RESEARCH METHODOLOGY WORKSHOP

07- DAYS ONLINE RESEARCH METHODOLOGY WORKSHOP
(04 CREDITS) 

 Maratha Mandir’s Babasaheb Gawde Institute of Management Studies (MMBGIMS) in collaboration with the Bombay Management Association (BMA) organized an online research methodology workshop from 21st May to 28th May. The workshop, carrying a credit of 04, was conducted via the MS Teams platform. This report provides a detailed day-wise account of the workshop sessions, covering the topics discussed, speakers, assessments, and participant engagement. 

On the 21st of May, the workshop commenced with Mr. Sabir Mujawar, Assistant Professor at MMBGIMS, setting a positive and enthusiastic tone for the day. The event opened with a heartfelt welcome address by CA Abhijeet Deshmukh, Vice Chairman of the Managing Committee of MMBGIMS, Partner at Sanjay Rane & Associates, and Compliance Manager at India Infoline Ltd. In his address, CA Deshmukh emphasized the crucial role of research in fostering academic and professional development, underscoring its impact on both personal and institutional growth. 

Following this, the inaugural address was delivered by Dr. Kiran Yadav, President of the Bombay Management Association (BMA) and Chairman and Managing Director of Success TryAngles. Dr. Yadav highlighted the collaborative efforts between MMBGIMS and BMA, celebrating the partnership and its potential to enhance research capabilities and opportunities for the participants. 

The First session was conducted by Dr. Vidya Prakash Hattangadi, Director of MMBGIMS, who explored into the “Foundation of Research”. Her presentation was thorough and insightful, providing a strong theoretical framework for understanding research methodologies. She explained the various stages of the research process, starting from the identification of a research problem to the formulation of hypotheses, literature review, research design, data collection, and analysis. She has also discussed the importance of ethical considerations in research, stressing the need for integrity and transparency. Her session aimed to equip participants with the essential skills and knowledge required to embark on their research journeys confidently. The workshop saw an active engagement from the 119 participants present, who were eager to absorb the wealth of information shared. The session concluded with an interactive Q&A round, allowing participants to clarify their doubts and engage in meaningful discussions with Dr. Vidya Hattangadi. This was followed by an assessment in the form of a multiple-choice questionnaire designed to evaluate the participants’ understanding of the concepts covered during the session.  

On the 22nd of May, Ms. Sadiya Fuggawala, an Assistant Professor at MMBGIMS, hosted a session featuring Dr. Chandrahauns R. Chavan, the Director of the Jamnalal Bajaj Institute of Management Studies (JBIMS). The session was attended by 113 participants and focused on the critical topic of “Identifying and Formulating Research Problems”. Dr. Chavan emphasized the importance of clarity and precision in defining research questions, which are fundamental to the success of any research project. He explained that a well-defined research problem serves as the foundation upon which the entire research structure is built. Dr. Chavan highlighted several key elements in formulating research problems, including understanding the context, reviewing existing literature, identifying gaps, and aligning the research problem with specific objectives. The interactive session saw participants actively engaging in the Q&A segment, reflecting their keen interest and eagerness to delve deeper into the intricacies of research problem formulation. Dr. Chavan’s insights provided the participants with valuable guidance on how to approach their research with a focused and structured mindset. The day concluded with a scheduled multiple-choice question (MCQ) assessment designed to evaluate the participants’ understanding of the concepts discussed during the session. 

On the 23rd of May, Mr. Sabir Mujawar, Assistant Professor at MMBGIMS, assumed the role of host as Dr. S.S. Prasada Rao, the esteemed Dean of the Centre for Teaching and Learning at We School, took the stage as the speaker. With 110 eager participants in attendance, the focus of the day was on the intricate subject of “Research Design”. Dr. Rao’s presentation was a thorough exploration of research design, encompassing a range of methodologies and their practical applications. He explained various types of research methodologies, from quantitative to qualitative, and discussed their respective strengths and weaknesses. Through insightful examples and case studies, participants gained a deeper understanding of how different research designs can be employed to address specific research questions and objectives. The session proved to be highly informative, equipping participants with essential knowledge on how to structure their research design effectively. Dr. Rao’s expertise and engaging delivery style ensured that complex concepts were comprehensible to all attendees, regardless of their prior experience in research. Following the lecture, participants had the opportunity to engage in a lively Q&A session, where they could seek clarification on any uncertainties they had regarding research design. Additionally, an MCQ assessment was conducted allowing participants to test their understanding of the material covered and reinforcing the key concepts discussed by Dr. Rao. 

On the 24th of May, Mr. Sabir Mujawar, Assistant Professor at MMBGIMS, orchestrated a session featuring Dr. Harmeet Kaur Bhasin, Associate Professor and Head of the Commerce Department at St. Andrews College, Bandra West. Dr. Bhasin spearheaded a comprehensive discussion on the art of “Designing Questionnaires”. With 106 participants in attendance, the session delved into the intricacies of crafting questionnaires capable of yielding valuable data for research purposes. Dr. Bhasin’s presentation was distinguished by its practical insights and illustrative examples, offering participants a profound understanding of the techniques and strategies involved in questionnaire design. She underscored the significance of clarity, specificity, and relevance in framing questions, elucidating how these factors can significantly influence the quality of data collected. Through interactive activities and real-world case studies, Dr. Bhasin actively engaged the audience, encouraging them to participate in the learning process. The session transcended the traditional lecture format, evolving into an interactive exchange of ideas. Participants enthusiastically contributed to the discussion, sharing their own experiences and challenges in questionnaire design. Dr. Bhasin facilitated a Q&A round, addressing queries and providing further clarification on key concepts raised during the session. A highlight of Dr. Bhasin’s presentation was her emphasis on the practical application of questionnaire design principles. She provided concrete examples and actionable advice to guide participants in crafting effective questionnaires tailored to their specific research objectives. By demystifying the process, Dr. Bhasin empowered attendees to enhance the quality and reliability of their research instruments. The session culminated with a customary multiple-choice question (MCQ) assessment, enabling participants to assess their understanding of the topics covered and reinforcing key takeaways from Dr. Bhasin’s presentation. 

On the 25th of May, Mr. Sabir Mujawar, Assistant Professor at MMBGIMS, hosted a session featuring Dr. Rajesh Devasia, an AI Consulting Advisor at Elixirs AI, as the speaker. Dr. Devasia explored into the critical topic of “Sampling”, a fundamental aspect of research methodology. His presentation was attended by 110 participants eager to expand their understanding of this crucial topic. Throughout the session, Dr. Devasia meticulously elucidated various sampling techniques, elucidating their respective advantages and applications across diverse research scenarios. He underscored the pivotal role of selecting appropriate samples in ensuring the reliability and validity of research findings. By emphasizing the importance of methodical sample selection, Dr. Devasia provided attendees with invaluable insights into optimizing their research methodologies. The session was not merely a one-way discourse; rather, it fostered active engagement through a robust question-and-answer segment. Participants seized the opportunity to seek clarification and deepen their comprehension of the subject matter, enriching the learning experience for all involved. As the session drew to a close, participants were invited to demonstrate their understanding through a multiple-choice question assessment. This assessment served as a practical means of gauging comprehension and reinforcing key concepts covered by Dr. Devasia, thereby enhancing the educational impact of the session. 

On the 26th of May, Mr. Sabir Mujawar, Assistant Professor at MMBGIMS, hosted a session featuring Dr. Prasad Kulkarni from Fr. C. Rodrigues Institute of Technology. The focus of the session revolved around the intricacies of “Data Analysis: Descriptive and Inferential Analysis Techniques”. These methods serve as fundamental pillars in the realm of statistical analysis, crucial for deriving meaningful insights from research data. Dr. Kulkarni provided a comprehensive overview of descriptive analysis, which involves summarizing and interpreting data to describe its key characteristics. This stage often includes measures such as mean, median, mode, and standard deviation, offering a snapshot of the data’s central tendencies and variability. Through practical examples, participants gained insights into how descriptive analysis aids in understanding patterns and trends within datasets, laying the groundwork for further exploration. Inferential analysis, another cornerstone of statistical analysis, was also elucidated by Dr. Kulkarni. This advanced technique extends beyond mere description, allowing researchers to draw conclusions and make predictions about a population based on a sample. Various statistical tools and methods were explored, empowering participants with the knowledge to apply inferential analysis in their research endeavors effectively.  The session culminated with a stimulating Q&A segment, where around 108 participants engaged with Dr. Kulkarni to clarify doubts and delve deeper into complex analytical methodologies. This interactive exchange fostered a deeper understanding of the material covered and provided invaluable insights into real-world applications. Furthermore, the day’s agenda included a multiple-choice assessment. providing participants with an opportunity to gauge their comprehension of the subject matter 

On the 28th of May, Mr. Sabir Mujawar, Assistant Professor at MMBGIMS, hosted the final day of a workshop with Dr. Smita Jape, Associate Professor at V.N. Bedekar Institute of Management Studies, as the speaker. The day’s focus centered on the crucial aspect of “Bibliographies” within research. With a substantial attendance of 114 participants, Dr. Jape researched into the significance of bibliographies, emphasizing their role in academic integrity and the credibility of research findings. Dr. Jape’s session was structured to provide participants with practical insights into compiling and formatting bibliographic entries accurately. She elucidated on the various citation styles and their applicability across different academic disciplines. Participants were guided through the process of properly crediting sources in their research work, ensuring adherence to academic standards and ethical practices. The workshop, characterized by its hands-on approach, facilitated active learning as participants engaged in exercises to apply the principles discussed. Through practical examples and case studies, Dr. Jape underscored the importance of meticulous attention to detail in bibliography construction, thereby enhancing the quality and reliability of research outputs. Following the instructional segment, a feedback session provided participants with the opportunity to reflect on their learning experiences and offer suggestions for future workshops. This interactive exchange fostered a collaborative learning environment and contributed to the continual improvement of the workshop series. The session concluded with a Q&A round, allowing participants to seek clarification on any lingering queries regarding bibliographic practices. Mr. Sabir Mujawar extended a vote of thanks to Dr. Smita Jape for her insightful contribution and to the participants for their active participation throughout the workshop series. As a culmination of the workshop, a final assessment in the form of multiple-choice questions was administered. This evaluation served to gauge the comprehension and retention of key concepts covered during the workshop, reinforcing the importance of effective bibliographic practices in scholarly research. 

The conclusion of the last session of the workshop was marked by a heartfelt Vote of Thanks, expressing gratitude to all participants for their active engagement and contributions throughout the duration of the program. This session served as an opportunity to reflect on the knowledge gained, skills honed, and connections forged during the workshop. Following the Vote of Thanks, participants who successfully met the criteria for completion of the workshop were honored with course completion certificates. These certificates serve as tangible recognition of their dedication, commitment, and achievement in mastering the workshop objectives. It was a moment of pride and accomplishment for both the participants and the organizers, symbolizing the successful culmination of the workshop.