Research Methodology in English Literature.pdf

1. Research Methodology in English Literature
Dr. Neelam Mulchandani

2. Precap
Introduction
Key Concepts
Components
Referencing
Ethics
Process of Research

3. What is
Research?
Research is an Organized and
Systematic Way of Finding Answers to
Questions
Systematic – Definite set of procedures
Organized – Planned and structured
Research is a systematic investigation
into and study of materials and sources
in order to establish facts and reach
new conclusions.

4. Objectives of
Research
To acquire and advance knowledge
To apply a theory or a concept to selected
literary works
To analyze and discuss literary works
Have a thorough understanding of literary
creativity
To develop new tools and theories for
understanding of unknown phenomenon

5. Hypothesis
• The term ‘hypothesis’ is defined as, “an idea
of explanation of something that is based on
a few known facts but that has not yet been
proved to be true or correct.”
• A hypothesis can be clearly mentioned in a
scientific research but in a literary research it
is implied in the objectives and method used.
• Helps to focus on important aspects of the
problem
• The role of hypothesis is to keep the
researcher right on track

6. Criteria of a good hypothesis

7. Problem
Statement
Describes your problem
Short and clear explanation of the issue to
be discussed
Addresses ‘something that is going wrong’
(Ellis & Levy, 2008)
• Rationale
• Purpose
• Research Question(s)
Contains 3
main
components:

8. Five Elements
of a ‘Problem
Statement’
Topic Subject Area
Educational Issue
Something that
needs a solution
Evidence for the issue
From literature
From practical
experiences
Deficiencies in
evidence
What is missing?
Remedying the
deficiencies
Addressing what
we need

9. Methods/Modes
of Research

10. Data Collection in Literary Studies
Primary Data
• Works of authors
• Autobiographies
• Interviews
• Newspaper articles
• Magazine articles
• Survey data
Secondary Data
• Journals
• Books
• Author critiques
• Websites
• Literary theories

11. Data Analysis
Interpretation
Evaluation
Coding
Tabulation
Statistical calculation

12. References/Citations
Academic writing relies on more than just the ideas and experience of one
author.
Other sources may be used to support the author's ideas, or the author may
be discussing, analyzing, or critiquing other sources.
Referencing is used to tell the reader where ideas from other sources have
been used in an assignment.
There are many reasons why it is important to reference sources correctly:
• It shows the reader that you can find and use sources to create a solid argument
• It properly credits the originators of ideas, theories, and research findings
• It shows the reader how your argument relates to the big picture

13. Bibliography
Orderly list of all resources
Full reference information of all sources
Purpose is to allow the reader to trace the source
More extensive than references
Includes:
Complete name of the author
Full title of the material
Name and location of the publisher
Date of publishing
Page numbers

15. Types of citations

18. Footnotes
The style of
Chicago/Turabian we use
requires footnotes rather
than in-text or
parenthetical citations.
Footnotes or endnotes
acknowledge which
parts of their paper
reference particular
sources.
Footnotes should match
with a superscript
number at the end of the
sentence referencing the
source.
You should begin with 1
and continue
numerically throughout
the paper.
Do not start the order
over on each page.

19. Contents of a footnote
• Author’s name
• Publication title
• Publication information
• Date of Publication
• Page numbers

20. Appendices
Contains material that is too detailed to be included in
the main manuscript
Supplementary information which may be helpful in
providing a more comprehensive understanding of the
research problem
A separate appendix should be used for each distinct
topic or set of data
Label them in the order they appear
Should always have a title descriptive of its contents
If it were removed, the reader would still be able to
comprehend the significance, validity, and implications
of your research

21. Clarity and Correctness
• Clarity : is achieved when the receiver understands a message as the sender
intended. Word choice, unity, and coherence affect clarity.
• Concise : messages are only long enough to present all of the necessary
information. The key to writing concise messages, ones that are brief yet
effective, is to make every word count. Limit repetition, eliminate excess
words, emphasize verbs, and use active verbs.
• Completeness : A message is complete when all information necessary for a
receiver to understand is included. What information is "necessary" depends
on the writing situation. Be sure you have asked and answered who? what?
when? where? why? and how? questions.
• Correctness : Writing is correct when content and mechanics are accurate.
Grammar and punctuation errors can affect meaning and create a poor
impression of writers. Check grammar, spelling, and punctuation.

22. Research Ethics

23. • Plagiarism is the
representation of
another author's
language, thoughts,
ideas, or expressions
as one's own original
work.

24. How to avoid
plagiarism?

25. Selection of
Research Topic
• When deciding on a topic, there are a few
things that you will need to do:
• brainstorm for ideas
• choose a topic that will enable you to
read and understand the literature
• ensure that the topic is manageable and
that material is available
• make a list of key words
• be flexible
• define your topic as a focused research
question
• research and read more about your
topic
• formulate a thesis statement

26. Chapterization
The following outline is designed to
give you an idea of what might be
included in the research work:
Chapter I: Introduction
• Introduction
• Background of the Problem
• Statement of the Problem
• Purpose of the Study
• Research Questions
• Significance of the Study
• Definition of Terms
• Assumptions, Limitations, and Delimitations
• Conclusion

27. Chapter II: Review of the Literature
Introduction
Search Description
Conceptual or Theoretical Framework
Review of Research (organized by variable
or themes)
CHAPTER III: RESEARCH METHOD (or
METHODOLOGY)
Introduction
Research Design
Research Questions
Addressing Hypothesis
Data Collection
Data Analysis
Conclusion

28. CHAPTER IV: PRESENTATION OF RESEARCH
(or RESULTS)
Introduction
Findings (organized by Research
Questions or Hypotheses)
Conclusion
CHAPTER V: SUMMARY, IMPLICATIONS,
and OUTCOMES (or DISCUSSION)
Introduction
Summary of Findings
Conclusions (organized by
Research Questions or
Hypotheses)
Discussion
Suggestions for Future Research
Conclusion

29. Findings/Results
The Results section should include the
findings of your study and ONLY the
findings of your study
The findings include:
• Data presented in tables, charts, graphs, and other
figures (may be placed among research text or on a
separate page)
• A contextual analysis of this data explaining its meaning
in sentence form
• Report on data collection, recruitment, and/or
participants
• Data that corresponds to the central research
question(s)
• Secondary findings (secondary outcomes, subgroup
analyses, etc.)

30. Conclusion
summarize
the important
aspects of the
existing body
of literature;
01
evaluate the
current state
of the
literature
reviewed;
02
identify
significant
flaws or gaps
in existing
knowledge;
03
outline areas
for future
study;
04
link your
research to
existing
knowledge.
05

31. Thank You!