A weeklong workshop on ‘Research Methodology in Social Sciences and IPR’ commenced at Government Degree College (GDC) Baramulla on Monday.The workshop is being organized by the faculty of Social Sciences in collaboration with the Internal Quality Assurance Cell (IQAC) of the college.Prof. (Dr.) Mushtaq Ahmad Lone, Principal of the college was the Chief Guest at the inaugural session and Dean Research Dr. Saleem Farooq of the Department of Chemistry was a Guest of Honour.In his presidential address, Prof. Lone said that research has assumed a greater role and relevance to help address various societal problems with its potential to influence at grassroots. He said research can find answers to things that are unknown, filling gaps in knowledge, understanding various issues, knowing the truth, and seeking opportunities, among others. It somehow answers your question, added Prof. Lone. He said research inculcates a sense of maturity and helps professionals peeping into the world through a different vision and paradigm. He also said it changes the overall outlook of a person besides help addressing a number of local and allied problems faced by people in different domains of life.
Dr. Saleem also shared his research expertise and presented a brief account of the research journey of the college. He highlighted various research activities undertaken by the faculty members of the college and role and support extended by the Higher Education Department of UT of J&K in translating the dream of college teachers in the research arena. He also yearned to bridge the administrative gap between the college sector and varsities vis-à-vis the research domain.Dr. Sajad Ahmad Darzi, Assistant Professor, Department of History, University of Kashmir was the invited guest speaker on the occasion. He presented a compact and crispy talk on various shades of research. His presentation was loaded with information wherein he touched upon different philosophical positions, such as ontology, epistemology, and methodology. He threadbare discussed the various contours of research and alluded to many celebrated philosophers of science including Karl Popper and Thomas Khun, among others.In his welcome address, Prof. Zubair Ahmad Thoker, Head Department of History of the college tabled a brief gist of the workshop and flagged its importance to the participants.