ThAct: Research and Writing

 Hello everyone ,this blog is part of thinking activity of Research and Writing which was given by prakruti bhatt .

• 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 in 50 words)

Research, in my view, should constantly strive for new discoveries and innovative ideas. However, I also believe that deeply exploring existing areas of knowledge and gaining a more nuanced understanding of them is equally valuable. My dissertation, "Exploring Absurdism in Disrupted Realities: A Comparative Analysis of Federico Fellini’s Cinema and Harold Pinter’s The Birthday Party," falls squarely within this category. Instead of focusing on entirely new concepts, I delve into well-established works by these artists. Through a comparative analysis, I aim to uncover fresh insights into the nature of absurdism and its manifestation in the context of disrupted realities.

 Research is about two things: creating something new and innovative or building on what already exists to uncover fresh insights. Which approach works best depends on the context, the field of study, and the topic at hand. Ultimately, it’s up to the researcher to decide the path they want to take. Even the most original ideas often have roots in past knowledge, offering a starting point to explore and grow further.

Research is all about constantly striving for new discoveries while also deeply exploring existing ideas to gain a more nuanced understanding. The direction it takes often depends on the context, the field of study, and the subject matter, but at its core, research is driven by curiosity and the researcher’s unique perspective. Even the most innovative breakthroughs are often rooted in earlier knowledge, which serves as a foundation to build on. This balance between exploring the new and revisiting the known creates endless possibilities for growth and insight, making the journey of research both exciting and meaningful.

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)

It is unproductive to examine any artistic form or movement in isolation from its predecessors and related traditions. This narrow view stems from separating creative practices from the environments that shaped them. While this may seem self-evident, reiterating such truths is essential, especially during periods of change. When something "new" emerges, we often fall into the trap of treating it as separate, ignoring the broader contexts that significantly influence its formation. For example, how can one analyze electronic literature without acknowledging its connections to literature, play, and sensory experiences? Effective critical analysis requires these broader frames of reference, despite our inherent cognitive limits. The most constructive approach is to learn from those who came before us, expand upon their work, and highlight the aspects of inquiry we find most valuable.

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

Yes, the paraphrase is about the same length as the original passage. It uses a similar number of words while rephrasing the ideas in a slightly different way.

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

No, the paraphrase doesn't copy any part of the passage word for word. It rephrases the ideas using different words and sentence structures while keeping the original meaning intact.

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

Yes, the paraphrase has the same meaning as the original. It explains the same ideas about why it's important to consider context when looking at art or literature and why we should learn from the past.

• 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.

CIS stands for Computerized Information System.

Types of Searches in a Library with CIS

Libraries equipped with CIS offer various search methods to help users efficiently locate the resources they need. Here are some types of searches commonly employed:

1. Keyword Search

   • Users can input specific words or phrases related to their topic or interest.
   • Example: Searching for "climate change" retrieves all resources containing these terms in their titles, abstracts, or metadata.

2. Author Search

   • Focuses on locating works by a specific author.
   • Example: Searching for "Chinua Achebe" would display a list of his books and related works.

3. Title Search

   • Used when the user knows the exact title or part of the title of a resource.
   • Example: Entering "Things Fall Apart" finds the specific book.

4. Subject Search

   • Searches based on subject categories or themes.
   • Example: Inputting "Postcolonial Literature" retrieves books and articles under that subject.

5. Boolean Search

   • Combines keywords using operators like AND, OR, and NOT for precise results.
   • Example: Searching "Shakespeare AND tragedy" retrieves works that include both terms, while "Shakespeare NOT comedy" excludes comedic works.

6. ISBN/ISSN Search

   • Users can search for books or journals using their unique International Standard Book Number (ISBN) or International Standard Serial Number (ISSN).
   • Example: Entering an ISBN like "978-0-14-143960-0" retrieves a specific edition of a book.

7. Advanced Search

   • Allows users to combine multiple filters such as author, title, subject, publication year, and format.
   • Example: Searching for "Digital Media" by "Lev Manovich," published after 2010.

8. Full-Text Search

   • Searches the actual content of resources, useful for finding specific information within books, articles, or documents.
   • Example: Looking for the term "machine learning" within academic papers.

9. Citation Search

   • Used to find a work based on citations in other papers or bibliographies.
   • Example: Searching for a book frequently cited in research papers on artificial intelligence.

10. Browse Search

• Users explore resources by browsing categories such as genres, subjects, or authors alphabetically.
• Example: Browsing the "Science Fiction" section to discover related works.

Research with the MLA International Bibliography: Print vs. Electronic Versions

Electronic Version:

The MLA International Bibliography is available in both online and CD-ROM formats, covering all citations published from 1926 to the present. While the annual print edition lists approximately 67,000 titles, the electronic versions provide access to over 2,000,000 titles (America, 2009). This version is highly convenient as it can be accessed from anywhere with an internet connection.

Print Version:

The print edition of the MLA International Bibliography is published annually in two clothbound volumes. The first volume is categorized into five areas:

1. Literature in English
2. Literature in other languages
3. Linguistics
4. General literature and related topics
5. Folklore

The second volume serves as a subject index for the first (America, 2009).

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Types of Searches in the Electronic MLA Bibliography

The 7th edition of the MLA Handbook outlines various search methods available in the electronic version:

1. Author Search: Search directly using the author’s name. For example, to find information on Waiting for Godot, search for "Samuel Beckett."

2. Title Search: Look up the title of a work to find related citations.

3. Subject Matter Search: Explore specific themes, such as “polyphony of voices” in Waiting for Godot.

4. Expanded Search: Use broader themes or topics like “postmodernism,” “fragmentation,” or “absurd play” to discover related works.

5. Publication Information: Search based on publication details.

6. Call Number: Locate the required book on library shelves using its call number.

7. Boolean Searches:
   Boolean logic, named after mathematician George Boole, allows customized searches using operators like AND, OR, and NOT.

   • AND: Combine keywords to narrow results, e.g., “Waiting for Godot AND Deconstruction.”
   • OR: Include alternative keywords, e.g., “Deconstruction OR Structuralism.”
   • NOT: Exclude terms, e.g., “Waiting for Godot NOT Myth of Sisyphus.”

References:

MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers. Modern Language Association of America, 2009.