Activities

The Zamorin's Guruvayurappan College

PG&RESERCH DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMICS - Webniar Series

Webinar Report: Day One of Four-Day Webinar Series on Research Basics

Date: 28-07-2025
Time: 7 PM to 8 PM
Platform: Google Meet

Topic: Basics of Research:Problem Formulation,Objective and Literature Review

The PG and Research Department of Economics, The Zamorin’s Guruvayurappan College, conducted a four-day webinar series to provide academic guidance and practical support to final-year undergraduate students of BA Economics. The webinar series was specially designed to help students understand the essential elements of research and to equip them with the knowledge and skills needed for their upcoming degree project, which is an important part of their academic curriculum. The sessions aimed to make students more confident in taking the first steps in their research journey by explaining the process in a simple and clear manner.

The first session of the series was conducted on 28th July 2025, from 7 PM to 8 PM through the Google Meet platform. The topic for the first day was “Basics of Research: Research Problem, Statement of the Problem and Review of Literature.” The session was handled by Dr Sujin Sir, a respected faculty member from Government Arts and Science College, Calicut, who has significant experience in guiding undergraduate and postgraduate students in research methodology. Known for his friendly nature and student-centered approach, Dr Sujin was the ideal choice to introduce research concepts to undergraduate students in an accessible and engaging way.

The session began with a welcome speech by Anusree, a third-year BA Economics student. She gave a warm welcome to the guest speaker, faculty members and all the participating students. She also gave a brief introduction to the topic of the day and explained the importance of such a session for final-year students. Her confident and composed delivery set a positive tone for the webinar and helped create an encouraging learning atmosphere.

Following the welcome address, the session was formally opened by Ms Nusaiba K P, faculty member and class coordinator of the final-year BA Economics students. She has been the guiding force behind organizing this webinar series and has played an important role in planning and coordinating the event. In her opening remarks, she spoke about the importance of promoting research culture among undergraduate students. She pointed out that developing research skills not only helps in completing the degree project effectively but also adds value to academic and career growth.

After the formal welcome and introduction, Dr Sujin began his presentation on the basics of research. He started by explaining what research is and why it is important in the field of social science, especially in economics. He defined research as a systematic and scientific process used to explore, understand and solve real-world problems. He explained that research allows us to study patterns, test ideas and make informed decisions based on data and evidence. By using simple language and relatable examples, he was able to capture the attention of all students, many of whom were new to research.

He explained that the first step in any research is identifying a research problem, which forms the foundation of the entire study. A research problem is a question or issue that the researcher wants to explore or understand in depth. Dr Sujin explained that a good research problem should be clear, focused, and relevant to current social or economic situations. He encouraged students to select topics that interest them and to think about real-life situations that affect their community or society as a whole. He stressed that selecting a relevant and researchable problem is the most important task for any student preparing for a degree project.

Once the problem is selected, the next step is to prepare a statement of the problem, which explains what exactly the researcher is going to study and why it is important. Dr Sujin shared simple guidelines and examples to help students write an effective problem statement. He explained that the statement should include the background of the issue, the core research question, and the purpose of the study. He also pointed out common mistakes students make while writing this part and gave tips on how to avoid being too broad or vague. He encouraged students to keep the statement focused, brief and based on evidence.

The final part of the session focused on the review of literature, which is another key element in research. Dr Sujin explained that reviewing literature means going through past research studies, articles, reports and other academic materials related to the selected topic. He said this step helps the student understand what has already been done in the area, what methods have been used and what gaps still exist. He gave guidance on how to find relevant sources from books, journals, websites and digital libraries and how to organize the content in a proper format. He also explained how a good review of literature supports the research problem and shows that the topic has academic value.

Throughout the session, Dr Sujin made sure that the concepts were explained in simple terms. He used real-life examples and interactive explanations to make the session easy to understand. The students responded positively and actively listened to the session, taking notes and preparing themselves for their own research work. The friendly and patient way in which he presented the topic helped students feel more confident about starting their degree project. His advice also helped them realize that research is not something to be afraid of but a tool to explore ideas and learn more about the world.

At the end of the session, a vote of thanks was delivered by Alshifa, another student from the third year BA Economics. She thanked Dr Sujin for taking time out of his schedule to guide the students and for sharing his valuable knowledge and experience. She also expressed sincere thanks to Ms Nusaiba K P, the coordinator teacher, for organizing the webinar series and supporting the students throughout. Alshifa also thanked all the participants for their presence and interest.

The first session of the webinar series turned out to be a valuable learning experience for all final-year students. It helped them understand the early steps in research, such as identifying a topic, writing the problem statement, and reviewing past studies. Most importantly, it motivated students to begin their research work with clarity and focus. The session laid a strong foundation for the next stages in their degree project and encouraged them to take their academic responsibilities seriously.

The PG and Research Department of Economics received positive feedback from students who found the session informative, practical and encouraging. The department looks forward to the next three sessions in the series, which will continue to build on these basic concepts and guide students further in designing and completing their degree project.