On October 23, 2024, Dr. Mihir Pandey and Dr. Alok Dash, associate professors in the Department of Economics, Ramjas College, delivered a lecture on "Mastering Academic Writing." The session aimed to familiarize students with academic research and inspire them to conduct their own studies and write research papers. The lecture covered a broad range of topics at the introductory level to provide essential guidance to the students for getting started in the field of economic research. The key points discussed included:

​

Why Research?

Purpose: You research because you are interested in finding answers to a question you have or were given.

Objective: To explore and understand something new or unresolved, with a clear direction in mind.

Example topic: The growth of Mohalla Clinics and its impact

​

Research Proposal

A research proposal lays a roadmap that gives direction to further research. It includes:

 

1. What (The Research Question)

   • The core question you wish to answer.

   • Must be relevant and of personal interest.

   • A good question: Impacts not just an individual but broader societal well-being; relates to economic interest; should not cover something that’s already well-known or widely researched; should contain a new element or a fresh perspective.​

2. Why (Justification)

   • What is the need to address this question and why are you using this specific methodology?

   • How will this approach help you get meaningful results?

3. How (Approach/Methodology)

A plan of action for answering the research question. Consider:

• Methods you will use (surveys, interviews, data analysis)

• How will the necessary data be obtained? 

• How will the data be analysed to answer your question​?

 

Steps in Research

Formulating the Question:

• Begin with an interesting question that sparks curiosity.

• Study existing research on the topic.

• Identify gaps in the previous research and devise your questions to explore something novel.

​​

Literature Review:

A critical part of research is reviewing the work that has already been done on the topic. Look for gaps in existing studies or topics that have not been fully explored but are of interest.

 

Primary Research:

• Once your question is set, generate your own dataset through methods like surveys or fieldwork.

• Analyse the data you gathered to answer the question.

 

Conclusion:

Based on your analysis, you arrive at a conclusion that directly addresses the research question. The conclusion should reflect how your research has filled the gap in knowledge or contributed a new perspective. Ensure that the conclusion ties back to the "What," "Why," and "How" of your research, demonstrating the significance of your findings and how they provide insights into the broader context. This structure now includes the importance of summarizing and concluding your research in a meaningful way that contributes to the existing body of knowledge.​​​​​

​