An introduction to Masters level

seminar project Methodology

Dr G Narayanan, Professor & Head, Department of Sanskrit Vedanta, Sree Sankaracharya University of Sanskrit, Kalady
 Research

Research is a detailed A careful study Study to describe, Creative and

and careful study of regarding a particular explain, predict, and systematic work
Something to find out problem using control the observed undertaken to
more information scientific methods. phenomenon. increase the
about it. stock of
knowledge
 A Master's degree may
have a project at the
end of the course

Research Masters level ‘Project’

leads to ‘dissertation’.
Project
and Thesis

PhD level Research

leads to a thesis
 Types of Research
Qualitative Research
Characteristics of qualitative research

Subjective: Relies on the researcher's

Qualitative research focuses interpretation and understanding.
on understanding human behavior Inductive Reasoning: Moves from specific
and experiences. It involves observations to general conclusions.
collecting and analyzing non- Flexibility: Adapts to the evolving nature of the
numerical data, such as text, audio, research.
or video. Rich Data: Generates detailed and in-depth
data.
 Types of Research
Quantitative Research
Quantitative research is a Objective: Relies on measurable
systematic approach used to data and statistical analysis
quantify data and generalize Deductive Reasoning: Moves from general
findings from a sample to a theories to specific observations.
larger population. It involves
Structured: Follows a predetermined
collecting and analyzing research design.
numerical data.
Precise Data: Generates precise and
quantifiable data.
 Beginning a
research
project can be
challenging

Developing a Requires
extensive
research planning
project

Requires
exhaustive
research
 Remember these
Steps

• Choose a research topic

• Formulate a research question
Break the • Conduct a literature review
project down • Develop a research plan

into smaller • Data collection

pieces • Data analysis

• Write the research paper
 Identify an area of interest within
your field of study for the research
proposal. This might be a current
issue in the field or perhaps a more
theoretical problem.

Choosing a
research topic
Explore existing literature to
understand gaps in knowledge and
research, and to identify potential
research ideas. Then, narrow down
the focus based on personal interest
as well as feasibility.
 Develop a clear and
concise research
question

Formulate a
The question should be
research researchable & relevant
question

It should contribute to
the existing body of
knowledge in the field.
 Explore relevant journal
articles, books and other
scholarly sources

Conduct a
literature
review Analyse existing literature
to identify key theories,
methodologies and any
gaps in knowledge.
 Outline the scope,
objectives and timeline for
the research project

Develop a
research plan
Specify the research design,
methodology and data
collection techniques
 Implement the research
plan by collecting data
Data and conducting research
collection using appropriate
methods
 Data analysis

Use qualitative research /or Interpret the findings to

quantitative research address the research
methods based on the hypotheses or questions
project’s specification
 Structure the paper with
clear sections such as an
introduction, literature
review, methodology,
results, discussion and
conclusion.

Write the
research paper
Ensure proper citation of
sources and adherence to
Aacademic writing
conventions and styles.
 Hypothesis

A hypothesis is an In the scientific method, You ask a question, read up A hypothesis is usually
assumption, an idea that is the hypothesis is constructed on what has been studied tentative; it's an
proposed for the sake of before any applicable research before, and then form a assumption or suggestion
argument so that it can be has been done, apart from a hypothesis. made strictly for the
tested to see if it might be basic background review objective of being tested.
true.
 Plagiarism means using
someone else’s work
without giving them
proper credit

Plagiarism

In academic writing,
plagiarizing involves using
words, ideas, or information
from a source without citing it
correctly.
 Note Making
• Note-making is a fundamental
study technique Retain information
By actively engaging with the material,
you enhance your understanding and
memory.
HELPS TO
Organize thoughts
Notes provide a structured framework
for your learning.
• Involves recording information
from various sources, such as
textbooks, lectures, or online
resources Facilitate revision
Well-organized notes make it easier to
review and prepare for exams.
 Note-Making Techniques
Cornell Method

Divide your page:

• Create three sections:
• the cue column,
• the note-taking column, and
• the summary column.

cue column note-taking column

main area where you take notes
keywords, questions, during lectures or while reading.
or key terms related to
Record information as concisely as
the notes in the note- possible, using abbreviations,
taking column symbols, or diagrams. Focus on the
main ideas and supporting details.
 Citation / Reference
A citation is a reference to the source of
information used in your research

When To Cite

Any time you directly An in-text citation is a brief

quote, paraphrase or notation within the text of your
summarize the essential paper or presentation which
refers the reader to a fuller
elements of someone
notation, or end-of-paper citation,
else's idea in your work, that provides all necessary details
an in-text citation about that source of information.
should follow.
 Citations
Direct quotations should be surrounded by quotations marks and
are generally used when the idea you want to capture is best
expressed by the source.

Paraphrasing and summarizing involve rewording an essential

idea from someone else's work, usually to either condense the
point or to make it better fit your writing style.

You do not have to cite your own ideas, unless they have been
published. And you do not have to cite common knowledge, or
information that most people in your audience would know
without having to look it up.
 In-Text Citations
In-text citations alert the
reader to an idea from an outside
source.
Parenthetical Notes
In MLA and APA styles, in-text citations
usually appear as parenthetical notes
(sometimes called parenthetical
documentation).

They are called parenthetical notes because brief

information about the source, usually the author's In MLA style, in-text citations
name, year of publication, and page number, is
are associated with end-of-
enclosed in parentheses
paper citations that provide
Parenthetical notes are inserted into the full details about an
text of the paper at the end of a sentence information source.
or paragraph
 In-Text Citations
Note Numbers
In Chicago and CSE
styles, in-text
citations usually
appear as superscript
numerals, or note
number

These note numbers are

associated with full citations that
can appear as footnotes (bottom of
page), endnotes (end of chapter or
paper), or lists of cited references
at the end of the paper.
 End-of-Paper Citations
End-of-paper citations, as well
as footnotes and endnotes,
include full details about a
source of information.
MLA STYLE WORKS
CITED LIST

A COMMON
BIBLIOGRAPHY
 Citations in MLA Style
Citing a book

Basic Format Author's Last Name, First Name. Title of the Book. Publisher, Publication Date.

Single Author: Smith, John. Exploring Vedanta: A Journey into Non-Dualism. Oxford University Press, 2019.
Two Authors: Doe, Jane, and Mark Jones. The Essence of Advaita. Penguin Books, 2021.
Three or More Authors: Black, Susan, et al. Philosophy in Ancient India. Cambridge University Press, 2020
Examples
Edited Book: Green, Sarah, editor. Texts of Vedanta: A Compilation. Routledge, 2018.
Chapter in an Edited Book: Brown, Michael. "Epistemology in Advaita." Philosophical Texts in Context, edited by
Sarah Green, Routledge, 2018, pp. 45-67.
 Citations in MLA Style
Citing a journal article
Author's Last Name, First Name. "Title of the Article." Title of the
Basic Format Journal, vol. number, no. number, Year, pages. Database Name, DOI
or URL (if accessed online).

Print Journal Article: Smith, John. "Non-Dualism in Modern Philosophy."

Journal of Vedantic Studies, vol. 5, no. 2, 2019, pp. 123-145.

Online Journal Article: Doe, Jane. "Epistemological Insights in Advaita

Vedanta." International Journal of Hindu Studies, vol. 24, no. 1, 2021, pp.
Examples 56-78. JSTOR, doi:10.1086/6712345.

Article from a Database: Brown, Michael. "The Role of Meditation in Advaita

Vedanta." Philosophical Review, vol. 32, no. 3, 2020, pp. 89-102. Academic
Search Premier, www.ebscohost.com/record/478962.
 Oxford referencing style
Oxford referencing style is typically used in humanities
subjects. This style uses footnotes or endnotes for in-text
citations and a bibliography at the end of the document.

Basic Format for Footnotes

Author's First Name Last Name, Title of the Book (Place of Publication: Publisher, Year), page number.
Books
John Smith, Exploring Vedanta: A Journey into Non-Dualism (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2019), 123.
Journal
Articles: Author's First Name Last Name, "Title of the Article," Title of the Journal volume number, issue number (Year): page
number.
Jane Doe, "Epistemological Insights in Advaita Vedanta," International Journal of Hindu Studies 24, no. 1 (2021):
56.

Chapters in Author's First Name Last Name, "Title of the Chapter," in Title of the Book, ed. Editor's First Name Last Name
Edited Books: (Place of Publication: Publisher, Year), page number.
Michael Brown, "The Role of Meditation in Advaita Vedanta," in Philosophical Texts in Context, ed. Sarah Green
(Routledge: London, 2018), 45-67.
 Oxford referencing style

Citing Websites

Author's First Name Last Name, "Title of the Page," Title of the Website
(Year), accessed Month Day, Year, URL.

John Smith, "Understanding Non-Dualism," Smith Philosophy Website (2020),

accessed November 14, 2024, www.smithphilosophy.com/non-dualism.