English Archival Research Methodology.ppt

English Literature Research Methodology

1. Archival Research in English Literature (Exploring Historical Texts and Contexts) Dr. E. Krishna Chaitanya Associate Professor, Department of English Central University of Kashmir

2. Introduction to Archival Research Definition: Archival research involves the study of primary sources preserved in archives . Purpose : To gain insights into historical contexts, authorial intent, and textual variations . Importance in English Literature: Contextual Understanding: Provides background on the socio-political climate of the time . Textual Analysis: Reveals how texts have been altered or interpreted over time . Authorial Intent: Offers insights into the authors' perspectives and motivations

3. Types of Archives National Archives: Government documents, official records . University Archives: Manuscripts, theses, faculty papers . Special Collections: Rare books, letters, and literary papers . Primary Sources in Literature Manuscripts : Drafts, notes, and unpublished works . Letters : Correspondence providing personal insights . First Editions: Original prints that may differ from later versions.

4. Research Process Identifying Archives: Locating relevant archives and collections . Accessing Materials: Understanding access policies and restrictions . Cataloguing Findings: Organizing notes and key information. Methodology Close Reading: Analyzing texts in detail . Comparative Analysis: Comparing different versions or related texts . Historical Contextualization: Placing texts within their historical frameworks .

5. Case Studies Example 1: Analyzing Shakespeare’s Folios . Example 2: Exploring Virginia Woolf’s diaries . Example 3: Researching the letters of Emily Dickinson . Methodological Procedure: Studying existing records: Developing clear questions and hypotheses Issues Gaining access Completeness of records Selection of records

6. Content Analysis Example 1: Analysing spoken or written word Example 2: Sampling (which materials to use) Example 3: U nits of analysis Recording unit (individual themes rather than word/sentence/paragraph) Content unit

7. Meta Analysis Statistical procedure combining data from multiple studies Systematic quantitatively combines data in order to provide information about effect sizes Steps: Identify studies Determine eligibility of studies Get the data from these studies Statistically analyse the data

8. Example Selection of article topics? What is liberal? What is conservative? Inter- rater reliability (A statistical measure of the consistency of ratings or judgments made by different observers or raters on the same subject )

9. Example

10. Challenges in Archival Research Accessibility : Limitations on access to certain materials. Interpretation: Understanding the context and significance of documents. Preservation Issues: Dealing with fragile materials. Conclusion Significance: Archival research enriches our understanding of literature. Future Directions: The role of digital archives and ongoing research opportunities.