Download - Structuring your Extended Project
Structuring your Extended Project
The University of YorkKaty Mann
Why is structure important in a piece of academic writing?
List three reasons and compare with your partner.
Structure
Academic writing conforms to a set of general moves.
“ Academics say they enjoy innovative structures devised by their students, but they also warm very positively to this classic model “ ( Barnes, 1995 p.130)
Academic writing
Title page ( not counted) Contents ( List of acronyms) ( not counted) Abstract ( Abbrev.Acknowledgements) ( not counted) Introductions Review of background literature Critique/ comment on literature Summary & conclusion Recommendations References ( not counted) Bibliography ( not counted) Appendices ( not counted) (Blaxter, 2006)
The classic extended project is organised into sections:
1. What is the question/ problem or situation addressed? Title/ Introduction
2. How was the matter studied? Methods 3. What information/ data was obtained?
Results/ Appendices 4. What interpretations/ comments and
evaluations were made? Discussions/ conclusions
5. What actions are recommended? Conclusion/ recommendations
The reader’s five questions
Within most sections of the project report there are a series of moves ( Swales, 2000).
Structural Moves
Functions
To establish the background/ context and importance of the research
To explain the value
To identify the gap
To provide the reader with a clear structure
To clarify any key terms/ abbreviations
Introduction 10-20%
Establish the importance of the topic• Give a very brief synopsis of the key literature• Give your question• Explain your interest in the topic
Outline approach• Provide a synopsis of the research methods• Define key terms/ abbreviations
Structure• Provide an overview of how you will organise your report
Structure of the Introduction
Functions
To give the reader all the information they need to understand your research
To demonstrate the depth and breadth of your reading
To establish connections between your study and previous studies
To point out you know the arguments for and against the subject matter
To inspire, educate and excite the reader
Literature review
Distant-close• You cite and discuss work ever closer to your own
Research question grouped• From distance to close under each research
question
Chronological• History of research- be careful not to get too
descriptive here.
Literature review structure
Evaluation
Synthesis
Summary
Taxonomy of skills (Bloom, 1964)
Studies against Studies for
Balance your arguments
Scholarly books
Journal articles
Conference
abstracts
Types of resources
Reliable newspapers
Gov. reports
Types of resources
To describe exactly what you did
To explain why you did it
To describe the advantages and disadvantages of the method
To allow another research to repeat / expand on your research
Methods functions
Describe different methods often usedin this type of research
Detail method selected and justify
Describe exact procedure
Discuss weaknesses
Structure of Methods
Functions:
To discuss relevant results or findings
To demonstrate your critical thinking/ evaluation
Results and discussion/ analysis
Reiterate aims/ research question(s)
Restate key findings
Refrain from introducing new
ideas
Recommend
Conclusion & recommendations
Zotero-Firefox extension
Word 2007- referencing tool
NOT footnotes
References/ Bibliography
Copy of questionnaire Interview transcripts Pictures/ diagrams not essential Observation records Extracts/ images
Appendices
Avoid all things that may confuse-abbreviations
And so on….. etc
Signpost-direct the reader
Reference details in text and in References
Numbers under 10 spell out
Capitalisation-learn the rules and apply them British spelling-adjust spellcheck
Small things, big difference
Narrow range of literature
Lack of critical analysis
Poorly structured
Lack of references
Weak reflection and refinement of aims
Examiner’s comments -
Read through the model/ exemplar reports from previous cohorts.
Think about why they were awarded A or A*
Read the examiner’s commentary and compare it to your view.
Model examples
Does the introduction help the reader understand how your research fits into a wider area of study?
Does the literature review demonstrate that you are familiar with a wide range of literature relevant to your study?
Is your method section clear and detailed enough to allow another researcher to replicate it?
Checklist
Is the information in the results and discussion section relevant to your research questions?
Are all your conclusions drawn from your research and supported by evidence?
Are all the transitions managed smoothly?
Are all the in-text references included in the References section?
Checklist continued