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29/10/2018 07:37:37 AM

The Basics Of Doing Research (part 1)

The Basics Of Doing Research

WHAT İS A RESEARCH PAPER?

•         A research paper is a presentation of the results of your investigation on a selected topic.

•         Based on your own thoughts and the facts and ideas you have gathered from a variety of sources, a research paper is a creation that is uniquely yours.

•         To become familiar with topical vocabulary (e.g. key concepts, jargon*, terminology)

•         To gain insight into the topic, facts, opinions, and theories

•         To be aware of inconsistencies* or shortcomings* in one’s knowledge and understanding

           

            *jargon (n.): special words and phrases which are used by particular groups of people, especially in their work:

                        e.g. military/legal/computer jargon

            *inconsistency (n.): difference or contradiction; not being the same in different sources:

                        e.g. There are a few inconsistencies between his earlier and current story of the accident.

            *shortcoming (n.): a fault or a failure to reach a particular standard:

                        e.g. Like any political system, capitalism has its own shortcomings.

WHY DO RESEARCH?

•         To support and enrich ideas

•         To increase credibility

•         To become familiar with gaps in the literature (lacking, inconclusive*, contradictory, and limited evidence)

And most importantly;

 TO CREATE KNOWLEDGE

            *inconclusive (adj.): not giving or having a result or decision:

                        e.g. The evidence is inconclusive.

                               The medical tests were inconclusive and will need to be repeated.

WHERE TO DO RESEARCH?

•         Magazines

•         Anthologies*

•         Journals*

•         Textbooks

•         *Anthology (n): a collection of artistic works which have a similar form or subject, often those considered to be the best:

                        e.g. an anthology of modern quotations/American verse

                               This Bob Dylan anthology includes some rare recordings of his best songs.

•         *Journal (n.): a serious magazine or newspaper which is published regularly, usually about a specialist subject:

                        e.g. a medical/trade journal

•         The Internet

•         Books

•         Theses and Dissertations

•         Newspapers

•         Reference books:

            -almanacs*

                        -encyclopedias

                                    -atlases

                                                -dictionaries

                                                            -fact books

                                    *almanac (n.): a book published every year that contains facts and information such as important days, times of the sun rising and going down or changes in the moon