Stress Management and Rank-Based Research

Stress Management and Rank-Based Research: A 60-Hour Undergraduate Internship

Course Objectives

• Define and describe the concept of stress, its sources, and its cognitive, emotional, and physiological impacts.

• Understand key psychological theories and models related to stress.

• Learn and practice hands-on stress management techniques (e.g. mindfulness, deep breathing, progressive relaxation).

• Develop self-awareness regarding personal stress triggers and coping styles.

• Apply evidence-based tools to manage stress in academic and everyday contexts.

• Build resilience and create a personal self-care and stress management plan.

• Collect and analyze rank-based data on academic stress.

• Submit a research dissertation based on primary data and stress theory integration.

Duration & Structure

Total Duration: 60 Hours

Mode: Hybrid (Offline + Online)

Schedule: 2 Days per Week × 2 Hours × 15 Weeks

Assessment: Research Dissertation, Presentation, Participation

Syllabus & Weekly Breakdown

Module 1: Foundations of Stress (Week 1–2)

• What is stress? Eustress vs Distress

• Sources of academic stress

• Physiological, emotional, cognitive symptoms

• Class activity: Identify personal stress signals

Module 2: Psychological Theories of Stress (Week 3–4)

• Cannon’s Fight or Flight Response

• Selye’s General Adaptation Syndrome

• Lazarus and Folkman’s Cognitive Appraisal Theory

• Rabindrik Perspective on Equilibrium of Mind and Learning Harmony

Module 3: Stress and Coping (Week 5–6)

• Types of coping (problem-focused vs emotion-focused)

• Transactional model of stress and coping

• Rabindrik Values as Coping Anchors

• Group discussion: Cultural attitudes toward stress

Module 4: Hands-on Stress Management Tools (Week 7–9)

• Deep breathing and muscle relaxation

• Mindfulness and guided imagery

• Music, journaling, and art-based methods

• Rabindrik Therapeutic Practices: Use of poetry, music, and visualization

• Daily stress diary

Module 5: Rank-Based Data Collection & Research Methods (Week 10–11)

• Introduction to rank-order technique

• Designing a rank-based questionnaire on academic stress

• Data collection from peers (min 30 responses per student)

• Ethical considerations in psychological research

Module 6: Data Analysis Using Excel (Week 12–13)

• Data tabulation and rank frequency

• Calculation of average rank

• Spearman's Rank Correlation

• Visualizing data (bar charts, scatterplots)

• Interpretation of findings

Module 7: Dissertation Writing & Self-Care Planning (Week 14–15)

• Components of research report: Introduction, Objectives, Methodology, Results and Discussion, Conclusion and Recommendations

• Develop personal stress management and self-care plan

• Final oral/poster presentation

Research Component

Each student will:

- Collect primary rank-based data on academic stress

- Analyze data using Excel

- Interpret results using relevant psychological theories

- Submit a research dissertation (2,500–3,000 words)

- Present findings in a peer-reviewed format

Deliverables

• Rank-Based Questionnaire

• Dataset (min 30 samples)

• Research Dissertation

• Presentation Slides

• Stress Diary & Self-care Plan

Assessment & Evaluation

Component

Marks

Class Participation & Practices

10

Stress Diary & Reflection

10

Rank-Based Research Tool

10

Data Analysis & Interpretation

20

Dissertation Report

30

Final Presentation

20