Assignment Paper 209 - Research Methodology
Writing a Research Paper in Literary Studies
Name - Hina Parmar
Batch - M.A. Sem 4 (2022-2024)
Enrollment no - 40692064202221
Roll no - 10
Subject code - 22416
Paper no - 209
Paper - Research Methodology
Email address - hinaparmar612@gmail.com
Submitted to - Smt.S.B. Gardi Department of English M.K.B.U.
Date of submission - 26 April 2024
What is Research?
Research is defined as the creation of new knowledge and/or the use of existing knowledge in a new and creative way so as to generate new concepts, methodologies and understandings. This could include synthesis and analysis of previous research to the extent that it leads to new and creative outcomes.
This definition of research is consistent with a broad notion of research and experimental development (R&D) as consisting of creative work undertaken on a systematic basis in order to increase the stock of knowledge, including knowledge of humanity, culture and society, and the use of this stock of knowledge to devise new applications.
When writing a research paper, focus on presenting a clear thesis supported by secondary literature rather than crafting an essay. Here are some guidelines to consider:
- Choose a specific topic and formulate a clear argument.
- Maintain a systematic approach in presenting your ideas.
- Ensure your argument remains relevant, consistent, and coherent throughout the paper.
- Critically discuss and accurately document the secondary sources you use.
- Remember, writing is an iterative process; revisit and revise your work regularly.
Many students often overlook the importance of initial preparation in the writing process. However, dedicating time to this phase can make the actual writing of your paper more efficient and organized. A systematic approach is crucial.
1. Selecting a Topic
Choosing a suitable topic, crafting a title, and developing a coherent argument can be challenging. Once you've identified a topic or title, especially in literary studies where it may revolve around a specific text, reframe it as a research question to guide your inquiry. Additionally, consider the methodology you plan to use for your analysis.
Begin by closely reading your primary text. If you have access to an annotated edition of your chosen text, utilize the materials it provides effectively. Read both the text and the supplementary material attentively while taking notes; this will form the foundation for your subsequent research.
- Organize Your Findings:
Systematically summarize and organize your observations. Identify related aspects, contradictions, and correspondences. Your initial questions about the text often serve as excellent starting points for your study.
- Develop a Thesis Statement:
Once you've selected a topic and possibly even devised a title, craft a thesis statement. A thesis statement succinctly presents your topic in terms of argument. Ensure your thesis statement is debatable; you're presenting an opinion that will be substantiated through your paper with the support of sources. Generating questions about your topic can be a helpful approach to formulating a thesis. For example, "In Shakespeare's tragedy Romeo and Juliet, love serves more as a framework for social conflict than as an emotional state."
- Write an Introduction:
While drafting an introduction may seem challenging at this stage, it helps focus your research process and prevents unnecessary tangents. Aim to clarify your topic and provide context for your study.
2. Creating an Outline
When crafting an outline, aim to systematically organize the components of your argument. Develop categories and establish relationships between them to provide structure to your paper. Ideally, your outline should be informed by your topic and serve as a roadmap for your research. Additionally, think of it as a preliminary table of contents.
Outlines can be organized in various ways:
- Temporal Order: Beginning, climax, and end.
- Logical Order: A fact followed by its causes and consequences.
- Rhetorical Order: From general to specific, specific to general, simple to complex, etc.
Choose a structure that best suits your paper's requirements.
Example:
Title: "Love in Shakespeare’s Tragedy Romeo and Juliet"
1. Introduction
2. Historical Perspectives on Love and Gender in Shakespeare's Era
3. Love Portrayal in Romeo and Juliet
3.1 Diverse Interpretations of Love Influenced by Gender, Generation, and Class
3.2 Love as a Catalyst for Dramatic Conflicts
3.2.1 The Lighter Side of Love: Comedy in Relationships
3.2.2 The Darker Side of Love: Tragedy in Relationships
3.2.2.1 Fate Versus Chance in Love
3.2.2.2 Love and Mortality: The Theme of Death
4. Conclusion
5. References / Bibliography
3. Conducting Research
Maintain a systematic approach throughout your research process. While annotated editions of works can be a valuable starting point, there are other resources to consider when conducting research:
- General Reference Works: Encyclopedias, literary histories, and Kindler can provide fresh perspectives and serve as a foundational starting point for your research. They are also essential for understanding critical terminology accurately.
- Bibliographies: Both current and retrospective bibliographies offer systematic and reliable information on secondary sources.
- MLA Database: Accessible through the library, this online resource serves as a valuable, up-to-date collection of essays, some of which may be readily available.
- Library Catalogs: Conduct keyword searches in library catalogs to identify available resources at your institution.
- Snowballing: When examining your first piece of secondary material, explore the works cited to uncover additional valuable sources closely related to your topic.
- Internet Sources: Exercise caution when using online sources. While many online resources can be useful, always verify their credibility. Importantly, don't rely solely on online sources as they may not provide the comprehensive research overview needed for a critical paper.
Maintain an annotated bibliography to record details of each source you consult, noting its main arguments, approach, and usefulness. This practice aids memory retention and can benefit future research. Your works cited list will evolve from this annotated bibliography.
Exercise discretion in selecting secondary materials; prioritize relevance to avoid wasting time on irrelevant or redundant texts. Trust your judgment and don't hesitate to discard sources. Prioritize accessing materials available through your institution's libraries or online resources, such as e-journals and e-books. If relying on interlibrary loans, plan ahead and ensure the requested sources are genuinely pertinent.
Writing Your Paper
Taking Notes
Systematically collect and organize your notes, experimenting with different methods to find what works best for you. Consider the following approaches:
- Note Cards: Write individual thoughts on separate note cards, including full citations in the upper right corner. Clearly differentiate between direct quotes and paraphrased ideas, prioritizing paraphrasing when possible.
- Computer: Utilize a laptop to type and organize your notes digitally, eliminating the need to transcribe handwritten cards. Typed notes offer flexibility and ease of organization.
- Notebook: Maintain a dedicated notebook for jotting down ideas, allowing for portability and accessibility of your thoughts.
When taking notes, focus on summarizing, paraphrasing, or quoting as appropriate for each source. Ensure precision and accurate source documentation. Avoid excessive note-taking; there comes a point where you must transition to writing.
Writing the Paper
If you've invested time in the preliminary stages, the actual writing process should be more straightforward and less demanding.
Key Considerations:
Don't hesitate to discard irrelevant content.
Complete at least two drafts.
Avoid plagiarism.
Content Guidelines:
Minimize lengthy biographical detours and plot summaries.
When summarizing plots, use the present tense.
Support your arguments with relevant quotations.
Your introduction should not merely outline your topic's significance but also include a thesis statement and outline the methodology you will employ. Additionally, briefly analyze key sources relevant to your topic.
Style
- Adhere to the conventions of expository writing.
- Articulate your ideas clearly and effectively, employing a formal tone suitable for a research paper.
- Ensure coherence and readability in your presentation.
Formatting
Document Format: Type your paper; use DIN A4 paper size with fonts like Times New Roman, Arial, Courier, or Calibri, font size 12 pt, and double line spacing with adequate margins (left: 4 cm, right: 2 cm).
Pagination: Include the cover page without assigning it a page number.
Title Page: Include the research paper title, author's name, seminar title, lecturer's name, and submission date.
Table of Contents: Feature headings that will recur throughout your paper, reflecting the organizational structure derived from your outline. Avoid excessive subdivisions that may compromise the overall coherence of your argument.
Works Cited/Bibliography
1. The works cited section at the end of your research paper provides a comprehensive list of all primary and secondary sources referenced in your work. Ensure it includes all works cited in-text, even those not directly quoted or footnoted.
2. Alphabetize entries by the author's last name using the letter-by-letter system. This alphabetical arrangement aids readers in locating full publication details of referenced works. For anonymously authored works, list by the first noun of the title.
3. Distinguish between a works cited list and a bibliography. The former includes only sources directly referenced in your paper, while the latter encompasses additional relevant sources.
4. Each entry should include:
Author's name
Book title
Editor, translator, or compiler's name
Edition
Volume numbers
Series name
Place of publication, publisher, and publication date
Page numbers for essays or chapters
In your works cited or bibliography:
Articles from scholarly journals are enclosed in double quotation marks. The periodical title is italicized and immediately followed by the volume number. Publication date is enclosed in parentheses, followed by a colon and the page range. Refer to the MLA Handbook for specific formatting details related to newspapers, magazines, and scholarly journals with or without continuous pagination.
Chapters in books or contributions to scholarly volumes are also enclosed in double quotation marks, similar to short stories and poems. For other types of works, follow the book format.
Italicize titles of independently published works, such as monographs, volumes, and periodicals. Use quotation marks for titles of articles, chapters, etc. Ensure correct formatting even when titles are part of a larger work.
For entries extending beyond one line, indent all subsequent lines.
Examples Works Cited
Addison, Joseph, and Richard Steele. The Spectator. Ed. Donald Bond. 5 vols. Oxford: Clarendon, 1965.
Bhabha, Homi. “Articulating the Archaic: Notes on Colonial Nonsense.” Literary Theory Today. Ed. Peter Collier and Helga Geyer-Ryan. Ithaca: Cornell UP, 1990. 203-18.
Cixous, Hélène. “Fiction and Its Phantoms: A Reading of Freud’s ‘Das Unheimliche.’” New Literary History 7 (1976): 525-48.
Frye, Northrop. Anatomy of Criticism: Four Essays. Princeton: Princeton UP, 1957. Levine, Joseph. The Battle of the Books: History and Literature in the Augustan Age. Ithaca: Cornell UP, 1991.
Woolf, Virginia. Mrs Dalloway. 1925. Ed. Stella McNichol. London: Penguin, 1992.
References
“Definition of Research.” Western Sydney University, 2024, www.westernsydney.edu.au/research/researchers/preparing_a_grant_application/dest_definition_of_research. Accessed 24 Apr. 2024.
Gibaldi, Joseph. MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers, 6th ed. New York: MLA, 2003.
MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers. Modern Language Association of America, 2009. Accessed 3 April 2024.
Myer, Michael. English and American Literatures, 2nd ed. Tübingen: Francke, 2005.
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