Research Methodology (RM)

Credit Hour: 2(2-0)

 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
(RM)
SUBJECT PURPOSE
This subject is designed to educate the Course Members on a credible and systematic way of carrying out research work and creating a
meaningful, genuine and objective research thesis. RM, in its outlook, aims to develop a sound foundation of Course Members in order to carry
out research projects during the Naval Staff Course. This is a mandatory subject for Naval Staff Course certification and award of Master’s
degree in ‘War Studies (Maritime)’. Ability to explain and give examples of inductive and deductive reasoning is major pre-requisite for this
subject. This subject will support Military History & Conflict Analysis (MHCA), Applied Research & Analysis (ARA) and Individual Research
Papers (IRP).
SUBJECT DESCRIPTION
This subject focuses on enhancing Course Members’ ability to examine and apply methods of scientific research. This is achieved through
various learning experiences, which include: lectures on research methodology, tutorial discussions on writing of thesis proposals and analytical
exercises based on contemporary scenarios. Prime goals of this subject is to enable Course Members identify appropriate research techniques that
suit their thesis and what data gathering scheme, they may adopt, to support their research work. Initial emphasis is made on producing a
coherent, contextually aligned and crisp ‘thesis proposal’. Special emphasis is given on avoiding intentional or unintentional plagiarism. Once
the thesis proposals are done, the Course Members would use the research methods they discovered in this subject to apply for constructing their
arguments, analysing data and finally creating a well-researched work of their own.
EXPECTED LEARNING OUTCOMES
Upon completion of this subject, the Course Members will be able to:

a. Describe various research methods and discriminate among them.

b. Identify appropriate research method(s) that supports their thesis.
c. Produce thesis proposal.
d. Construct and order research questions and hypotheses.
e. Design research variables and interpret relation among these.
f. Analyse a situation and explain its key drivers, factors and products – through analytical thinking schemes.
g. Create a logically consistent, academically relevant, analytically strong and plagiarism-free thesis.

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CONTENTS

Lectures

Reference Title Venue Time

RM-101 Research Methods, Types and Sources of Research CDH 2 hr
RM-102 Research Design: Planning and Sampling CDH 2 hr
RM-103 Thesis Proposal: Coherent Foundation for Research CDH 2 hr
RM-104 Research Paper: Organizing and Writing CDH 2 hr

Tutorial Discussions

Reference Title Venue Time

RM-201 Methods of research CDH 1 hr
RM-202 Thesis Proposal including formulation of Research Questions & CDH 1 hr
Literature Review
RM-203 Organizing & Writing of Research CDH 1 hr

Schemes

Reference Title Venue Time

RM-301 Analytical thinking – SR 1 hr
Based on a contemporary geopolitical issue
RM-302 Analytical thinking – SR 1 hr
Based on a national issue
RM-303 Analytical thinking – SR 1 hr
Based on a military operational issue

DS Interaction

Reference Title Venue Time

RM-801 Subject Introduction CDH ½ hr
2
RM-802 Discussion with Guest Speaker Library 8 hrs (on
weekend)
RM-803 Review Study Phase (RSP) CDH ½ hr

Examination

Reference Title Venue Time

RM-901 Examination-1 CDH 1 hr

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 RM-101
RESEARCH METHODS, TYPES AND SOURCES OF RESEARCH

(Lecture)
Focus
This session will provide essentials of research methodology to facilitate Course Members choose a suitable research method for their research
topic(s).
Specific Learning Objectives
Upon completion of this session, the Course Members will be able to:
a. Distinguish between qualitative, quantitative and mixed research.
b. Choose a research method for their research titles.
c. Conduct Literature Review.
d. Differentiate between primary and secondary sources.
e. Articulate their research based on research philosophy.
f. Employ research ethics to their research papers.
g. Discern amongst different data collection tools (How to construct interviews and questionnaires)

Context
Individual Research Paper (IRP) is one of the major undertakings of Naval Staff Course and requires extensive personal effort. In order to be
fully ready for conducting research and producing a genuine and credible thesis, its foundation needs to be understood well. Starting a work,
especially IRP, without getting an absolute clarity of its fundamentals, will inevitably result in futility. Therefore, it is important to first
understand the essence of research before beginning to write.
Discussion Topics
a. Concept of research methodology
b. Types and methods of research.
c. Conducting Literature Review
d. Identifying gap in Literature.
e. Question formulation.
f. Characteristics of a researcher and research ethics (avoiding plagiarism).

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Place and Duration of Activity

This activity will be held in CDH for 2 hours including question and answer session.

Reference Reading

Jon Jonker and Bartjan Pennink, The Essence of Research Methodology, (New York: Springer, 2010), pp. 21-35.

Yogesh Kumar Singh, Fundamentals of Research Methodology and Statistics, (New Delhi: New Age International Publishers, 2006), pp. 99-169.

Isadore Newman and Carolyn R. Benz, Qualitative-quantitative Research Methodology: Exploring the Interactive Continuum, (Illinois: Southern
Illinois University Press, 1998), pp. 1-26.

Saif Ur Rehman, Research Manual: Understanding Research in Social Sciences, (Islamabad: NDU Press, 2013), pp. 2-25.

C. R. Kothari, Research Methodology: Methods and Techniques, 2nd Edition, (New Delhi: New Age International Publishers, 2004), pp. 1-20.

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 RM-102
RESEARCH DESIGN: PLANNING AND SAMPLING
(Lecture)

Focus

This session will provide Course Members necessary tools to outline their research and build a structure to proceed towards conducting research
in a systematic manner.

Specific Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this session, the Course Members will be able to:

a. Organize their research with respect to time.

b. Identify the ‘problem’ through extensive literature review.
c. Determine relevant data required to support their research.
d. Choose data collection techniques.
e. Select statistical data analysis and sampling techniques (for quantitative study).
f. Develop research question(s).
g. Construct hypothesis and research variables.

Context

After having selected their topics, the Course Members need to know the contours of ‘proceeding ahead’ with their research work. Keeping in
view the strict policy of submission of research work, thorough planning and phase-wise completion becomes critical.

Discussion Topics

a. Need for research design.

b. Classification of research study (Historical, Descriptive etc.)
c. Means of obtaining information that could support the research.
d. Framing of research question(s).
e. Research hypotheses.

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Place and Duration of Activity

This activity will be held in CDH for 2 hours including question and answer session.

Reference Reading

Yogesh Kumar Singh, Fundamentals of Research Methodology and Statistics, (New Delhi: New Age International Publishers, 2006), pp. 77-98.

Saif Ur Rehman, Research Manual: Understanding Research in Social Sciences, (Islamabad: NDU Press, 2013), pp. 42-70.

C. R. Kothari, Research Methodology: Methods and Techniques, 2nd Edition, (New Delhi: New Age International Publishers, 2004), Chapter 3-9.

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 RM-103
THESIS PROPOSAL: COHERENT FOUNDATION FOR RESEARCH
(Lecture)
Focus
This session will discuss the fundamentals of writing thesis proposal as per PNWC thesis proposal writing requirement.
Specific Learning Objectives
Upon completion of this session, the Course Members will be able to:
a. Understand the contents of the research proposal.
b. Articulate the problem of their research with clarity.
c. Choose methods and framework and relevant literature for their research study.
d. Identify and examine research impediments and delimit the scope of study.
e. Comprehend the proposal pattern/research activities and order them through a clearly defined timeline.
Context
Thesis proposal would form the foundation of research work. Course Members, after having developed clarity on research and its perspective, are
now set to begin their work on identified research framework. Thesis proposal provides a direction and sets a possible ‘end state’ of research.
PNWC Guide 11.01 ‘Thesis Proposal Sample’ further elaborates on the contents and presents a detailed description of conducting preliminary
research work. Thesis proposal writing is a scheme (IRP-01) under ‘Individual Research Paper (IRP)’ subject.

Discussion Topics

a. Significance of research study

b. Outlining research objectives and broad research questions.
c. Arranging sources in support of research question(s).
d. Collection of relevant data and information.
e. Realignment of Literature Review.
f. Source citation as per Chicago Manual of Style 16th Edition.

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Place and Duration of Activity

This activity will be held in CDH for 2 hours including question and answer session.

Reference Reading

Jon Jonker and Bartjan Pennink, The Essence of Research Methodology, (New York: Springer, 2010).

Yogesh Kumar Singh, Fundamentals of Research Methodology and Statistics, (New Delhi: New Age International Publishers, 2006).

Isadore Newman and Carolyn R. Benz, Qualitative-quantitative Research Methodology: Exploring the Interactive Continuum, (Illinois: Southern
Illinois University Press, 1998).

Robert Sherman and Rodman Webb, Qualitative Research in Education: Focus and Methods, (New York: Routledge-Palmer, 2005).

Saif Ur Rehman, Research Manual: Understanding Research in Social Sciences, (Islamabad: NDU Press, 2013).

C. R. Kothari, Research Methodology: Methods and Techniques, 2nd Edition, (New Delhi: New Age International Publishers, 2004).

David Ketchen and Don Bergh, Research Methodology in Strategy and Management, Vol: 1 to 3, (Amsterdam: Elsevier B. V., 2004).

David Scott and Robin Usher, Understanding Educational Research, (London: Routledge, 1996).

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 RM-104
RESEARCH PAPER: ORGANIZING AND WRITING
(Lecture)

Focus

This session will provide Course Members an insightful session regarding organizing and writing techniques for their research papers in order to
enable them focus the key ingredients of the research while attempting to avoid trivial pitfalls and irrelevant details.

Specific Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this session, the Course Members will be able to:

a. Organize their research with respect to scope of the study.

b. Arrange relevant sources with respect to their significance with research.
c. Analyse and evaluate collected data/information.
d. Comprehend differing intellectual strands in Literature.
e. Refine and expand their preliminary research work.
f. Cite sources in the research work.

Context

Once the research data has been collected and analysed, the researcher would have to choose a method to first organize the plethora of
information in an understandable manner and then write it in a way that could be easily assimilated by the readers. Important aspect of the
‘organizing and writing’ is the extensive literature review, where researcher might have to dig out the extent of work already done and then build
on a framework to use the collected data to explain his point of view. ‘Width and depth’ is, therefore, important to ‘narrow down’ the research
scope and focus on what needs to done with respect to specifics of the research.

Discussion Topics

a. How my research fits into ‘width and depth’ of study?

b. Arranging sources in support of research question(s).

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 c. Literature Review writing and pattern.
d. Patterns of structuring research work.
e. Source citation as per Chicago Manual of Style 16th Edition.

Place and Duration of Activity

This activity will be held in CDH for 2 hours including question and answer session.

Reference Reading

Jon Jonker and Bartjan Pennink, The Essence of Research Methodology, (New York: Springer, 2010).

Yogesh Kumar Singh, Fundamentals of Research Methodology and Statistics, (New Delhi: New Age International Publishers, 2006), pp. 243-260

Isadore Newman and Carolyn R. Benz, Qualitative-quantitative Research Methodology: Exploring the Interactive Continuum, (Illinois: Southern
Illinois University Press, 1998), pp. 57-86.

Saif Ur Rehman, Research Manual: Understanding Research in Social Sciences, (Islamabad: NDU Press, 2013), pp. 120-197.

C. R. Kothari, Research Methodology: Methods and Techniques, 2nd Edition, (New Delhi: New Age International Publishers, 2004), 344-353.

David Scott and Robin Usher, Understanding Educational Research, (London: Routledge, 1996), pp. 52-73.

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 RM-201
METHODS OF RESEARCH
(Tutorial Discussion)
Focus
This session consolidates the learning of Course Members acquired earlier through lecture on ‘Research Methodology’. This affords Course
Members an opportunity to develop further clarity on how to carry out research by identifying the right research method with appropriate context.

Specific Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this session, the Course Members will be able to:
a. Distinguish among various methods of research.
b. Compare most suitable methods of research for own thesis.
c. Select suitable method of research.
d. Identify research tools for the particular method of research selected.
Context
Selection of a suitable research method becomes a critical part once the research title is chosen and finalized. It requires a substantial discussion
so as to select the ‘right’ research method else the entire effort might end up being ‘faulty’. Correct research methods also let Course Members
channelize their efforts for finding the correct and consistent answers to their research questions.
Discussion Topics
a. Differentiating between qualitative and quantitative methods.
b. Steps in Research Process
c. Criterion of Good Research
d. Selection of relevant data/information for each type/approach of research method.
Place and Duration of Activity
This activity will be conducted in CDH for 1 hour.
Reference Reading
As per RM-101.

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 RM-202
THESIS PROPOSAL INCLUDING FORMULATION OF RESEARCH QUESTIONS AND LITERATURE REVIEW
(Tutorial Discussions)

Focus
This session focuses on developing Course Members’ skills for framing of research questions and conducting Literature Review. A clear and
squarely framed research question(s) would determine the true strength and scope of a research paper. This activity will let Course Members
figure out the research questions relevant to their respective areas of research.

Specific Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this session, the Course Members will be able to:
a. Formulate various main and sub questions for their research topics.
b. Choose the most suitable main question for their research thesis.
c. Understand essential steps to conduct Literature Review

Context
Framing of a research question sets the stage for subsequent research on a given topic. Getting the ‘main research question’ right is the principal
necessity for the entire research project. This can further lead into sifting and ordering research material and aligning the research methods for
finding solutions to the problems faced in a particular research area.

Discussion Topics
a. Does the research question provide a clear idea of the research project?
b. Will the question be addressed by research?
c. Is the question researchable?
d. Can ‘answers’ or ‘framework’ be deduced from the research question?
e. Does the question provide an indication of the research design?
f. Relevance and importance of the research question(s).
g. Context of the research question(s).
h. Collection of data/information
i. Interpretation, evaluation and organization of available Literature

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Place and Duration of Activity
This activity will be conducted in CDH for 1 hour.

Reference Reading Nil.

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 RM-203
ORGANIZING & WRITING OF RESEARCH PAPER
(Tutorial Discussion)

Focus

This activity focuses on enabling Course Members to proceed further with research work. This would mean setting an unambiguous foundation
upon which the entire research work would rest.

Specific Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this session, the Course Members will be able to:

a. Interpret requirements of the research paper.

b. Expand their preliminary research work after extensive literature review.
c. Articulate research questions according to various perspectives and in detail.

Context

At PN War College, thesis proposal is mandatory for producing a research thesis. Thesis proposal would let the Faculty and Advisory DS know
what and how a Course Member wants to complete his major research project. Thesis proposal is considered as the ‘cornerstone of research’ and
a first major step towards research design. It is, therefore, vitally important that the Course Members get their orientations right for thesis
proposal from the start. Additionally, it is also a matter of great significance that the thesis proposal is ‘cleared’ as swiftly as possible so that the
actual work can then begin without spinning way too much around the proposal.

Discussion Topics

a. Research Paper– an overview.

b. Wording of research questions.
c. Expanding Literature review.
d. Citations and source referencing.
e. Chapterization- writing & organization

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Place and Duration of Activity

This activity will be conducted in CDH for 1 hours.

Reference Reading

Saif Ur Rehman, Research Manual: Understanding Research in Social Sciences, (Islamabad: NDU Press, 2013), pp. 107-108, 172.

PNWC Guide 11.01.

PNWC Guide 12.01.

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 RM-301 to RM-303
ANALYTICAL THINKING
(Scheme)
Focus

This activity helps develop analytical thinking skills of the Course Members through study of a situation, which requires a thorough examination
and answering of questions at the end.

Specific Learning Objectives

Upon completion of the analytical thinking schemes, the Course Members will be able to:

a. Demonstrate critical thinking skills in research work.

b. Assess a situation rationally, logically and prudently.
c. Estimate a given situation for a plausible solution.

Context

There are several assignments at PN War College, which necessitate Course Members to look at those using critical thinking skills. This is
necessary to avoid pitfalls of hasty, reductionist and incomprehensive conclusions. It becomes even more demanding during the thesis writing
and War Games, where Course Members will have to negotiate with complex problems for finding consistent and workable solutions. The
‘Analytical Thinking’ schemes will be of great help in these scenarios.

Place and Duration of Activity

These schemes will be conducted in SR for 1 hour duration each.

Reference Reading

Nil

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