Chandigarh, 11 October: The Postgraduate Department of Sociology at Mehr Chand Mahajan DAV College for Women organised a one-week workshop on ‘Basics of Research in Social Sciences’ under the aegis of the Internal Quality Assurance Cell (IQAC). The objective of the workshop was to foster research aptitude and strengthen students’ understanding of fundamental research concepts and practices.
The inaugural session featured Prof. Jayanti Dutta, Director, Malaviya Mission Teacher Training Centre (MMTTC), Panjab University (PU), Chandigarh, who sensitised students to the formulation of research problems and the importance of conducting literature reviews through critical thinking and questioning. Elucidating the concepts of ‘Chinta’ and ‘Chintan’, she explained that while Chinta denotes fleeting worry, Chintan signifies deep, reflective and critical thinking- an essential attribute of a researcher. She encouraged students to nurture curiosity and analytical reasoning as the cornerstones of meaningful research. Prof. Monika Aggarwal, Professor, University Institute of Applied Management Sciences (UIAMS), PU, elaborated on identifying research gaps and formulating research objectives, questions and theoretical frameworks. Through interactive activities and case-based examples, she guided students in aligning research objectives with appropriate theories to ensure greater clarity, focus and purpose in their research.
Dr. Anju Goyal, Associate Professor, Department of Statistics, PU, introduced students to data visualisation, descriptive statistics and data interpretation. She also conducted a hands-on session on statistical data analysis using Microsoft Excel, demonstrating the practical application of formulas, charts and analytical tools in research. Dr. Soumya Sarkar, Department of Pediatric Intensive Care, PGIMER, Chandigarh, delivered an insightful session on research methodology, research tools, the PICOT and SMART frameworks, and scientific manuscript preparation. She discussed the essential components of a sound research proposal and emphasised the importance of methodological rigour in preparing research papers for publication.
The concluding session was conducted by Dr. Neeraj Kumar Singh, Deputy Librarian, PU, who highlighted the ethical dimensions of research and the importance of maintaining academic integrity. He familiarised students with tools and techniques for avoiding plagiarism, including reference management software, and underscored the significance of ethical practices in scholarly work.
Congratulating the department on organising the workshop, Officiating Principal Ms. Neena Sharma remarked that such relevant academic initiatives are essential for bridging the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical research. She emphasised that equipping students with research skills, critical thinking and ethical awareness prepares them for informed inquiry and academic excellence.