Introductory
What is "research"? Is it about discovering something, or is it about trying to discover something. This is a simple, layman's interpretation of this often quoted word, but academia has a different but comprehensive definition for this word. Research is a systematic investigation to solve problems. Problems such as global warming, inflation, war, etc. But since we are studying language, the solutions we will have to seek for problems will mainly revolve around language.
Types of Research
Academic research is divided into the following:
Application
Pure Research: Does not solve any existing problems and it builds upon the existing knowledge. (Such as writing a thesis on psychoanalysis in Hedda Gabler, whereas a similar paper already exists.)
Applied Research: Uses existing knowledge to solve prevailing problems. It can also be about error analysis such as "why many Pakistani students fail in MA English Exams".
Objective
Descriptive Research: It is used to accurately describe something.
Co-Relational Research: Research that is conducted with relation to cause and its effect. Such as the Cause of Lockdown during Coronavirus in Affecting Urdu Wrutung.
Mode of Inquiry
Quantitative: Research based on strictly facts and figures.
Qualitative: Research based on subjective accounts of the people you interview.
Mixed Method: Research based on both qualitative and quantitative modes of inquiry
Research Workflow
Broad Observation: See what are your research areas closely associated with your subject. Language (and/or Literature), in our context.
Define the Problem: After identifying your research area, look for the problem and define it. For example, students' degradation of Urdu writing.
Labeling of Veriables (Research Subjects or Data Types): Clearly define and label the veriables (measurable entities) such as division of people based on their age to see how exposure to social media during coronavirus has affected their Urdu writing.
Generate Hypothesis: At this stage, you'll clearly define the hypothesis you'll base your research on. For example, "The frequent use of social media platforms is leading to the deterioration of Urdu writing skills among young adults."
Planning and Data Gathering: You will need to create a research plan to prove the hypothesis you just generated and that planning will also have to take into account the data gathering (either through social media texts or personal submissions from the research participants).
Analysis and Drawing Conclusion: Once that data is gathered, you will run an analysis to see whether people are skipping finishing sentences after lockdowns and whether they were skipping these words before or not. You will base your conclusion on your analysis.
Sources and Suggested Readings
Lecture by Sir Tariq Usman
