Prof Tilak-Research Methodology

8/12/2019 Prof Tilak-Research Methodology

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Research Methodology

Prof. Tilak Kariyawasam


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What is Research.Investigation or experimentation aimed at thediscovery and interpretation of facts. The systematic investigation into and study of

materials and sources in order to establish factsand reach new conclusions.

Research = Re Search Repeatedly searching.

If you want to discover something not fathomableor not easily comprehend, you have to search itrepeatedly. That is the exact meaning of the wordresearch.


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The Purpose of Research

Research is a journey where we may discoverwhat we anticipated through our investigation.We may have some hypothesis or imagination.We try to find out that hypothesis as a reality.We will try to say that it is not an imagination

but it is a reality. That is a very purpose of aresearch.e.g. Satellite


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The Benefit of Researches

On theoretical matters also more researcheshave been done. In Buddhism variousBuddhist teachers were engaged in researchactivities. Therefore, they were able to form

philosophical theories which were created philosophical traditions such as Sarvastivada,Sautrantika, Madhyamaka and Yogacara.These are four major philosophical traditionsin Buddhism. These traditions were emergeddue to good researches.


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In Buddhism -Pali word forResearch

Buddhism has followed many researches fromthe very beginning. In fact, the Buddha was the

primary researcher to find out the Path ofFreedom (Vimutti Magga). Therefore,Buddhism encourages to use research from the

beginning. The Pali word for Research is

Pariyesana . Sanskrit Paryesana Englishequivalent is given as Search. In Sinhala,

Sri Lankan language, the word Paryesana is


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In Buddhism- Pali word forResearch

Used for academic research. Normally it ismentioned like Paryesana for Ph.D. - M.A. Paryesana - He is engaged in a Paryesanathese days.

This Pali word Pariyesana is mentioned in the

Majjhima Nikaya (Middle Length Saying) inthe Discourse called The Discourse of NobleSearch (Ariya Pariyesana Sutta). Sutta No.26.


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Beauty of Research

As it is with everything, with Research alsohas a beauty. This research will lead theresearcher to a unknown destination. In thistravel of research he will discover veryvaluable results,

which he has never thought of. When theydiscover these new theories, it will lead themto enormous happiness. Some researchers will

be thrilled with those discoveries and behaveabnormally. e.g. Archimedes.


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How to Proceed with a Research

Academic researches are conducted to write aThesis or a Dissertation. Thesis is for M.A.Degree or M. Phil. Degree. Dissertation is forPh.D. Degree.One has to follow the University regulations to

proceed in this type of research work to obtainthose degrees of M.A. or M.Phil. or Ph.D.


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Application Procedure

When you decide to do a research work for adegree, you have to register in the necessaryDepartment. For that you have to get anApplication Form. Apart from your Name andAddress, you have to mention your pre-qualifications to show your eligibility to follow

the particular research programme. Then youhave to write your intended topic of research.


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Selecting a topic

Some points need more proofs.Those problems or those points and those

places will be the research topics.The topic should be precise one. The topicshould indicate the clear idea of what is goingon in that research.In simple way When read the topic the aim ofthe research should be comprehended easily.


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Selecting a topic

There are two ways of selecting a topic.1. Selecting a topic with the consultation of the

supervisor.2. You as a researcher you can select the topic

according to your own wishes.

These both ways have advantages anddisadvantages.


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Formulating a Topic

Must not select a wider topic. Must select alimited topic.

e.g.:- Critical Evaluation of Pali Sutta Piataka- Topic with a wider range.

e.g.:- Crtitical Evaluation of Brahmajala Suttaof Digha Nikaya Topic with a Limitedrange.


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Search for Sources

In a research, it is very important to find theOriginal sources. In Buddhist studies one mustfind original sources and then secondarysources also should use for more information.Sources are more important in a research. Allthe facts necessary to complete the researchwill be drawn from sources.There are some topics difficult to find sources.

e.g. Whether the Buddha was blamed by people, because mostly youngsters/ ordained


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Must pay the attention to the timeframe

When engage in a research it is important to pay attention to the time factor.

There is a time limit for a Research.For M.A. with Research. - 2 years. (Max.3)For Ph.D. - 3 years. (Max. 5 Years)

Therefore, it is very important to start with more prepared means must finalized in stipulated

time.


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Synopsis writing

When the candidate decides a Topic for aResearch and obtained an application form, hemust handover the completed application form

with a Synopsis.When candidate complete the application formhe must mention his/her present academicqualifications.Mention for what is the Degree that he isapplying. For M.A. or Ph.D.


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What is a Synopsis?

It is a comprehensive summery of yourintended research project.It should be not longer than 4-5 pages.

Normally this synopsis have to handover withthe application at the beginning of 1stsemester.In some Universities when you submitsynopsis you must make a presentation also atleast 10-15 minutes at the end of 1 st semester.


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What should be included in theSynopsis

1. Title2. Introduction to the title3. Importance of this research4. Literature review

5. Methodology6. Breakdown of chapters7. Conclusion8. Bibliography

9. Appendix


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What should be included in thesynopsis

1. Title2. Introduction on the Title.

3. The importance of this research and why youhave selected this particular topic.4. If there are any research done on the same

topic or on the line of this topic those thingsmust be mentioned and how you change yourresearch from those works.


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5. MethodologyHow you are doing this research. After thorough

Study of original Pali sources and collectingmaterials compare with sub commentarydetails and so on.

If it is a survey conducted in a particular area

How the data collection, with a questionnaireand what aretype of people you are going tomeet and so on.


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6. Breakdown of chapters.Each chapter should be given a title of thechapter and explain with two or threesentences what are the matters you intended todiscuss in those chapters.

7. Conclusion.8. Bibliography.9. Appendix


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Registration

Your application with the Synopsis ifapproved by the Academic Board after reviewthe candidate will be virtually registered for

the Research Degree Program.Then the Supervisor will be appointed by theAcademic Board.

Now the candidate is engaged in the Researchaccording to the guidance given by theSupervisor.


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Proceed in a Research

When the candidate engage in research workhe has to get an appointment to meet thesupervisor.You have to meet the supervisor regularly.That means when the candidate finished sub-section of one chapter or a chapter. He musthand over it to the supervisor for his advise.If you have a student card you have to get hissignature each time you meet him.


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Footnotes or endnotes

When you write something you must writefootnotes or endnotes wherever necessary.If you are referring to a Book. There aretwo ways of giving reference.

MLA type and APA Type.

Bhattacharya, N.N. Buddhism in the Historyof Indian Ideas. Delhi: Manohar, 1995. Print.


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Footnotes or Endnotes.

Author s surname first, then his first name,then the Title of the Book, Place of the publication, Publisher and the year.

APA TypeBhattacharya, N.N. (1993). Buddhism in theHistory of Indian Ideas. Delhi, Manohar.

Here the difference is the year of Publicationcomes just after the names and the place of publication mentions in shorten form e.g. NewYork = NY.


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What are the components of theThesis

Title PageDeclarationDedicationAcknowledgementContentAbstract1st Chapter Introduction2nd Chaper - Literature Survey


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3rd Chapter Relevant to the Thesis4th chapter -

5th

Chapter - 6th Chapter - 7th Chapter - Conclusion

8th Bibliograpy8th Index


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Title Page1. Must include the Title of the Thesis2. Name of the candidate and the Registration

Number3. For what Degree this submission is done.4. Name of the Supervisor

5. Name of the University


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Declaration

Candidate and the supervisor both have tocertify this Thesis is a research done by thecandidate himself.

Abstract

This is the short summery of the study.Limit it to 150-200


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IntroductionThe comprehensive background to the study.You can explain the historical perspective for

your study area. Literature ReviewDescribe relevant previous studies in the field.


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ConclusionDescribe what really you have been aiming atthis Thesis and what kind of new points andnew theories you could have discovered andhow your findings are different from the

previous other studies.BibliographyYou must include all the books, Articles andMagazines you used in this research in theBibliography.


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What are the components of thethesis

You must not included the sources you did notread or sources that are not pertinent to yourstudy in the bibliography.

In the bibliography authors names should bewritten in Alphabetical order.Bibliography can be divided into sub-sections

such as:- 1. Original Sources. 2. SecondarySources 3. Articles in the Journals 4. BookReviews 5. Electronic References.


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Index

When you do a Thesis on the subject ofBuddhist Studies, it is necessary to have index

because of involvement of Pali and Sanskritterms.

Most important things to keep in Mind

Efficient time managementAvoid Plagiarism


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Writing tips

Always use complete sentences.Avoid excessive use of personal pronouns suchas I, me, according to my view point.

Margins:Leave 01 inch from all sides except left side.Left side 01 inch should leave for binding.

Font Size:- 12pt(Times New Roman),Line Space: 1 lines.

Prof Tilak-Research Methodology

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