STUDY SKILLS - TIPS FOR GETTING STARTED AT RESEARCH AND WRITING
This information is taken from:
McWillan and Weyers (2011): 1: Tackling a dissertation or project report.
Don't panic...
McWillan and Weyers (2011): 1: Tackling a dissertation or project report.
Don't panic...
1. MAKE SURE YOU UNDERSTAND WHAT YOU HAVE TO DO - see COURSE INFORMATION LEARNING OUTCOMES AND PROJECT BRIEFS FOR THE REFLECTIVE JOURNAL, RESEARCH FILE, CRITICAL RESEARCH PAPER AND RESEARCH PRESENTATION.
2. TAKE CONTROL OF YOUR RESEARCH
Sometimes this will appear bewildering in its breadth, obscure in its jargon or genuinely difficult to master. The best way to overcome this is to immerse yourself in the topic, read background material and ask questions. the sooner you take this step the better. ...
Read a basic text to gain background information ... find out about current research in your area, explore online databases to begin your literature searches ...
3. DON'T THINK THE DEADLINE IS MONTHS AWAY
Graduates will tell you that every part of the process took longer than they estimated, and that, if they had to do it all again, they would try to organise themselves better. The time will evaporate quickly, and the earlier you start the more likely you will be to avoid stress near to the end. ...
4. START NOTE-MAKING
Research into academic writing has shown that the act of writing is part of the thinking process, so creating isolated paragraphs on the basis of what you have read or on what you think about what you have read can help you to clarify your thoughts. These short pieces of writing can form the basis for further development once you have undertaken further reading and may within a structure that is decided later. However, even if you are unable to use what you have written, as an exercise it will probably have contracted to your understanding of your topic, ...
USE THE RESEARCH FILE AND REFLECTIVE JOURNAL FOR THIS. THESE ARE ASSESSED INDEPENDENTLY AS PART OF THE RESEARCH PORTFOLIO, SO NO WORK IS WASTED.
5. WORK WHEN IT IS DIFFICULT
Some days go well; some just do not. Accept that this is simply part of the research process. ...
6. KEEP ON TRACK
Periodically review what you are achieving. Ask yourself:
7. REMEMBER!
Keep a meticulous record of all material you consult because you will need this for citations in your text and for compiling your reference list. QUOTATIONS NEED PAGE NUMBERS AND INTERNET SITES NEED THE DATE ACCESSED.
(McMillan and Weyers, 2011, pp.3-9.)
2. TAKE CONTROL OF YOUR RESEARCH
Sometimes this will appear bewildering in its breadth, obscure in its jargon or genuinely difficult to master. The best way to overcome this is to immerse yourself in the topic, read background material and ask questions. the sooner you take this step the better. ...
Read a basic text to gain background information ... find out about current research in your area, explore online databases to begin your literature searches ...
3. DON'T THINK THE DEADLINE IS MONTHS AWAY
Graduates will tell you that every part of the process took longer than they estimated, and that, if they had to do it all again, they would try to organise themselves better. The time will evaporate quickly, and the earlier you start the more likely you will be to avoid stress near to the end. ...
4. START NOTE-MAKING
Research into academic writing has shown that the act of writing is part of the thinking process, so creating isolated paragraphs on the basis of what you have read or on what you think about what you have read can help you to clarify your thoughts. These short pieces of writing can form the basis for further development once you have undertaken further reading and may within a structure that is decided later. However, even if you are unable to use what you have written, as an exercise it will probably have contracted to your understanding of your topic, ...
USE THE RESEARCH FILE AND REFLECTIVE JOURNAL FOR THIS. THESE ARE ASSESSED INDEPENDENTLY AS PART OF THE RESEARCH PORTFOLIO, SO NO WORK IS WASTED.
5. WORK WHEN IT IS DIFFICULT
Some days go well; some just do not. Accept that this is simply part of the research process. ...
6. KEEP ON TRACK
Periodically review what you are achieving. Ask yourself:
- What have I achieved?
- What went well?
- What could have gone better?
- Am I keeping up with my timetable?
- What do I need to do next?
7. REMEMBER!
Keep a meticulous record of all material you consult because you will need this for citations in your text and for compiling your reference list. QUOTATIONS NEED PAGE NUMBERS AND INTERNET SITES NEED THE DATE ACCESSED.
(McMillan and Weyers, 2011, pp.3-9.)
REFERENCE
McMillan, K. and Weyers, J. (2011) How to write dissertations and project reports. Harlow: Pearson.
McMillan, K. and Weyers, J. (2011) How to write dissertations and project reports. Harlow: Pearson.
