Methodology

Methodology is a very important aspect and part of any research “for the disposition of truth”. It is in fact very important to choose proper methodology and it is “partly determined by the subject-matter of study and partly by the end or purpose of study, i.e. the objective” (Ghosh:1993:26).

The topic of the present study, like any topic related with the discipline of Folklore, necessitated primarily field study. It is because:

Field study is fundamental because folk buildings have not been accorded the historical documentation that high style buildings have received. Combined with the recording of the physical scene, including elements of the material culture of a farmstead or household and the landscape itself, we include oral interviews and discussions with knowledgeable citizens. (Marshall:2011:138)

The present study is primarily empirical in nature with an eye for exploratory scrutiny of the subject. The nature of the topic makes it a field or survey based research. Hence, the present study can be said as a research largely based on primary field data, collected from the fields through systematic fieldwork. Thus, the data are collected through field studies using appropriate method applicable in the field of social science research. However, the primary outline of the study was formulated with the help of accessible secondary sources. In that process, many relevant and useful data are collected from various secondary sources. The secondary sources such as books, newspaper articles, published and unpublished PhD theses, dissertations, monographs, journals, research papers, and electronic sources such as e-books, digital books, online research journals, online research papers along with photographs were of enormous help in this regard. Thus, the secondary sources of various types were consulted and referred.

The vastness of filed area, enormity of the sample coupled with limitations and constraints compelled for selective sample study. After consideration of criteria like importance, need, and convenience, the samples were deliberately selected. However, efforts have been made to visit maximum samples or villages to examine the variation as well as verification of data.

In social sciences research, different scientific field techniques are applied as per demand, nature, and emphasis of the topic. In present study, the nature of topic compelled to use selective field methods of observation and interview predominantly. The observation, in regard to the topic, is the critical viewing of the architecture and examination of different aspects of the architecture such as materials, styles, size, technique, layout, aesthetic sensibility and outlook. Thus, this demands close, minute, and repeated examination of the architecture and related aspects. Hence, such observation encompass the understanding and perceiving of the nuances such as forms and architecture, technique and treatment, aesthetic and outlook, materials and manipulations, feel and texture, and so on. Simultaneously, along with the appreciation of these aspects of the architecture, the observation also demands a comparative scrutiny of the subject.

The next field method employed in the study was the interview method. The interview method is primarily of two kinds known as structured or close-ended interview and un-structured or open-ended interview. In present study, both the structured and un-structured interview methods were used as per the need and demand of the situation. There are two additional tools for conducting interview known as questionnaire and schedule. However, in spite of the virtues of these two tools, limitations and constraints provided little scope to use questionnaire and schedule in the study.

Since the topic is related to material culture, so apparently had limited scope for the participatory observation. However, this method was also applied in certain way and occasions. Moreover, the electronic tools and gadgets such as sound recorder, photography, and videography are very much needed and effective tools which were used as per convenience and requirement. These tools facilitate post field study reference, review, and verification of data. Hence, the electronic tools are much-needed tools for research, especially for qualitative social science research. However, a researcher needs to be very cautious and alert about the ethical aspects in using these tools.

The research data collected through field studies were processed for documentation, analysis, and interpretation. The data of the research, which is primarily qualitative and empirical in nature, were processed for further reference and subsequent analysis. The responses or the data collected are analysed critically to interpret it to make generalisation.