2.

CONDUCTING RESEARCH C H A P T E R 1 9

Is this your reaction when you hear “research paper”?

Relax …

A research paper is similar to an expository essay (e.g. Similarities between Kuwait and Turkey) and an argumentative essay (e.g. Parents Are the Best Teachers).

The difference is that in a research paper we use documented sources to support, illustrate or explain our ideas.

What are documented sources? • When the source is documented, it means that you show

the reader where you got the information from that’s not your own.

• This information is authored by experts in the field.

• It can be found in books, magazines, journals, newspapers, websites, etc.

• You will use these documented sources in your research paper.

What is a research paper ?

Research Paper

• Blends your ideas with ideas and information from other sources.

• Is the culmination and final product of an involved process of research, critical thinking, source evaluation, organization, and composition

• Check the link below for a sample and find one on Moodle too

https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/general_writing/common_writing_assignments/res earch_papers/genre_and_the_research_paper.html

The goal of a research paper is …

… to draw on what others have to say about a topic and engage the sources in order to thoughtfully offer a unique perspective on the issue at hand.

One type of research paper is

an argumentative research paper

An argumentative essay presents logical reasoning and solid evidence to convince readers of a point of view. In its introduction, the writer introduces a controversial topic and informs his audience what stance exactly he intends to take in the discussion about this topic. He then supports his initial claim with strong arguments but also remembers to address disagreement coming from the potential opponents.

ENGL106 focuses on this type of research paper, so you will need to collect appropriate sources.

ENGL106 focuses on this type of research paper.

You will need to collect appropriate sources for the following PROMPT:

Conducting Research

• Beginning Your Library Research

• Beginning Your Online Research

• Choosing and Evaluating Your Sources

• Preparing an Annotated Bibliography

• Taking Notes

• Incorporating Your Source Material

• Avoiding Plagiarism

Today we discuss how to find our way to the best sources (e.g. books, journals, magazines, websites, newspapers) to support our ideas.

Your Library Research

• General Reference Works

• Dictionaries, encyclopedias, world fact books, etc.

• Library Catalogs

We have a valuable source – AUM Library

https://catalog.aum.edu.kw/

AUM Library Catalog

Library Databases

A library database is an electronic collection of published works. They include articles from journals, magazines, and newspapers.

Libraries subscribe to a variety of databases about different subjects.

Special Collections include government documents, educational materials, etc.

AUM Databases

Check the list of the databases They have short explanations of their content. There are many electronic sources (e.g. books, journals) in each.

You can make an easy start with CREDO

Enter your keyword/s and start your research here. Try searching for some other keywords.

This is another database – JSTOR

Online Research

• Search engines use key words to locate information.

• Be cautious about the credibility of information that you find on the Internet.

Example: Which of these links do you think you should never open to look for

information and use in your research paper?

https://blog.hif.com.au/

https://www.theguardian.com/society/2011/dec/30/patients-with-

unhealthy-lifestyles

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Healthy_diet

Evaluating Your Sources

Apply critical thinking skills to the choice and evaluation of your sources.

You need to know:

• Who is talking to you • What their expertise is • If the source is reporting valid research • If it is biased or not • If it will make your research balanced

You can find this checklist useful

• Is it clear who the author of the website is?

• Do you trust the author or organization that has created the website?

• Does the website have an .edu, .org, or .gov ending in its URL?

• Does the website avoid trying to persuade or sell something?

• If an issue is covered, are both sides presented?

• Does the information on the site seem accurate?

• Is factual information referenced in footnotes or a bibliography?

• Are there links to other pages, are they to reliable sources?

• Is the date the site was created/updated provided?

• Is the information on the site relevant to your needs?

Preparing an Annotated Bibliography

Compiling an annotated bibliography may help

• to ensure that progress is being made

• to avoid the weak research sources so often found in a frenzied last-minute search.

What is Annotated Bibliography? Let’s find out