Interdisciplinary Research Methodology Course inaugurated at University of Jammu

JAMMU: The Interdisciplinary Research Methodology Course, sponsored by the Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR), New Delhi, and jointly organized by the Department of Commerce and the Department of Zoology, University of Jammu, commenced today in the Seminar Hall of the Department of Zoology. The 10-day programme is being conducted under the leadership of Prof. Gurjeet Kaur (Course Director) and Prof. Pankaj Kumar (Co-Course Director), with the support of Prof. Seema Langer, Head, Department of Zoology, and Prof. Jeevan Jyoti, Head, Department of Commerce.

The Inaugural Session was graced by Prof. Neelu Rohmetra, Dean Research Studies, University of Jammu, as the Chief Guest; Prof. Sanjeeb Kumar Jena, Dean, Faculty of Commerce & Management, Rajiv Gandhi University, Arunachal Pradesh, as the Guest of Honour; Prof. Alka Sharma, Dean, Faculty of Business Studies; and Prof. Yash Pal Sharma, Dean, Faculty of Life Sciences.

The Chief Guest, Prof. Neelu Rohmetra, appreciated the efforts of the organising team in integrating two diverse streams—Sciences and Social Sciences—and emphasised the need to take this interdisciplinary course to the next level in the coming years. She also stressed the importance of honing essential writing skills among faculty members and research scholars to develop effective research grant proposals at both national and international levels.

Prof. Sanjeeb Kumar Jena, Guest of Honour, applauded the unique interdisciplinary collaboration, noting that it reflects the foundational principles of NEP 2020. Prof. Alka Sharma, Dean, Faculty of Business Studies, further highlighted that this course would lay the foundation for similar initiatives in the near future, thereby dissolving departmental silos as envisioned in the core philosophy of NEP 2020.

Furthermore, Prof. Yash Pal Sharma, Dean, Faculty of Life Sciences, remarked that relying on a monocultural approach hinders academic growth and that academicians must encourage innovation by integrating different disciplines. Prof. Jyoti Sharma, Head (In-Charge), Department of Commerce, introduced the overall structure, objectives, and thematic flow of the 10-day Research Methodology Course and gave a detailed presentation. She outlined the daily technical sessions, hands-on components, and interdisciplinary orientation of the programme, offering participants a clear roadmap of the rigorous training ahead.

Earlier, Prof. Seema Langer, Head, Department of Zoology, welcomed the distinguished guests, resource persons, faculty members, and participants representing various regions across India. She emphasised the importance of interdisciplinary synergy in contemporary research environments and highlighted the University of Jammu’s commitment to promoting capacity-building initiatives.

Day 1 focused on the foundations of research methodology. Prof. Gurjeet Kaur delivered insightful sessions on the Meaning and Aspects of Research, followed by a lecture on the Relevance of Methodology and distinctions between qualitative and quantitative paradigms. In the subsequent session, Prof. S.K. Jena (Rajiv Gandhi University, Arunachal Pradesh) introduced participants to Research Design, addressing topic selection, problem identification, and research gaps. The day concluded with an introductory module on Literature Review.

In the coming days, 40 structured modules will be delivered by eminent scholars from India and abroad, covering topics such as units of analysis, interview practice, sampling, quantitative analysis, and the use of AI in academic writing; observation, case studies, ethics in publications, interview techniques, and human-subject research ethics; field research, interpretative research, advanced quantitative techniques, and comprehensive e-library training; in-depth sessions on research ethics and phenomenological research design; academic writing, AI-supported group discussions, and survey construction; and structured Paper Clinics, group presentations, and final reflections.

A major attraction of the course is the integration of online international lectures from distinguished foreign scholars such as Prof. Suraj Unniappan (Canada), Prof. Sanjit Kumar Roy (Australia), Dr. Deepa Mishra Bhatt (Germany), and Prof. David McGrane (Canada), offering global perspectives on research design, ethics, and academic writing.

A total of 35 participants from various regions, including Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, Kashmir, Kishtwar, and Jammu, are participating in the course. The formal vote of thanks was presented by the Course Director, Prof. Gurjeet Kaur.