Research Methodology - Report

Study

On

SOCIAL SERVICE

(Awareness and Practice among II M.Com students of GNC)

By

Sudharshan. R

(604)

II M.Com

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

GURU NANAK COLLEGE

Chennai – 44
Contents:

Chapter 1 - Introduction -– Statement of Problem – Objective of the

Study – Research Methodology – Analytical Tool.

Chapter 2 - Review of Literature – Real Education, its purpose and

importance – Social Service and its dimensions – Relation between
Education and Social Service - Social Service Awareness and Social
Service Practice - Social Service components studied in this research
and brief notes on them.

Chapter 3 – Data Analysis – Research methods – Measurement of

Social Service Awareness – Measurement of Social Service Practice –
Relation between Social Service Awareness and Practice.

Chapter 4 – Conclusion – Findings – Limitations - Scope for future

study.

Chapter 1 – Introduction
Curiosity or inquisitiveness is a distinctive feature of human beings.
Curiosity to know about ourselves and things around us, about a
particular fact or concept or an idea is always inherent in us. Whenever
such curiosities arise we tend to seek answers for them. For that, we
hunt for knowledge, we search for understandings and conclusions. So
also for me, the same curiosity to know about the attitude of II M.Com
students of Guru Nanak College towards Social Service Awareness and
Practice arose and that is been reflected in this study. Even though the
sole purpose of this research study is to know the attitude of II M.Com
students towards Social Service, the relationship between today’s
education and participation of students in Social work has occupied the
other side of the coin. And another interesting thing that got revealed
in the course of this research study is the knowledge about True and
Real Education, its aim, its importance & its effect in the society in the
form of Social Service. In this modern world, which is full of conflicts
and sorrow, I think the knowledge about true education, its purpose, its
relationship with Social Service, Awareness and Practice of Social
Service will enlighten the minds of today’s youth, who will lead the
nation tomorrow.

At this juncture, I would like to mention a quote of Sri Sathya Sai Baba,
a Great Spiritual Master in India, which goes as, “…. There is a violent
spread of seven dangerous evils in the country today. They are:
Commerce without Morality, Politics without principles, Education
without Character, Worship without Sacrifice, Wealth without effort,
Science without Humanity, and Devotion without steadfastness. We
should get rid of these seven evils by achieving the goals of Commerce
with Morality, Politics with honesty, Educated people with Character,
Worship with Sacrifice, Wealth earned through hard effort and toil,
Science with Humanity, and steadfast Devotion. This will ensure the
prosperity of our nation...”

To put it in a nut shell, what we take from the society, we ought to give
it back to society. Thus society plays an important role in our lives. To
be simple and crisp, the service we perform to the society in return, for
the things we acquired from it, becomes Social Service. Indeed, this is
indispensable only if real education is imparted to the students in the
right way along with necessary dosage of Social Service awareness and
practice. We will study the findings of this research, and also the
interesting facts that got revealed during course, in detail, in the
following pages.
Statement of the Problem

How many students in II M.Com of GNC have Social Service Awareness?

How many students in II M.Com of GNC involve in Social Service

Practice?

Is there any association or relationship between Social Service

Awareness and Social Service practice among II M.Com students of
GNC?

This research study seeks answer for these above stated problems.

Basic analysis has been made by using 5 main criteria of the

respondents like – Gender, Performance in UG, Family income level,
Education level of the father, Membership in any Social Service
Organization. This forms the personal profile of the respondents.

Analysis about Social Service Awareness and Social Service Practice

has been made on the following grounds – Blood donation, Tree
planting, Water Conservation, Energy Conservation, and Literacy
Mission. Further statistical analysis has also been made to know the
association between Profile group and Social Service Practice group of
the respondents.

Objectives of the study

 To know the Characteristics of the respondents

 To measure Social Service Awareness

 To measure Social Service Practice

 To describe Social Service Awareness and Social Service Practice

 To analyze the relationship between Social Service Awareness

and Social Service Practice

 To know the association between profile group and Social Service

Practice group of the respondents
Research Methodology

1. Coverage – II M.Com students of Guru Nanak College

2. Type of Data – Primary Data (Collection of data directly from II

M.Com students of GNC)

3. Instrument used for data collection – Data sheet / Schedule

Analytical tool

 Percentage tool is used to know the characteristics of the

respondents.

 5 Point Likert scale is utilized to measure Social Service

Awareness groups.

 To measure Social Service Practice groups 5 Point Likert scale is

used.

 Descriptive Statistics describe Social Service Awareness and

Social Service Practice.

 Correlation, Regression Analysis and X2-test is used to analyze

the relationship between Social Service Awareness & Social Service
Practice.
  To know the Association between Personal Profile Group and
Social Service Practice groups X2-test is utilized.

Chapter 2 – Review of Literature

Real Education, its purpose and importance

(Excerpts from the Discourse of Sri Sathya Sai Baba, a Spiritual Master
in India)

“Vidya (Education) means Jnana (Wisdom). True wisdom does not

mean worldly intelligence. True education is that which develops inner
vision and makes you experience everlasting bliss. Nowadays students
are merely acquiring degrees and earning the appreciation of the
authorities, but they do not understand the real significance of
education. Students think that degrees are meant to earn a livelihood.
Remember Education is for life, not just for a living. But neither
the students nor the parents realise this truth. Parents are happy if
their children score high marks in their examinations. They are not
bothered about the heaps of bad remarks their children get. If only
they care to look into the remarks, they will truly understand the type
of education that their children are receiving.

Students should acquire such education which will be

beneficial to the society and the world at large. What is the
present state of society? In what way can we make it ideal? How should
one work for the advancement of the society? Nobody seems to think
on these lines. If someone talks about reforms in the system of
education, the students just brush it aside. They think that textual
knowledge is the be-all and end-all of education. The elders should take
up the responsibility to give proper education to students. Students
should uphold the honour of the society. We should follow the
teachings of our ancient sages and seers who have given us the true
meaning of education. It is a sign of foolishness to become egoistic by
merely acquiring a few degrees. Education should make students
to understand the needs of society and utilise their education
for its progress through Social service. People say they are
serving the society, but without really understanding what the
requirements of the society are. Such service is not Social Service, but
a lifeless, mechanical activity. Society will progress only when the
system of education is set right. True education should
encourage the students to work for the progress of the society.
Of course, secular education is also necessary. However, secular
education should be harmonised with value based education to mould
the character of the students and make them better citizens of the
country. The goal of true education is to build pure character.
Without character and basic human values, all the degrees and
doctorates become futile”

Social Service and its dimensions

(Compilation from the book – Seva, a flower at His feet)

Any activity which is done only to assist the needy and

distressed/disadvantaged/vulnerable people without any consideration
or return (not for money or money’s value) can be called as Social
Service. Literally social services are designated to provide meaningful
opportunities for social and economic growth for the disadvantaged
sector of the population in order to develop them into productive and
self-reliant citizens and promote social equity. This concept of Social
Work or Social Service originated in the charity organizations in Europe
and the U.S. in the late 19th century. Social workers may serve the
needs of children and families, the poor or homeless, immigrants,
veterans, the mentally ill, the handicapped, victims of domestic
violence, and person’s dependent on alcohol or drugs, etc.

First and foremost dimension of a Social Service is Selflessness. What

is Selfless Service? Any Service rendered with utmost humility and with
no expectation or reward in return is Selfless Service. There is a
beautiful incident on Selfless service. The former American President
Abraham Lincoln once saved a pig by lifting it out of the mire in which it
was caught, and while doing so his body and clothes became very dirty.
The onlookers asked him why he, the President of such a vast country,
should dirty himself just to save a pig. He replied with all humility, “I got
involved in this action not just to save the pig for formality sake but to
relieve myself from the suffering I experienced at the sight of the
suffering of the pig” Lincoln believed that Service done with love to
human kind is Service done to God. This is selfless service.

Second dimension is – All Service should come from Heart. Social

work is not showy work. Social workers should be like servants. They
have to express their sympathy and their willingness to help or serve
others, but should not try to impress others by mere external and
mechanical actions. Social Service should be rendered from heart,
without any one’s compulsion, but with love and care. Simplicity and
Sincerity is must for Social Service.

Third dimension of Social Service is to promote Peace, Harmony,

and Friendship in the society. Many NGOs and other voluntary Social
Service organizations emphasize Social service as doing good to others,
radiating love and peace through sharing, caring & serving the people
who are in need. Cultivating a spirit of Service is very important to
social workers for that attitude brings humans closer to each other and
promotes friendship, peace, and harmony in the society.

To conclude, Social Service can bring in tremendous transformation in

the society, if it is done with right spirit. Swami Vivekananda says, “…To
remove the evil of egoism, Service is the best instrument, for it will
bring Unity of all mankind. He who dedicates his time, skill and strength
to service, can never meet defeat, distress or disappointment. For
service is its own reward…”

Relation between Education and Social Service

End of education is character. This is very true. Without imbibing the

imports of real education, no basic human values will be nurtured. The
term ‘Education’ came from the Latin word ‘Educare,’ meaning ‘to
bring out’ or ‘to bring out what is within’ or ‘bring out the
potential’. Real Education in the largest sense is any act or
experience that has a formative effect on the mind, character,
or physical ability of an individual. On the other hand, Social
Service is nothing but real education in action. Thus Education
and Social Service, both are complimentary to each other. True
education will always be in ever support for Social transformation, in the
form of Social Service. This is the intimate relationship between Real
Education and Social Service.
Social Service Awareness and Practice

Social Service Awareness and Social Service practice, even though they
sound similar in context, they do have their slightest differences in
meaning. Awareness refers to alertness, knowledge, or understanding
about various Social Services. Practice refers to the act of Social Service
that is been performed, applied, followed, or implemented physically.
One may be very much aware of importance of Tree planting, but would
have not even planted a single tree in his life time. However, to be
positive in contextual approach, Social Service Awareness is also
equally important like that of Social Service Practice. It is mere
foolishness to weigh or compare their glory against each other. They are
like two wings of a bird, where even if any one of the two wings gets
cut, it becomes difficult for the bird to fly.

Social Service components studied in this research

Blood Donation

A blood donation occurs when a healthy person voluntarily has blood

drawn and used for transfusions or made into medications by a process
called fractionation. Blood donations are divided into groups based on
who will receive the collected blood.

a) Allogeneic Donation

b) Directed Donation

An allogeneic donation is when a donor gives blood for storage at a

blood bank for transfusion to an unknown recipient.

A directed donation is when a person, often a family member, donates

blood for transfusion to a specific individual. Directed donations are
relatively rare.
Blood donation is considered as one of the noblest forms of Service. The
donor and also the recipient of the blood, both are benefitted. Blood
donation gives immunity power, improves blood circulation, and helps in
reduction of Heart aches. An interesting note is – In Brazil, it is illegal to
receive any compensation, monetary or otherwise, for the donation of
blood or other human tissues. And in Italy, blood donors receive the
donation day as a paid holiday from work.

Tree Plantation

Tree planting is the process of transplanting tree seedlings, generally

for forestry, land reclamation, or landscaping purposes. It differs from
the transplantation of larger trees in arboriculture, and from the lower
cost but slower and less reliable distribution of tree seeds.

In Silviculture the activity is known as reforestation, or afforestation,

depending on whether the area being planted has or has not recently
been forested. It involves planting seedlings over an area of land where
the forest has been harvested or damaged by fire or disease or insects.
Tree planting is carried out in many different parts of the world, and
strategies may differ widely across nations and regions and among
individual reforestation companies. Tree planting if performed properly
can result in the successful regeneration of many deforested areas.

Water Conservation

Water conservation is nothing but any beneficial reduction in water

loss, use, or waste. A reduction in water use accomplished by
implementation of water conservation or water efficiency measures, or
improved water management practices that reduce and enhance the
beneficial use of water. A water conservation measure is an action,
behavioral change, device, technology, or improved design or process
implemented to reduce water loss, waste, or use. Water efficiency is a
tool of water conservation. That results in more efficient water use and
thus reduces water demand. The value and cost-effectiveness of a
water efficiency measure must be evaluated in relation to its effects on
the use and cost of other natural resources (e.g. energy or chemicals).
Water conservation is must to ensure availability for future
generations, the withdrawal of fresh water from an ecosystem should
not exceed its natural replacement rate.
Energy Conservation

Energy conservation refers to any beneficial reduction in energies like

Heat energy, Electric energy, Solar energy etc, in loss, use or waste.
Energy conservation is indispensable to reduce pollution. Not only that,
energy conservation ensures bright future of planet earth.

Literacy Mission

Literacy in India is the key for socio-economic progress, and the Indian
literacy rate grew to 68% in 2007 from 12% at the end of British rule in
1947. According to the latest survey by the National Sample Survey
Office in June 2008, the literacy rate among the population with age 7
and above was 72% whereas the adult population (age15 and above)
had a literacy rate of 66%. Although this was a greater than fivefold
improvement, the level is still below the world average literacy rate of
84%, and India currently has the largest illiterate population of any
nation on earth. Despite government programs, India's literacy rate
increased only "sluggishly," and a 1990 study estimated that it would
take until 2060 for India to achieve universal literacy at then-current
rate of progress. The 2001 census, however, indicated a 1991-2001
decadal literacy growth of 12.63%, which is the fastest-ever on record.
Effective function of literacy mission is the need of the hour.

Chapter 3 – Data Analysis

TABLE 1 - GENDER

CHARACTERISTICS NUMBER OF PERCENTAGE

RESPONDENTS (%)
MALE 22 55
FEMALE 18 45
TOTAL 40 100
 Table 1 shows that majority of the students are male.

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TABLE 2 - PERFORMANCE IN UG

CLASSIFICATION NUMBER OF PERCENTAGE

RESPONDENTS (%)
1ST CLASS 23 57.50%
2ND CLASS 16 40%
3RD CLASS 1 2.5%
TOTAL 40 100

Table 2 shows that majority of the students have secured 1st

class.

TABLE 3 - MONTHLY FAMILY INCOMES

 CHARACTERISTICS NUMBER OF PERCENTAGE
(IN Rs) STUDENTS (%)
LESS THAN 10000 13 32.5%
10000 TO 20000 15 37.5%
MORE THAN 20000 12 30%
40 100

Table 3 shows that the respondents are equally distributed

among 3 levels of income.

TABLE 4 EDUCATION LEVEL OF FATHER

CHARACTERISTICS NUMBER OF PERCENTAGE

RESPONDENTS (%)
HIGHER EDUCATION 18 45%
SCHOOL EDUCATION 22 55%
TOTAL 40 100
Table 4 shows that majority of students are first generation
graduates.

TABLE 5 - MEMBERSHIP IN SSO

CHARACTERISTICS NUMBER OF PERCENTAGE

RESPONDENTS (%)
YES 15 37.50%
NO 25 62.50%
TOTAL 40 100
 Table 5 shows that minority of students are membership in
NGO

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