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