Process of Research in English – UGC NET – Notes

Introduction

The process of selecting the research topic, preparation of scheme of chapters (popularly known as ‘chapterisation’) and the process of enlisting findings and drawing the conclusions in the course of research.

Students, conducting a research is a systematic journey. Most of the times this research journey begins with a problem/issue to be solved. The research solves some particular problem/issue. Once we desire this journey of research then we must consider the questions such as:

• What is the problem/issue to be solved?
• Who cares about this problem and why?
• What have others done?
• What is our solution to the problem?
• How can we demonstrate that our solution is a good one?

In order to answer these questions we need to read/review the existing literature on the issue. It will help us to find what is already known about the issue and thus our problem identification process will be triggered. The other sources to find out the answers may be the discussion with subject experts, colleagues, or professor.

Gradually we will understand the need of converting the problem/issue into a specific research statement/topic. Therefore, our research begins with the selection of research topic, which is in fact the first significant step in the research process. It is advisable that first we should concentrate on our interest areas in order to have a researchable topic. We should start reading the interested areas rapidly but with a purpose of finding potential and relevant overview of probable topic for our research study. Thus, while reading on the interested areas, we should consider the questions such as:

• What are some of the key studies in this area?
• What kinds of approaches have been taken to this area?
• What are the key issues and questions in this area?
• Are there any possible gaps or approaches yet to be explored in this area?

Let us always bear in mind that when it comes to literature as our interested area, we may explore some undiscovered aspects of the works of literature of a well-known or budding author/s. We may study the dominant interdisciplinary themes/issues from the works of literature of author/s. Further, we may deal with some issues or problems such as social, historical, economical issues from the works of literature of author/s. Furthermore, we may apply particular theory/theoretical approach to the works of literature of author/s.

In this light, the selection of a good research topic is the significant milestone in the journey of the research. The following section of this unit discusses the process of selection of a research topic.

Selection of Research Topic

Generally, in research study, selection of a feasible and clearly defined topic is a successful beginning. However, it may not be very easy to select a good research topic. We must understand that there is a difference between subject (general, broader area) and topic (specific, pin-pointed area, a particular issue for investigation).

Students, in our graduation we have general understanding of broader areas i.e. subjects for example: Indian Literature, American Literature, British Literature, Commonwealth Literature, etc. Now, while doing research we must be able to pin point and concentrate on one of them by considering the genre, the age, the period, the author/s, and particular work/s of the author/s as shown in the figure below.

The selected topic should be new and researchable. So students, we need creative thinking so as to have new, original and unique ideas. Further, we must know that there are some sources/strategies that help in the selection of research topic. These strategies are discussed by Wang and Park (2016), Roberts (2010) as:

i. Review of Literature: The review of literature helps in deciding and resolving what is known and not known about the selected topic. It also clarifies the need of further research related to the selected topic. Students, while having the review, we must pay attention to the “Recommendations for future research” and ‘Limitation of the Study’ from theses, journals and other secondary sources of data.

ii. Brainstorming: Organizing brainstorming sessions or building a network to interact with friends, students, seniors and professors who can guide, direct and discuss ideas for the research topic. It can be used to generate ideas regarding the topic.

iii. Participation in Seminars: Attending seminars, conferences, presentations and discussion sessions on the selected topic can help in gaining new ideas or fresh insights.

iv. Viva-voce/Oral Defense: This may provide fresh insights or potential topics for future research.

v. Use of Online Databases: Students can search information regarding the selected topic systematically. Information and Library Network (INFLIBNET) is an autonomous Inter-University Centre of the University Grants Commission where we can find the theses repository system (Shodhganga, Shodhgangotri). Websites of renowned universities can also be helpful. Students may use keywords, thesaurus, reference books, textbooks and notes to search in databases.

vi. Use of Internet: Encyclopaedias, Google Scholar, Google News and other online sources help in generating topic ideas or selecting the topic. Students can compare their interest area with past studies. Reading the abstract or summary from these sources helps in forming a basic overview of the topic. Searching for relevant concepts/keywords enables us to understand how our idea relates to broader or narrower issues.

In all, the research topic needs to be very precise, interesting, and broad enough to have sufficient data or information. Hence, choose a topic of our interest. Discuss research ideas with friends, colleagues, professors and guide. It will help focus the topic by identifying issues that did not occur at first. Students must ensure that the topic is appropriate to their discipline. Narrow down the broad topic to a specific one to make it manageable and focused. Think about the social, scientific and personal relevance of the topic. Further, also consider the feasibility of the study. Feasibility can be checked by examining available resources, time-frame, human-power, financial constraints, and the ability of the researcher.

It may not be desirable to select a topic that requires years of searching for primary or secondary sources. Generally, much studied or familiar topics may be avoided. However, with a fresh approach or new insight, such topics can be made relevant again. Students must understand that at the end of the research journey, the thesis must contribute to the sum total of human knowledge; it must add something new to the existing knowledge. Thus, the thesis must be meaningful by illuminating an unknown aspect of literature or language. In this regard, the guidance obtained from professors and the research guide is essential.

To sum up, the selection of research topic forms the foundation upon which a researcher builds the research work. It is mainly directed by the desire and interest of the researcher. The shortlisted area must be narrowed down to a specific and focused topic. Simultaneously, the focused area must be scientifically, socially, or personally relevant. The essence of selecting the research topic should also be examined from the point of view of feasibility of the study. The strategies discussed above can greatly assist in the effective selection of a research topic.