Paper Writing Tips - 041411

Tips on How to Write Research Papers
Robert R. Roxas UP Cebu

2011 Robert R. Roxas - UP Cebu
Outline
Introduction on Research
What is Research? The Purposes of Research Steps on Conducting Research
Scientific papers Parts of scientific papers

Abstract Introduction Review of Related Literature
Outline
Overview or Background Methodology Results and Discussion Conclusion and Future work
Citation and References Tables and Figures Sample Papers
Introduction on Research
What is Research?
Misconceptions
The word research is a very confusing term Often-misused term, its usage in Ofteneveryday language is very different from the strict scientific meaning It has so many meanings that we must understand precisely what we mean when we use it in its scholarly sense
Misconceptions
We have been conditioned to the term in so many connotative frameworks that we may not be sure exactly what the term really does mean It bewilders many students encountering the term for the first time in a truly professional and academic sense
Misconceptions
When students are enrolled in graduate programs, they are groping in the dark under a thundering adviser who wants a real research done by a student
Research?
Product of years of research
Sunsilk Co-creation Shampoo (using CoStraightening System) as promoted by Yuko Yamashita, Yamashita, a Japanese straight hair expert
Research?
Clear Shampoo (A Revolutionary New AntiAnti-dandruff Shampoo) as promoted by Rain, Rain, a Korean artist
Research?
Industry endeavors
Fact-finding surveys of consumer buying Factpower Figures showing customer preferences and needs Charts and graphs detailing growth and sales improvement Facts and figures representing the corporate economy
Research?
Academic activities
A basic education student browsing the internet for information to learn how Magellan discovered the Philippines and the route he took
Research?
A high school student making a term paper An undergraduate student studying the companys manual system in order to automate its system A graduate student gathering information in order to conduct a seminar on the recent trends in IT
Research
The systematic process of collecting and analyzing information to increase our understanding of the phenomenon under study Successful research begins with a proper orientation Essentially a way of thinking Simply a manner in which men solve the knotty problems in their attempt to push back the frontiers of human ignorance
Characteristics of Research
Begins with a question in the mind of the researcher Requires a plan Demands a clear statement of problem Deals with the main problem through subproblems Seeks direction through appropriate hypothesis Deals with facts and their meaning Research is Circular
Begins with a question in the mind of the researcher
Starts with the curiosity of man, which causes him to wonder, speculate, and ask wonder, speculate, questions A question intelligently asked in the presence of an observed phenomenon that puzzles the researcher
Normally starts when one asks a question like Why?, How come?, Why?, How come?, Whats the cause of that?, What does that?, What it all mean?, etc. mean?,
Begins with a question in the mind of the researcher
Begins with a questioning and inquisitive mind in the presence of baffling and perplexing fact
The Purposes of Research
Purposes of Research
The purpose of research can be a complicated issue and varies across different scientific fields and disciplines
At the most basic level, science can be split, loosely, into two types, pure research and pure research applied research research
Purpose of Research (Scientific)

All scientific research seeks to answer questions Scientific questions ask how or why something happens The answers to these questions help broaden our understanding of how the world works

However, most scientists consider the answers they get through research to be theoretical or probable rather than absolute fact This allows for differences of opinion in the scientific community as well as helps scientists keep their minds open

As new discoveries are made, scientists made, change their beliefs about how something works
Purpose of Research (R&D)

The objective of academic and institutional R&D is to obtain new knowledge, knowledge, which may or may not be applied to practical uses
Purpose of Research (R&D)

The objective of industrial R&D is to obtain knowledge, applicable to the needs, companys needs, that eventually will result in any of the following:
New or improved products New processes New systems New services
The objective is normally to increase the companys sales and profits

Purpose of Research (Pure)

Pure research is research done simply to find out something by examining anything For instance, in some pure scientific instance, research scientists discover what properties various materials possess
Purpose of Research (Pure)

It is not for the sake of applying those properties to anything in particular, but simply to find out what properties there are Pure mathematics is for the sake of seeing what happens, not to solve a problem
Steps in Conducting Research
Identify Area of Focus

For any research project, researchers must have a detailed plan before beginning The plan should include a conceptualization of the overall organization of the project and a detailed specification of the steps required for successful execution of the research

Implicit in the overall plan of a research design are:
The basic format of the research The nature and role of the data The identification of appropriate measurement instruments The linking of data and the specific research methodology

The determination as to whether the research is of a qualitative nature, quantitative nature, or both; The validity of the selected research methodology How the data will be acquired The existing ethical issues
Review Related Literatures/Works

Reading the literature related to your topic of interest can help you formulate a specific research problem In addition, the related literature can help you in several other ways like:
Avoiding mediocre results (low quality) (low quality) Avoiding duplications (same quality) (same quality) Producing new or improve things (high (high quality) quality)

For software related researches, you dont have to limit your review to literatures, literatures, you need to review software or systems as well In the review, you have to identify the strengths and weaknesses of the existing or previous researches or systems

Your research aims to solve the weaknesses of the previous or existing ones This will give you the reason to go on with the research and produce superior products or services
Investigate / Experiment
Depending on the type of research being conducted, conducted, this is the meat of research For pure research,
Collecting data maybe by interview or survey questionnaires Observing phenomenon Performing some experiment
Investigate / Experiment
For software related researches, bear in mind that we want to produce fast and efficient software So
Analyze the problem or need Design a solution to the problem/subproblems Implement the design using programming languages Test and Evaluate
Analyze and Discuss Results

For pure research
Analyze the collected data Use statistical tools Interpret observed phenomena or facts Correlate some phenomena or facts

For software related researches, we are normally interested in the running time both theoretical and empirical
Analyze the theoretical running time and compare with the existing ones Compare the actual running time of your algorithm with the existing ones Create some tables or figures to show that you have a better result than the existing ones

Common complexity classes
Description constant logarithmic linear n log n quadratic cubic exponential O-notation O(1) O(log n) O(log n) O(n O(n) O(n O(n log n) n) O(n O(n2) O(n O(n3) O(2n), O(10n), etc.
Different running times of algorithms

After seeing the tables or figures, analyze what went wrong to some unexpected or undesirable result Discuss how this can be solved or avoided Some statistical approaches or even packages will be used to analyze the data

If there are already items identified but cannot be implemented because of time constraints, constraints, they must be stated as future works in the appropriate section of a paper
Conclude About Your Findings

Make some generalization of what you found or the result of your experiment constraints, Sometimes, because of time constraints, works/ we have future works/recommendations
Identified but to be implemented
Scientific Papers
Research Output
Published Reports
Conference Proceedings Journal Paper
Unpublished Reports
Terminal Report Technical Report Masters thesis Doctoral dissertation
Parts of Scientific Paper
Research Output
The completion of a research project is always the written report To write a research report that shows fidelity to the data and the ability to organize them logically and present them clearly is to bring one's research effort to its destined conclusion: to share your work with others
Research Output
The research report is a straightforward document that sets forth clearly and precisely what the researcher has done to resolve the research problem In its structure, it is factual and logical and it makes no pretense of being a work of fine literature
Research Output
It must be complete, comprehensible, complete, comprehensible, and grammatically correct The research document you write is a clear reflection of your scholarship That is why it is often used as a culminating measure of a student's educational success
Paper Format
Research paper frequently follows this structure:
Abstract Introduction may be lumped with Review of Related Works the introduction Overview or background Methodology Results and Discussion Conclusion and Future Work References 2011 Robert R. Roxas - UP Cebu
Abstract
A brief overview that tells the reader in basic terms what your thesis/research is all about Fairly short, only one or two paragraphs short, in length Typically written in simple nontechnical terms Should be interesting enough to arouse interest
Abstract
Often considered the most important part of a paper Probably the most difficult section to write last, Often written last, after the majority of the paper has been completed
Abstract
Identifies the main purpose of the research, its major points, and conclusions
The main purpose of the research should include the following:
The research question The novelty of the research The primary result of the research project
Introduction
Familiarizes the readers of the main purpose and focus of the thesis/research Provides background information
Enables the reader to be mentally prepared before reading the more technical aspects found in the discussion section
Introduction
Also begins the major description of the paper Like abstract, it should be interesting enough Typically contains three parts:
Purpose, scope, and background Purpose, scope, information
Introduction
Purpose explains why the research is being carried out
The specific problem or research question being addressed
Scope defines the parameters

Discusses the basic points included in the thesis/research Outlines the method of investigation, if one is carried out
Introduction
Sometimes includes a short glossary of terms of keywords that need to be defined before the reader starts to read the discussion
Background information includes important facts to prepare the reader for the discussion section that follows
Introduction
Sometimes additional section is included in the introduction
This describes what other researches have written on the same topic Attempts to establish or emphasize a need for further research
Introduction
Grammar
When the writer(s) refers to his/her own work in this section, the simple present verb is often used Sometimes the passive verb form is preferable to the active form in a scientific paper
Introduction
Grammar
When referring to other researches, either the past tense or present verb can be used Sometimes the passive verb form is preferable to the active form in a scientific paper
Review of Related Literature/Works

An in-depth examination of the insignificant material in books, journals books, and other sources relating to your topic Aims to explore what is already known on the topic and to introduce the main thinkers/writers in the area Helps you and your readers to acquire an understanding of your topic

Sets the scene for your research, placing your research question in context Therefore, a part of your academic development of becoming expert on your topic

Helps you and your readers to acquire an understanding of your topic, of what has already been done on it, how it has been researched, and what the key issues are

You need to show that you have understood the main theories in the subject area and how they have been applied and developed, as well as the developed, main criticisms that have been made on the topic Therefore, a part of your academic development - of becoming an expert on your topic

Not a linear process
Rather, it is a backwards-and-forwards backwards-andprocess between your reading and your writing
You read other peoples work, and you work, write your evaluation of it, and discuss how it can help you to develop your research question

Written before, during and after the before, other parts of your paper Start it as soon as you can, but dont consider it finished until the paper as a whole is finished

The four main functions of a literature review
It demonstrates the underlying assumptions behind the general research questions
It should demonstrate the stance of the researcher, and the values and politics s/he brings to the research

It demonstrates that the researcher is knowledgeable about related research and theory It shows that the researcher has identified some gaps in existing work on the topic, or has singled out some element of existing work that s/he would like to develop or build on
It demonstrates that the proposed study will thus fill a demonstrated need

It helps you refine and redefine the research questions, although the detail of questions, this may not always be recorded in the review

The main processes involved in a literature review
Finds out what is known about a topic Critically evaluates what is known Examines similar work that addresses the issues you are addressing Identifies gaps in what is known and shows how your work fills those gaps

Identifies elements that you would like to build on, and discusses how you propose to do so and why Explains why your research is worth doing
Overview or Background
In thesis or dissertation, this section is dissertation, normally conceptual and theoretical framework In conference proceedings or scientific journal, this section is normally an overview or background
Methodology
This section discusses what the researcher used during the experiment or investigation
Approaches Analysis & Design Apparatus/equipment Tools including software Implementation
Methodology
Although it is typically called methods, methods, this section can also be called equipment, materials, or equipment, materials, procedures, procedures, or a combination of each of these Grammar
In the methods, results, and discussion methods, results, sections, the past tense is used
Discussion
Often the most difficult to write
Aims to tell the readers the meaning of data results within an acceptable theoretical framework
Includes important information for readers to understand:

What the writer is trying to do What he has actually done and discovered and what should be done next
Discussion
Also helps the reader understand the relationship between observed facts Information should be organized in clear, logical, clear, logical, and interesting style in order to keep the readers attention
Discussion
Components of a discussion
Explain the principles, relationship, and generalization supported by the data results. Do not just repeat information from the results. Never try to cover up any weaknesses in the research. Point out when there are problems or if there is any lack of correlation with the data.
Discussion
Point out how the research either agrees or disagrees with previously published research. Conclusion should be stated as clearly as possible. Summarize the evidence that you have for each conclusion.
Discussion
Grammar
In the methods, results, and discussion methods, results, sections, the past tense is used
Conclusion
A brief restatement of the major inferences that can be interpreted from the discussion section New information or evidence that is a surprise to readers should never be included to support a writers argument
Conclusion
Often there is more than one conclusion in a formal report
State first the main conclusion Then follow with the remaining conclusion in a decreasing order of importance
Conclusion
Remember: The conclusion contains Remember: only the writers opinion based on data/evidence presented in the discussion section
Conclusion
Grammar
When the major result(s) of the thesis are presented in this section, the past tense is used
References vs. Bibliography

When referring to other documents in a thesis, such as a textbook, textbook, journal article, questionnaire, article, questionnaire, correspondence, correspondence, or even a conversation, conversation, the writer must identify the source of this information in the thesis/research paper
References vs. Bibliography

References the list of sources of information that you cited in the text Bibliography - the list of sources of information that you consulted whether or not you got something out of them
Citations and References

Be sure to cite the ideas that you borrowed, lifted, borrowed, lifted, or paraphrased from other sources in the text Follow the prescribed format of the publisher
Ex. [23, 45] or (Roxas 2004 and Saxor 2011)
All cited sources should be found in the References section of the paper
Tables and Figures

All figures and tables should be cited in the text Never use tables and figures without citing them in the text
Ex. Table 1 shows or Figures 4 and 3 show
Never use phrases like as shown in the figure above or in the table below
Sources
Practical Research - Planning and Design by Paul D. Leedy and Jeanne Ellis Ormrod Introduction to Research by Richard F. Taflinger, Taflinger, available online at: http://www.wsu.edu:8080/~taflinge/research. html U. Aizu Graduation Thesis Handbook by Stephen Lambacher, John Izzo, & Jerold Lambacher, Izzo, DeHart, DeHart, March 2000, by The University of Aizu Doing a Literature Review by Anne B. Ryan
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Tips on How to Write Research Papers

Robert R. Roxas UP Cebu

Scientific papers Parts of scientific papers

Citation and References Tables and Figures Sample Papers

2011 Robert R. Roxas - UP Cebu

2011 Robert R. Roxas - UP Cebu

2011 Robert R. Roxas - UP Cebu

2011 Robert R. Roxas - UP Cebu

2011 Robert R. Roxas - UP Cebu

2011 Robert R. Roxas - UP Cebu

2011 Robert R. Roxas - UP Cebu

2011 Robert R. Roxas - UP Cebu

2011 Robert R. Roxas - UP Cebu

2011 Robert R. Roxas - UP Cebu

2011 Robert R. Roxas - UP Cebu

2011 Robert R. Roxas - UP Cebu

2011 Robert R. Roxas - UP Cebu

The Purposes of Research

2011 Robert R. Roxas - UP Cebu

2011 Robert R. Roxas - UP Cebu

Purpose of Research (Scientific)

2011 Robert R. Roxas - UP Cebu

Purpose of Research (Scientific)

2011 Robert R. Roxas - UP Cebu

Purpose of Research (Scientific)

2011 Robert R. Roxas - UP Cebu

Purpose of Research (R&D)

2011 Robert R. Roxas - UP Cebu

Purpose of Research (R&D)

The objective is normally to increase the companys sales and profits

Purpose of Research (Pure)

2011 Robert R. Roxas - UP Cebu

Purpose of Research (Pure)

2011 Robert R. Roxas - UP Cebu

Steps in Conducting Research

2011 Robert R. Roxas - UP Cebu

Identify Area of Focus

Identify Area of Focus

Identify Area of Focus

2011 Robert R. Roxas - UP Cebu

Review Related Literatures/Works

Review Related Literatures/Works

2011 Robert R. Roxas - UP Cebu

Review Related Literatures/Works

2011 Robert R. Roxas - UP Cebu

2011 Robert R. Roxas - UP Cebu

Analyze and Discuss Results

2011 Robert R. Roxas - UP Cebu

Analyze and Discuss Results

Analyze and Discuss Results

2011 Robert R. Roxas - UP Cebu

Analyze and Discuss Results

Different running times of algorithms

2011 Robert R. Roxas - UP Cebu

Analyze and Discuss Results

2011 Robert R. Roxas - UP Cebu

Analyze and Discuss Results

2011 Robert R. Roxas - UP Cebu

Analyze and Discuss Results

2011 Robert R. Roxas - UP Cebu

Analyze and Discuss Results

2011 Robert R. Roxas - UP Cebu

Conclude About Your Findings