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Discussion

There are a number of different approaches to writing an introduction for APA research papers. Examine any two of the research articles you are using for your final paper. What types of introductions do the authors use? Why do you think the authors chose to use this method? How might a different method have changed the way the paper reads? How will you approach writing an introduction for your final paper?

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Reply 1 Lisa ( 100 words)

Identifying the scope of research is how the author begins their introduction in Do Children Carry the Weight of Divorce? (Goisis et al., 2019). I believe the author chose to use this type of introduction so they could give a background on the current research. This would build the framework for the need for the author’s research. The author also provides a statement of fact for the cognoscenti and presents a startling statistic. The author uses these tactics to convey to the reader that there is no current research connecting weight gain to children whose parents have separated using longitudinal and representative data, and that is why their work is relevant and needed. If the author had not identified the scope of the previous research, I don’t think the importance of their work would have been easily realized. There were similar studies, but none that had data in the way their study did.

In Parental Battlefield: Divorcing Parents and the Treatment of Children with ADHD (Trazzera, 2019), the author uses providing a statement of fact for the cognoscenti and presents a startling statistic. By using these methods, the author can present factual evidence that captures the attention of the reader. The facts of the matter are well presented to the reader in a build-up to the author’s proposal. This author also utilizes creating a fictional scenario. I believe the author does this to put the facts and the problem into perspective for the reader. The author effectively frames the issue and the solution by utilizing these methods. If the author had not used these methods, the reader may not have held much interest. There are many studies on children with ADHD and divorcing parents, so the author might not have been able to make their work stand out. 

For my introduction in my final paper, I will utilize the following methods; identify the previous scope of research,  statement of fact for the cognoscenti, and present a startling statistic. I may add other methods to my introduction, possibly the fictional scenario.

Goisis, A., Özcan, B., & Van Kerm, P. (2019). Do Children Carry the Weight of Divorce? Demography, 56(3), 785–811. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13524-019-00784-4

Hartley, J. (2009). Writing an Introduction to the Introduction. Journal of Technical Writing and Communication, 39(3), 321–329. https://doi.org/10.2190/tw.39.3.g

Trazzera, L. J. (2019). Parental Battlefield: Divorcing Parents and the Treatment of Children with ADHD. Family Court Review, 57(2), 273–287. https://doi.org/10.1111/fcre.12413

Reply 2 Heather ( 100 words)

Almost all of the articles that I have looked at for my research paper have used either a statistical introduction or made a statement about an important issues. I think the author chose these methods for the introduction to get their point across and to help the reader understand the subject of the paper. I think that changing the type of introduction changes the way the paper reads because it can change the way the message is interpreted. A paper can have all the same information included, but an introduction that discusses an actual event may be easier for a reader to relate to than one that is all statistics. Describing a common occurance would work in a very similar way. It is much easier for most people to comprehend actual events and occurances than statistical information. 

Discussion

The conclusion is one of the most important parts of a literature review. Why must every research paper include a conclusion? What must be included in a strong conclusion? How might the conclusion be key to further research in a particular area of study?

Reply 1 Lisa ( 100 words)

Every research paper must have a conclusion because it ends the research. The ending of the research either suggests the next steps to learn more about the topic, review the purpose of the research, or sum up the results from the study. A good conclusion restates the main topic, thesis, or claim, addresses opposing viewpoints, and suggests future research paths to learn more about the topic. The conclusion is a way for the author to sum up the paper and leave the reader with the key points or purpose. A conclusion can be a key to further research by letting the reader know there is a need and possibly even suggesting an avenue to pursue more research (Lab, n.d.; Staines, 2019).

 

 

Lab, P. W. (n.d.). Conclusions // Purdue Writing Lab. Purdue Writing Lab. https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/general_writing/common_writing_assignments/argument_papers/conclusions.html

Staines, G. M. (2019). Social sciences research : research, writing, and presentation strategies for students (3rd ed.). Vitalsource Bookshelf. vbk://9781538122426

Reply 2 Heather ( 100 words)

The conclusion of a paper summarizes the key points of the paper and gives you one last chance to make your point.  It provides closure to the reader, while making sure to readress the research question. There are several things you need to do to have a strong conclusion. You need to restate your research question and explain why it is important. Restate your thesis, using different wording than in your origninal thesis. Summarize your research using just the main facts. Do not add new information in the conclusion. Make a connection between the research and the results.  At the end of your conclusion you may add a sentence to address any unanswered questions, which could possibly lead in to doing further research.