This presentation is prepared as a part of Coursework for my PhD research and was presented at Department of English, Maharaja Krishnakumarsinhji Bhavnagar University, Gujarat, India.

1. By Aahuti Dhandhukia
Asst Prof (English), Government Engineering College, Bhavnagar
Research Scholar (Ph.D), M K Bhavnagar University, Gujarat, India
Ph. D Coursework Presentation
Department of English
Maharaja Krishnakumarsinhji Bhavnagar
University. Bhavnagar, Gujarat, India
Date: March 28, 2018

2. Literature Review for Disability Studies and Literature

3. Research
• Research is scientific and careful investigation or inquiry, specially
through search for new facts, in any branch of knowledge.
• It is systematic effort to gain new knowledge.
• Inquisitive human nature for the unknown.
• Involves study, observation, comparison, experiment, exploration,
analysis and interpretation.
• Literary Research considers literary texts, author, context and
literary theories.

4. Importance of Research
• Furtherance of existing knowledge.
• Important academic and scholarly activity.
• Developing analytical and critical ability.
• Developing creative insight.
• Empirical research provides solutions to improve everyday life.
• Contribution to the well being of the society.
• Individual satisfaction and joy of research.
• Scholarly way of living life.

5. Research Methodology
• Research Methodology includes-
 identifying research problem
 literature review
 formulating hypothesis and constructing arguments
 data collection- primary and secondary source
 analysis, interpretation, evaluation
 documentation
 reaching conclusion
 report/thesis writing

6. Literature Review
• “Creates a firm foundation for advancing knowledge, it facilitates
theory development, clears areas where plethora of research exists
and uncovers areas where research is needed.”
• - Webster and Watson(2002)
• Theoretical framework against which your research
stands.
• More systematic literature review is, more reliable
research can be.
• Literature review includes books, journals,
magazines, corporate reports, news paper articles,
Acts and Statutes, court judgment, Convention
Declaration, e- journal, web resources, blog,
encyclopedia, interview, public speech, film etc.

7. Good Literature Review
• Research is conducted on previous researchers’ shoulders.
• Extensive reading but relates only the relevant.
• Authentic source of literature for review.
• Identifying research gap is hallmark of literature review.
• Should have breadth, depth, consistency, clarity, brevity, analysis,
synthesis.
• Not in chronological order but in logical sequence.
• It should be only Descriptive but Evaluative.
• Paragraphs with topic sentence and cohesion.

8. Questions under Literature Review for Disability
Studies and Literature
 What does the study of Disability History indicate about the
condition of the disabled in the society?
 What is socio-cultural perspectives towards Disability?
 How far are the Medical and Social Model of disability relevant for
Disability Studies in Literature?
 What are the limitations of Social Model leading to the need of
interdisciplinary theories and approaches?
 Where does the research gap lie?

9. Disability Studies and Literature Review
Historical Prevalence of Marginalization
• Munyi, “Past and Present Perceptions towards Disability: A
Historical Perspective”, Disability Studies Quarterly,(2012).
• Limited Literature on Disability History- A challenge for researcher.
• Greek considered ’inferior’, for Plato- burden to ideal state and “ to be thrown away”
• Contradictory Christian view-’purification’, and ‘ possessed by evil spirit’.
• Indian perspective “ Sinful Karma and Punishment”, Subject to God’s Grace.
• Various treatment in Africa-rejection, outcast, liability as well as tolerance, respect and social
participation.
• Treatment is irrespective of financial resources and technical knowledge.
• Cultural significance accorded to different body parts.
• People behave with the disabled on the basis of stereotypes in the society.
• Ignorance, neglect, superstition and fear are social factors to enforce isolation.
• Social perspectives influence self perception by disabled people.

10. Medical and Social Model of Disability
• Brisenden Simon, ”Independent Living and Medical Model of
Disability”, Disability and Society,(1986).
• Importance and Validity of Disabled people’s experience and opinion
• Medical Model of Disability: Dependence, Care, Personal Tragedy
• Non- disabled experts’ ‘facts’ are myth perpetuated.
• Experience of disability in the ‘non-disabled’ world.
• Society accords difference as” abnormalcy’.
• ‘ Non-people with non-abilities’ than ‘People with different abilities and also with different
needs”.
• Indignifying, dehumanizing terms to refer disabled.
• Material Construction of the Society creates “ barriers” for disabled.
• Impaired by Body, Disabled by Society
• Social Model of Disability: Moral responsibility of Society and State to barrier-free,
disabled-friendly, inclusive society.

11. Limitations of Social Model:
Need for Interdisciplinary Approach
• Shakespeare Tom, “The Social Model of Disability: an
Outdated ideology?”, Research in Social Science and
Disability(2002)
• Disability is both biological condition and social construct. ( Barnes,
1999)
• Reduces disability to simplicity whereas it is complex multiplicity.
(French, 1993)
• Ignores the relevance of any other theory or model.(Thomas, 1998)
• Disability experience differs as per type of disability.
• Ignores the role of genetics in disability.
• Does not encompass personal experience of body pain.(Liz crow,
1996)
• Pain is generated not only through sensory impairment but through
the interplay of physiological, psychological and socio-cultural
factors.(Corker and French, 1998)

12. Success of Social Model and Need to Explore
Human Experience
 Foreword to World Disability
Report, 2011 by WHO-
 “I find much relevance to my
own experience. Majority of the
People with Disabilities in the
world have extremely difficult
time with everyday survival,
productive employment and
personal fulfillment…..This
century will mark the turning
point for inclusion of people with
disabilities in the lives of their
societies.”
Prof Stephen Hawking
• intense medical care
•trained team of assistants
•accessible
house/workplace
•assistive computer
technology

13. Bibliography
 Altick, Richard D and John J Fenstermaker. The Art of Literary Research. Fourth Edition. New York and London: W.
W. Norton & Company, 1992. Print.
 Brisenden, Simon. "Independent Living and Medical Model of Disability." Disability and Society 1.2 (1986): 173-178.
Web. 27 March 2018. <https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/02674648666780171>.
 Correa, Delia Da Sousa and W. R. Owens. The Handbook to Literary Research. Second Edition. New York:
Routledge, 2010. Print.
 Hamp-Lyons, Liz and Ben Heasley. Study Writing. Second Edition. New York: Cambridge University Press, 2006.
Print.
 Kothari, C. R. Research Methodology: Methods and Techniques. Second Revised Edition. New Delhi: New Age
International (P)Limited Publishers, 2004. Print.
 MLA Hamdbook for Writers of Research Papers. Seventh Edition. America: Modern Language Association of America,
2009. Print.
 Munyi, Chomba. "Past and Present Perceptions Towards Disability: A Historical Perspective." Disability Studies
Quarterly 32.2 (2012). Web. <http://dsq-sds.org/article/view/3197/3068>.
 Shakespeare, Tom. "The Social Model of Disability:an Outdated Ideology?" Research in Social Science and Disability
2 (2002): 9-28. Web. 27 March 2018. <https://www.emeraldinsight.com/doi/pdfplus/10.1016/S1479-
3547%2801%2980018-X>.