Research and Writing

Hello everyone, 😊

This blog is part of a thinking task activity assigned by Prakruti Ma'am. It is based on the first unit of Research Methodology, titled 'Research and Writing.'

Q) 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?

In my opinion, research does not always need to strive for something entirely new or groundbreaking. It is equally valuable to explore existing theories or fields to arrive at fresh conclusions that deepen our understanding of the subject. Research often involves revisiting familiar ideas with new perspectives or applying established frameworks to contemporary contexts. Even within the same field, multiple researchers may interpret and analyze topics differently, leading to varied but equally meaningful outcomes. This approach broadens our understanding and enriches academic discourse.

Regarding my chosen topic, "Echoes of Pain: Trauma in the Lives of Sita, Urmila, and Surpanakha from the Ramayana to Selected Contemporary Narratives,"  I would categorize it under the second category—pursuing an existing direction while uncovering newer insights. The Ramayana has been studied extensively, yet it remains a vast ocean of untold stories and nuanced perspectives. By focusing on the trauma experienced by Sita, Urmila, and Surpanakha, I aim to explore their emotional and psychological journeys, often overshadowed in traditional narratives.

This research will connect their experiences with selected contemporary narratives, drawing parallels and highlighting the timeless relevance of their struggles. Such an approach not only adds depth to the understanding of these characters but also fosters a dialogue between ancient texts and modern contexts, shedding light on the enduring themes of pain, resilience, and empowerment.

Ask a chatbot of your choice to paraphrase the following passage. Check the paraphrase it gives you by answering the questions attached below the paragraph:

"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)

Paraphrased Passage:

It is unwise to attempt to separate any artistic form or movement from its historical and cultural influences. Such an approach, often resulting from narrow critical perspectives, disconnects creative practices from the contexts that have shaped them. While this may seem self-evident, it is important to reiterate this principle, especially during times of change when something "new" emerges. During such moments, we often make the mistake of isolating favored works—whether traditional or modern—from the broader influences that contribute to their creation. For example, analyzing electronic literature without considering its connections to traditional literature, games, and sensory experiences limits our understanding. To critically evaluate anything, it is essential to reference these broader contexts, though our natural limitations may make this challenging. The most effective approach is to learn from past efforts, build upon their foundation, and highlight those elements of exploration that deserve deeper focus. (Sullivan)

Questions:

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

Yes, the paraphrase is slightly shorter than the original passage, but it maintains the same meaning.

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

Yes, some parts of the passage have been copied word for word.

3) Does the paraphrase have the same meaning as the passage?

Yes, the paraphrase maintains the same meaning as the passage, conveying the idea of connecting artistic forms to their broader contexts.

Q) 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.

The full form of CIS is Computerized Information System. It is a system used by libraries to organize and provide access to a variety of resources like books, journals, databases, and other information formats. By simplifying the processes of cataloguing, searching, and borrowing, CIS makes it easier for users to access library resources.

Some types of searches that can be used in a library with CIS are:

Basic Search: Users can search using names, authors, keywords, titles, etc. This search is ideal when you have little information about the source you are looking for.

Advanced Search: This search allows users to narrow their results based on specific criteria like language, format (e.g., book, journal), or publication date. Boolean operators (AND, OR, NOT) can also be used to refine the search.

Author Search: This search focuses only on finding works by a particular author. It gives you all the resources written by that author or group in the library's catalog.

Full Text Search: This search method is used in digital libraries to find specific terms within the content of electronic resources like articles or eBooks. It is useful for locating detailed information in texts.

Citation Search: This search helps you find resources based on citations. If you're looking for a source cited in other works, this search can help you locate it in the library catalog.

Thank you so much for visiting 😊