Writing Research Papers: A Complete Guide, Essay Example

Chapter 1

Academic writing provides a public record of knowledge, opinions and language and helps develop complex thought and argument (Lester & Lester, 2014, p. 1). Chapter 1 of “Writing Research Papers” discusses the beginning processes of academic writing, such as research, discovery, avoiding pitfalls and scheduling (Lester & Lester, 2014, p. 1). We conduct informal research throughout our daily lives, for example, going online and searching for a new place to go out to eat, checking job listings, or looking at items we might want to buy and weighing our options (Lester & Lester, 2014, p. 2). Academic research, however is being able to conduct field research in order to provide evidence for an opinion, idea or an argument (Lester & Lester, 2014, p. 2).

Research writing should grow from investigation, establish a clear purpose and develop analysis appropriate to the topic (Lester & Lester, 2014, p. 2). This means that we conduct research and write about our findings in college because it teaches methods of discovery, teaches investigative skills, develops inquiry-based technique, builds career skills, teaches critical thinking, teaches logic and teaches us how to form a coherent argument (Lester & Lester, 2014, p. 3). According to the text, the conventions of academic writing include analysis, evidence, and discussion (Lester & Lester, 2014, p. 4). This means that you will present your argument and include a detailed analysis on how you plan to defend that argument (Lester & Lester, 2014, p. 4). Next, you will provide logical and supported evidence for the argument, and lastly you will discuss the merit of the study with your findings and conclusions (Lester & Lester, 2014, p. 4).

Chapter 1 also discusses how to avoid plagiarism, as it is vital for academic writing to include citations for all borrowed words and ideas (Lester & Lester, 2014, p. 4). This can be accomplished by using quotation marks, proper citations for paraphrasing, parenthetical citations and note, and a references page ( Lester & Lester, 2014, p. 5). Along with avoiding plagiarism, it is important to follow a research schedule, which is the final topic discussed in Chapter 1. It is noted that you should find and narrow a topic, draft a thesis or proposal, create a bibliography, take notes, outline, format, keep a reference list, revise and proof your paper, and finally submit your work (Lester & Lester, 2014, pp. 9-10).

Chapter 2

Chapter 2 of the text covers the details of finding a topic. Finding a topic requires investigation and research, and the texts provides guidelines and information on how to find applicable research.

When discovering a topic, there are several methods in order to narrow down the subject, such as asking rhetorical questions, checking academic disciplines for questions, utilizing journalism questions and Pentad questions ( Lester & Lester, 2014, 16-18). These methods of questioning will provide valuable insight into the subject. Journalism questions ask the investigative questions, such as who, what, when, where and how, whereas Pentad questions will reveal the act, agent, source, agency and the purpose of a subject or topic ( Lester & Lester, 2014, 16-18).

In order to conduct applicable research, it is important to use reliable databases. The text suggests using Google scholar and library databases such as ERIC, ProQuest, and EBSCOhost, among others (Lester & Lester, 2014, pp. 20-21). It is also important to utilize Bolean words in order to narrow down your research topic, such as AND, OR and NOT. These expressions will give more specific search results when looking in an online database (Lester & Lester, 2014, pp. 20-21). Some other tips when looking through articles in databases is to look for peer-reviewed journals and the journal’s submission guidelines, as this will give you a better idea of the academic relevancy of the research (Lester & Lester, 2014, pp. 20-21).

Chapter 2 goes into further detail on developing a thesis statement, which is described as expanding a topic, research approach or proposal, or argument (Lester & Lester, 2014, pp. 24-25). The text also discusses the importance of an enthymeme and a hypothesis (Lester & Lester, 2014, pp. 24-27). An enthymeme is a statement that utilizes the word “because,” and a hypothesis proposes a theory or an explanation (Lester & Lester, 2014, pp. 24-27). All of these are discovered through topic research and literature review, and when ready to present the research proposal, you can either present it as a short identification of the topic/project or develop and formal report that includes specific background information (Lester & Lester, 2014, p. 27).

Chapter 3

In Chapter 3, we learn how to organize the research questions and material, as well as how to set goals for the research project. The text describes methods of organization, and specifically defines the process of using basic order, which includes identification of the problem, review of literature, setting a thesis or a hypothesis, analysis of the issues, presenting evidence, and a discussion of the research findings ( Lester & Lester, 2014, p. 33). Organization of the research project will include methods on generating dynamics, and as the text points out, this involves generating an introduction that builds anticipation, creating a body of analysis, and making a final judgment that examines the problem and cites relative research that gives you your ideas and opinions (Lester & Lester, 2014, p. 34).

Organization of the research project also includes note taking in order to find your direction of research. Note taking can be utilized throughout the research project and works best as a method of narrowing down specific subject matter and material. You can use key words and phrases, rough outlines, questions to identify the issues, among other methods, in order to set your research goals (Lester & Lester, 2014, pp. 34-38). All of these methods will help drive the course of research in the project. The text also recommends using the curriculum material as a direction of research as well as the actual thesis argument (Lester & Lester, 2014, pp. 38-40).

Chapter 4

Another important aspect of academic writing is learning how to conduct online research. Chapter 4 of the text goes into detail on how to properly and more efficiently conduct relevant online research for academic writing. When beginning online research, you need to look at the types of directories that are being used to conduct that research. Google scholar and Yahoo! Directories can both provide good and relevant research when using the correct methods (Lester & Lester, 2014, p. 44). It is necessary to evaluate the online resource, such as looking at details like if it is a .edu, .org, or a .gov website (Lester & Lester, 2014, p. 44). These little bits of information give the researcher a better idea of how reliable the webpages are and if they might present any biases that might present themselves from .com websites. It is also necessary to check the professional affiliation, any given bibliographies and the timeliness of the website. All of these are aspects of online research that will help refine and develop a more persuasive and research-driven thesis or hypothesis (Lester & Lester, 2014, pp. 44-45). Chapter 4 also presents the importance of reading the online address of the webpage, as it will provide insight into the quality of the source or research. It is suggested to looks at the domain, the directory, file and the hypertext information provided through the address (Lester & Lester, 2014, pp. 47-48).

Discussed at further length in this chapter is the use of keywords and Bolean expressions when using search engines and databases. You can use key words, expressions, and quotation marks to define and target certain research (Lester & Lester, 2014, pp. 48-50). Also, the types of search engines that you use will result in different types of material. Educational, specialized, library maintained, historical, photograph and visual databases, and archival and newspaper—these are the types of search engines that will provide relevant, timely and specific results (Lester & Lester, 2014, pp. 51-54). Also mentioned is the use of e-books, as they can speed up the research process by giving direct, online access to novels, texts, and resource books to aid the research (Lester & Lester, 2014, pp. 59-61). Utilizing these databases and engines, as well as implementing these tips, will help maintain the integrity of your research.

References

Lester, J., & Lester, J. (2014). Writing research papers: A complete guide (15th ed.). New York: Pearson/Longman.