Which among the following are true in the context of methods and methodologies in literary research?
(A) Both are identical in nature.
(B) Methods are concerned with how one conducts a given piece of research.
(C) Methodologies are concerned with how one conducts a given piece of research.
(D) Methodologies are concerned with the perspectives one brings to bear on one's work.
(E) Methods are concerned with the perspectives one brings to bear on one's work.
Choose the correct option:

Correct option is D

(B) Methods are concerned with how one conducts a given piece of research – True. Methods are the specific tools, techniques, or procedures (e.g., close reading, archival research, interviews).

(D) Methodologies are concerned with the perspectives one brings to bear on one’s work – True. Methodology involves the theoretical framework or philosophical stance (e.g., feminist criticism, postcolonial theory).

Methods and methodologies in literary research are two closely related concepts, but they have distinct meanings.

Methods are specific techniques and procedures that are used to collect and analyze data. For example, common methods used in literary research include close reading, textual analysis, and historical research.

Methodologies are the overall approaches or perspectives that are used to guide a research project. For example, common methodologies used in literary research include Marxism, feminism, and postcolonialism.

A researcher using a close reading method to analyze a literary text from a Marxist perspective would be interested in examining how the text reflects or challenges the social and economic conditions of its time. Both methods and methodologies are important in literary research. By carefully choosing and using the appropriate methods and methodologies, researchers can produce rigorous and insightful work that contributes to the field of literary studies.

Information Booster:
Method = “How” → practical techniques or processes used in research.

In other words, methods are concerned with how one conducts a given piece of research, while methodologies are concerned with the perspectives one brings to bear on one's work.
Example:
Method: Close reading
Methodology: Marxism

Methodology = “Why” → the underlying theory and reasoning behind choosing those methods.

Example: If you study a novel using close reading (method) within the framework of Marxist literary criticism (methodology), the methodology shapes your interpretation, while the method is the actual step-by-step way you analyze the text.

Additional Knowledge:-

(A) Both are identical in nature – False. Methods and methodology are related but not identical.

(C) Methodologies are concerned with how one conducts a given piece of research – False. This is actually the role of methods, not methodologies.

(E) Methods are concerned with the perspectives one brings to bear on one’s work – False. That’s the domain of methodology, not method.