Research and Writing: A Thinking Activity

Greetings!

This blog is part of a task assigned by Prakruti Ma’am. It delves into the topic of Research and Writing, addressing a few critical questions that arise when engaging in the process of academic inquiry.

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 view, research does not always need to pioneer something entirely new. Revisiting established ideas with fresh perspectives can be equally significant. Building upon existing knowledge and interpreting it in a unique way adds depth to ongoing academic conversations and broadens understanding.

My dissertation topic, "The Exploration of Existentialism in Samuel Beckett's Selected Plays: A Study of Absurdity, Isolation, and the Search for Meaning," falls into the second category. Existentialism and Beckett's works have been widely studied, but my focus is to examine how the themes of absurdity, isolation, and the quest for meaning are intricately woven into his plays. By analyzing these existential elements, I aim to uncover new dimensions of Beckett's portrayal of the human condition, offering a refreshed perspective on his contribution to the Theatre of the Absurd.

Paraphrasing and Contextualization

Using AI to Paraphrase and Analyze Academic Texts

For this activity, I asked a chatbot to paraphrase a passage. Below is the original passage, the paraphrased response, and an analysis of its accuracy and effectiveness.

Original Passage:

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.

Paraphrased Passage by Chatbot:

There is little benefit in attempting to separate any artistic form or movement from its origins and related works. A narrow perspective arises when critics detach artistic practices from the contexts that shaped them. While this may seem like a straightforward idea, it is important to reaffirm these principles during times of change. When something 'new' appears, we often mistakenly isolate it from the broader contexts that contributed to its creation, whether these contexts are old or recent. For instance, how can we analyze electronic literature without considering its connections to traditional literature, games, and sensory experiences? Similarly, how can we critically examine anything without acknowledging the frameworks that define it? To navigate these challenges, the best approach is to learn from past work, expand upon it, and highlight the elements we consider most significant in our explorations.

Questions and Answers

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

Yes, the paraphrased version is similar in length to the original passage. It conveys the same ideas and uses a comparable number of words without being overly condensed or excessively lengthy.

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

Yes, some terms like "new," "electronic literature," and "contexts" have been retained verbatim, as these are integral to the passage's meaning. Such words are often unavoidable when preserving the essence of the original text.

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

Yes, the paraphrased version captures the same meaning as the original. It highlights the importance of contextual understanding in analyzing artistic forms and emphasizes building on existing foundations while focusing on areas deserving more attention.

Understanding:-

Paraphrasing tools can be useful for rephrasing complex academic content, but it’s essential to review their output carefully. This exercise demonstrates the importance of ensuring that paraphrased content is accurate, clear, and contextually faithful to the original text.

CIS and Library Search Techniques

What is CIS?

CIS stands for Central Information System. It is a comprehensive system in academic libraries that provides integrated access to various resources, including books, journals, electronic databases, audiovisual materials, and more. This system supports efficient research by offering multiple ways to locate and organize information.

Types of Searches in a CIS-Enabled Library:

1. Author-Based Search: Search for works by entering the name of a specific author.

2. Title-Based Search: Locate materials using exact or partial titles.

3. Subject Search: Access resources categorized under particular topics or themes.

4. Call Number Search: Find specific resources using their unique call numbers.

5. Keyword Search: Search for words or phrases in titles, abstracts, or subject tags.

6. Boolean Search: Use logical operators (AND, OR, NOT) to refine search results, combining or excluding terms.

7. Wildcard and Truncation Search: Broaden searches by retrieving variations of a root word or incomplete terms.

8. Advanced Search Filters: Narrow results by language, publication date, format, or specific library sections.

This structured approach allows researchers to efficiently navigate through a library’s extensive collection and locate the most relevant resources for their work.