Write a research report on the following topics in about 3000 words.

1. Impact of transnational migration on Indian Society.

 2. Relevance of open and distance learning as a means of empowerment of the socially excluded and marginalized people in India.

 3. Relevance of caste in contemporary politics.

You can write this report based either on review of literature, or data collected from the primary sources.

For review of literature you are to select either two books or four research articles published recently on the selected topic of your choice. Write a review article focusing on the location of the study, methodology followed and the main findings of these studies.

For the primary source you are to collect two case studies and write a report on the selected topic in a comparative framework. While writing the report spell out clearly the objectives and the problems of the study and

 problematise the issue within the existing/available literature,

 elaborate your observations, finding and conclusion coherently, and

 make proper referencing at the end.

Relevance of open and distance learning as a means of empowerment of the socially excluded and marginalized people in India.

Impact of transnational migration on Indian Society

Critically examine the nature and scope of feminist method in social science research.

Discuss the participatory approach to social research. Compare and contrast it with conventional research methodologies.

Explain the comparative method. Discuss its scope in social science research.

What is positivism? Discuss Giddens’s critique of positivism.

What is phenomenology? Explain with reference to the contribution of Martin Heideggar to understand phenomenology.

Sustainable development and governance.

Modalities for people‟s participation.

Write short notes on the following in 250 words each:

Examine the structure, powers and functions of local government.

“Owing to the 74th Constitutional Amendment Act, 1992, municipalities are functioning as effective institutions of local self-government at the grassroots level”. Comment.

Explain the term institutional capacity-building and suggest ways for capacity-building of elected representatives.

Discuss the evolution and significance of democratic decentralisation in India.

What are the different requirements in development planning?

Examine the partnership among local authorities and special purpose agencies in the health sector.

Describe the politico-administrative components of decentralisation and suggest necessary measures to strengthen them.

Explain the concept of empowerment by highlighting the problems in achieving empowerment.

Discuss the impact of decentralised development.