Students of Dr. T. K. Tope Night College participated in an election survey as field investigators. The survey was a part of the ongoing research activity of the CSDS – Centre for the study of developing societies, (http://www.csds.in/) Delhi, a research organisation in collaboration with the Department of Politics and Public Administration, Savitribai Phule Pune University, Pune. (http://www.unipune.ac.in/dept/mental_moral_and_social_science/politics_and_public_administration/default.htm)
It was conducted twice in the year 2014. First was before the Loksabha elections in March 2014 and second was in October 2014 before the Maharashtra Vidhansabha elections (State Legislative Assembly elections.)
Workshop in Dr. T. K. Tope Night College.
Field investigators were given systematic training before going to the field for actual survey. Two such workshops were conducted in Dr. T. K. Tope Night College on 16th Feb. 2014 and 19th March 2014 before the Loksabha elections. Prof. Shubharaj Buwa along with Kedar Deshmukh conducted the workshop. Students from SNDT College, Churchgate and Uran College also participated in the survey.
The survey was conducted in assembly constituency areas of Mumbai, Thane and Raigad districts. It was possible to conduct the workshop because of the kind cooperation and guidance of Principal V. B. Rokade of Dr. T. K. Tope Night College.
Kirti College Workshop
In October 2014 before the Vidhansabha elections another workshop was conducted at the the Kirti College Dadar. Prof. Nitin Birmal from Pune University and Principal Magare of Kirti College guided students.
Field investigators faced many difficulties while conducting the survey. It was much easier to conduct interviews in slums and rural areas but it was very difficult to get access in apartments in urban areas.