1. Introduction: Research in the Humanities, Research Methodology, Research Papers

3. Targets What is research methodology? Why is it important for a student? Why is it important for any individual of some common sense? What kind of research is involved in writing a thesis for a student majoring in English Studies?

4. Research Different definitions of research – common denominators: Search for knowledge Systematic Aims to produce new results Involves data collection and their interpretation Further characteristics: Theoretical framework Objectivity Rigour Controlled Valid and verifiable

5. Types of research Application Fundamental or pure research Applied research Objectives Descriptive Analytical Correlational Explanatory Exploratory Inquiry mode Structured (quantitative) Unstructured (qualitative) Theoretical framework Conceptual Empirical

6. The significance of research Promotes the development of logical habits of thought Influence on industry, business and economics Influence on government politics and policies

7. Research methods Library research Analysis of historical records Analysis of documents Field research Observation Questionnaires Interviewing Laboratory research Experiments

8. The field-specific nature of research methods Major fields of science (Hungarian Higher Education Act, 2011, 108§ 42) 1) Theology 2) Agronomics 3) Technology 4) Medical science 5) Social sciences 6) Natural sciences 7) Arts 8) Humanities

9. English Studies and the Major Fields of Science English Studies Humanities Linguistics Literary Studies History Cultural Studies Interdis- ciplinary Psycholinguistics Sociolinguistics Art Psychology Etc.

10. Why do we do research? Intellectual challenge Joy of creative work Social status Livelihood Professional pressure Getting a degree – to prove the ability to do research „Publish or perish” in academia

11. Research methodology The science of studying how research is done scientifically Study of research methods Steps of the research process (e.g. defining the research problem, forming the hypothesis, collecting and interpreting data, writing up the report) Understanding the basic assumptions behind research methods

12. The uses of research methodology In undergraduate courses In academia In everyday life

14. Undergraduate research papers Take-home essay (seminar paper) Student research paper (TDK) Undergraduate thesis (BA, MA) Conference presentation Article (in academic journals or edited volumes) Review

15. General features Objectivity Exact and verifiable data Clearcut definiton of the topic Thorough knowledge of the topic’s literature Clearcut identification of sources and citation system Logical structure of exposition Identification of research method(s) and/or theoretical framework Interpretation of collected data, clearcut conclusions Semi-formal/formal style, involving the terminology of the given field (academic English)

16. Specific features of student papers Relatively narrower topics (especially for seminar papers) Limited expectations of novelty (except for the student research paper) Compilation Analytical/Descriptive paper proper Growing tendency to accept only argumentative papers Realistic expectations of familiarity with the literature of the field

17. Research papers in academia Study Detailed analysis Relatively longer Journal article Summary of findings Relatively shorter Conference presentation Plenary lecture – key-note speech, 40-45 minutes 20-minute talk Doctoral thesis 150 pages at the minimum Elaborates one topic in a coherent form Not necessarily published in book form Monograph Book written on a single topic by one author Varies in scope and length

18. Thesis Requirements at Eszterházy College TVSZ: for BA theses specifies formal characteristics only Department homepage: detailed list of requirements Content (argumentative papers) Form (MLA or Chicago – Appendix 2) Cover (sample cover – Appendix 1)

19. Works Consulted 2011. évi CCIV. törvény a nemzeti felsőoktatásról. Magyar Közlöny 165 (2011): 41181-247. Babbie, Earl. A társadalomtudományi kutatás gyakorlata. Trans. Kende Gábor and Szaitz Mariann. 5th edition. Budapest: Balassi, 2000. Eco, Umberto. Hogyan írjunk szakdolgozatot? Trans. Klukon Beatrix. Budapest: Gondolat, 1992. Gőcze István. A tudományelmélet és kutatásmódszertan alapjai. Budapest: ZMNE, 2010. Gyurgyák János. Szerkesztők és szerzők kézikönyve. Budapest: Osiris, 2003. Majoros Pál. A kutatásmódszertan alapjai. Budapest: Perfekt, 2010.