Structuralism in research methodology

1. STRUCTURALISM
COMPILED BY:
MUHAMMAD USMAN AWAN
M.A. ENGLISH

2. DEFINITION
 A method of interpretation and analysis of
aspects of human cognition, behavior, culture
and experience which focuses on relationships
of contrast between elements in a conceptual
system
 The doctrine that structure is more important
than function

3. AS A PHILOSOPHICAL TERM
 Structuralists are interested in the interrelationship between
units (also called surface phenomenon) and rules (the ways that
units can be put together)
 In other words, units are words and the rules which are the
forms of grammar which order words. In different languages, the
grammar rules are different as are the words but the structure is
still the same in all languages
 Words are put together within a grammatical system to make
meaning

4. EXAMPLES
 There are 3 characters i.e. a prince, a princess
and a stepmother.
 The princess is persecuted by stepmother and
rescued by a prince.
 Here, units are prince, princess and
stepmother and rules are that the stepmothers
are evil, princess are victims and prince is
there to save her and then marry her.

5. STRUCTURALIST NOTIONS
 They believe that structure of organized units
into meaningful systems are generated by
mind.
 It itself organizes units and rules
 So it can be said that it is the science of
human mind

6. ANALYSIS
 Every human mind thinks to understand
cultural phenomenon
 Every culture has its own language having
basic language structure grammar
 It is governed according to structuralist
analysis which is universal

7. PROPERTIES OF
STRUCTURALISM
 Wholeness:
it is studied as a whole not in parts
 Transformation:
it may undergo change or modification
 Self-regulation:
you may add elements to system but can’t change basic
structure of system

8. SOME FEATURES
 Semiotics:
it is the study of meaning making
 Syntagma:
it is a combination or relation formed by
position within a chain

9. THANKS