Research Workflow in Humanities

Course Description

This course is designed to guide students through the comprehensive research process in the humanities. Over a 15-week period, the course provides an in-depth exploration of methodologies, tools, and theoretical frameworks essential for conducting rigorous research across various humanities disciplines. We use the tried and tested The Craft of Research (Booth et al, 2024) to prepare for each class. The initial phase of the course focuses on the selection and justification of a research topic, preliminary research, and the development of a detailed research proposal. This foundation sets the stage for advanced stages involving diverse data collection methods, critical reading, note-taking, and analysis techniques tailored to the complexities of humanities research.

The course culminates in a series of sessions dedicated to academic writing and publishing in the humanities, emphasising the crafting of persuasive arguments, ethical writing standards, and the preparation of a research manuscript for publication. Through this structured progression, students will gain proficiency in navigating the research workflow, developing skills in interdisciplinary literature review, data analysis, and writing, with the objective of producing a high-quality, publishable research thesis that contributes significantly to the humanities field.

Classes

Class 1

Introduction to Research

Topics: Your Research and Your Audience

Activities: Discuss the role of research in humanities

Reading: Introduction

Class 2

From Topics to Questions

Topics: Developing Research Questions

Activities: Workshop on transforming interests into research questions

Reading: Chapter 1

Class 3

Defining Research Problems

Topics: Identifying and framing research problems

Activities: Group discussion on 'pure' vs 'applied' research

Reading: Chapter 2

Class 4

[ON-DEMAND CLASS] Finding and Evaluating Sources

Topics: Library and online research skills

Activities: Library session on locating and evaluating sources

Reading: Chapter 3

Class 5

Engaging With Sources

Topics: Note-taking and annotating sources

Activities: Practical session on engaging with sources

Reading: Chapter 4

Class 6

Constructing Arguments

Topics: Building a coherent research argument

Activities: Group activity on argument construction

Reading: Chapter 5

Class 7

Making Claims

Topics: Types and evaluation of claims

Activities: Workshop on formulating research claims

Reading: Chapter 6

Class 8

[ON-DEMAND CLASS] Assembling Reasons and Evidence

Topics: Using evidence in research

Activities: Analysing examples of evidence use

Reading: Chapter 7

Class 9

Understanding Warrants

Topics: Role of warrants in research

Activities: Exercises on identifying and testing warrants

Reading: Chapter 8

Class 10

Planning and Drafting

Topics: Structuring the research proposal

Activities: Workshop on drafting research proposals

Reading: Chapter 10

Class 11

Revising and Organising

Topics: Revising for clarity and coherence

Activities: Group editing session

Reading: Chapter 11

Class 12

[ON-DEMAND CLASS] Writing Your Research Proposal

Students finish writing their research proposal. Class 13

lass 14

Research Proposal Presentations

Activities: Student presentations of research proposals

Reading: Chapter 16

Ethical Considerations

Case studies on ethical dilemmas in research.

Class 15

[ON-DEMAND CLASS] Finalising Your Research Proposal

Topics: Style, presentations, and final revisions

Reading: Chapters 14 and 15