Embarking on a research project can often feel like diving into an ocean of information, with the added pressure of synthesising it into a coherent piece of writing. here Kalyani Vallath in her talk on organising research reading and writing, clearly illuminates that how many researchers face the common problem of feeling overwhelmed by extensive reading and struggling to begin writing.
Here are some of the Stretegies discussed by Kalyani Vallath Ma'am in her talk,
The Collaborative Nature of Research
As Kalyani ma'am puts her remark research is fundamentally a dialogue with existing knowledge. It involves understanding the work that countless others have already done in your field, drawing insights, and then contributing your unique perspective. Your aim is to personalise findings, apply them in an original way, and ultimately, your well-organised work should serve as an inspiration for future scholars.
Strategies for Effective Research Reading
1. Define Your Direction with Preliminary Reading:
Start by gathering and reading articles relevant to your broad topic. This initial preliminary reading is crucial for deriving your research questions. Having 3 to 5 clear questions will focus your subsequent reading and guide your writing.
2. Embrace the Journey to Clarity:
It's entirely normal for the research process to feel complex and unclear at the outset. Clarity is a gradual process that emerges from diligent reading and consistent application. The more effort you put in, the clearer your understanding will become.
3. Delve Deep and Branch Out:
Read to gain a comprehensive understanding of your topic. Identify smaller branches or sub-topics within your broader research area. For example, if you're researching 'banditry', you might explore 'banditry in China', 'banditry in India', or its depiction in 'popular culture'. Remember, you cannot cover everything; instead, focus on specific, manageable aspects.
4. Cultivate a Multifaceted Perspective:
Explore your topic through diverse cultural, national, and historical lenses. Seek insights from all angles to gain a richer understanding. For instance, analysing how 'bandits' are portrayed in different regions (e.g., China, Africa, Australia, Latin America) can reveal fascinating cross-cultural nuances. Consider the application of broader sociological theories such as those related to class, gender, colonialism, or modernity to enrich your analysis.
5. Utilise a Spectrum of Sources:
While scholarly articles are paramount, don't limit yourself. Explore creative writing, films, web series, video games, and even personal accounts or historical data. These can offer fresh perspectives, even if they aren't primary academic sources. History is indispensable for every topic. Understanding the historical evolution of your topic, changes in perception, and relevant historical data is vital for a robust analysis.
Strategies for Organising Your Material
1. The Continuous Power of Questioning:
Throughout your reading, constantly ask questions. Your research questions serve as anchors, and the answers you uncover will directly form the paragraphs and chapters of your thesis. For example, "How does banditry intersect with issues of national security?" or "How do depictions of bandits differ across historical contexts?".
2. Systematic Note-Taking and Categorisation:
Whether you prefer traditional notebooks or digital tools like OneNote, Evernote, mobile phone apps, or even voice messages, ensure you capture key summaries, ideas, and initial analyses. Categorise your notes based on themes, sub-topics, or the type of material (e.g., 'films', 'theories', 'historical accounts'). This prevents confusion and streamlines retrieval. Implement a coding system for your files and articles. For instance, C1 for Chapter 1 material, T1 for a specific theme, and unique codes for individual articles, making filing and retrieval efficient.
3. Mastering Material Discovery:
Always review the bibliographies of articles you read. They are treasure troves that can lead you to further critical resources. Leverage Google Scholar for academic articles and general Google Search for broader keywords. When dealing with lengthy texts, use the table of contents and index to pinpoint relevant sections. The 'find in page' option (Ctrl+F or Cmd+F) is also invaluable for quickly locating keywords within a digital document. Tools like Kindle are highly recommended for digital reading, allowing you to highlight, mark, and add comments directly within the text, which aids significantly in organisation.
4. Interconnecting Your Ideas:
Use hyperlinks in your digital notes to connect to online resources or related articles. This creates a powerful web of interconnected information. Add comments or cross-connection notes within your readings to link ideas from different sources or chapters.
Strategies for the Writing Process
1. Crafting an Insightful Literature Review:
Organise your review strategically – perhaps chronologically or thematically – to demonstrate your comprehensive understanding and analytical skill. Highlight unique or ground breaking research that has significantly impacted your field. Incorporate the history of your topic by briefly outlining past developments or changes in perceptions, often forming part of your introductory chapter.
2. Nurturing Originality:
Constantly reflect on what makes your research project unique and how it differentiates itself from existing work. Don't shy away from connecting your research to your personal experiences or interests; this can infuse originality into your work.
3. Start Writing Early and Iterate Consistently:
Begin writing from the very outset of your research journey. Do not wait until you believe all your reading is complete. In your initial drafts, focus on developing your own ideas rather than merely quoting others extensively. Regularly recheck and edit your written work. As your reading progresses and your understanding deepens, your ideas will evolve, making continuous review essential. Effective time management is critical throughout the entire research and writing process.
Dispelling Common Misconceptions
1. "No Material on My Topic": This is a widespread misconception. There is always relevant material available for any topic, no matter how new or niche it may seem. Your creativity lies in exploring connections, drawing parallels, and applying new contexts to existing information.
2. History vs. Contemporary Relevance: Both historical and contemporary perspectives are vital. Even when studying historical subjects, your analysis should reflect a 21st-century perspective, incorporating modern theories such as cultural studies.
