Turning Research Topic into an Argument
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This document provides guidance on developing a research topic, turning it into an argument, and writing a first draft of a research proposal. It recommends starting with a topic of interest and researching key studies, approaches, issues, and potential gaps in the field. A topic should then be narrowed and questions or problems formulated to give it direction for an argument. Research involves using evidence to prove or establish an argument, not just gathering information. Examples of argument types are given. A research proposal should state the argument, list primary and secondary sources, propose a chapter structure, and include a provisional conclusion and bibliography.
Turning Research Topic into an Argument
- 1. How to decide a research topic? How to Turn Research Topic into an Argument? How to write first draft of research proposal? Research Methodology Workshop Source: Owens, W. R. (2010). Planning, Writing, and Presenting a Dissertation or Thesis. In D. D. Correa, & W. R. Owens, The Handbook to Literary Research (second ed., pp. 187-203). Oxon, New York, Canada, USA: Routledge.
- 2. Deciding on a Topic • What would you like to learn more about? • Make a list of things related to it. • Read around – not aimlessly but purposively. • Read with questions in your mind: – What are some of the key studies in this field? – What kinds of approaches have been taken to the subject? – What are the key issues and questions in this field? – Are there any possible gaps, or approaches yet to be explored? (Digital Humanities, Film Studies, et al)
- 3. Turning a Topic into an Argument • After ‘deciding a relatively narrow and sharply defined topic which nevertheless opens out into large and important issues’, the next step is to give it a direction. • How? • The way to do this is to develop out of your topic a set of questions you want to answer, or problems that you want to solve.
- 4. • Doing research is not about gathering information or data for its own sake: –the information or data is presented in order to answer questions, in order to try to change what is thought about something.
- 5. • Virtually every good dissertation / thesis will take the form of argument –An attempt to prove or establish something by means of analysis of evidence. –An insight of criminal lawyer and crime reporter is necessary in collection and analysis of evidence / proof. (Altick, Richard. The Art of Literary Research)
- 6. There are many possible ways of turning a topic into an argument. • To give some examples, your dissertation might be one of the following: – An argument for or against an existing critic ( or critical position) in relation to the author or group of works you are studying. – An argument about the importance of a particular influence on a writer or influence exerted by him or her. – An argument for the importance of some hitherto little-regarded piece of evidence to the discussion of the work of some author or group of authors.
- 7. There are many possible ways of turning a topic into an argument. –An argument about the value of a new theoretical approach to a text or set of texts. –An argument turning upon the nature of the genre of a work or group of works. –An argument about some historical or literary-historical aspect of literature. –An argument about the adequacy of existing scholarly texts of particular work
- 8. There are many possible ways of turning a topic into an argument. –An argument about the significance of a little – known or undervalued author or work. –An argument bringing together some aspect of a well-known literary text with a lesser- known text or with other media. –An argument showing how a particular theme or concept may be related to a group of texts
- 9. Preparing a Research Proposal • Title: Do not feel bound by this: it is imp to have title that is clear and informative, but a first attempt can be altered in the finished product. • Argument: State as concisely as possible what your subject is and what your argument will be. • Materials: Primary, Secondary, Tertiary Sources
- 10. Preparing a Research Proposal • Chapters: Show how you think your discussion may be organized. • Conclusion: Clearly this will be provisional at this stage. You have not yet argued your case, merely outlined the materials and likely directions of your argument. • Bibliography: List of key primary, secondary and tertiary texts – it is provisional and will expand when your begin serious work.
- 11. Thank you • Compiled by: Dilip Barad Dept. of English Maharaja Krishnakumarsinhji Bhavnagar University Bhavnagar – Gujarat – India www.dilipbarad.com