The one-week faculty development program on “Research Methodology: Tools, Techniques, and Trends” was organized by St. Vincent Pallotti College, Raipur, from September 19th to 25th,2024. The Faculty Development Program was inaugurated with lighting a divine lamp by Director,Fr. Amit Tirkey, Principal, Dr. Kuldeep Dubey, Vice-Principal Dr.G. Padma Gouri. The Session commenced with the opening remarks by the Principal who emphasized the need of upskilling by the faculty in the area of Research and Development. The program provided an in-depth exploration of advanced research methodologies, addressing key aspects of academic writing, publishing strategies, AI integration in research, plagiarism detection, and the application of statistical tools in scholarly research.
On the inaugural day, Dr. Satputaley introduced the systematic approach of drafting research papers, guiding participants on organizing their research into clearly defined sections such as introduction, methodology, results, and discussion. Special attention was given to interactive revisions for enhancing clarity, coherence, and logical flow, culminating in the final submission-ready manuscript.
The second session delved into the complexities of the academic publication process. Dr. Satputaley provided comprehensive insights on transitioning from manuscript drafting to journal submission. The session focused on formulating a precise and testable hypothesis, ensuring that it aligns with the overarching research objectives. Participants were introduced to the strategic selection of journals, comparing the merits of traditional subscription-based journals versus open-access platforms.
Dr. Kapil Gupta presented on the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools in research, particularly in the selection and framing of research titles in his first session. Dr. Gupta showcased AI-driven platforms such as Google Scholar, Semantic Scholar, and Science Direct, which leverage citation analysis and machine learning algorithms to assist researchers in identifying trending topics and optimizing research title selection. The second session addressed the crucial topic of plagiarism, led by Dr. Gupta. The session underscored the ethical ramifications of plagiarism in academic research and discussed both intentional and inadvertent instances of plagiarism.
Dr. Minhaj Ahmad A. Rahman session included ways of enhancing the impact of research publications. The session centered on understanding journal ranking metrics, with particular attention to the SC Imago Journal Rank (SJR) and Journal Citation Reports (JCR). Dr. Rahman explained how these metrics assess the influence of journals based on citation frequency and prestige. He guided participants on selecting high-impact journals by navigating platforms like SCOPUS and ELSEVIER. with journal scope, adhering to submission guidelines, and optimizing keywords to ensure successful publication in top-tier journals.
The final day focused on the utilization of advanced statistical tools for robust data analysis. Dr. Rahman elaborated on the application of SPSS (Statistical Package for the Social Sciences) and JAMOVI, two prominent statistical software packages widely employed in research for data management, statistical testing, and visualization.
The program concluded with interactive discussions, where participants engaged with the speakers on the practical applications of the topics covered throughout the week. The faculty development initiative was lauded for its comprehensive approach to equipping educators with advanced research skills, enhancing their academic output, and ensuring adherence to rigorous research standards.