Chapter 7 Suggestions For Project Work

7.1 Variety Of Methods

This chapter provides suggestions for undertaking small, practical research projects, building upon the understanding of research methods introduced in the Class XI textbook. Engaging in actual research offers valuable experience in addressing questions and systematically collecting evidence, highlighting both the rewarding aspects and the challenges of sociological inquiry.

Choosing an appropriate research method is crucial for any research question. While multiple methods might be suitable for a given question, not all methods are universally applicable. The selection process involves considering both the compatibility of the question and the method, as well as practical factors such as available time, resources (personnel, materials), and the specific context of the research.

For instance, if researching happiness levels among students in different types of schools (co-educational vs. single-sex), possible methods include:

1. Interviews: Directly asking students about their feelings regarding school and analyzing responses for patterns across school types.
2. Direct Observation: Spending time in different schools, observing student behavior, and using pre-defined criteria to assess happiness levels.
3. Survey: Designing a questionnaire about feelings regarding school, distributing it to a significant number of students in each school type, and statistically analyzing the collected data.

Researchers must anticipate and prepare for practical difficulties, such as questionnaire distribution issues, low response rates, or incomplete data, and decide how to manage these challenges during the research process.

Survey Method

The survey method typically involves administering a standardized set of questions to a relatively large number of people. This can be done through investigator-administered questionnaires (interviewer reads questions and records answers) or self-administered questionnaires (respondents fill them out). The main advantage is covering a large population, making results potentially representative. However, its rigidity is a drawback; fixed questions prevent on-the-spot adjustments or detailed follow-ups on interesting responses. Surveys capture a snapshot in time, potentially missing changes that occurred before or after the data collection.

Interviews

An interview is a direct, person-to-person interaction, usually involving a smaller number of participants than a survey. Interviews can be structured (following a set questionnaire) or unstructured (guided by a list of topics, with questions evolving during the conversation). Interviews can also be intensive, involving lengthy or repeated sessions to gather detailed narratives. The flexibility of interviews is advantageous, allowing researchers to explore promising areas in depth and adapt questions. The limitation is that they are time-consuming and cannot provide insights from a very large, representative sample.

Observation

Observation requires the researcher to systematically watch and document events or behaviors within a chosen setting. While seemingly simple, effective observation demands careful attention to detail and avoiding premature judgments about relevance. It is important to record not just what happens, but also what *doesn't* happen if it is significant to the research question (e.g., the absence of a particular group in a public space).

Combinations Of More Than One Method

Combining multiple research methods is often recommended as it allows researchers to examine a question from different perspectives, providing a more comprehensive understanding. For instance, studying the changing role of mass media could involve using a survey to capture current patterns and opinions, and **archival research** (examining historical newspapers, broadcast records) to understand past media forms and their place in society. This combination provides both present-day data and historical context.

7.2 Possible Themes And Subjects For Small Research Projects

Here are some suggested themes and subjects for small research projects, keeping in mind that each theme requires formulating a specific research question tailored to the chosen research method(s). These topics are not exhaustive and students are encouraged to explore other areas with their teachers' guidance. Some topics not directly from the textbook are highlighted to encourage broader exploration.

Public Transport

This theme explores the social significance of public transportation. Possible questions include: What is the role of public transport in people's daily lives? Which social groups rely most heavily on it? What are the common problems or issues associated with public transport systems? How have public transport modes changed over time? Does unequal access to public transport contribute to social problems? Are there groups who don't use public transport, and what are their attitudes towards it?

Alternatively, focus on a specific mode of transport (e.g., rickshaws, a local bus route) and its history in your area. Research its evolution, main competitors, the reasons behind its success or decline, and its likely future. For students in Delhi, the Metro offers a topic to explore its current role and speculate, perhaps in a science-fiction format, about its future, grounded in current trends.

Role Of Communication Media In Social Life

This topic examines the impact and use of various communication media. This can include mass media (newspapers, TV, internet access) and personal communication media (telephones, mobile phones, email). Potential research questions could explore the changing importance of mass media forms (print, radio, TV), group preferences for different media (based on class, age, gender), perceptions of new media like mobile phones and the internet, and their actual usage patterns (which observation can reveal). Researchers could also analyse the reasons behind format preferences or conduct a content analysis of how media covers specific themes (e.g., education, environment, communal issues, sports).

Household Appliances And Domestic Work

This theme investigates the impact of household appliances (stoves, mixers, washing machines, etc.) on domestic work. Questions could focus on how household work has changed historically with the introduction of appliances, whether these devices have altered the division of labor within households (who uses them - men/women, young/old, paid/unpaid workers), users' experiences and feelings about the appliances (do they truly make work easier?), or changes in age-specific tasks within the home. A simpler approach is to study the current distribution of domestic tasks within households – who does what, and recent changes in these patterns.

The Use Of Public Space

This topic explores how different types of public spaces (parks, roadsides, empty plots) are utilized. Public spaces serve varied purposes, such as supporting informal economic activities (street vendors), hosting temporary functions (marriages, religious events), serving as dumping grounds, or providing shelter for homeless people. Research questions can delve into the perspectives of different social classes regarding the use of public space, its significance as a resource for various groups, how the use of a specific local public space has changed over time, and whether these changes have led to conflicts or tensions and their causes.

Changing Aspirations Of Different Age Groups

This theme examines how people's ambitions and goals change throughout their lives. Research could investigate whether there are patterns in these changes across different groups (e.g., students of different grades, different genders, varying family backgrounds). Interviews with adults could explore their memories of changing aspirations at different life stages. The focus would be on identifying patterns and understanding the reasons behind these shifts in personal goals over time.

The ‘Biography’ Of A Commodity

This creative project involves tracing the 'life history' of a specific item in one's home, like a television, furniture, or vehicle. The task is to write an 'autobiography' from the commodity's perspective, detailing its journey through circuits of production, trade, and purchase. This requires researching or imagining the social relationships involved in its creation, distribution, and acquisition. The project also prompts reflection on the item's symbolic meaning for its owners and community. Writing from the commodity's viewpoint can offer a unique perspective on its social encounters and significance.

The following table provides a summary linking these potential topics with suitable research methods and offers additional suggestions: