Literary Research Methodology

Meeting 1

Research: Definitions and Understanding

A process of systematic inquiry that is designed to collect, analyze, interpret, and use data. Research is conducted for a variety of reasons, including to understand, describe, predict or control a phenomenon or to empower individuals in such contexts. Research vs program Evaluation:
Evaluation: associated with the need of information for decision making in a specific setting Research: associated with generating new knowledge that can be transferred to other settings

Major Paradigm in Research: a philosophical understanding

Postpositivism Experimental Quasi Experimental Corrrelational Causal Comparative Quantitative Randomized Control Trials Constructivism Naturalistic Phenomenological Hermeneutic Symbolic Interaction Ethnographic Qualitative Participatory Action Research Transformative Critical theory Neo-marxist Feminist theories Critical race theory Freirean Participatory Emancipatory Postcolonial/indige neous Queer theory Disabilitiy theories Action research Pragmatic Mixed methods Mixed models Participatory

Basic Beliefs Associated with Major Paradigms

Basic Beliefs Axiology (Nature Ethical behavior) Postpositivism Respect privacy: informed consent; Mnimize harm (beneficence); justice/equal opportunity) One reality; knowable within specified level of probablity Constructivism Balanced representation of views; raise participants awareness; community rapport Multiple, socially constructed realities Transformative Respect for cultural norms; beneficence is defined in terms of the promotion of human rights and increase in social justice reciprocity Pragmatic Gain knowledge in pursuit of desired ends as influence by the researchers values and politics

Ontology (nature of reality)

Rejects cultural relativism; recognizes that various versions of reality are based on social positioning; conscious recognition of consequences of privileging versions of reality Interactive link between researcher and participants; knowledge is socially and historically situated; need to address issues of power and trust

Asserts that there is single reality and that all individuals have their own unique interpretation of reality

Epistomology (nature of knowledge; relation between knower and would-be known) Methodology (approach to systematic inquiry)

Objectivity is important; the researcher manipulates and observes in dispassionate,object ive manner Quantitative (primarily); interventionist; decontextualized

Interactive link between researcher and participants; values ar emade explicit; created findings Qualitative (primarily); hermenutical; dialectical;

Relationships in research are determined by what the researcher deems as appropriate to that particular study

Qualitative (dialogic) but quantitative and mixed methods can be used; contextual and historical

Match methods to specific questions and purposes of research; mixed methods can be

Research in Humanities

General format of thesis writing

Chapter 1: Introduction
Introduction Research problems and purposes of the study Significance of the study Limitation of the study Definitions of key terms

Chapter 2: Theoretical Framework

Theoretical Framework Previous Research studies

Chapter 3: Research Methodology

Research design framework Research instrument Data Collection Data Analysis

Chapter 4: Findings Chapter 5: Discussions Chapter 6: Conclusion and suggestions Works Cited Appendixes