researcher works with the community or organization to develop a solution to the problem. This solution is then implemented, and the results are monitored and evaluated. If the solution is not effective, the process is repeated until a satisfactory solution is found.

One of the main benefits of action research is that it gives a hands-on way to solve problems. It lets researchers see how their work affects the real world and make meaningful changes that can have a lasting effect on the community or organisation. Even though action research has some benefits, it also has some problems. One of the biggest problems is that the process can take a long time, especially if the problem being solved is complex or hard to solve. Also, the process can be hard for the researcher because it requires a lot of collaboration and communication with the community or organisation. Also, the results of action research may not be applicable to other communities or organisations because the solutions found may be unique to the situation in which the research was done.

In conclusion, action research is a type of research that aims to find real-world solutions to real-world problems. It's a process in which the researcher and the community or organisation work together to find and solve problems. Action research has many benefits, such as its hands-on, practical approach to solving problems, its ability to build trust between the researcher and the community or organisation, and its efficiency in solving problems. But the process can be time-consuming and hard, and the results may not be applicable to other communities or organisations.

Q3) Explain the difference between experimental research and descriptive research.

Ans) Experimental research and descriptive research are two different methods of research that are used in various fields. The main difference between these two methods lies in their purpose and approach to data collection and analysis. Experimental research is a type of research that is used to establish causality between variables. This means that the researcher wants to determine if a change in one variable will cause a change in another variable. In experimental research, the researcher manipulates one variable (the independent variable) and measures the effect it has on another variable (the dependent variable). Experimental research is often used in fields such as psychology, medicine, and education, where the researcher wants to understand the cause-and-effect relationship between variables.

Descriptive research, on the other hand, is a type of research that is used to describe a phenomenon or situation. Descriptive research is concerned with describing the characteristics of a particular population, such as its size, distribution, and relationships between variables. Unlike experimental research, descriptive research does not manipulate variables and does not aim to establish causality. Instead, it aims to provide a comprehensive picture of the situation being studied. Descriptive research is often used in fields such as sociology, marketing, and education, where the researcher wants to gain a better understanding of a particular group or situation.

The main difference between experimental research and descriptive research is that experimental research is designed to establish causality, while descriptive research is designed to provide a comprehensive description of a situation. Experimental research requires a control group and random assignment of participants to either the experimental or control group, while descriptive research typically relies on non-random sampling methods. Experimental research is also more structured than descriptive research, as the researcher must follow a specific set of procedures and protocols to ensure that the results are reliable and valid. Another key difference between experimental and descriptive research is the level of control that the researcher has over the study. In experimental research, the researcher has complete control over the variables being studied and can manipulate them to determine causality. In descriptive research, the researcher has limited control over the variables being studied and must rely on data that is already available.

In conclusion, experimental research and descriptive research are two different methods of research that are used in various fields. Experimental research is used to establish causality between variables, while descriptive research is used to describe a phenomenon or situation.

Short Answers Questions

Attempt any Five of the following:

Q1) Types of Questionnaires

Ans) The types of questionnaires are as follows:

1. Structured Questionnaires: Structured questionnaires collect quantitative data. The purpose of the questionnaire is to get accurate information. It also starts a formal investigation, adds more data, checks the data that has already been collected, and helps confirm any previous hypotheses.

2. Unstructured Questionnaires: Unstructured questionnaires collect qualitative data. They have a basic structure and some questions that lead to other questions, but nothing that limits what a respondent can say. The questions are more open-ended so that participants can give more specific answers.

Q2) Evaluation Research

Ans) Evaluation research just means using research methods to look at programmes or services and figure out how well they are meeting their goals. Evaluation research, evaluative research, programme evaluations, and evaluation are all the same thing and are used interchangeably because they are all related. Evaluation research gives an objective look at how well something worked. It is essential because it helps the person in charge of the programme make good use of resources and be held accountable for how they were used.

Q3) Hypothesis

Ans) A hypothesis is a "tentative proposition" that is put forward as a way to solve a problem or explain something. This step is where the problem and reasoning behind the research study are laid out. Most of the time, questions that a researcher wants to answer are set up as hypotheses that can be tested with evidence. Most of the time, the implications of the related literature and the logical steps of the problem being studied are used to come up with the hypothesis(es).

Q4) Diagnostic Research

Ans) Diagnostic research is a type of research that is conducted to identify problems or issues within an organization, system, or process. It involves collecting and analysing data to diagnose the underlying causes of a problem and recommend solutions. Diagnostic research can be conducted in various fields, such as business, healthcare, education, and social services. The main goal of diagnostic research is to identify the root cause of the problem, so that appropriate solutions can be implemented to resolve it.

Q5) Applied Research

Ans) Applied research is done to help solve a specific, immediate, and practical problem. This is research done on real problems in real-world settings. Applied research helps development professionals solve problems at the right level of complexity. It needs to be noted that there is not always a sharp line of demarcation between basic and applied research