Research Methodology and Writing 2013 Fall

The Outline Form P.45 P.45

MLA P. 1-38: What Is Research

A Form of Exploration Go beyond our personal knowledge Go beyond our personal knowledge To explore an idea, probe an issue, solve a problem, or make an argument in relation to what others have written To explore an idea, probe an issue, solve a problem, or make an argument in relation to what others have written Assimilating other ’ s research and then articulating your own ideas clearly and persuasively Assimilating other ’ s research and then articulating your own ideas clearly and persuasively

Combining Research and Original Ideas The main purpose of doing research is not the summarize the work of others but to assimilate and to build on it and to arrive at your own understanding of the subject. The main purpose of doing research is not the summarize the work of others but to assimilate and to build on it and to arrive at your own understanding of the subject.

Research Paper as a Form of Communication Should present information and ideas clearly and effectively Should present information and ideas clearly and effectively

Select a Topic Finding an appropriate focus: not too broad and not too narrow either Finding an appropriate focus: not too broad and not too narrow either To elaborate later on in Craft To elaborate later on in Craft

Conducting Research Library research sources Library research sources ---electronic sources (ex. MLA Database) ---books and similar publications ---articles in print periodicals ---additional sources (ex. Multimedia references) Web sources Web sources ---Gateway Sites (ex. Voice of the Shuttle) ---Search engines (ex. Google; Yahoo) To get further knowledge on library tour To get further knowledge on library tour

Compiling a Working Bibliography 1 The difference between “ bibliography ” and “ works cited ” The difference between “ bibliography ” and “ works cited ” --- bibliography: arranged information of --- bibliography: arranged information of publication publication --- works cited: the information of publication --- works cited: the information of publication of sources you have cited in of sources you have cited in your paper your paper

Compiling a Working Bibliography 2 Working bibliography: Working bibliography: ---keeping track of sources that you may use ---keeping track of sources that you may use for your paper for your paper ---will frequently change during your research ---will frequently change during your research ---will eventually evolve into the list of works ---will eventually evolve into the list of works cited that appears at the end of the research cited that appears at the end of the research paper paper ---might have note of other useful information ---might have note of other useful information

Converting Working Bibliography to list of “ Works Cited ” Following MLA format Following MLA format Remove unnecessary information Remove unnecessary information Arrange alphabetically by author Arrange alphabetically by author

Evaluating Sources Authority Authority Accuracy and verifiability Accuracy and verifiability Currency Currency

Quiz What is “ primary research ” ? What is “ primary research ” ? What is “ secondary research ” ? What is “ secondary research ” ?

Answer to the quiz P.3 P.3

Quiz Is peer review important for the authority of a source? Is peer review important for the authority of a source?

Answer to the quiz P.34 P.34

Author: biographical information (professional title); following a link to a homepage What are the important information to look for in evaluating your web source? in evaluating your web source? Text: reliable editions Editorial policy Publisher or sponsoring organization: (ex. Oxford UP)

Thank You