History is the field of science which has always been of a great interest to me as it shows the events and movements which took place in the past, gives explanations and arguments, influences the way of our development and the way we are now. That’s why for my research I have chosen then topic connected with a historical event – Taiwan Independence Movement.
I have experience in doing qualitative and quantitative researches, gathering information and analyzing it and that’s why I have decided to proceed with using these strategies in the given research. In order to understand this historical movement I will need to collect various facts and data, study it and then make a conclusion which explains the course of the event and the results attained. Having experience in looking for literature sources, filtering and selecting the appropriate ones will contribute to my current research process and help me to achieve a successful result.
The first step of the research processing is connected with the choice of theories, theoretical perspectives and communication models which are aimed at guiding the course of research and helping to select the necessary information which is relative to the topic of the investigation. Theory is what forms the framework of the research. According to DeBonis “Theories help us to explain or predict behavior, to inform policy, guide practice and direct research” (DeBonis, 2016). The theory which was chosen for the Taiwan independence movement in the history field is called sovereignty-undecided theory. This very theory fits the situation with Taiwan as its independence fight began after the World War II. Japan, which was believed to be a superior over Taiwan, was defeated and that situation gave Taiwanese the chance for getting political freedom (Shih, Liao, 2014). As for the theoretical perspectives, I suppose that the following ones may be used for my research:
positivism – this perspective presupposes investigation through rigorous scientific inquiry;
constructivism – the meaning is created through subject’s interactions in the world;
objectivism – the meaning is imposed on the object by the subject (Gray, 2016).
All the perspectives presuppose different means of finding the meaning of a certain phenomenon, but I believe that only with the help of multiple perspectives it is possible to achieve real and independent results which will reflect the truthful conclusion.
Also, being interested in history of different countries I managed to find out a lot of information, which is relative to the given topic as well. The history of the WWII and participation of Japan in the given war contributes to the understanding of such an event as Taiwan independence movement. As well as I have read a lot about the independence movements in other countries, it gives me the opportunity to compare these processes and understand the given issue better. It goes without saying that in different countries the movements for independence have their own special and peculiar features, but the general idea remains the same, only the means change. Analyzing various experiences helps to understand the process better and make the investigation more productive and successful.
The thing which still remains to make this research really good and important for the future results is to choose the appropriate and credible bibliography with relevant information which fits the topic of the investigation and helps to provide the necessary information for better understanding of the problem stated. The issues which can be learnt on the topic are related with the questions of what was the starting force of the independence movement, what slogans existed, what demands the revolutionists proclaimed. It is also worth studying the way foreign countries influenced this process in Taiwan, especially the influence of China, which was believed to play an important role in the movement. Song stated that “Taiwan independence is not the reaction to the past but a future prospect”. That’s why it is necessary to learn about the reasons that provoked the movement and the consequences it gave for future generations.
There are a lot of literature sources connected with the topic of my research – Taiwan independence movement – but it is highly important to choose the ones which are credible and truthful and fit the investigation issues best of all. The best way to use the information is to find a golden mean between the literature found and personal ideas on a certain topic (Harvard Guide to Using Sources, 2016). A wide range of historical literature and methodological manuals about the way of a research conduction may be helpful in the process of my investigation. Analyzing different sources and opinions will contribute to a successful research results and will provide with most credible data, which will persuade my reader and perhaps satisfy his or her interest in the given problem.
References
DeBonis, A. (2016). Applying Theories, Perspectives, and Practice Models to Integrated Health. National Council. Retrieved from www.cswe.org/File.aspx?id=62752
Harvard Guide to Using Sources. (2016). Choosing Relevant Parts of the Source. Retrieved from http://isites.harvard.edu/icb/icb.do?keyword=k70847&pageid=icb.page350377
Gray, D. (2016). Doing Research in the Real World. SAGE Publications. Retrieved from http://www.sagepub.com/sites/default/files/upm-binaries/58626_Gray__Doing_Research_in_the_Real_World.pdf
Johnson, R. B. et al. (2007). Toward a Definition of Mixed Method Research. Journal of Mixed Method Research. 1(2). 112-133.
Newman, I., Benz, C. (1998). Qualitative-quantitative Research Methodology: Exploring the Interactive Continuum. Illinois: Southern Illinois University.
Shih, S., Liao, P. (2014). Comparatizing Taiwan. New York, NY: Routeledge.
Song, X. (2004). Between Civic and Ethnic: The Transformation of Taiwanese Nationalist Ideologies (1895-2000). Brussels: Asp / Vubpress / Upa.
