“Social change needed for the development of society”
Khayam Hassan
First of all, I am thankful to the Riphah International University Islamabad, to give me admission in Master of Science in Media studies. I study there about two years and spent wonderful time. My classes were full of knowledge as a theoretical and practical, where, I learnt about different subjects as well as different mentality and approaches of the people.
In the second semester of course work, the research proposal classes were taken by Director Mr. Rehan Hassan, who gave us a task to select a topic for practical research. Where after consultation with Mr. Rehan Hassan at the department. I selected topic titled “Participatory Communication for Effective Improvement in Socio-Cultural Context of District Swat”. A research proposal was developed under the consideration of university recommended format with the help of my Supervisor Dr. Abdul Jabbar Khan.
The research proposal was presented to the departmental research committee, where they suggested me corrections, changes and modifications, which I did and submitted on time to department Director, coordinator and concern supervisor.
In third semester, with classes I also worked on my thesis, where my supervisor and the university staff did cooperation with me, which gave me more courage and up moral to do best research to compete my classmates. In this regards I took help, ideas and consultation with my supervisor, who guided and help me very well.
At the end of third semester, I refined my idea about my topic and started work on my thesis. On the suggestion of my supervisor, I developed a tool for the data collection, where he made a lot of changes according to the objectives and hypotheses of the study. He appreciated my research work after made correction and encourage me to continue my research work.
At the commencement of fourth semester, I started work on 1st chapter of my thesis and after completion submitted to the supervisor. He did changes and resend me for correction, but this time I worked on second chapter to overcome the burden and complete my thesis on time. I adopted this strategy, because time was very limited and research work was a lot, so i made a strategy to manage the time and resources.
At the first month, I completed my two chapters with changes and refined chapters were submitted to supervisor. At this time, 3rd chapter was initiated title theoretical framework. In this chapter, I based my thesis on Alternative Paradigm Model, which explored that change in the society is impossible when there is no social change in among the attitude of people. The model stated that social change could bring change in the nations and countries, otherwise impossible.
I based my research on the said theory because I thought and it is fact that without bringing change in the behavior and attitude of the residents; change in a particular society is unbearable. My supervisor was also agreed me on the said theory and helped me that how to apply in my study. I explored different aspects of the theory with the help of different literature, where different scholars used it in different studies for different purposes.
After completion of third chapter, then started fourth chapter, which explained my research methodology. With consultation to supervisor, I selected quantitative methodology, where survey research technique was used for data collection. Survey is method where a research easily diagnoses the opinion and agreement of the respondents about an issue. A survey was conducted in district Swat, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. I selected the district because, I am residents of this area and know better the limitations of the area as well. Data was collected from the Swat based different Non-governmental organizations which are working on various projects for the uplifts of the area. Due to time limitations, I collected data through convenient sampling method, because data from all NGOs worker is impossible due to remote area. For the data analyzation, I used Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) because to make sure impartiality in the findings of the study.
Data was collected in almost one and half month, where I faced a lot of problems because NGOs offices were located very far from each other’s, while workers were also busy in their routine official works, which delay the recollection of questionnaires as well as effected the response rate of the respondents. After collection of data, I sorted the questionnaires according to research rules then started screening of the data.
Data was analyzed by two methods including descriptive statistics and inferential statistics to find out accurate and logical results of the study, which could be generalized. At the first step only frequency distribution was done, whereas, later on association among variables were tested. Both methods supported the developed objectives and hypotheses. Data tabulation was presented in chapter five. On the base of results of the study, a discussion was presented in chapter six to explain my view point. Every aspect of response was explained with help of figures to give help to the students, NGOs workers and policy makers that may help in future plans.
At the last chapter, conclusion and recommendations was presented that what we concluded and what are the remedies of the diagnosed problems which are facing by the Swat based NGOs. It was concluded that socio-cultural issues and factors are affecting the participatory communication, which not only effecting PC but also effecting the image of the area nationally and internationally. The chapters were discussed with the supervisor, where he done correction, modification and recommendation for betterment of the study. I learnt a lot from teachers and particularly from conducting of this practical project.
Besides compiling my thesis, I also face the deadlines of the university where the authorities gave us date sheet which we should to meet otherwise we would be faced marks limitations.
The first draft both in soft and hard copy marks were 2.5% which was required till March 22, 2018. Me and my supervisor did hard work and submitted it on due date, which was very crucial time for me to meet the line. In the 1st draft I submitted two chapters along with title pages recommended by the university.
2nd draft both forms were also 2.5% marks, which last submission date was April 20, 2018. This task was also completed on time and submitted to the coordinator, director and concern supervisors in due time. This draft was comprised on two chapters, but it was very technical in its context.
Final submission of the thesis was hectic work at time of May 15, 2018, because data analysis, findings, conclusion and recommendations were the requirement of the final draft. In this stage me not only to work on last chapters but also to complete all the required documents according to university thesis guidelines. By the grace of ALLAH, I completed my thesis on time and submitted to coordinator in due date. But the tension was on peak due to plagiarism checking.
The department gave us time for plagiarism from May 14 to 25, 2018. The authorities check my thesis plagiarism which was only 6% that was acceptable according to university and Higher Education Commission of Pakistan. It was very existed movement for me to encounter the copyright issue.
After the clarification of plagiarism and dues of department, the authorities call me for Mock viva on June 08, 2018, where I defended my work successfully, while the viva committee gave me some recommendations for betterment in the study. I was very happy that time because this was my first step of success to get degree. After correction, I submitted my thesis presentation to coordinator, Director and concern supervisor. Now waiting for my final Defence of thesis.
At the last, I am very thankful to the department director, my supervisor, teachers and supporting staff, which, gave me courage and support in my studies.
