IGNOU MWG 005 Important Questions With Answers English Medium

IGNOU MWG 005 Important Questions With Answers English Medium-MWG 005 Research Methods is a course offered by Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) that introduces students to the fundamental concepts and methods of research in the field of women's and gender studies.

Course Structure:

• Block 1: Introduction to Research Methods
• Block 2: Qualitative Research
• Block 3: Quantitative Research
• Block 4: Language Representation and Feminist Approaches
• Block 5: Designing and Research Project

Q.1 . What is action research ? Explain the 25 methodologies of action research. Discuss with the help of relevant examples in the context of gender studies.

IGNOU MWG 005 Important Questions With Answers English Medium-Action research is an interactive and iterative inquiry approach that entails collaboration between researchers and practitioners to address real-world challenges. It emphasizes creating meaningful change through a cyclical process involving planning, acting, observing, and reflecting. This approach is particularly pertinent in gender studies, where issues like inequality and social justice necessitate active engagement with affected communities. This essay explores action research methodologies, illustrating their application in the context of gender studies with relevant examples.

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The methodologies of action research follow a cyclical process, often depicted as a spiral, involving iterative stages of planning, acting, observing, and reflecting. The subsequent discussion outlines these key steps in action research methodologies, emphasizing their application in gender studies.

Problem Identification: Action research commences with identifying a specific problem or issue within a community or organization. In gender studies, this could range from addressing gender-based violence to workplace inequality. For instance, a researcher may observe a substantial gender pay gap in a specific industry and decide to investigate its root causes.

Reviewing Existing Literature: Before proceeding, researchers review existing literature to understand the theoretical and empirical context of the identified issue in gender studies. This step ensures alignment with established theories and knowledge in the field.

Planning and Designing the Intervention: Action research involves collaboratively planning and designing an intervention to address the identified problem. This could entail implementing new policies, conducting workshops, or creating awareness campaigns. For example, researchers might plan workshops to educate employees about gender biases in the workplace.

Implementing the Intervention: The planned intervention is then executed in the real-world context, necessitating close collaboration between researchers and practitioners. In the gender studies example, workshops on gender biases would be conducted within the organization, involving both management and employees.

Data Collection and Observation: Simultaneously with the intervention, researchers collect data to assess its impact. Quantitative data, such as surveys, and qualitative data, like interviews, provide a comprehensive understanding. 

IGNOU MWG 005 Important Questions With Answers English Medium-In gender studies, data could include changes in employee perceptions, workplace dynamics, and reported incidents of bias.

Analysis and Reflection: Collected data is analyzed, and results are reflected upon by researchers and practitioners. Reflection is crucial in action research for continuous learning and refining interventions. For instance, in gender studies, reflection might involve assessing whether workshops led to increased awareness and changes in behavior within the organization.

Adaptation and Iteration: Based on analysis and reflection, adjustments are made to the intervention for improvement. This could involve refining strategies or modifying workshop content based on participant feedback. If workshops did not lead to desired changes, the research team might adapt their approach.

Sharing Findings and Knowledge Dissemination: Action research emphasizes sharing findings with the wider community, contributing to collective knowledge. This could involve publishing research papers, conducting presentations, or disseminating information through community forums. In gender studies, findings might be presented at conferences or within the industry to encourage broader awareness and change.

IGNOU MWG 005 Important Questions With Answers English Medium-Action research in gender studies is impactful due to its direct engagement with communities affected by gender-related issues. An exemplary application is seen in the work of bell hooks, a feminist scholar and activist. In her action research, hooks explored issues of race, gender, and class, emphasizing the importance of intersectionality. Her work "Ain't I a Woman: Black Women and Feminism" critically examines the experiences of African American women, highlighting the intersectional nature of oppression.

IGNOU MWG 005 Important Questions With Answers English Medium-Another relevant example is the use of action research in addressing gender-based violence in communities. Research teams, collaborating with local organizations, may design and implement interventions like workshops, support groups, or awareness campaigns to combat domestic violence. These initiatives aim to empower individuals, challenge social norms, and contribute to the discourse on gender-based violence prevention.

Q.2 Trace the historical evolution of the classical scientific method of research. Write a feminist critique of this method.

Q.3 Analyse the importance of ethics in research. Discuss various ethical practices in research with special attention to gender studies.

Q.4 Discuss the importance of oral history and key informants as sources and tools of data collection in feminist research.
Q.5 What is a research design ? Discuss its types and suitability for feminist research.

Q.6 What is understood by feminist epistemologies ? Explain with the help of examples how these are more suitable than conventional knowledge paradigms for conducting research in women’s and gender studies.

Q.7 Discuss the importance of ethics in research. Also describe various ethical practices followed while carrying out feminist research

Q.9 What is a Research Design ? Explain various types of research designs used in carrying out research in women’s and gender studies.

Q.10 Discuss the concept and need for action participatory research. Do you agree that it is closer to feminist research ? Explain your point of view with the help of suitable examples.

Q.11 Discuss the role of gendered language in representation. Also, explain how silences be read.

Q.12 Describe the contents that should be covered while writing any research report.

Q.13 "Males have had power due to which they have been in a position to construct the myth of male superiority and have it accepted too." Discuss this statement with respect to sexism and power in research.

Q.14 Discuss Interdisciplinarity, Multidisciplinarity and Transdisciplinarity in feminist research. Justify which is best suited for feminist research.

Q.15 Discuss the various trends in feminist literary criticism. Explain feminist resistance to 'Theory'.

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