Mahenderarh : On the sixth day of the ongoing ten-day Research Methodology Course for Social Science Research, organized by the Department of Psychology at the Central University of Haryana (CUH), participants enriched their academic journey through immersive field-based learning. The workshop is sponsored by the Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR), New Delhi.

Prof. Tankeshwar Kumar, Vice-Chancellor of the University emphasized the importance of grounding theoretical knowledge with real-world exposure. He urged participants to “learn from the field, listen to people’s lived realities, and attempt to solve the pressing challenges of society through research.” Under the guidance of Dr. Vishnu Narayan Kucheria, Course Director, and Prof.PayalKanwarChandel, Course Co-Director, the participants embarked on a field visit to Pilani, Rajasthan, a region renowned for its educational heritage, rural development initiatives, and community engagement programs.

The visit included interactions with local NGOs, community workers, and faculty at institutions such as BITS Pilani and the Birla Rural Technology Centre. Participants also explored the traditional socio-cultural dynamics of rural Rajasthan and the impact of educational initiatives on local development. The field experience provided a deeper understanding of key research themes such as rural psychology, education, gender studies, and grassroots-level policy implementation. Students conducted observational studies, informal interviews, and community mapping exercises, applying the research tools and techniques discussed in earlier sessions.

Reflecting on the visit, many participants expressed how the exposure to real-life contexts helped in refining their research questions and sensitized them to ground-level realities. “It was eye-opening to witness how theories translate—or fail to translate—into practice,” said a research scholar attending the course. The day concluded with a group discussion session where participants shared insights gained from the field and connected their observations with methodological frameworks in social science research.

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