1. Technical Communication Skills
Unit 7: Academic Research Writing

2. Objectives: To Help Students
Understand the Research Process, and
Practice Writing Research Papers
Objectives: To Help Students
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Key Words:
Hypothesis
Independent variable
Dependent variable
Authorship
Sponsorship
Critical reading
IS Units
Descriptive abstract
Informative abstract
Documentation
References
In-text citation
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4. Technical Communication Skills
Research Process
Features of Academic Papers
Evaluating and Interpreting Information
Components of Academic Writing
Summary
Homework
Agenda
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Research Topic “
In order for a topic to be workable, there are three things for you to consider.
Your research on the topic is likely to bring some meaningful result in its relevant field.
You need to consider the time and tools available.
There should be available references. ”
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Samples and analysis (1)
1. Unfeasible:
I made a plan about my pocket money, and I used it wisely last month.
Feasible:
A research on how university students use their pocket money
Analysis:
A topic around “I” is too personal, and does not carry scientific meaning. If you expand the same issue to a group of people, it may become a good research topic.
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Samples and analysis (2)
2. Unfeasible: A usability report of the web pages on the Internet
Feasible:
A usability report of IBM’s revised home page
Analysis:
The first topic is too wide in its scope. It is almost impossible to test the usability of all web pages. The second topic narrows it down to one particular company home page, and is therefore manageable.
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Samples and analysis (3)
3. Unfeasible:
Yesterday’s news paper reported a conflict between two Middle East countries.
Feasible:
Historical origin of Middle East conflicts
Analysis:
A newly happened event does not have too much relevant material for you to refer to when you do research about it. Your writing therefore, will be at most a news report. The second topic is more workable because there are enough references.
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9. II. Features of Academic Papers“
Writing purpose
Intended audience
Research procedure
Major components
Evaluation criteria: ”
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10. III. Evaluating and Interpreting Information
1. Evaluating information

11. Technical Communication Skills
Book title: Author’s name: The publisher: Front and back covers: Introduction: Table of contents: References: Index:
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12. Evaluating on-line information“
Authorship:
Sponsorship:
“About” or “Welcome” link:
Recency: ”
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13. III. Evaluating and Interpreting Information

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Samples and analysis “
(pp ) ”
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IV. Components of Academic Writing
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Preliminary Part:
title
author and affiliation
abstract
key words
Text Part:
introduction
literature review
methods
results
discussion
conclusions
Supplementary Part:
Acknowledgements
References
Appendices
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Title “
Guideline 1: Reveal key information
Guideline 2: Be concrete in meaning
Guideline 4: Avoid abbreviations
Guideline 3: Avoid unnecessary words ”
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18. Author and affiliation“
Guideline 1: Use proper order
Guideline 2: Omit titles
Guideline 3: Indicate multi-author and multi-affiliation ”
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Abstract “
Guideline 1: Be concise.
Guideline 2: Be self-contained.
Guideline 3: Follow paper chronology.
Guideline 4: Focus on results.
Guideline 5: Avoid evaluation
Guideline 6: Use proper tense ”
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Key words “
Guideline 1: Be specific in meaning
Guideline 2: Use noun form
Guideline 3: Control the number ”
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Introduction “
Guideline 1: Develop the background from general to specific
Guideline 2: Raise research questions by pointing out imperfection
Guideline 3: State purpose by answering the research questions ”
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Literature review “
Guideline 1: Select the most relevant sources
Guideline 2: Arrange in proper order
Guideline 3: Maintain your own voice
Guideline 4: Use proper citation ”
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Methods “
Guideline 1: Follow chronological order
Guideline 2: Integrate materials with procedures ”
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Results “
Guideline 1: Locate the data
Guideline 2: Explain the data
Guideline 3: Be truthful ”
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Discussion “
Guideline 1: Refer back to the hypothesis
Guideline 2: Compare with other studies
Guideline 3: Indicate limitations ”
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Conclusion “
Guideline 1: Draw a summary
Guideline 2: Avoid over- generalization ”
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Acknowledgements “
Guideline1: Be brief and sincere
Guideline2: Put in the right place
Guideline3: Ask for permission ”
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References “
Book citations
Periodical citations
Electronic sources ”
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APA MLA ”
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Appendices “
Guideline1: Refer to it in the text
Guideline 2: Separate in different page ”
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Sample analysis “
(pp ) ”
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V. Summary
Research mainly goes through several steps including choosing research topic, literature reading, narrowing down and refining the topic, designing experiment, and carrying out experiment, etc.
Publishable academic papers carry with them some common features in their writing purpose, intended readers, research process, major components, and evaluating criteria.
To write good papers, evaluating and interpreting data are two important skills.
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There are some common elements in an academic paper: title, author and affiliation, abstract, key words, introduction, literature review, methods, results, discussion, conclusion, acknowledgements, references, and appendixes.
Documentation of a paper is no less important than the text.
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VI. Homework (Individual Assignments)
1. Choose a topic in your own field. Write a hypothesis, distinguish its dependent and independent variables, and design a research plan to test your hypothesis.
 2. Choose one of your most frequently visited web pages. Evaluate its quality by checking its authorship, sponsorship, “About” or “Welcome” link, and its recency. Think of any other method you can use to evaluate it. Exchange your opinion with your classmates.
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Thank you!
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