Key Concepts in Research Method – English – UGC NET – Notes

Investigation

• Research in literary studies depends greatly on the researcher’s active involvement in exploring their research problem and intellectual curiosities. There is no single fixed methodology for conducting research in literature; rather, it resembles a treasure hunt, requiring innovative strategies to satisfy academic curiosity and generate knowledge. Research is undertaken not only to fulfill curiosity but also to enable well-informed inquiry and action.
• When defining a research problem, a researcher must make crucial decisions at the initial stages. One of the first considerations is the feasibility of the research project, including whether the necessary research materials and resources are available. Material conditions—such as access to texts, translations, or archives—directly shape the direction of the project.
• For example, a scholar interested in Girish Karnad’s plays and the role of myths in his writings must assess access to those myths, especially if they are available primarily in Kannada language. The researcher may need English translations or a competent translator. Thus, feasibility and the possibility of finding meaningful answers are central concerns. In fact, the formulation of the research problem and its investigation develop simultaneously, shaping one another.
• Once the project is defined, the researcher conducts background research, which helps build familiarity with the topic and field. This is followed by primary research, involving first-hand observation and investigation, especially important when limited prior scholarship exists.
• At the beginning, the researcher must also survey the existing body of research on similar topics. For instance, extensive scholarship exists on Girish Karnad, while a contemporary writer like Maja Lunde, author of The History of Bees, may have limited critical material available. Identifying appropriate theoretical frameworks is equally crucial, as they shape the direction of the project. For example, The History of Bees can be examined through ecocriticism.
• Selecting the appropriate research method or combination of methods is another essential step. A student studying film adaptations of William Shakespeare’s plays must first determine feasibility, since Shakespeare’s works have been adapted across multiple cultures and languages. The researcher must narrow the focus to a specific culture, language, or national context. Reviewing previous M.Phil. and Ph.D. theses on similar topics is also necessary.
• For example, film adaptations by Vishal Bhardwaj can be analyzed through feminist literary theory, particularly in relation to the representation of female characters. The adaptation process itself may be examined using translation theory, film theory, or linguistic approaches. Such systematic investigation is fundamental to the research process.
• As Michael Pickering states in Introduction to Research Methods for Cultural Studies (2008), research should adopt a pluralist philosophy, encouraging the use of mixed methods and an eclectic approach rather than restricting inquiry to a single framework.
• Thus, first-hand observation, primary investigation, feasibility analysis, and the careful selection of theoretical frameworks and methods are essential components at the beginning of any serious research project in literary studies.

Exploration

• Exploratory research refers to the systematic collection of data aimed at discovering generalizations through detailed description and direct understanding of the subject under study. As Robert Stebbins explains, particularly in the social sciences, exploratory research is both a distinct methodological approach—separate from verification or confirmation—and a unique personal orientation adopted by the exploratory researcher.
• A researcher undertakes exploration when there is little or no prior scientific knowledge about a subject, yet there is a belief that it holds significant elements worthy of investigation. This requires an open mind and considerable flexibility in examining potential outcomes. Exploration may involve locating primary and secondary sources, conducting close reading of texts, or identifying new dimensions of central issues within a study.
• For example, the categorization of books by genre in libraries or bookstores can be analyzed through exploratory methods. The first step involves gaining an intimate firsthand understanding of the primary texts, data, or sources. Ethical and systematic methods are essential in developing a foundational understanding of the research topic.
• The primary aim of exploration is to produce inductively derived generalizations, which are later integrated into broader theoretical frameworks. For instance, observations about genre categorization may be linked to the theory of cultural capital and habitus proposed by Pierre Bourdieu. Similarly, the reading practices of a social group can be studied by examining library or bookstore records and conducting interviews with readers about their genre preferences.
• Exploration can also be applied to the study of a specific author through close textual analysis, revealing aspects of their writing style and enabling stylistic analysis. In both literary and language studies, exploratory research functions much like it does in the social sciences. For example, the importance of the English language for a particular social group can be investigated through exploratory methods, generating insights that contribute to broader academic understanding.

Examination

• The Oxford Learner’s Dictionary defines examination as “the act of looking at or considering something very carefully.” In the research process, examination plays a crucial role at multiple stages. A researcher must first examine the potential of the research topic and the research question, determining whether it is feasible to conduct meaningful research. This includes evaluating the availability of primary data and secondary data, such as books, scholarly articles, library holdings, and online resources.
• Additionally, the researcher must continuously examine the hypothesis throughout the study. The findings of the research may either support or challenge the proposed hypothesis, making careful and critical examination essential.
• In literary studies, examination involves a close analysis of the theme, characters, language (literary devices), and structure of a literary text. It may also require studying the socio-economic context, the historical period of publication, and the author’s life to gain a deeper understanding of the work. For example, the novels of Charles Dickens have been examined using both autobiographical and Marxist approaches, demonstrating how different critical frameworks shape interpretation.
• In the study of language, particularly in fields like linguistics and pragmatics, examination covers various dimensions. Researchers may analyze the influence of the first language on speakers learning English as a second or third language, or investigate the methods of language teaching and learning in classroom contexts.
• Thus, examination is a fundamental element of research, requiring systematic, careful, and ongoing analysis throughout the entire research process.