Duration:

The duration of the M.Phil. programme is for two academic years, spread over four semesters coinciding with the academic calendar of the Institute.

Programme Structure:

The M.Phil. Programme, which carries a total of 64 Credits, has five components:

(i) Basic Courses (BC) (24 Credits): The six courses provide the knowledge base in the theory and practice of research. (ii) Auxiliary Courses (AC) (4 Credits): The two courses provide/enhance the skills in the use of scholarly writing and computer applications respectively. (iii) Optional Courses (OC) (4 Credits): The two courses, to be chosen by a student from the list of current offerings in the Schools/Centres will help extend or update his/her knowledge in the (sub) discipline that he/she has chosen to do research in. (iv) Survey of Literature (SL) (8 Credits): As a prelude to embarking on the study proper, the student is helped to familiarise with the literature available on the problem chosen for study, and identify the gaps in it and/or formulate alternative hypotheses. (v) Dissertation (DI) (24 Credits): Provides an opportunity for the student to practice the craft of research by using the knowledge acquired during the course work. Embodying the outcome of the practise or process of research, the dissertation constitutes the product of research.

The structure of the M.Phil. programme, thus, is as follows:

Semester I

- Basic Course 01 Elements of Research Methodology (4 credits)

- Basic Course 02 Philosophy of Methodology (4 credits)

- Basic Course 03 Social Theory and Research (4 credits)

- Basic Course 04-1 Basic Statistics (2 credits)

- Auxiliary Course 01 Workshop on Academic Writing Skills (2 credits)

- Auxiliary Course 02 Computer Applications for Social Sciences (2 credits)

- Basic Course 05.1 Qualitative Research: Theory and Practice – Part I (2 credits)

Semester II

- Basic Course 04.2 Advanced Statistics (2 credits)

- Basic Course 05.2 Qualitative Research: Theory and Practice - Part II (2 credits)

- Basic Course 06 Seminar on Monographs (4 credits)

- Optional Course 01 To be chosen from the offerings in Schools/Centres (2 credits)

- Optional Course 02 To be chosen from the offerings in Schools/Centres (2 credits)

Semester III & IV

- Survey of Literature on a Problem Area (8 credits)

- Dissertation (24 credits)

A scholar who is unable to complete all the requirements of the M.Phil. programme within a period of five years from the date of admission shall be deregistered automatically.

Evaluation:

In order to successfully complete the programme, a scholar will have to obtain the prescribed minimum Grade Point Average (GPA) of 3.05 on a 7-Point Scale for each course (including Survey of Literature and Dissertation) separately. A scholar failing in any course will have to repeat that course. The GPA obtained by a successful scholar and the appraisal reports received from the course teachers and the dissertation supervisor will determine whether the scholar is eligible for registration for the Ph.D. programme or not.

Mid-Stream Option:

Research scholars obtaining GPA 4.5 after completion of first year course work are offered an option to move directly to Ph.D. programme after an assessment by a Panel, that eaxamines the preparedness of the scholar, without completing the M.Phil. dissertation. However, those who desire to complete the M.Phil. Programme can go ahead with M.Phil. dissertation work.

Faculty:

The core faculty for the programme will be drawn from the Centre for Research Methodology. This will be supplemented by the vast pool of talent and expertise in social research available in the Institute. Experts from outside the Institute will also be invited to deliver guest lectures or conduct practical sessions.

Specialisation in Research Methodology:

Scholars enrolling for the M.Phil. Programme are generally expected to do research in a specialised branch of substantive knowledge. Therefore, one would expect them to interact with the faculty in the Institute, and particularly those of the Schools/Centres in which the student intends doing research. The process of this exploration will begin right after Semester I and will culminate in the assignment of dissertation supervisors for the students by the end of Semester II. With 'Research Methodology' emerging as a body of specialised knowledge, it is necessary that it is offered as a subject of specialisation for students interested in pursuing it. To enable to meet the OC Credits of such scholars, the Centre will introduce a number of 2-Credit Courses such as (a) Ethnography, (b) Sociology of Knowledge, (c) Aggregate Data Analysis, (d) Ontology of Human Sciences, (e) Network Analysis, (f) Project Evaluation, (g) Classical Methodologist (that is, the study of one major contributor to social science methodology like Emile Durkheim, Max Weber, Sigmund Freud, Ludwig Wittgenstein, Karl Popper, E.H. Carr, S.F. Nadel, Paul F. Lazarsfeld, etc.).

Programme Structure:

- A scholar selected for admission to the Ph.D. programme will work under the supervision of a guide, or a guide and a co-guide. A Doctoral Advisory Committee (DAC) will be constituted to monitor progress made.

- The scholar shall choose the area of his/her research in consultation with the guide (and co-guide and Doctoral Advisory Committee). The research proposal prepared by the candidate shall be presented at a seminar.

- The scholar shall submit through his/her guide the report of progress in his/her research work. These reports shall be submitted in the months of January and July. If in two consecutive reports the progress of a scholar's research work is found to be unsatisfactory, he/she shall be automatically deregistered from the programme.

- The scholar shall submit three copies of the thesis embodying the results of his/her research work, not later than three years from the date of registration for the Ph.D. programme. However, on the recommendation of the guide and Research Council, an extension of one year may be granted. Scholars who do not submit their thesis within four years of their registration will be automatically deregistered. However, if they wish to continue for the programme, they will have to register afresh for the programme. Ordinarily, no scholar shall submit his/her thesis before two years from the date of his/her registration. This condition may, however, be waived on the recommendation of the Research Council of the Institute.

- The research scholar should submit, through his/her guide, three copies of the final title and synopsis (in about 1,500 words) of the thesis and make a seminar presentation, at least three months before submission of the thesis.

- The scholars are encouraged to publish various aspects of their work during the course of study. Each scholar must publish at least one paper in peer reviewed journals.

Examination of the Ph.D. Thesis:

- The thesis shall be adjudicated by two examiners from outside the Institute. These examiners shall be appointed by the Director from a panel of examiners proposed by the guide (and co-guide, if any).

- If both the examiners appointed to adjudicate the thesis unanimously recommend that the thesis be accepted for the award of the degree, the scholar may be asked to defend his/her thesis at an open viva voce examination. It will be conducted by the examiners who have adjudicated the thesis. If both these examiners are unable to conduct the viva voce examination, the Director may appoint another examiner from the panel. On the successful defence of his/her thesis, the scholar will be recommended for the award of the Ph.D. Degree.

- If both the examiners reject the thesis, the scholar will be deemed to have failed and will be deregistered from the programme.

- If any examiner recommends revision of the thesis, the Research Council shall review the report of that examiner and advise the scholar to revise the thesis and resubmit it not earlier than six months. In case the thesis is revised and resubmitted, it shall be referred to the examiner who had recommended the revision, and only after he/she approves the thesis, the viva voce examination will be conducted.

- If one examiner recommends the award of the degree and the other rejects it, the thesis shall be referred to a third examiner, whose verdict will be final. The third examiner shall be appointed by the Director from the panel.