Essay Essentials, Chapter 17

Copyright © 2015 by Nelson Education Ltd.

NETA PowerPoint® Slides

to accompany

prepared by

Rhonda Dynes

Mohawk College

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Preparing for Research and Choosinga Good Research Method

Chapter 17

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What Is a Research Paper?A research paper is not simply a collection of what other

people have said about a subject. It is your responsibility to set the thesis, determine the focus, and control the

discussion. It is your paper, your subject, your main points; ideas from other writers should be included as support for your topic sentences. The research paper isn’t about how

smart others are; it is about how you organize and use others’ information to support ideas of your own!

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DocumentationOne of the challenges of writing a research paper is differentiating between your ideas and those you take from sources. To separate your sources from your own ideas, research papers require documentation—a system of acknowledging source materials.

Documentation tells your readers that the ideas they are reading have been borrowed from another writer; it also enables your readers to find the source and read the material for themselves. Two widely used styles are the American Psychological Association (APA) style and the Modern Language Association (MLA) style.

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Tips for Writing a Research Paper

1. Don’t forget you still need a thesis and well-organized ideas.

2. Choose a subject that interests you.

Define the subject as precisely as you can before beginning your research, but be prepared to modify, adapt, and revise it as you research and write your paper.

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Tips for Writing a Research Paper cont’d

3. Once you have a topic in mind, do some preliminary research and talk to a librarian.

Be specific when you discuss your topic and your focus. Every library is unique. Working with the library staff early in the research process can save you hours.

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4. Even though your instructor may be your only reader, think of your potential audience as your classmates or possibly members of a professional organization.

Assume that your audience wants to learn more about your topic, your conclusions, and what evidence you have found to support your thesis.

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5. Manage your time carefully.

Divide the work into a number of tasks, develop a schedule that leaves lots of time for revision, and stick to your schedule. Research papers are usually longer than essays, and the planning process is more complex.

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6. When making research notes, be diligent.

For every source you use, record all of the authors’ names, the book or document title, publication data, and page numbers. For electronic sources, also record the URL and the date you accessed the website.

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7. Document your sources according to whatever style your instructor prefers.

8. Use your source material to support your own ideas, not the other way around.

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9. Revise, edit, and proofread carefully.

If you omit the final step, all your hard work will not be rewarded.

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A Few Basic Reminders about Research Papers

• Your first step in writing a research paper is the same as your first step in any writing task: select a suitable subject.

• Whether you are assigned a topic or choose your own, don’t rush off to the library or log on to the Internet right away.

• If you’re not sure what your instructor expects, clarify what is required of you.

• Even if your subject is tentative, check it with the 4-S test: is it significant, single, specific, and supportable (researchable)? If not, refine it.

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A Few Basic Reminders about Research Papers cont’d

• Finally, consider what approach you might take in presenting your subject. Does it lend itself to a comparison? Process? Cause or effect? Deciding up front what kind of paper you are going to write will save you hours of time, both in the library and at your desk.

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Ways of Doing Research

There is a variety of ways to do research, and each method

has its own strengths and weaknesses.

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Ways of Doing Research cont’d The Library Catalogue

Your library catalogue is the first place you should check when beginning a research paper. It is accessible on computer terminals in the library, as well as on computers outside of the library, through the library’s website.

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Ways of Doing Research cont’d Internet Resources

If you do not have a subject guide to the “best of the Web” on your library website, there are two important steps to locating reliable information on the Internet: develop a good search strategy, and then critically evaluate the results of your search.

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Ways of Doing Research cont’d Other Sources

Interviews with people familiar with your subject are excellent primary sources because they provide a personal view, and they ensure that your paper will contain information not found in any other paper the instructor will read. Original research, such as surveys or questionnaires that you design, distribute, and analyze, can also enhance your paper.

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Summary• Writing a research paper is about interacting with

other people’s ideas, and this requires documentation.

• A research paper requires the same attention to detail as any essay, but it also requires taking good notes and finding good sources.

• The library and Internet, as well as other primary sources, are good ways of including data in your research paper, but they all have strengths and weaknesses.

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Essay Essentials, Chapter 17

Education

Transcript of Essay Essentials, Chapter 17