Research Research ProjectsProjectsBasic Elements of ResearchBasic Elements of Research

WritingWriting

OverviewOverview

Project typeProject type ArgumentativeArgumentative

Choosing a topic Choosing a topic Identifying audienceIdentifying audience Conducting primary and secondary Conducting primary and secondary

researchresearch Documenting SourcesDocumenting Sources Organization Organization FormatFormat

Types of Research Types of Research ProjectsProjects

ArgumentativeArgumentative Clearly defined topicClearly defined topic Clearly defined thesis statement Clearly defined thesis statement

(position statement)(position statement) Goal: Persuade audience (opponents)Goal: Persuade audience (opponents)

Example: Example: Martha Schwartz is the most Martha Schwartz is the most influential contemporary American influential contemporary American landscape architect.landscape architect.

Must support thesis with evidence Must support thesis with evidence (data) and sound reasoning(data) and sound reasoning

Types of Research Types of Research ProjectsProjects

Analytics Analytics Start with a research question Start with a research question Goal: Explore and evaluate topicGoal: Explore and evaluate topic

Example: Example: Given Martha Schwartz’s influence Given Martha Schwartz’s influence on contemporary American landscape on contemporary American landscape architecture, what are her major design architecture, what are her major design inspirations and precedents? Is the claim inspirations and precedents? Is the claim

Must conduct thorough research and Must conduct thorough research and explore various sources to try to answer explore various sources to try to answer questionquestion

Choosing a TopicChoosing a Topic

Consider assignment requirementsConsider assignment requirements Consider research worthinessConsider research worthiness Consider due dates, your schedule, Consider due dates, your schedule,

prioritiespriorities Conduct preliminary research; ask Conduct preliminary research; ask

preliminary research questions through preliminary research questions through surveys or interviewssurveys or interviews

Determine interest - choose a topic that Determine interest - choose a topic that fulfills assignment requirements fulfills assignment requirements andand that that interests youinterests you

Identifying AudienceIdentifying 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 AudienceIdentifying Audience

Primary audiencePrimary audience Gatekeepers, instructor, faculty, etc.Gatekeepers, instructor, faculty, etc.

Secondary audience Secondary audience Peers, colleagues, coworkers, etc.Peers, colleagues, coworkers, etc.

Shadow audienceShadow audience Others who may read communication - Others who may read communication -

Internet!Internet!

Beginning ResearchBeginning Research

Where do I get my information?Where do I get my information? Secondary sources:Secondary sources:

Library databasesLibrary databases ProfessionalProfessional

publicationspublications Credible WebsitesCredible Websites

Primary sources:Primary sources: InterviewsInterviews ObservationsObservations ExperimentationExperimentation

Paper OrganizationPaper Organization Introduction: overview entire documentIntroduction: overview entire document

Purpose/goalsPurpose/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 argumentativeFor argumentative What is your thesis? What is your thesis?

For analyticalFor analytical What are your research questions?What are your research questions?

Research methodsResearch methods How did you find your information?How did you find your information?

Findings and conclusionsFindings and conclusions Forecast organization of documentForecast organization of document Remember: one of the best ways to learn how to write is to Remember: one of the best ways to learn how to write is to

read a lot of material from your disciplineread a lot of material from your discipline

Paper OrganizationPaper Organization Section 1:Section 1:

Introduce, explain topicIntroduce, explain topic Section 2:Section 2:

Discuss history, background; set the contextDiscuss history, background; set the context Section 3:Section 3:

Discuss research methodsDiscuss research methods Section 4:Section 4:

Discuss research findingsDiscuss research findings Section 5:Section 5:

ConclusionsConclusions Works Cited/ReferencesWorks Cited/References AppendixAppendix If you’re short on page/word count, do more researchIf you’re short on page/word count, do more research

For More Information or For More Information or HelpHelp

The EndThe End