STC Research Methodology

Researcher’s Attitude, Ethics, and Digital Profile Essentials 

In today’s rapidly evolving academic landscape, mastering research methodology and ethics is crucial for scholars across disciplines. During the Short Term Course on Research Methodology, participants were introduced to key aspects of developing a strong research attitude, adhering to ethical guidelines in publishing, and leveraging digital tools to enhance their scholarly work. Through three insightful presentations, the course covered fundamental topics such as the vocation of a researcher, the importance of publication ethics, and the use of modern digital platforms for creating a robust academic profile. This blog shares the highlights from these presentations, providing participants with a comprehensive understanding of how to conduct ethical and impactful research in the digital age.

1. Research Attitude and Ethics in Research​

This presentation covers the fundamental aspects of research attitude and the role of ethics in the research process. It highlights the difference between a researcher and a scholar, emphasizing the vocation and spirit of scholarship. Participants will explore the mindset required for conducting genuine and ethical research, including the principles of evidence-based research and intellectual curiosity.

Key Concepts:

• Vocation of a Scholar: The presentation distinguishes between mere research and the higher calling of scholarship, highlighting the historical sense and intellectual breadth that define true scholarship.
• Mental Temperament: Law and Journalism

Assignment Questions:

1. Discuss the key differences between a researcher and a scholar, and explain why scholarly habits are essential for long-term success in academia.
2. How does Law and Journalism help in mental makeup of a research scholar in writing thesis / dissertation?

The presentation can be viewed here: https://www.slideshare.net/slideshow/attitude-ethics-and-journal-finder-research/271864413

2. Research and Publication Ethics (RPE) and Finding Quality Journals​

The final presentation deals with ethics in research and publication, providing guidance on selecting appropriate journals for publication. Ethical issues such as falsifiability, the philosophy of science, and the proper conduct of research are covered.

Key Concepts:

• Philosophy of Science: The importance of falsifiability, testability, and verificationism in scientific theories is discussed, alongside the challenges of justifying scientific beliefs.
• Publication Ethics: Ethical guidelines from organizations like COPE (Committee on Publication Ethics) and WAME (World Association of Medical Editors) are introduced, along with the risks of predatory publishing.
• Journal Selection: The presentation highlights tools like journal suggesters (e.g., Springer, Elsevier) to help scholars find high-quality journals for their work.

Assignment Questions:

1. Discuss the concept of falsifiability in scientific research and its importance in establishing the validity of scientific theories.
2. What are the main ethical considerations in academic publishing, and how can researchers avoid falling prey to predatory journals?
3. Describe the process of selecting a journal for publication. What tools and strategies can a researcher use to find a reputable journal?

The presentation can be viewed here: https://www.slideshare.net/slideshow/research-and-publication-ethics-ugc/250427934

Research and Publication Ethics | UGC from Dilip Barad

3. Digital Tools for Research and Researcher Profile​

This presentation focuses on the modern tools available for research, including databases, reference management tools, and plagiarism prevention software. It also addresses the creation of a digital researcher profile on platforms like ORCID, Scopus, and Google Scholar to maintain an online academic presence.

Key Concepts:

• Research Tools: Various tools for conducting qualitative and quantitative research are introduced, such as Zotero, Mendeley, and Turnitin. Databases like Google Scholar, JSTOR, and Web of Science are discussed for accessing high-quality academic papers.
• Researcher Metrics: The importance of metrics like the h-index, g-index, and journal impact factors is emphasized for evaluating research impact.
• Digital Profile Management: Scholars are encouraged to create profiles on platforms such as ORCID, Scopus, and Google Scholar to interlink their research accounts and track citations.

Assignment Questions:

1. Discuss the role of digital tools in modern research and how they help streamline the research process.
2. How can a researcher effectively manage their digital academic profile, and why is it important for career development?
3. Compare different research metrics such as h-index and g-index. Which metric do you think is the most reflective of a scholar’s impact?

The presentation can be viewed here: https://www.slideshare.net/slideshow/digital-tools-for-research-and-researcher-profile/271864414

UGC-RPE: Research and Publication Ethics

 A Course on Research and Publication Ethics (RPE) - for Ph.D. Students

University Grants Commission (UGC) in its 543rd meeting held on 9th August 20-19 approved two Credit Course for awareness about publication ethics and publication misconducts entitled "Research and Publication Ethics (RPE)" to be made compulsory for all PhD students for pre-registration coursework. Click here to download the syllabus.

In view of the above, many PhD scholars as well as resource persons may be in need of the recommended books to carry out this coursework. All these resources are in public domain and can be downloaded from below given links:

UGC has prepared a booklet in which all these resources are compiles. Click here to download UGC-Academic Integrity & Research Quality 

1. Beall, J. (2012). Predatory publishers are corrupting open access. Nature, 489(7415), 179-179. https://doi.org/10.1038/489179a
2. Bird, A. (2006). Philosophy of Science. Routledge.
3. Chaddah, P. (2018). Ethics in Competitive Research: Do not get Scooped; do not get Plagiarized. ISBN: 978-938748086
4. Indian National Science Academy (INSA) (2019). Ethics in Science Education, Research and Governance. ISBN: 978-81-939482-1-7. http://www.insaindia.res.in/pdf/Ethics_Book.pdf
5. MacIntyre, Alasdair (1967). A Short History of Ethics. London.
6. National Academy of Sciences, National Academy of Engineering and Institute of Medicine (2009). On Being a Scientist: A Guide to Responsible Conduct in Research: Third Edition. National Academies Press.
7. Resnik, D.B. (2011). What is Ethics in Research & Why is it Important. National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, 1-10. Retrieved from https://www.niehs.nih.gov/research/resources/bioethics/whatis/index.cfm

Studio Activities NEP CCFUGP

Studio Activities

University Grants Commission (UGC), with a 'Foreword' dated 7th Dec 2022, shared a guiding document entitled 'Curriculum and Credit Framework for Undergraduate Programmes'. It is mentioned in the 'Foreword' that 'National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 highlights that quality education must aim to develop good, thoughtful, well-rounded, and creative individuals. The way to achieve such capabilities is only through holistic and multidisciplinary education with the freedom for students to shape their studies'.

In this CCFUGP, under 3.2.4 - Credit hours for different types of Courses, it is suggested to adopt various types of activities to be adopted for the delivery of course content.

One of the suggested activities is 'Studio Activities'. 

Let us try to understand benefits of Studio Activities.

Benefits of Studio Activities:

What are the benefits of using Studio Activities in teaching pedagogy?

Studio activities are a type of teaching method that involves hands-on, experiential learning within a studio or workshop environment. Here are some of the benefits of using studio activities in teaching pedagogy:

Active Learning: Studio activities engage students in active learning by requiring them to actively participate in the process of creating or making something. This hands-on approach helps students to develop a deeper understanding of the subject matter.

Collaboration: Studio activities often require collaboration between students, which can help them to develop communication and teamwork skills. By working together, students can learn from each other's strengths and weaknesses.

Creativity: Studio activities provide opportunities for students to express their creativity and explore new ideas. This can help to foster a love of learning and a passion for the subject matter.

Problem-solving: Studio activities often involve solving complex problems or designing solutions to real-world challenges. This can help students to develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills.

Feedback and Reflection: Studio activities often involve feedback and reflection, which can help students to improve their work and learn from their mistakes. This process of feedback and reflection can also help to build self-confidence and self-awareness.

To sum up, the studio activities provide a dynamic and engaging learning experience that can help students to develop a range of skills and knowledge.

Can we say that studio activities help in skill enhancement and ability enhancement like concept drafting, story boarding, scripting, shooting, editing videos, uploading and sharing?

Yes, absolutely! Studio activities can help students to enhance a variety of skills and abilities related to the creation and production of multimedia content, including concept drafting, storyboarding, scripting, shooting, editing videos, and uploading and sharing content. By engaging in hands-on activities and receiving feedback, students can improve their technical abilities and gain practical experience in these areas. Additionally, studio activities can also help students to develop soft skills such as communication, collaboration, and problem-solving, which are valuable in a wide range of contexts.

Can we say that studio activities involve the engagement of students in creative or artistic activities? 

Yes, we can say that studio activities involve the engagement of students in creative or artistic activities. Studio activities often involve the use of creative tools and techniques to produce art or multimedia content, which can include drawing, painting, sculpting, photography, videography, and graphic design. These activities require students to think creatively and use their imagination to develop unique and original ideas. By engaging in creative or artistic activities within a studio environment, students can explore their own creativity and develop their artistic skills, while also learning how to use various tools and techniques to express themselves.

Can we say that studio-based activities involve visual or aesthetic focused experiential work?

Yes, we can say that studio-based activities involve visual or aesthetic-focused experiential work. Studio activities often involve creating visual or multimedia content that is designed to communicate a particular message or evoke a particular emotional response. This requires students to pay close attention to the visual or aesthetic aspects of their work, including color, composition, form, texture, and lighting. By engaging in experiential work within a studio environment, students can develop their visual and aesthetic sensibilities, and learn how to create compelling and engaging content that resonates with their intended audience. Additionally, by receiving feedback from their peers and instructors, students can gain a better understanding of how their work is perceived and how they can improve their craft.

A few examples of integrating studio-activity in pedagogy:

1. Click here to watch videos prepared by students for Teachers' Day celebration

2. Click here to watch videos prepared by students to interpret Samuel Beckett's play 'Breath'

3. Click here to watch videos prepared by students on 'Long Day's Journey into Night'

4. Click here to watch videos prepared by students on 'Film Studies'

Research and Publication Ethics

 Research and Publication Ethics | UGC

Visit this blog for more details on UGC recommended course content on Research and Publication Ethics

Presentation Slides

Research and Publication Ethics | UGC from Dilip Barad

Video Recording of the Online Session

UGC-RPE: Research and Publication Ethics

 A Course on Research and Publication Ethics (RPE) - for Ph.D. Students

University Grants Commission (UGC) in its 543rd meeting held on 9th August 20-19 approved two Credit Course for awareness about publication ethics and publication misconducts entitled "Research and Publication Ethics (RPE)" to be made compulsory for all PhD students for pre-registration coursework. Click here to download the syllabus.

In view of the above, many PhD scholars as well as resource persons may be in need of the recommended books to carry out this coursework. All these resources are in public domain and can be downloaded from below given links:

UGC has prepared a booklet in which all these resources are compiles. Click here to download UGC-Academic Integrity & Research Quality 

1. Beall, J. (2012). Predatory publishers are corrupting open access. Nature, 489(7415), 179-179. https://doi.org/10.1038/489179a
2. Bird, A. (2006). Philosophy of Science. Routledge.
3. Chaddah, P. (2018). Ethics in Competitive Research: Do not get Scooped; do not get Plagiarized. ISBN: 978-938748086
4. Indian National Science Academy (INSA) (2019). Ethics in Science Education, Research and Governance. ISBN: 978-81-939482-1-7. http://www.insaindia.res.in/pdf/Ethics_Book.pdf
5. MacIntyre, Alasdair (1967). A Short History of Ethics. London.
6. National Academy of Sciences, National Academy of Engineering and Institute of Medicine (2009). On Being a Scientist: A Guide to Responsible Conduct in Research: Third Edition. National Academies Press.
7. Resnik, D.B. (2011). What is Ethics in Research & Why is it Important. National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, 1-10. Retrieved from https://www.niehs.nih.gov/research/resources/bioethics/whatis/index.cfm

The Video Recording of the talk delivered in PhD Coursework (Gujarati): 

 

The Video Recording of the talk delivered in Ph.D. Coursework (Sociology):

Presentation Slides

 

Research and Publication Ethics | UGC from Dilip Barad

Video Recording of the Online Session - Chandigarh (12 Oct 2021)

Video Recording of the Online Session - Chennai - International Online Faculty Development Programme on Research Methodology (8 June 2022)

UGC - NET and Gujarat SET (English): Online Question Papers

UGC / CBSE - NET and Gujarat SET (English): Online Question Papers

This blog is for those students/scholars/teachers who are preparing for UGC (now CBSE) NET (English Literature) examination. The students of the Department of English, M.K. Bhavnagar University have prepared these online tests. All those who appear in this online test will get their grades with right answers in email. Scroll down for important links to know more about NET exam dates, notification and paper pattern.

You are requested to inform on dilipbarad (at) gmail (dot) com for grade-sheet after appearing in the test.

Please give correct email id, if you want to receive correct answers of these quizzes.

Click on these links to practice online test on previous years' UGC NET and GSET question papers:

1. English Paper II - Sept.13/12

2. English Paper III - Sept/13/12

3. English Paper II - J3013

4. English Paper III - J3013

5. English Paper II - Dec 2013

6. English Paper II - June 2014
7. English Paper III - Dec 2013
8. GSET English Paper II - Sept 2016
9. GSET English Paper III - Sept 2016
10. NET English Paper 2 - Jan 2017 (New)
11. NET English Paper 3 - Jan 2017 (New)
12. GSET English Paper II - 2002 (New)
13. GSET Eng P-II Aug- 17/12 (New)
14. GSET Eng P - III Aug - 2017 (New)

* Practice more quizzes*

Quizzes on Literary Theory and Criticism:

1. Quiz on Criticism, Plato's Objection and Aristotle's Poetics
2. Quiz on John Dryden's Essay on Dramatic Poesie
3. Quiz on Northrop Frye's The Archetypal Criticism
4. Quiz on Computer Assisted Literary Criticism and Digital Humanities
5. Quiz on I.A. Richards's The Figurative Language
6. Quiz on Matthew Arnold's The Study of Poetry
7. Quiz on T.S. Eliot's Tradition and Individual Talent
8. QuizonDerridaandDeconstruction

Quizzes on Literature in English:

1. Quiz on the History of Renaissance Literature
2. Quiz on The Twentieth Century English Literature
3. Quiz on T.S. Eliot's 'The Waste Land'
4. Quiz on Aravind Adiga's The White Tiger
5. Quiz on Dan Brown's Da Vinci Code
6. Quiz on Chetan Bhagat's One Night at the Call Center
7. Quiz on Virginia Woolf's To The Lighthouse
8. 
   
9. 
   

Please do not hesitate to write on above given email id, if you face any problem and report errors and omissions.

UGC NET, SET (SLET): Reading Resources: Books, Websites, Blogs

Reading resource and Information about CBSE - NET (UGC) and SET (CBSE-UGC) (English)

For official announcements of rules, exams, results etc, rely only on this website: https://cbsenet.nic.in/cms/public/home.aspx and for Gujarat State: www.gujaratset.ac.in

Download NET 2018 notification (This link will be updated very soon)

Download Information Booklet NET 2018 (This link will be updated very soon)

(Practice Online - Previous years' UGC NET Question papers)

Click here to download Syllabus

Paper 1 - Syllabus

Paper 2 - English Syllabus

1. Histories of English Literature

• A History of English Literature - Arthur Compton-Rickett
• English Literature - William J. Long
• The History of English Literature - Edward Albert
• A Short Oxford History of English Literature. Andrew Sanders
• Indian Writing in English - K R S Iyengar

2. Companion Series by Oxford (http://ukcatalogue.oup.com/p2p/endecaSearch.do)

3. Companion Series by Cambridge(http://www.cambridge.org/gb/knowledge/series/series_display/item3936923/Cambridge-Companions-to-Literature/?site_locale=en_GB)

4. A Very Short Introduction - a series by OUP(http://ukcatalogue.oup.com/category/academic/series/general/vsi.do#.UYNmQqKW9gE)

5. The New Critical Idiom - a series by Routledge(http://www.routledge.com/catalogs/the_new_critical_idiom_series/)

6. M.H. Abram's A Glossary of Literary Terms: Download here: https://mthoyibi.files.wordpress.com/2011/05/a-glossary-of-literary-terms-7th-ed_m-h-abrams-1999.pdf

• This site has very rich information and study material on 250 authors, 3000 full books, 4000 short stories, periods and movements, quotes and quizzes: http://www.online-literature.com/
• This seems to be good website in future: http://www.netenglishliterature.com/
• This also seems promising site: http://ugcenglish.com/
• Prof. Sachin Ketkar's blog has a very informative list for the same:  http://sachinketkar.blogspot.in/2009/11/books-and-websites-for-ugc-net-slet.html
• This website has a collection of good resources on the literary text pertaining to syllabus of M.K. Bhavnagar University: www.exmaenglish.dilipbarad.com
• This is very informative on VIctorian age and literature: http://www.victorianweb.org/

• LIKE this FaceBook page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/UGC-NETSET-English-Literature/177594589031488
• http://www.slideshare.net/dilipbarad/workshop-ugc-net-slet > Presentation of Literary Theory and Criticism

• These websites (though not preferred choice) may be of some help (suggested to be browsed on the go on mobile devices, a good time pass ones):
• www.cliffsnotes.com
• www.sparknotes.com
• www.gradesaver.com
• www.enotes.com

7. List of Books Useful for NET / SET Preparation

(Caution: These books are not reviewed and so do not guarantee about its quality. These books are available and can be useful for startup on preparation for NET / SET examination.)

1.     NET / GSET (English). Pub: University Granth Nirman Board, Gujarat State Patnagar Yojno Bhavan,Behind Gujarat College Compound, Old Shardamandir Cross Road, Ellisbridge, Ahmedabad – 380006 Fax:26569074 - Phone: 26424268. Rs. 375/- Order online

2.     An Objective Approach to English Literature for NET, JRF, SLET and Pre-Ph.D. Registration Test - Ivan K. Masih,K. K. Narayan,Pandey Om Prakash,Rahmat Jahan,Neeraj Kumar. Publisher: Atlantic, New Delhi. Price: 394/- Buy online

3.     Popular Master Guide: UGC NET/SLET – English Literature – H.S.Bhatia. Published by R. Gupta’s: Ramesh Pub house, New Delhi. Price: 390/-. info@rameshpublishinghouse.com. 011-23261567/23275224.

4.     Cosmos Bookhives’s UGC NET/SLET – Paper II – English Literature – Dr. B K Sawlashwa. Price: 400 Rs. booksforall@bookhivesindia.com; indiamart.com/cosmosbookhive. 0124-4001086/1087/88.

5.     Trueman’s Specific Series UGC NET/SLET – English Literature – B P. Panigrahi. Pub by Dainik Pub Company. Price 475 Rs. dainikbooks@yahoo.com. 011-23278083, 011-30122482

6.     Upkar’s UGC – English Lit. – paper II – B B Jain. Price 80 Rs. publisher@upkar.in, 0562-4031570/2530966

7.     Jawahar/English/UGC-NET-ENGLISH-A-CRITICAL-HANDBOOK-OF-LITERATURE-IN-ENGLISH UGC NET ENGLISH: A CRITICAL HANDBOOK OF LITERATURE IN ENGLISH Edited by :Shubhamoy Das

Publisher: Jawahar Publishers & Distributors Rs. 327/-

8.     Objective type questions on literature in English for UGC NET  (Paperback) by Bhim S. Dahiya. Rs. 250. Publisher: CEE BEE Publisher (2011) Purchase online

(Bookmark this blog/Note - more links to come... :)

Post by Dr. Dilip Barad.

Ph.D. Research Writing - 'ONLY' in English Language: UGC, New Delhi, India

Post by Dr. Dilip Barad.