Thinking Activity: Research and Writing

 Research and Writing

This blog is part of a task assigned by Prakruti Ma'am and focuses on the topic of 'Research and Writing.' It addresses several questions that a student might seek to answer during their exploration of this subject.

Question:

In your opinion, should research always strive to achieve something new and creative or is it ok to pursue an existing direction and arrive at newer understanding of the same? In which one of these two categories would you classify the topic that you have chosen for your dissertation?

Answer:

I believe that research doesn’t always have to focus on creating something completely new. It is equally important to explore topics that already exist and try to understand them in a new way. Adding fresh ideas or perspectives to existing knowledge is just as valuable as discovering something entirely original.

My dissertation topic is "Ecocritical Perspectives in Horror: Exploring Environmental Themes in Annihilation and The Day After Tomorrow." Even though there has been a lot of research in this area, my goal is to look at how both  films highlight environmental issues. By comparing them, I want to bring a fresh understanding of how horror stories can show our relationship with nature and the impact of ignoring environmental problems.

 The paraphrase:

"There is little to be gained from seeking to isolate any artistic form or movement from its antecedents and counterparts. Myopia is the product of critical segregation, wherein readers disengage practices from those contexts that have forged their contours. This might seem obvious, but there is value in rearticulating the axiomatic in times of transformation--when something "new" emerges, many of us fall into the trap of isolating our darlings, whether old or young, from all those other contexts that play a significant role in their construction. How does one look at electronic literature without considering the literary, the ludic, that which we can see, touch, and hear---how does one look critically at anything without such frames of reference, and how do we overcome natural limitations in capacity when attempting to do so? The best we can do is look to those who have gone before, build upon their foundation, and indeed, emphasize those aspects of an exploration we deem worthy of greater emphasis." (Sullivan)

Here is the paraphrase version of the given paragraph in G-classroom instruction. 

“ It's unproductive to view any artistic form or movement in isolation from the influences and related works that shaped it. Critics who detach practices from their contextual origins risk adopting a limited viewpoint. Although this may seem obvious, it's crucial to reaffirm such basic ideas, particularly in times of transformation. When something "new" emerges, we often separate it from the significant influences that helped create it. For instance, how can we understand electronic literature without considering its links to traditional literature, games, and sensory experiences? How can we critically analyze anything without these reference points? Although our ability to explore everything may be limited, the most effective approach is to learn from history, build upon existing knowledge, and focus on the elements that we believe merit further attention.”

Question :

Is the paraphrase approximately the same length as the original passage?

Answer:

Yes, the paraphrase is approximately the same length as the original passage. It retains the same meaning, and no parts have been copied word for word.

Question:

Has any part of the passage been copied word for word?

Answer:

Yes, some elements are the same, such as the double inverted comma word "new" and the term "electronic literature." Additionally, a few other key words that convey the main ideas of the passage remain unchanged.

Question:

Does the paraphrase have the same meaning as the passage?

Answer:

Yes, the paraphrase maintains the same meaning as the original passage, focusing on the importance of context in understanding artistic forms and the value of building on prior knowledge when analyzing new concepts.

Question:

What is the full form of CIS? Discuss some of the types of searches which can be employed to search for sources in a library equipped with CIS.

Answer:

The full form of CIS is Central Information System.

According to the MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers, the Central Information System in an academic library integrates various resources to guide users in research. It typically includes the library's catalog of holdings (books, periodicals, electronic sources, audiovisual materials, etc.), bibliographic databases, full-text databases, recommended websites, and other information like the library's location, hours, and policies.

Types of Searches in a CIS-Equipped Library:

1. Author Searches: Locate works by a specific author by entering their name.

2. Title Searches: Find resources by inputting the exact or partial title.

3. Subject Heading Searches: Access materials categorized under specific subject headings.

4. Call Number Searches: Retrieve bibliographic details using a work's call number.

5. Keyword Searches: Search for individual words in titles, subjects, or descriptions.

6. Boolean Searches: Use operators like AND, OR, and NOT to refine searches (e.g., combining multiple terms or excluding certain topics).

7. Expanded Searches: Explore related subjects using truncation or wild cards, such as retrieving all variations of a root term.

8. Advanced Filters: Narrow searches by publication year, language, medium (e.g., books, audiovisuals), or collection location.

Thank you..