A Case Study of Vivek Agnihotri's “The Tashkent Files”
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Electronic Research Journal of Literature, Volume 2 (2020) www.erjliterature.com Emerging Issues Related to Validity and Reliability: A Case Study of Vivek Agnihotri’s “The Tashkent Files” Manshi1 Postgraduate Student (English), Amity University Gurugram, India Email: [email protected] Palak Arora Postgraduate Student (English), Amity University Gurugram, India, Email: palak.ar96gmail.com Abstract: There are numerous facets of research and when it comes to validity or reliability the thrust becomes more entangled and crucial. Typically, research done in the humanities is Janus- faced as it constantly assesses the facts and its relevance in the contemporary world. Any research in the field stands on its subjectivity that only comes with the rigorous testing and cross- checking of data to authenticate it with valid and reliable information. Research in the field of humanities is the anchor to the world on cultural development hence the data provided in the research should be testified on the grounds of varied situations and time frames to ensure validity and reliability. Acquainting research with approaches that testify for its validity is essential, along with considering a legitimate approach for reliability, this research paper will aim to provide a view on how invalid and unreliable data can prove hazardous for a generation. Through, the case study of Vivek Agnihotri’s The Tashkent Files the research will further provide a background for the need for data to be valid and reliable. Keywords: Validity, reliability, historical approach, human behavior, deciphering Introduction: The measurement of human behavior belongs to the widely accepted positivist view, or empirical-analytic approach, to discern reality (Smallbone & Quinton, 2004). Owing to the fact that research in humanities majorly focusses on human behavior and its implications in society or includes research based on historical data hence reliability and validity of the data should be the primary concern of the researcher. There is an inextricable link between qualitative research and the relevance of validity and reliability in it. Before understanding reliability and validity in qualitative research, the case of qualitative research should be cleared first: Qualitative research exists in “real-world setting [where] the researcher does not attempt to manipulate the phenomenon of interest" (Patton, 2001). Here the researcher is supposed to embrace their role in research unlike quantitative research where the researcher is a mere dissociate observer according to Patton (2001). The possibility of deciphering the exact relation between the phenomena and human reaction to it is tricky as there are fluidity and dynamism in social situations which makes acute and precise predictions a challenging task for the researcher. A mindset that propagates the vision supporting humanly whims and needs is to be fulfilled by all 1 Corresponding author 1 Electronic Research Journal of Literature, Volume 2 (2020) www.erjliterature.com non-humanly life forms and this is their sole purpose of existing. (Arora et al. 2020) Retaining test of time makes research reliable and says for its validity so data collection in the form of facts and information for qualitative research should be done with narratives that stands true to contemporary time and after that also. “Reliability is the degree to which a variable or test yields the same results when administered to the same people, under the same circumstances” (Weller 1998). In quantitative research reliability comes when the researcher comes to a conclusion that can be replicated by other researchers as well but in qualitative research this reliability stands for ‘Consistency’ as research in humanities is largely based on the assessment of the researcher and the ‘Trustworthiness’ of his collected data. Qualitative research done in humanities relies majorly on observation, historical facts or interviews as their data collection tools instead of formal instruments in quantitative research. While the credibility in quantitative research depends on instrument construction, in qualitative research, “the researcher is the instrument" (Golafshani, 2003). Not only does reliability stands in research for its time test but also for the proving or testifying what it is purported to testify. Whilst quantitative or scientific research calls for any innovation but the acceptability of the innovation is tested by qualitative research giving it a higher significance in reliability testification. Dimensions of human perception to situations and things are ever-evolving therefore the research conducted should be numerously testified in the audience and research observants so to prove its reliability in masses. As Stake (1994) distinguishes various kinds of case studies, an intrinsic case study is one that is done out of the curiosity of the researcher to investigate in one case pertaining to some issues. Reliability, in this case, becomes a serious phenomenon as the outcome of the case study might differ according to personal perception in humanities research but the usage of reliable techniques to consider a particular case makes the consequences relevant for further researches. Though reliability couldn’t stand alone from validity so majorly the illuminating part of any research’s life is its validity. While the terms Reliability and Validity are essential criteria for quality in quantitative paradigms, in qualitative paradigms the terms Credibility, Neutrality or Confirmability, Consistency or Dependability and Applicability or Transferability are to be the essential criteria for quality (Lincoln & Guba, 1985). Considering any research in humanities valid is a contingent construct as the validity in qualitative research is affected by the researcher’s paradigm. Inherent bias on the side of the researcher makes validity a critical conception in the qualitative study. Albeit following some steps would take the qualitative research to a few steps closer to validity amid the speculative research bias. As an accurate description of the situation or case observed if presented make the research objective with less reactivity on the part of the researcher’s presence. ‘A validity checklist assists the researcher in establishing techniques that will be used to strengthen validity issues’ (Lewis, 2009). Triangulation is one of the features that prohibit research bias by accommodating and cross-checking the research with various sources and even statistics if needed. Even though discrepant data one can assure non-conforming elements in the research that makes a second case possibility for other arguments rendering the research validity in its front. Member checking is the most basic method that helps the researcher to overcome research bias and look into the matter objectively as other people’s input makes a case for alternative statements that improves upon the validity of the research. Reliability and validity in qualitative research are two sides of the same coin but what differs them is a fundamental aspect- one aspect dealing with research’s consistency and other with its result’s credibility. 2 Electronic Research Journal of Literature, Volume 2 (2020) www.erjliterature.com Importance of Validity and Reliability Through the Case Study of the Tashkent Files: “It’s an old habit of yours, Taking things off record. Which is why we don’t have proper records” (The Tashkent files) No research can stand without reliability and validity at its back as it stands for its consistency and credibility. The Tashkent Files is a movie complying with the agenda of “truth is a luxury” which fairly resembles a researcher’s propaganda. Whether circulated through literature or television, the tales may change to fit a new audience, but the meanings within them have remained constant. (Duggal & Mishra, 2020) Presenting facts with a secret dossier about former late PM Lal Bahadur Shastri’s death, facts have been the lifeline of the whole movie. A political conspiracy haggling on the thresholds of irrefutable truth giving food for thought with stark characters having declamatory debates on a quest for truth and a hidden agenda of theirs. Throughout time and history there have always been conflicts between good and bad, right and wrong, love and war, individuality, and religion. (Sinha & Mishra, 2019) A researcher on every aspect tries to unveil the grey areas for intellectual liberation from doubts and hidden aspects of a situation. Similarly, in The Tashkent Files, picking up the menagerie carefully, director Vivek Agnihotri aptly presents a room full of intellectuals, politicians, journalists, scientists and even secret agents to put up an argumentative stand on Shastri Ji’s death, camouflaging their own motives in it. As Shyam Sunder Tripathi (Mithun Chakraborty) abort each one of these committee members as: social terrorist, judicial terrorist, intellectual terrorist, TRP terrorism, racist (more dangerous than terrorist); you don’t care who’s doing what. as long as you are benefitting This clearly draws a contrast between a researcher and his bias towards his subject of research he’s undertaking. Validity is highly questionable when it deals with internal confounding matters rendering a pool of choices to the researcher and him amid all pieces of evidence choose what his selfish intrinsic motives deem to call right. The consequence is selective commissioning of data which leads to low reliability along with two major errors on the part of the researcher planting the readers