Research Projects Basic Elements of Research Writing

Overview Project type Project type Argumentative Argumentative Choosing a topic Choosing a topic Identifying audience Identifying audience Conducting primary and secondary research Conducting primary and secondary research Documenting Sources Documenting Sources Organization Organization Format Format

Types of Research Projects Argumentative Argumentative Clearly defined topic Clearly defined topic Clearly defined thesis statement (position statement) Clearly defined thesis statement (position statement) Goal: Persuade audience (opponents) Goal: Persuade audience (opponents) Example: Martha Schwartz is the most influential contemporary American landscape architect. Example: Martha Schwartz is the most influential contemporary American landscape architect. Must support thesis with evidence (data) and sound reasoning Must support thesis with evidence (data) and sound reasoning

Types of Research Projects Analytics Analytics Start with a research question Start with a research question Goal: Explore and evaluate topic Goal: Explore and evaluate topic Example: Given Martha Schwartz’s influence on contemporary American landscape architecture, what are her major design inspirations and precedents? Is the claim Example: Given Martha Schwartz’s influence on contemporary American landscape architecture, what are her major design inspirations and precedents? Is the claim Must conduct thorough research and explore various sources to try to answer question Must conduct thorough research and explore various sources to try to answer question

Choosing a Topic Consider assignment requirements Consider assignment requirements Consider research worthiness Consider research worthiness Consider due dates, your schedule, priorities Consider due dates, your schedule, priorities Conduct preliminary research; ask preliminary research questions through surveys or interviews Conduct preliminary research; ask preliminary research questions through surveys or interviews Determine interest - choose a topic that fulfills assignment requirements and that interests you Determine interest - choose a topic that fulfills assignment requirements and that interests you

Identifying Audience Important questions: Important questions: Who are they? (Proponents/ Opponents) Who are they? (Proponents/ Opponents) What do they need, expect? What do they need, expect? What are their views on the topic? What are their views on the topic? Where will they be reading? Where will they be reading? When will they be reading? When will they be reading? Why will they be reading? Why will they be reading? How will they be reading? How will they be reading?

Identifying Audience Primary audience Primary audience Gatekeepers, instructor, faculty, etc. Gatekeepers, instructor, faculty, etc. Secondary audience Secondary audience Peers, colleagues, coworkers, etc. Peers, colleagues, coworkers, etc. Shadow audience Shadow audience Others who may read communication - Internet! Others who may read communication - Internet!

Beginning Research Where do I get my information? Where do I get my information? Secondary sources: Secondary sources: Library databases Library databases Professional publications Professional publications Credible Websites Credible Websites Primary sources: Primary sources: Interviews Interviews Observations Observations Experimentation Experimentation

Paper Organization Introduction: overview entire document Introduction: overview entire document Purpose/goals Purpose/goals What is the point of the paper? Argumentative? Analytical? What is the point of the paper? Argumentative? Analytical? Audience (optional) Audience (optional) Is the audience familiar with topic, terms? Is the audience familiar with topic, terms? For argumentative For argumentative What is your thesis? What is your thesis? For analytical For analytical What are your research questions? What are your research questions? Research methods Research methods How did you find your information? How did you find your information? Findings and conclusions Findings and conclusions Forecast organization of document Forecast organization of document Remember: one of the best ways to learn how to write is to read a lot of material from your discipline Remember: one of the best ways to learn how to write is to read a lot of material from your discipline

Paper Organization Section 1: Section 1: Introduce, explain topic Introduce, explain topic Section 2: Section 2: Discuss history, background; set the context Discuss history, background; set the context Section 3: Section 3: Discuss research methods Discuss research methods Section 4: Section 4: Discuss research findings Discuss research findings Section 5: Section 5: Conclusions Conclusions Works Cited/References Works Cited/References Appendix Appendix If you’re short on page/word count, do more research If you’re short on page/word count, do more research

For More Information or Help

The End