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Lecture on“ Research Methodology: An Interdisciplinary Approach
he pointed out four fundamental questions she asks herself when researching; What, How, Why and So What. One must check What the written piece is about, How is the author putting it forward, Why is the author saying so and �nally, after accumulating all the information, So What; how the text serves us. " It is important to ask questions," she pointed out " even if you don ' t get an answer."
During the query session, some essential questions were raised; Q: How to eliminate the practice of running behind perspectives that agree with your own when researching? A: One must read against the grain. It is not necessary that all sources agree with your own. It is important to look at the positioning of the writer and the critic and then decide your own positioning.
Q: How to not lose the bigger picture during research? A: Sometimes a branch of the topic ends up becoming the very topic; a branch which we begin enjoying more than the actual topic of interest. Do not choose the easy / fun path; learn to prioritize between the main topic and its sub topics.
Q: Is it possible to merge primary and secondary sources? A: Yes, it is called mixed method research. This is why research is interdisciplinary.
Q: We feel not credible before the many experts of the �eld A: We are all amateurs here, but you need not be an expert in a �eld to raise questions in it. That is how one learns. There is space for all of us in research.
Q: How to know your perspectives will be accepted by others? A: One must ask oneself if these are personal prejudices / biases or a fair point one is attempting to raise? If it is a bias, it would be tough to substantiate, but if actual reasons are found, then by default, it is a fair point, and hence it deserves to be raised.
In closing off she happily claimed, " Enjoy research because that is the only way to do research."
- Abhishree Khanna, SLS ' 15