Research Writing SY2006

Writing the Abstract and Conclusion

2007-05-07T08:50:00.000+08:00

4/9 Activity

2007-04-08T19:02:00.000+08:00

4/9 Discussion/Analysis Draft
You need to give me an update of your work (Discussion and Analysis) in class. I won't accept any draft submitted outside Research Writing class.

Aiden

Writing the Discussion and Analysis section

2007-03-31T10:08:00.000+08:00

Writing the discussion, tips, click here

How to Write an Effective Discussion, read the article in pdf file
click here

On Research Writing blog, click here

Writing Results and Analysis

How to write the methods section of a research paper

Statistical Analysis

2007-03-18T23:09:00.000+08:00

Transitional Expressions

2007-03-17T13:39:00.000+08:00

Tired of using 'However,' and 'In addition to' transitions in your paper? Click on the links below to check out other transition expressions that you could use.

From:

UNC [scroll down the webpage]

Larae

Uni. of Idaho

LEO

March 12

2007-03-11T20:29:00.000+08:00

Methodology, Participants/Subjects Draft Consultations

I'll be taking note of those who gave an update of their work.

Aiden

Links to Full Articles

2007-03-04T23:19:00.000+08:00

'Methodology' Samples

2007-03-04T23:14:00.000+08:00

Sample Consent Forms

2007-03-03T10:56:00.000+08:00

Take a look at examples of consent forms that you need to attach with your questionnaire forms. You need to provide a copy of such form to your respondents. These are sample forms. You may need to make the necessary edits conforming to the nature of your research.

From Cornell University, click here, or here

Northern Illinois University, click here

University of Melbourne, click here

Survey

2007-01-26T21:23:00.001+08:00

Research Methodology

2007-01-26T21:22:00.001+08:00

Literature Review

2007-01-26T21:09:00.000+08:00

Full Articles

2006-11-20T15:48:00.000+08:00

Motivational Aspects of Using Computers for Writing and Communication,
Mark Warschauer, University of Hawai‘i

Ethnocentrism in TESOL: Teacher education and the neglected needs of international TESOL students

The Problems of University EFL Writing in Taiwan

Writing the Introduction

2006-11-20T15:46:00.000+08:00

Click here to read more.

Nov. 20 In-class writing

2006-11-20T08:32:00.000+08:00

1. Read the essay by Roger Sipher and prepare the following:

1) paraphrase of Sipher's conclusion
2) Quotation on Sipher's solution to the problem. indicate paragraph number, or page #.

Writing Research Papers: A Step-by-Step Procedure

2006-11-19T16:23:00.000+08:00

A step-by-step procedure

Click here to see the list of steps.

Outline for Empirical Research

2006-10-25T15:22:00.000+08:00

Abstract

Introduction

In this section, you will provide the:

Background of the study
The purpose of the study
Research issue
Research hypothesis

The style of writing should be in paragraph form

Review of Literature

Methodology
A. Subjects
B. The instruments and its procedures
C. Data Analysis

Findings and Discussion

Conclusion

References

Writing a Research Paper

2006-10-15T22:58:00.000+08:00

http://owl.english.purdue.edu/workshops/hypertext/ResearchW/types.html

Research Proposal Guidelines

2006-10-15T22:55:00.000+08:00

Research Proposal

Writing Research Proposal

2006-10-15T22:39:00.000+08:00

A good read from Wong, 2002

Beginner's guide to writing a research proposal

Download a copy of a research proposal template (APA style), click here (Right click to download)

THE ELEMENTS OF A PROPOSAL

Comments on Writely

2006-10-02T17:10:00.000+08:00

You visit your writely account and the document that you share with me. I have made comments on a few papers. I will try and do the rest within the week.

I would like to see your comments, too. Make sure that you provide comments on your classmate's paper. You can use the highlights (colors) to distinguish your post from the original and from my comments (in green).

If you are going to make revisions, please do not delete the old postings. Instead, just add your new revisions under the area where you made the changes.

If you have questions, please use the Yahoogroup to discuss your problems. This way, other students who may have the same dilemma could voice out their opinions/suggestions, too.

Scholarly journals

2006-10-02T09:52:00.000+08:00

http://scholar.google.com.tw/

http://scholar.google.com

Type in the word search box the topic that you will be doing, and see how many hints can you get. Choose a credible article from a journal or online library, and write a bibliographic reference for the 5 articles. Post your work on your blog.

Note: This should be complete by October 9, 2006.

The Thesis Sentence

2006-10-01T23:02:00.000+08:00

Rate the following prelimiary thesis sentences as 'good', adequate, or poor

Street language is always vibrant and lively. **
Some people talk in metaphors.
The image of water in Whitman's Leaves of Grass usually signals a rebirth symbol and the pasage to a new life *
For many children, school is a place of trouble, and thei main business of the day is staying out of trouble as much as possible. *
In his novels, William Faulkner writes about Southern Black. **
Video game systems are overrated. **
Bullfighting is not an American sport

Restricting the Subject

2006-10-01T22:56:00.000+08:00

Classroom Activity

An important aspect of limiting a subject is to judge whether a topic is suitable, too broad, or opinionated. Critique the following topics as suitable subjects for preliminary investigation.

The AIDS Controversy
religious bias in selected nursery rhymes
pollution levels in the Chesapeake Bay
protection acts for Manatess in Florida
immunization
the life of Mahatma Gandhi
John Steinbeck's short stories
isolation in John Steinbeck's "The Chrysanthemums"
causes and cures for drinking water pollution
The Shining, by Stephen King
devices of irony in Alexander Pope's poetry
fishing as theraphy for mentally ill children

Weblinks

2006-10-01T22:45:00.000+08:00

Backflip

Writely

RW Yahoogroup

Blogger

Lesson for 10/2

2006-10-01T22:43:00.000+08:00

10/2
Finding and Filtering Internet Sources

Creating an online bookmark

Writing working bibliography (APA). Sources must be based on your chosen topic
Unit 3
P32-51

Remember the URL of your online bookmark

Room for 10/2/2006

2006-09-26T14:01:00.000+08:00

For October 2, 2006 class, we're going to use A402 (Administrative Building)

Please pass on this info.

Aiden

Writing your Thesis

2006-09-26T11:51:00.000+08:00

A Good Working Thesis
A Good Working Thesis, p. 16, Keys for Writers: a Handbook, Ann Raimes, 2nd Edition, US: Houghton Mifflin (1999)

narrows your topic to a single main idea that you want to communicate
asserts your position clearly and firmly in a sentence that makes a claim about a topic
states not simply a fact but an opinion
makes a generalization that can be supported by details, facts, and examples within the assigned limtations of time and space;
stimulates the curiousity and interest in readers and prompts them to thing, "Why do you say that?" and read on.

1. A good thesis statement also may be one or more of the following:
A strong, thought-provoking, or controversial statement

Bilingual education has not fulfilled its early promise

2. A call to action

All inner-city schools should set up bilingual programs.

3. A question that will be answered in the essay
What can bilingual education accomplish for a child? It can lead to academic and personal development

4. A preview or reflections of the structure of the research
Bilingual education suffers from two main problems: a shortgae of trained teachers and lack of parental involvement.

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Now, look at your topic, or if you have already written your thesis statement, look at it again and compare it with the guidelines above. Does it meet the guidelines? Should you edit it and make it better?

Aiden

Join the yahoogroup

2006-09-26T11:47:00.000+08:00

To help us speedy things up, I think it would be best to invite you to join the research writing yahoogroup. This will help me to better guide your research work.

To join the Research Writing Yahoogroup, go to researchwriting and click on Join this group!

I look forward to approving your memberships.

Aiden

Formulating research question(s)

2006-09-26T11:42:00.000+08:00

Once you have focused your topic so that it has an appropriate scope for your assignment, time frame, and length requirements, you need to formulate a research question(s). To do so, determine the most important questions that you want to ask and answer.

Consider for example these possible research questions developed from the broad subject area of bilingual education:

* Should bilingual education be extended to monolingual children?
* What teaching methods work best in bilingual classrooms?
* For what reasons do people send (or not send) their children to bilingual schools?
* Are children who are placed in bilingual programs more successful in later grades than those in English-only programs?

A research question will give you a sense of direction. Frequently as you do your research and take notes, you will have in mind a tentative response to your question.

----------------

Look at your topic, can you think of questions that you would like to answer in your research?

Post your research questions on your blog.

Aiden

Welcome

2006-09-26T11:39:00.000+08:00

Welcome to research writing class SY 2006. To help you get started, I will be posting links to good websites here on this blog. Please use the comments area if you need to get in touch with me regarding your research work.

aiden

Examples of Abstracts

2006-05-10T11:12:00.000+08:00

See whether you can tell whether these abstracts are informative or descriptive.

Research on Negotiation: What Does It Reveal about Second-Language Learning Conditions, Processes, and Outcomes?

Improving Schooling for Language-Minority Children: A Research Agenda.

The Role of Consciousness in Second Language Learning From Oxford Journal

Lexical Guessing in Context in EFL Reading Comprehension

Formal Models of Language Learning, Full paper in PDF file, Good read, From Indiana University

Difference between informative and descriptive abstract

2006-05-10T11:06:00.000+08:00

A quick explanation of the differences between an Informative abstract and descriptive abstract

Click here to read the article online.
Source: George Mason University

Another source is from St. Cloud University, click here.

How to write an abstract

2006-05-10T11:00:00.000+08:00

Written by Phil Koopman, this article is a good read on how to write an abstract.

Click here to read the article online.

2006-05-03T15:48:00.000+08:00

"Don't introduce any new arguments in your conclusion; you should be reinforcing your main argument. After restating your thesis, provide a "so what." Show why your argument is important; what should the reader take away from your paper?" http://www.headroyce.org/research/research/conclusions.html

More on writing a conclusion tips

2006-05-03T15:44:00.000+08:00

Writing a Conclusion, from Cambridge Rindge School

Click here to know more

Writing a conclusion

2006-05-03T15:39:00.000+08:00

Strategies for Writing a Conclusion

Click here to know more.

Tutorial on how to transcribe your interviews

2006-04-18T14:01:00.000+08:00

Qualitative Data Analysis. This is a good read specially for those who need to transcribe their interviews. This article is academically written, you could also learn some new transition words.

Here's the link.

Why we analyse data?

2006-04-18T13:56:00.000+08:00

Why we analyse data? Find out here, if you're not sure.

Here's the link. This is a good read.

Analyse qualitative data

2006-04-18T13:54:00.000+08:00

Analyse qualitative data. Great tutorial (in Flash)

Here's the link.

Analyse quantitative data tutorial

2006-04-18T13:51:00.000+08:00

Analyse quantitative data

This is a great tutorial. Read it and see how you can make use of this tip. This is great for those doing surveys.

Here's the link.

More on Data analysis

2006-04-18T13:45:00.000+08:00

What Makes for a Good Data Analysis Chart? What Makes for a Good Graph? Calculations and Summarizing Data

Note:

The way you analyze your data depends on what you want to include that will help you support your argument. If the results of your findings are contrary to what you were expecting, then you need to report them, too.

Analyzing Your Data

After you have collected the completed surveys, it is time to analyze the data. Data can be analyzed by entering it into an Excel sheet and computing your numbers or by using a statistical software program. Getting volunteers on board is a great way to save your organization time and resources during this stage.

Note: If someone has not responded to a question it is often assumed they would answer as others have. However this is not always the case and assumptions cannot be made from a non-respondent. Only consider information that has been actually answered.

Analyze data and graphs

2006-04-18T13:43:00.000+08:00

http://www.edhelper.com/graphs.htm

Masters Dissertations Archive

2006-04-12T18:14:00.000+08:00

ALRG Masters Dissertations Archive

http://www.surrey.ac.uk/ALRG/dissertations/

Discussion

2006-03-22T14:07:00.000+08:00

Discussion
General intent
The objective here is to provide an interpretation of your results and support for all of your conclusions, using evidence from your experiment and generally accepted knowledge, if appropriate. The significance of findings should be clearly described.

Writing a discussion
Interpret your data in the discussion in appropriate depth. This means that when you explain a phenomenon you must describe mechanisms that may account for the observation. If your results differ from your expectations, explain why that may have happened. If your results agree, then describe the theory that the evidence supported. It is never appropriate to simply state that the data agreed with expectations, and let it drop at that.

Decide if each hypothesis is supported, rejected, or if you cannot make a decision with confidence. Do not simply dismiss a study or part of a study as "inconclusive."
Research papers are not accepted if the work is incomplete. Draw what conclusions you can based upon the results that you have, and treat the study as a finished work
You may suggest future directions, such as how the experiment might be modified to accomplish another objective.
Explain all of your observations as much as possible, focusing on mechanisms.
Decide if the experimental design adequately addressed the hypothesis, and whether or not it was properly controlled.
Try to offer alternative explanations if reasonable alternatives exist.

One experiment/research project will not answer an overall question, so keeping the big picture in mind, where do you go next? The best studies open up new avenues of research. What questions remain?

Recommendations for specific papers will provide additional suggestions.

Style:

When you refer to information, distinguish data generated by your own studies from published information or from information obtained from other students (verb tense is an important tool for accomplishing that purpose).
Refer to work done by specific individuals (including yourself) in past tense.
Refer to generally accepted facts and principles in present tense.

The biggest mistake that students make in discussions is to present a superficial interpretation that more or less re-states the results. It is necessary to suggest why results came out as they did.
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The text above was retrieved from this site.

Results

2006-03-22T14:03:00.000+08:00

Results

The page length of this section is set by the amount and types of data to be reported. Continue to be concise, using figures and tables, if appropriate, to present results most effectively. See recommendations for content, below.

General intentThe purpose of a results section is to present and illustrate your findings. Make this section a completely objective report of the results, and save all interpretation for the discussion.

Writing a results section
IMPORTANT: You must clearly distinguish material that would normally be included in a research article from any raw data or other appendix material that would not be published. In fact, such material should not be submitted at all unless requested by the instructor.

Content
Summarize your findings in text and illustrate them, if appropriate, with figures and tables.
In text, describe each of your results, pointing the reader to observations that are most relevant.
Provide a context, such as by describing the question that was addressed by making a particular observation.
Describe results of control experiments and include observations that are not presented in a formal figure or table, if appropriate.
Analyze your data, then prepare the analyzed (converted) data in the form of a figure (graph), table, or in text form.
What to avoid

Do not discuss or interpret your results, report background information, or attempt to explain anything.
Never include raw data or intermediate calculations in a research paper.
Do not present the same data more than once.
Text should complement any figures or tables, not repeat the same information.
Please do not confuse figures with tables - there is a difference.

Style

As always, use past tense when you refer to your results, and put everything in a logical order.
In text, refer to each figure as "figure 1," "figure 2," etc. ; number your tables as well (see the reference text for details)
Place figures and tables, properly numbered, in order at the end of the report (clearly distinguish them from any other material such as raw data, standard curves, etc.)
If you prefer, you may place your figures and tables appropriately within the text of your results section.

Figures and tables

Either place figures and tables within the text of the result, or include them in the back of the report (following Literature Cited) - do one or the other
If you place figures and tables at the end of the report, make sure they are clearly distinguished from any attached appendix materials, such as raw data
Regardless of placement, each figure must be numbered consecutively and complete with caption (caption goes under the figure)
Regardless of placement, each table must be titled, numbered consecutively and complete with heading (title with description goes above the table)
Each figure and table must be sufficiently complete that it could stand on its own, separate from text

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The above text was retrieved from this site.

Using Excel for survey analysis

2006-03-08T23:40:00.000+08:00

Using Excel for survey analysis

http://www.audiencedialogue.org/excel6.html

Graphing with Excel

2006-03-08T23:38:00.000+08:00

Graphing with Excel

http://www.ncsu.edu/labwrite/res/gt/gt-bar-home.html

How to Use the FREQUENCY Function

2006-03-08T23:30:00.000+08:00

How to Use the FREQUENCY Function

http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=100122

The Use of the Integrated Thematic Instruction Model

2006-03-07T17:26:00.000+08:00

The Use of the Integrated Thematic Instruction Model (ITIM)
in English Education in Taiwan in the 21st Century

Click here to download/print the article.

Evaluating Distance Learning in Graduate Programs

2006-03-07T17:20:00.000+08:00

Evaluating Distance Learning in Graduate Programs: Ensuring Rigorous, Rewarding Professional Education
Copyright 2001 Gorge Hayhoe Associates

http://www.puw.pl/downloads/docs/evaluating.pdf

Analyze a Questionnaire or Survey with a PivotTable in Excel

2006-03-07T17:10:00.000+08:00

HOW TO: Analyze a Questionnaire or Survey with a PivotTable in Excel 2000

http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=213920

Hints for Designing Effective Questionnaires

2006-03-07T17:02:00.000+08:00

Hints for Designing Effective Questionnaires
Robert B. Frary,
Virginia Polytechnical Institute

http://pareonline.net/getvn.asp?v=5&n=3

Another example of paper

2006-03-07T17:00:00.000+08:00

What is Learner Autonomy and How Can It Be Fostered?
Dimitrios Thanasoulas
akasa74 [at] hotmail.com

Here's another example of paper without using questionnaires or surveys, click the link below
http://iteslj.org/Articles/Thanasoulas-Autonomy.html

A research paper example

2006-03-07T16:53:00.000+08:00

Paradigm Shift: Understanding and Implementing Change in Second Language Education

George M Jacobs
JF New Paradigm Education
Singapore

Thomas S C Farrell
National Institute of Education
Singapore

[New address in bio-data -- Ed]

http://www-writing.berkeley.edu/TESL-EJ/ej17/a1.html

This type of writing is a good example for Isaac and others who are not doing surveys or interviews.

Syllabus for 2nd Semester

2006-02-20T00:16:00.000+08:00

You may download the syllabus for the 2nd semester by clicking here,

Note:
The graphic above was originally published at eslus.com

Download Grading Sheet, click here.

Educational and Instructional Resources

2006-01-03T14:04:00.000+08:00

http://psych.athabascau.ca/html/aupr/educational.shtml

Research Methods and Statistics Resources

2006-01-03T13:35:00.000+08:00

research methods and statistics resources,

click here

Overview of Basic Methods to Collect Information

2006-01-03T13:26:00.000+08:00

Overview of Basic Methods to Collect Information, http://www.managementhelp.org/research/overview.htm

2006-01-03T13:24:00.000+08:00

Basic Business Research Methods, http://www.managementhelp.org/research/research.htm

Writing the Literature Review

2005-12-07T11:36:00.000+08:00

The Literature Review: A Few Tips On Conducting It, click here.

Writing the Literature Review, click here.

Some good online exercises, click here.

More resources on this topic from Yahoo, click here.

Writing the Introduction

2005-11-30T12:41:00.000+08:00

After reading an introduction, the reader should be able to answer most of these questions:

What is the context of this problem? In what situation or environment can this problem be observed? (Background)

Why is this research important? Who will benefit? Why do we need to know this? Why does this situation, method, model or piece of equipment need to be improved? (Rationale)

What is it we don��t know? What is the gap in our knowledge this research will fill? What needs to be improved? (Problem Statement)

What steps will the researcher take to try and fill this gap or improve the situation? (Objectives)

Is there any aspect of the problem the researcher will not discuss? Is the study limited to a specific geographical area or to only certain aspects of the situation? (Scope)

Is there any factor, condition or circumstance that prevents the researcher from achieving all his/her objectives? (Limitations)

In considering his/her method, model, formulation or approach, does the researcher take certain conditions, states, requirements for granted? Are there certain fundamental conditions or states the researcher takes to be true? (Assumptions)

For more on Introduction, click here.

文藻外語學院圖書館

2005-11-08T22:15:00.000+08:00

文藻外語學院圖書館
　
《11/10 電子資源說明會：CEPS中文電子期刊服務》
時間：11月10日 15：30～17：00
地點：行政大樓 A502 教室

CEPS 內容：
包括人文學、社會科學、自然科學、應用科學、醫學與生命科學5大主題近千種中文全文期刊，提供以「學科別」、「出版機構」、「刊名筆劃」瀏覽檢索及「進階檢索」。

歡迎透過網路報名，或屆時到場參加。《Information Workshop on Chinese Electronic Periodicals Service》
Date: 15：30～17：00, Nov. 10th
Venue: Room A502, Administration Building

CEPS Contents:
CEPS provides full-text articles in about 1,000 electronic periodicals. Five main subjects include humanities, literature, social science, natural science, applied science, medical and life science. You may search by field, publisher or periodical title. Advance search is available.
You are welcome to <http://lib.wtuc.edu.tw/att_online/index.php>register online or just drop in.
<http://lib.wtuc.edu.tw>文藻外語學院圖書館　807高雄市三民區民族一路900號
TEL : (07)3426031-2751 / FAX : (07)3595951 / E-Mail : lib@mail.wtuc.edu.tw

Writing a Research Proposal

2005-11-08T22:07:00.000+08:00

Featured Article, May 8, 2002

How to Write a Research Proposal

Paul T. P. Wong, Ph.D., C.Psych.
Research Director, Graduate Program in Counselling Psychology
Trinity Western University
Langley, BC, Canada

Print it, click here.

Summarizing

2005-11-02T12:02:00.000+08:00

Learning to Summarize

Summarize this one:

"Try different tones: chatty, authoritative, ironic. Try different ways of organizing: starting with the conclusion, building up to it last. Persuade with reasoning, with anecdote. Hide the weak arguments, admit them openly. Try to write it in half the length. Try different formats on the page such as lists or pictures or diagrams."

This comes from page 123 of Writing With Power: Techniques for Mastering the Writing Process. The book was published in New York in 1981 by Oxford University Press and was written by Peter Elbow.

Link

Summarizing a Research Article, click here

6 Steps to Effective Paraphrasing

2005-10-26T15:37:00.000+08:00

6 Steps to Effective Paraphrasing
1. Reread the original passage until you understand its full meaning.

2. Set the original aside, and write your paraphrase on a note card.

3. Jot down a few words below your paraphrase to remind you later how you envision using this material. At the top of the note card, write a key word or phrase to indicate the subject of your paraphrase.

4. Check your rendition with the original to make sure that your version accurately expresses all the essential information in a new form.

5. Use quotation marks to identify any unique term or phraseology you have borrowed exactly from the source.

6. Record the source (including the page) on your note card so that you can credit it easily if you decide to incorporate the material into your paper.

From Purdue University, click here

The Quotation

2005-10-19T14:37:00.000+08:00

From Purdue University, OWL website:

Short Quotations
Formatting quotations is covered on pages 117-121 in the Publication Manual.

To indicate direct quotations of fewer than 40 words in your text, enclose the quotation within double quotation marks. Provide the author, year, and specific page citation in the text, and include a complete reference in the reference list. Punctuation marks, such as periods, commas, and semicolons, should appear after the parenthetical citation. Question marks and exclamation points should appear within the quotation marks if they are a part of the quotation but after the parenthetical citation if they are a part of your text.

http://owl.english.purdue.edu/handouts/research/r_apa.html

Assignment:

Practice quoting from your sources.

Using the Internet

2005-10-19T14:24:00.000+08:00

Unit 5, Using the Internet, Searaching Beyond the Library

Choose at least 5 online articles found in academic online journals, online newspapers, online magazines, articles from government sources, etc. and create your bibliographic notes.

Use the following format when submitting your assignment:

Student Name:
Number:
Course: Research Writing
Assignment: Online Resources Bibliographic Notes

[1] Name of author (s)
Title of work
Details of Publications (Date, Name of Journal, Vol., or Pages)
What is the article about?(stating why source may be useful)
URL:

For example:

Allison Rossett, Felicia Douglis, and Rebecca V. Frazee
Strategies for Building Blended Learning
2003, Learning Circuits
http://www.essentiallearning.net/news/Strategies%20for%20Building%20Blended%20Learning.pdf

This article talks about Blended learning as a strategy for delivering learning and performance. It also defines what Blended Learning in corporate contexts and enumerates the elements included in a blend.

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Exercise: Choose the best research thesis

2005-10-05T13:58:00.000+08:00

Exercise, choose the best research thesis.

Below are five exercises designed to improve your ability to select a good research thesis. Click on any letter to start the exercise.

A.Choose the Best Research Thesis

B.Choose the Best Research Thesis

C.Choose the Best Research Thesis

D.Choose the Best Research Thesis

E.Choose the Best Research Thesis
from ESC website

Writing a Thesis Statement

2005-10-05T13:04:00.000+08:00

From Purdue University

"A thesis statement is a sentence (or sentences) that expresses the main ideas of your paper and answers the question or questions posed by your paper. It offers your readers a quick and easy to follow summary of what the paper will be discussing and what you as a writer are setting out to tell them. The kind of thesis that your paper will have will depend on the purpose of your writing. This handout will cover general thesis statement tips, explain some of the different types of thesis statements, and provide some links to other resources about writing thesis statements."

click here for more

How to generate thesis statements:

Q: “What are the potential benefits of using computers in a fourth-grade class?”

A: “The potential benefits of using computers in a fourth-grade class are . . . .”

OR

A: “Using computers in a fourth-grade class promises to improve . . . .”

The answer to the question is the thesis statement for the essay.

For more go to Indiana University writing website, click here

Formulating research question(s)

2005-09-28T12:58:00.000+08:00

Formulating research question(s), p 51, Keys for Writers: a Handbook, Ann Raimes, 2nd Edition, US: Houghton Mifflin (1999)

Once you have focused your topic so that it has an appropriate scope for your assignment, time frame, and length requirements, you need to formulate a research question(s). To do so, determine the most important questions that you want to ask and answer.

Consider for example these possible research questions developed from the broad subject area of bilingual education:

Should bilingual education be extended to monolingual children?
What teaching methods work best in bilingual classrooms?
For what reasons do people send (or not send) their children to bilingual schools?
Are children who are placed in bilingual programs more successful in later grades than those in English-only programs?

A research question will give you a sense of direction. Frequently as you do your research and take notes, you will have in mind a tentative response to your question.

----------------

Look at your topic, can you think of questions that you would like to answer in your research?

Post your research questions on your blog.

Aiden

A Good Working Thesis

2005-09-28T12:46:00.000+08:00

A Good Working Thesis, p. 16, Keys for Writers: a Handbook, Ann Raimes, 2nd Edition, US: Houghton Mifflin (1999)

narrows your topic to a single main idea that you want to communicate
asserts your position clearly and firmly in a sentence that makes a claim about a topic
states not simply a fact but an opinion
makes a generalization that can be supported by details, facts, and examples within the assigned limtations of time and space;
stimulates the curiousity and interest in readers and prompts them to thing, "Why do you say that?" and read on.

A good thesis statement also may be one or more of the following:

A strong, thought-provoking, or controversial statement

Bilingual education has not fulfilled its early promise.

2. A call to action

All inner-city schools should set up bilingual programs.

3. A question that will be answered in the essay

What can bilingual education accomplish for a child? It can lead to academic and personal development

4. A preview or reflections of the structure of the research

Bilingual education suffers from two main problems: a shortgae of trained teachers and lack of parental involvement.

---------------

Now, look at your topic, or if you have already written your thesis statement, look at it again and compare it with the guidelines above. Does it meet the guidelines? Should you edit it and make it better?

Aiden

9/28 Identifying Library sources

2005-09-28T11:55:00.000+08:00

Week 3
9/28
Identifying library sources, Unit 3 and Unit 6 (Assembling a working bibliography)
Lecture/Class activity
Analyzing card catalogue

Assignment for next week:

Making source cards with notes.
Sources must be based on your chosen topic

1] Use the format below when you prepare your source cards or bibliography cards. You could either use index cards or type your work on an A4 bond paper. I won't accept handwritten work.

Your Name

Student Number

Research Topic

Tentative Title

[1]
Name of author (s)
Title of work
Facts of Publications (Annotation stating why source may be useful)
Page(s) of information

[2] same as in [1]

For example:

[1] Pares, Bernard

The Fall of the Russian Monarchy
New York: Knopf, 1939

Chapter 5 deals with Rasputin's rise in Rusiian politics and the miniter's reactions to him. Chapter 13 is a description of Rasputin's murder by Yusupov and conspirators.

-----

How many sources should you prepare? Minimum of 10 books/articles.

Can I use sources from the Internet? At this stage, NO. The point in this activity is for you to visit the library and see the resources that you could find and use for your research paper.

Internet resources will be discussed and covered in Week 6.

-----
Reminder:

Those who still have not created your blogs, I am giving you until next week to do so. Those who have already created your blogs, please update every now and then. I will be checking them regularly.

Since we do not have quizzes, I will be using your blogs and our yahoogroup (plus class attendance, of course) for student evaluation purposes.

Aiden

choosing topics and narrowing them down

2005-09-21T17:12:00.000+08:00

Hello all,

First, my congratulations go to all the students who have created their blogs. I'll be sharing your work with the whole class later this evening.

Second, we're going to discuss how to choose a topic for your research and narrowing it down to help you focus on a specific research topic. See Unit 2 for details.

Aiden

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new blogs created [formerly] Re: research writing

2005-09-20T14:53:00.000+08:00

Thank you Tammy. I've included your url on my blog at http://researchwriting.blogspot.com/ Please don't forget to join the research

Writing yahoogroup.

Thanks.

Aiden

ªL©y¸a <liniyun@isu.edu.tw> wrote:

Dear Aiden,

I have attached my url. I still haven't had any idea for my topic. I would like to talk about sexual but I don't know which way should I develop. I am still thinking.......maybe I'll find something else.....I hope.

http://tammylin.blogspot.com/

Best regards,

Tammy

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Creating a Blog

2005-09-19T08:13:00.000+08:00

For my Research Writing Students at Wen Zao, school year 2005-2006, here's the link to the steps in creating your blog. Let me know if you're able to set it up and I'll link your blog to mine.

Aiden

http://www.geocities.com/wentzao2004/writing/blogs/how_to/index.htm

article for those doing classroom research, survey, interview etc.

2005-03-09T17:43:00.000+08:00

Here's an article for those doing classroom research, survey and quantitative research.

Click the link to print the research article http://rel.sagepub.com/cgi/reprint/35/2/187

Aiden Yeh

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sample article for descriptive/discussion paper

2005-03-09T17:38:00.000+08:00

Those doing descriptive research that is heavily based on discussion of existing articles/resources, this article [attached] is a good example of reporting secondary materials and analyzing them for the purposes of describing.

It is also available online at http://rel.sagepub.com/cgi/reprint/35/2/229

aiden

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article for those doing classroom research, survey, interview etc.

2005-03-09T17:05:00.000+08:00

Here's an article for those doing classroom research, survey and quantitative research.

Click the link to print the research article http://rel.sagepub.com/cgi/reprint/35/2/187

Aiden Yeh

sample article for descriptive/discussion paper

2005-03-09T17:04:00.000+08:00

Quantitaive Analysis

2005-01-05T17:56:00.000+08:00

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quantitative_analysis

http://www.isworld.org/surveyinstruments/tutor.htm

Qualitative Research in Information Systems

2005-01-05T17:41:00.000+08:00

Good read!

http://www.qual.auckland.ac.nz/

[Welcome] [Introduction] [Overview of Qualitative Research] [Philosophical Perspectives] [Qualitative Research Methods] [Qualitative Techniques for Data Collection] [Modes of Analysis] [Writing Up Qualitative Research] [Citations on Qualitative Research] [Resources for Qualitative Researchers] [Software Tools for Qualitative Researchers] [Teaching Qualitative Research] [Calls for Papers][Citation Information]

Qualitative Analysis: Web & Software Resources

2005-01-05T17:33:00.000+08:00

Selected Software Packages

http://eutopia.f2g.net/bbqual1.htm

Qualitative Analysis

2005-01-05T17:19:00.000+08:00

The following companies provide software designed for analysis of qualitative data of all kinds including text, audio, and video

http://www.eval.org/EvaluationLinks/QDA.htm

Analyzing Data

2005-01-05T17:18:00.000+08:00

Data collection http://jan.ucc.nau.edu/~mezza/nur390/Mod4/collection/lesson.html

Qualitative Research http://jan.ucc.nau.edu/~mezza/nur390/Mod5/qualitative/lesson.html

Analyzing data using Excel 2000 http://www.microsoft.com/education/Excel2002Tutorial.aspx

Aiden

please print lecture notes on 'Writing Research results'

2004-12-14T22:54:00.000+08:00

Please go to the following urls and print them out. Bring to class tomorrow, WEdnesday, 12/15.

Writing up Research

Results

http://www.languages.ait.ac.th/EL21RES.HTM

Results - text analysis

http://www.languages.ait.ac.th/EL21RESA.HTM#a)

Aiden

Aiden Yeh
PhD Candidate, University of Birmingham
http://dcyeh.com

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Re: literature review notes

2004-12-01T12:10:00.000+08:00

These are the notes for writing a Literture review: http://www.languages.ait.ac.th/EL21LIT.HTM

Please print and read carefully.

And please update your blog!

Aiden Yeh

Pipi <pipichen_0325@yahoo.com.tw> wrote:

Dear Aiden,

I didn't receive it.

Please forward the link, thank you!

Penelope

Aiden Yeh
PhD Candidate, University of Birmingham
http://dcyeh.com

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Re: KellyWu's assignment

2004-12-01T00:13:00.000+08:00

Kelly,

I don't work on Saturdays. I will pick it up tomorrow, Wednesday, before your class.

Aiden

wu Kelly <imkelly428@yahoo.com.tw> wrote:

Dear Aiden,

I have put my introduction in your mail box in the English Dept. today. Just not sure when you will go to get it, so I sent you a file for reference and also saved it on my blog.

sorry for submitting my assignment late.

best wishes,

Kelly Wu / 2092100070

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Online notes on literature review

2004-11-25T21:21:00.000+08:00

These are the notes for writing a Literture review: http://www.languages.ait.ac.th/EL21LIT.HTM

Please print and read carefully.

And please update your blog!

Aiden Yeh

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Please print out the lecture notes for Wednesday

2004-11-22T22:58:00.000+08:00

This is our lecture notes [see http://www.clet.ait.ac.th/EL21INT.HTM] for Wednesday, please print them out. This way, we won't need the data projector anymore. Bring these notes Wednesday.

1st hour: lecture on introductions

2nd hour: student-teacher conference regarding updates and developments on your research

Aiden

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writing your introduction

2004-11-21T11:24:00.000+08:00

I found this link on the Internet, and I think it's another great source. Please read if you have the time.

http://www.clet.ait.ac.th/EL21INT.HTM

Aiden

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another great link on writing your intro

2004-11-19T02:50:00.000+08:00

http://www.crlsresearchguide.org/17_Writing_Introduction.asp

Please read. I hope that this will help you write your intro.

aiden

Aiden Yeh
PhD Candidate, University of Birmingham
http://dcyeh.com

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writing your intro: part 2

2004-11-19T02:48:00.000+08:00

Here's another good info about writing your intro. [Source: http://www.yukoncollege.yk.ca/~agraham/nost202/15pages.htm]

This sets the stage for your reader; describes the parameters of the subject (first paragraph) and topic of the paper. Think of the introduction as poking him in the shoulder, getting his attention and beginning your story. He's going to need to know where you're going to be looking, what particular piece of the "landscape" he should be focussed on and what's significant about it. You must also tell him how to see it.

A student of mine once wrote a paper on the Whitehorse sewage treatment plant. In her introduction she told me all about the plant but didn't tell me whether her perspective was that the thing was a marvel of superior technology or an environmental disaster. Not knowing which she intended meant I didn't follow her discussion until very near the end.

The moral is don't withold anything from your reader. In your thesis statement (usually located in the second paragraph), be sure to tell him what the paper is about, what the question is, what your answer to your question is, and the three or four reasons why--briefly (in no more than two or three sentences). The detailed version of the reasons, the discussion, comes in the body. Since it's the road map to your paper, you might find it easier to write it after you've finished the rest your paper.

Think carefully about the title of your paper. It should hint what exactly your position is, point to the subject or topic of the paper and even some of the limiting factors you've placed on your work.

Aiden Yeh
PhD Candidate, University of Birmingham
http://dcyeh.com

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writing your introduction

2004-11-19T01:59:00.000+08:00

The following is lifted from this site: http://www.ruf.rice.edu/~bioslabs/tools/report/reportform.html#intro

Introduction

Your introductions should not exceed two pages (double spaced, typed). See the examples in the writing portfolio package.

General intent

The purpose of an introduction is to aquaint the reader with the rationale behind the work, with the intention of defending it. It places your work in a theoretical context, and enables the reader to understand and appreciate your objectives.

Writing an introduction

The abstract is the only text in a research paper to be written without using paragraphs in order to separate major points. Here is the minimum information that should be included in a successful introduction.

Describe the importance (significance) of the study - why was this worth doing in the first place? Provide a broad context.
Defend the model - why use this particular organism or system? What are its advantages? You might comment on its suitability from a theoretical point of view as well as indicate practical reasons for using it.
Provide a rationale. State your specific hypothesis(es) or objective(s), and describe the reasoning that led you to select them.
Very briefy describe the experimental design and how it will accomplish the stated objectives.

Style:

Use past tense except when referring to established facts. After all, the paper will be submitted after all of the work is completed.
Organize your ideas, making one major point with each paragraph. If you make the four points listed above, you will need a minimum of four paragraphs.
Present background information only as needed in order support a position. The reader does not want to read everything you know about a subject.
State the hypothesis/objective precisely - do not oversimplify.
As always, pay attention to spelling, clarity and appropriateness of sentences and phrases.

I hope this helps.

aiden

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writing a research paper: Good link

2004-11-19T01:09:00.000+08:00

This url link should guide you in writing your research paper. Please take note of 'writing the introduction' part.

http://www.ruf.rice.edu/~bioslabs/tools/report/reportform.html#intro

I hope this helps.

aiden

Aiden Yeh
PhD Candidate, University of Birmingham
http://dcyeh.com

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PhD survey finally ready

2004-10-09T22:23:00.000+08:00

It took me a long time to focus on this survey, but now it's finally
ready to be distributed out. I would deeply appreciate if you could
spare a few minutes to answer the questionnaire. Your answers are
valuable to my study and they will be treated confidentially. If you
have any questions, please do not hesitate to post your message to
taiwanese_efl_teachers@yahoogroups.com or send me an email at
aidenyeh@yahoo.com

If you know of any Taiwanese teacher/s who might be interested in
participating in this survey, please direct them to our yahoogroups
at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/taiwanese_efl_teachers/

Thanks again and I look forward to reading your response.

Cheers,

Aiden Yeh

Aiden Yeh
PhD Candidate, University of Birmingham
http://dcyeh.com

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Fwd: Amanda's blog url address

2004-10-08T15:45:00.000+08:00

Amanda,

I believe this topic falls under Psychology. You can work on this topic but you need to focus on a specific population, for example, Taiwanese college students.

You will also have to look at pessimism. How many people [your popoulation] are pessimistic and how many are optimistic? What does the statistic mean?

Will you have plenty of resources [books and articles] aside from those found on the Internet?

Aiden Yeh

a8920091@ms76.hinet.net wrote:

Date: Fri, 8 Oct 2004 13:20:10 +0800 (CST)
From: a8920091@ms76.hinet.net
To: aidenyeh@yahoo.com
CC:
Subject: Amanda's blog url address

Dear Ms. Yeh,

I just check the updated website for our bloggers.

I did'nt know what's wrong with my blog. I can log in and post mail, how come it's a wrong url.

Maybe it is http://www.amandawu.blogspot.com ,because I tried it many times and I can see

myself get on line.

Please check again and help me find out what went wrong with my procedure.

Thank you very much!

Best Regards,

Amanda Wu

Student form NE4B

Aiden Yeh
PhD Candidate, University of Birmingham
http://dcyeh.com

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Searching for a good research topic

2004-10-08T10:25:00.000+08:00

I am sending you a message that my colleague, Prof. Dafne Gonzalez [Venezuela] sent to her MA research students. Perhaps this could help you too. You can post your comments on your blogs.

aiden

Dafne wrote

I am copying a message from an e-list, where a professor from the Open University (UK) gives advice about what topic should a person choose for research, and I thought it might be of your interest:

Hi,
A couple of points that I tell our students here that might be helpful:
1) consider what you have availaable in terms of time and resources; you don't want to try to do something that isn't possible however good an idea' it is;

2) think about your own experiences and working
conditions, are there any issues, problems, opportunites, you could explore there? - projects that grow out of an area you already have 'foundations' in are often easier to write than ones where you are approaching something 100% new.

Good luck
Paul Knight
The Open Universit, UK

What do you think?

Dafne

Aiden Yeh
PhD Candidate, University of Birmingham
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amanda's research topic proposal

2004-10-08T10:21:00.000+08:00

Amanda,

With regards to your topic, 'Depression of Working class in taiwan', I really don't know exactly what you want to find out.

Perhaps it would be better if you write some research questions. What do you want to learn more about this topic? What are the things that you want to find out?

Post your answers to your blogs.

I hope this helps.

Aiden

a8920091@ms76.hinet.net wrote:

Dear Ms Yeh,

Thank you for the E-mails telling us how to to our assignment and practices on line.

I sorry that I still don't know how to do it, maybe I didn't spent enough time on that, or maybe I am slow, anyway I got confused.

Therefore, can I tell you my research topic here? And I'll try again to create my own blog later on.

I would like to do the research about the depression of working class in Taiwan, but I don't know how to name the topic, to make it more professional.

Thank you very much for your help, I will ask you or other classmates more about the blog in the calss.

Sincerely yours

Amanda Wu

Student form NE4B

Aiden Yeh
PhD Candidate, University of Birmingham
http://dcyeh.com

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Welcome to Aiden Yeh's Research Writing Course

2004-10-04T13:50:00.000+08:00

Hello and welcome to Research Writing course.

Class website: http://www.geocities.com/wentzao2004/writing

I'll be updating and synchronizing the contents of our class website with our blog. I'll also be putting quick links here so it'll be easier to navigate and browse other pages.

Students' Blogs Index, click here.

Syllabus, click here.

I'll also be adding photos to add that personal touch. You can also do the same on your respective blogs.

Aiden Yeh