Guide to research in economics

THIS IS A GUIDE TO THE METHODOLOGY FOR THE ECONOMICS Researcher in India. It arose out of two methodology workshops for Ph.D. students from the 14 South Indian Universities organised by the Madras Institute of Develop ment Studies with the financial aid and sponsorship of the Indian Council of Social Science Research. Research methodology for the economist comprises (a) the theoretical frame developed, (b) the methods used and (o) the model constructed. Behind all three, a basic postulate for the economic researcher in India is an inescapable value judgement preceding the three components of his research methodology. That value judgement or bias must be made explicit to start with. It may be a bias that poverty can be eradicated, if the goal is sufficiency for all. Or it may be that employment can be generated by a style of production so that unemployment and/ or underemployment can be reduced, if not avoided. Or it may be that the development of heavy industry together with the extension of medium industrial mass production of wage goods is the need of the hour. Or it may be the need to widen the centres of decision making or ensure equity in the agrarian structure as a pre-condition to national development.