TARGET AUDIENCE

Current and aspiring MPhil and PhD research scholars

Aspirants of various university and research entrance exams

Teachers of English literature across school, college and university levels 

MODULE DURATION

40-60 hours (self-paced and flexible learning options)

AIMS

This course seeks to:

1. Provide an insight into the Research Methodology for English Literature.

2. Introduce learners to the concept of ‘research’ and enable them to understand the various stages, tools and procedures of research.

3. Familiarise learners with the techniques and conventions of research documentation.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

The students should be able to

1. Identify the basic characteristics and tools of  Research in English Literature

2. Imbibe the necessary skills required for such research

3. Confidently prepare research documents  

MODULE I 

MEANING AND NATURE OF RESEARCH

1. Key terms: Research, Investigation, exploration, examination, analysis, hypothesis, data, methods and techniques,  results and findings.

2. Research skills - Stages of research.

MODULE II

MATERIALS AND TOOLS OF RESEARCH

Books, anthologies, thesauruses, encyclopedias, conference proceedings, unpublished theses, newspaper articles, journals, govt. publications, e-journals, web references.

MODULE III 

RESEARCH IN LITERATURE 

Research methods in Literature – Unique characteristics of literary research - Emerging areas of research in literature – Research based on prominent/contemporary literary theories

MODULE IV 

PROCESS OF RESEARCH

Formulating the research problem - Extensive survey of relevant literature - Developing Hypothesis - Defining aims and objectives - Collection and Analysis of Data to test the Hypothesis - Drafting Research Report / Thesis – Structure of the Thesis: Chapter Division, MLA Style, Bibliography - Publishing Research: Selecting Appropriate Publication Avenues, Avoiding Plagiarism and Copyright Issues.