1 Methodology Research Endeavour: Between Exactitude and Creativity People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research University Abderrahmane Mira of Bejaia Faculty of Arts & Languages LESEMS Research Laboratory – EMICOB Research Team The EMICOB's First Methodology Seminar for Master & Doctorate Students February 27th, A Paper Presented by Assia Mohdeb LESMS Research Laboratory Faculty of Arts & Languages University of Bejaia, Bejaia, Algeria Methodology Research Endeavour: Between Exactitude and Creativity
2 The Plan Introduction 1- Exploring Research: Research as a thinking Activity rather than Blind Obedience to the Method (Methodolatry) 2- The Scientific Side in the Research: Left Brain Attributes 3- The Creative Side of the Research: Right Brain Attributes 4- Research Methodology as a Whole Brain Activity Conclusion
3 Introduction We are all engaged in research; academics, teachers and students. We carry out presentations, write articles, terms papers and dissertations. We tend to focus on that kind of research activity and insist on finishing it to have good marks, to be graduated or to have access to a prestigious job at the university or somewhere else. Yet, we forget about the contribution we make or add to that field of study, to that particular topic or issue. Through Research, we manage to affect a change in a particular field of study by redefining some concepts, using an old theory in new context, testing new theories, analyzing an old topic through new perspectives and so on . By doing this then, we bring newness and new ways of seeing and dealing with things in that particular domain. In simple words, we make progress and develop that field. The aim of any research endeavor is to make progress and development in a particular field of study.
4 Research is an essential and powerful tool in leading man towards progress. Without systematic research, there would have been very little progress. John W. Best has rightly said, “The secret of our cultural development has been research, pushing back the areas of ignorance by discovering new truths, which, in turn, lead to better ways of doing things and better products.” Scientific research leads to progress: New products, new facts, new concepts and new ways of doing things are being found due to ever-increasing significant research in the physical, the biological, the social and the psychological fields.
5 Exploring Research : Research as a Thinking Activity Rather than MethodolatryAssociating research with methodolatry (or method) is to believe that to do research is to follow the common principles, steps, manifestos, ideas, methods prescribed by methodology books and professionals in the fields. So you read these books in detail , you absorb their ideas and you make sure that you do not miss out or omit one of the ideas or elements involved in that methodology. Jane Sick coined the term ‘methodolatry’ – a combination of method and idolatry that she defines as a ‘… slavish attachment and devotion to methods’ (1998: 48).
6 Contrary to many research methods texts that offer recipes and principles for research, good research is a thinking person’s game. This statement repudiates methodolatry, blind and slavish obedience to the method, and thus puts forward or defines research as a creative and strategic process that involves constantly assessing, reassessing, and making decisions about the best possible means for obtaining trustworthy information, carrying out appropriate analysis, and drawing credible conclusions. Nevertheless, the different listed manifestos and steps given by textbooks and methodology outlines should not be considered as being false and thus be disregarded. The idea is that some research topics need not be a slave to the method to be carried out, but presupposes flexibility and eclecticism . So, being faithful to the method is not a prerequisite to do a good research work, but you should be flexible in your research, depending on the topic you undertake and what it needs to be carried out.
7 The Rational Side in the Research : Left Brain AttributesResearch follows a scientific method which encourages a rigorous and impersonal mode dictated by the demands of logic and objective procedure, a method free from personal bias or prejudice, a method to ascertain certain qualities of a phenomenon capable of being verified, a method wherein the researcher is guided by the rules of logical reasoning. Research is done with the help of study, experiment, observation, data collection, analysis and reasoning. ‘As such, ‘Logical’, ‘analytic’, ‘systematic’, ‘formal’,‘ factual’, ‘linear’ are words we tend to associate with rigorous research.
8 But words such as intuitive’ ‘spontaneous’ ‘informal’, are ruled out in research This is like trying to understand a two-sided world using only one-sided skills and thought processes because in our thinking, we emphasize more on the left brain attributes in research, we use that left brain as a slave as a servant and rule out the relevance of the right-brain potentialities. “The intuitive mind is a sacred gift and the rational mind is a faithful servant” We have created a society that honors the servant and has forgotten the gift’.
9 The Creative Side of the Research Methodology: Right Brain AttributesThe right-brain explores the possibilities of situations and thrives on creativity. Its primary functions are synthesis, seeing relationships, combinations, mixing theories, methods and coming up with originality. The thinking processes of the ‘creative’ involve: Originality – can come up with ideas that are not yet explored or explore some issue from a new perspective/ relying on new theory Remote associations – can form associations between elements that most would not see as linked together Redefinitions – can use familiar objects in new ways and new contexts Divergence – can engage in open-ended thinking, where there is not a single right answer. Creativity in the process of writing: coherence, cohesion…. Well-structured ideas / cause/effect relationships
10 Research as a whole Brain Activity: Left- and Right Brain AttributesResearch needs to be seen as a process equally dependent on both the creative right as well as the strategic and logical left. Left hemisphere Right hemisphere Analytic Formal Intuitive Informal Logical Linear Spontaneous Holistic Sequential Factual Random Imaginative Orderly Concrete Diffuse Metaphoric Systematic Causal (Cherry et al. 1993)
11 Conclusion Stressing the importance of exactitude in research is not meant to imply that there isn’t a place for the creativity of the right brain. Research is a process that thrives in the presence and with the use of both Left and Right brain attributes. Research is an activity that needs to be attacked, not necessarily in a prescribed fashion, then certainly in a logical one. ( being not a slave to method but being flexible depending on the topic undertaken for the study)
12 Best researchers are those who manage to:be original, innovative, and imaginative … yet know where they want to go think outside the square … yet stay squarely on target use their intuition … but are able to share the logic of that intuition are fluid and flexible … yet deliberate and methodical are inspired, imaginative, and ingenious … in the development of methods that are realistic, practical, and doable.
13 Thank You For Your Attention