Table of Contents
Question 86
Which of the following is one of the DON'Ts of writing a dissertation or thesis:
Statement 4 represents a massive error in research methodology (a "DON'T").
A researcher must absolutely bother with proper scholarly conventions (like MLA, APA, or Chicago formatting, citation rules, and ethical data collection) from day one. Failing to track citations or format correctly during the drafting process will lead to accusations of plagiarism, lost sources, and massive formatting nightmares at the end of the project.
Why the others are DO's: You should compile a working bibliography immediately (1). You should avoid unnecessary jargon (2). You should structure the thesis as a persuasive argument (3).
Question 87
Which one of the following is false?
Statement 2 is FALSE because a literary researcher absolutely must be able to cast their mind back into another age.
This is the concept of historical empathy or historicism. To accurately analyze a text like Shakespeare's Hamlet or Dante's Inferno, the researcher cannot judge the text purely by modern 21st-century moral or social standards. They must understand the political, religious, and cultural mindset of the Elizabethan or Medieval eras to grasp what the author originally intended.
Question 88
Which among the following are true in the context of literary research?
A. It is devoted to the enlightenment of criticism
B. It seeks to illuminate the work of art as it really is
C. It has no connection with the proffered information
D. It tries to see the writer as s/he really was
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:
Literary research in the traditional academic sense seeks to establish objective historical truths to better understand literature.
- (A) True: It is devoted to "enlightening" or improving literary criticism by providing factual foundations (like establishing the correct manuscript text).
- (B) True: It seeks to understand the art object free from modern biases.
- (D) True: It involves biographical research to understand the actual life of the author.
Why C is wrong: Research is entirely dependent on and connected to the "proffered information" (the data, archives, and evidence provided).
Question 89
Which among the following are false in the context of autobiographical research?
A. These can be accepted on face value.
B. These are usually idealized.
C. These are coloured by compelling motive of the desire for self-justification.
D. These are embroidered through the sheer exuberance of the artistic imagination.
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:
When conducting historical or biographical research using a writer's Autobiography, a researcher must be incredibly skeptical.
Statement A is FALSE: You can never accept an autobiography at face value. Human memory is flawed, and writers often lie to protect their reputation.
Statements B, C, and D are TRUE: Autobiographies are almost always idealized (B), written to justify the author's past mistakes (C), and often exaggerated or fictionalized because the writer is inherently a storyteller (D).
Question 90
Which of the following are the key attributes and skills required in the context of tools and techniques for literary research?
A. Having an overview of the main online and printed sources relevant to the research.
B. Not participating in any online information networks as others may copy the work.
C. Getting to know a range of available online sources, and being able to evaluate these sources comparatively.
D. Using online and printed sources to identify and locate material archives.
E. Peer management technique.
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:
Identifying the core practical skills needed for modern literary research:
- (A) True: A researcher must know the landscape of academic journals, databases (JSTOR, Project MUSE), and library catalogs.
- (C) True: A researcher must possess digital literacy—knowing how to evaluate if an online source is peer-reviewed, credible, and academically rigorous.
- (D) True: Modern research often requires using digital finding aids to locate physical, primary-source archives (like letters or original manuscripts) housed in universities across the world.
Why B and E are wrong: Hoarding your work out of paranoia (B) prevents vital academic collaboration and peer review. "Peer management" (E) is a corporate/business HR skill, not a literary research methodology skill.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a primary source in literary research?
A primary source is the original, raw material of your research. If you are studying Charles Dickens, a primary source would be the original serialized publications of his novels, his handwritten letters, or his diary entries.
Why are autobiographies considered unreliable in research?
While valuable, autobiographies are highly subjective. Authors naturally want to present themselves in the best light. They may conveniently "forget" embarrassing events, exaggerate their successes (idealization), or alter the timeline of their lives to make a better narrative.
What is the difference between a bibliography and a works cited page?
A "Works Cited" (MLA) or "References" (APA) page lists only the specific sources you directly quoted or paraphrased in your paper. A "Bibliography" lists everything you read or consulted during your research, even if you didn't end up citing it directly in the text.
