Research Writing And The Research Plan

Research Writing And The Research Plancom156 Version 71university Of

Research writing, however, requires higher-level, critical-thinking skills and research that is more detailed. Using a systematic process is important, because your research and writing will be stronger, more convincing, and better organized.

Select a Topic: Some courses allow you to select your own topics for papers, while others assign topics. This course allows you to choose your own topic from a list of preapproved topics, because learning how to select a good research topic improves your critical and creative thinking skills. Use the following criteria: the topic should not be too broad; it needs to have enough research to support it. Ask questions like: What subject would I like to learn more about? What subject generates passion in me? What would I like to convince people of? What issues make me angry or enthusiastic? How would I like to influence or change the world?

Create a Research Plan: Once you decide on a topic, you need to plan for your research project. A research plan provides direction and may include: topic, research question, background information, authoritative sources, materials to review, procedures for conducting research, and potential difficulties.

Develop a Research Question: To have a successful research paper, start with an interesting research question. It should not have a simple yes or no answer and should be controversial enough to offer various points of view. For example: Why do some colleges use unethical means to recruit athletes?

Paper For Above instruction

The process of research writing is a meticulous combination of critical thinking and systematic planning. Unlike basic writing tasks, research writing demands a higher level of analytical skills and a strategic approach to gather, evaluate, and synthesize information effectively. This comprehensive process ensures that the resulting paper is coherent, convincing, and substantively supported by credible sources.

Choosing an appropriate research topic is fundamental to the success of any research project. The topic must strike a balance between being too broad and excessively narrow. A broad topic, such as "health insurance," can lead to overwhelming amounts of sources where focus may be lost. Narrower topics, like "the role of government in health insurance reform," help direct research efforts but must be supported by sufficient existing literature. The intent is to identify a subject that sparks personal interest and passion, which will sustain motivation through the extensive research and writing process. Critical questions to consider during topic selection include what subjects generate enthusiasm, causes for advocacy, or issues that evoke strong emotional responses, such as outrage or enthusiasm.

Developing a research plan provides a blueprint for conducting substantive research. This plan typically includes the selection of a specific topic, formulating a compelling research question, gathering background information, identifying authoritative sources, and outlining research procedures. It also involves anticipating potential difficulties and preparing strategies to address them. The research plan acts as a roadmap, ensuring direction and cohesion throughout the process, thus preventing aimless wandering through sources or data.

An essential component of the research process is crafting a focused research question. This question guides the entire investigation by defining the specific problem or issue to be addressed. A well-formed research question should be provocative and open-ended, encouraging exploration of different perspectives. Instead of simple yes/no questions, it should invite debate or analysis. For instance, asking "Why do some colleges use unethical means to recruit athletes?" opens avenues for investigation and discussion, yielding a richer, more compelling argument. Such questions forge the foundation for developing a thesis statement, which ultimately guides the writing of the research paper.

Effective research writing relies on systematically reviewing literature and gathering evidence from credible sources. This process often involves examining various types of materials, including scholarly articles, reputable news outlets, government reports, and authoritative books. Selecting relevant sources is critical, as they lend credibility and depth to the argument. The researcher must be skilled at evaluating source validity, bias, and relevance while synthesizing diverse viewpoints into a coherent narrative.

Throughout the research and writing process, critical thinking is pivotal. It involves analyzing information critically, recognizing biases, weighing evidence, and constructing logical arguments. Revisions and proofreading further enhance clarity, coherence, and correctness, aligning with the academic standards of formal writing. Ultimately, the goal is to produce a well-organized, persuasive research paper supported by systematic inquiry and critical analysis.

References

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• Nygaard, L. (2017). Critical Thinking, Reading, and Writing: A Brief Guide to Academic Writing. Wiley-Blackwell.
• Swales, J. M., & Feak, C. B. (2012). Academic Writing for Graduate Students. University of Michigan Press.
• Wallace, M. (2017). Study Skills for Academic Writing. Routledge.
• Galvan, J. L. (2017). Writing Literature Reviews: A Guide for Students of the Social and Behavioral Sciences. Routledge.
• Creswell, J. W. (2014). Research Design: Qualitative, Quantitative, and Mixed Methods Approaches. Sage Publications.
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• University of Phoenix Writing Center. (2020). Research Writing Process and Strategies. University of Phoenix.