Workshop on writing a research paper

A GOOD Research Paper Abstract: EXAMPLE #1 Nguyen, 2023 Source: Nguyen, T.. A GOOD Research Paper Introduction: Useful Phrases Nguyen, 2023• Establishing the context, background and/or

WORKSHOP ON WRITING A RESEARCH PAPER

(3,000-6,000 words)

March 27, 2024

Presented by: Nguyen H Dao, M.A

(email: dao.nguyenhanh@hust.edu.vn)

Contents

Title

Abstract

IMRaD Structure (Introduction, (Literature review) Methodology, Results/ Findings, and

Discussion)

Research Article: Main section-Purpose-Length (adapted from Nguyen, 2023)

1 A GOOD Research Paper Title

• Length: 8-15 words.

• Core components: (a) the topic, (b) the method, (c) the sample, and (d) the results of your study Basic structure of a research title:

[Result]: A [method] study of [topic] among [sample].

e.g.: [Meditation Makes Nurses Perform Better]: A [Qualitative] Study of

[Mindfulness Meditation] among [German Nursing Students] (Enargo

2 A GOOD Research Paper Abstract

• a short summary or preview of a paper with 150-250 words.

• A model abstract and example of 5 parts adapted from Hyland (2007, as cited in Russo, 2020):

Sources: Russo, (2023) Abstract

Section to Research Papers San José

State University Writing Center.

2 A GOOD Research Paper Abstract: Useful Phrases

The study contributes…

Sources: Nguyen, H C (2023) Training Course: Writing a journal article Slide show

Identifying the training needs of Heads of Department in a newly established university in Vietnam

contradict previous studies on Department Heads’ training needs from developed Western universities (finding) The paper concludes that the Department Heads’ training needs are both context-based and competencies-

biased (conclusion) (152 words)

2 A GOOD Research Paper Abstract: EXAMPLE #1

(Nguyen, 2023)

Source: Nguyen, T L H (2012) Identifying the training needs of Heads of Department in a newly established university in Vietnam Journal

of Higher Education Policy and Management, 34(3), 309-321.

English as a symbol of internationalization in higher education: a case study of Vietnam

ABSTRACT

Vietnam universities have experienced remarkable changes brought about by their internationalization policies The switch to English as a medium of instruction (EMI) for some academic programs was one of these critical changes Literature has

reported numerous issues related to EMI, including inadequate language proficiency of teaching staff (background) This

paper looks at a qualitative research study on how a government university from Vietnam employs different strategies to

enhance teachers’ English proficiency (purpose + method) The study reveals that the introduction of new supporting systems, assessment bodies, recruitment criteria and institutional strategies on training, monitoring and motivation have created cultural change within the teacher community (findings) This cultural change, which includes elements such as self-directed learning, peer learning, professionalism, and ‘open-to-change’ attitudes, has been perceived by both leaders and teachers to be

conducive to teachers’ language learning (conclusion) The findings presented in this paper seek to contribute to the

formulation or adjustment of policies related to educational reforms, such as curriculum reform, teacher recruitment and teacher professional development in non-Englishspeaking countries (implication) (164 words)

2 A GOOD Research Paper Abstract: EXAMPLE #2

(Nguyen, 2023)

Source: Duong, V A & Chua, C S K (2016) English as a symbol of internationalization in higher education: a case study of Vietnam Higher

Education Research & Development, 35(4), 669-683

3 A GOOD Research Paper Introduction

•to provide enough information for the reader to be able to understand your argument and

its stakes with 400-800 words.

•A suggested C reate a R esearch S pace ( CaRS ) structure of an introduction adapted from

Ammon (2023) & Nguyen (2023):

Step 1:

- Establish a territory (the context, background) and/or importance of the topic

- Give a brief review of the relevant academic literature

3 A GOOD Research Paper Introduction: Useful Phrases (Nguyen, 2023)

• Establishing the context, background and/or importance of the topic

“In recent years, there has been an increasing interest in …”

“In the new global economy, X has become a central issue for …”

• Giving a brief review of the relevant academic literature

“It has previously been observed that …”

“Studies over the past two decades have provided important information on …”

• Presenting a problem, controversy or a knowledge gap in the field of study

“Most studies in the field of X have only focused on …”

“There has been little quantitative analysis of …”

• Stating the purpose of the study

“This paper analyses the impact of …”

“This research examines the emerging role of X in the context of …”

• Providing an overview of the coverage and/or structure of the article

“This paper begins by … It will then go on to …”

“This paper has been divided into four parts The first part deals with …”

3 Quantitative Research Introduction: EXAMPLE #1

(Ammon, 2023)

Source: Ammon, C (2023) Introduction Section to

Research Papers San José

State University Writing Center.

3 Quantitative Research Introduction: EXAMPLE #1

(Ammon, 2023)

Source: Ammon, C (2023)

Introduction Section to

Research Papers San José

State University Writing Center.

3 Quantitative Research Introduction: EXAMPLE #1

(Ammon, 2023)

Source: Ammon, C (2023)

Introduction Section to

Research Papers San José

State University Writing Center.

3 Qualitative Research Introduction: EXAMPLE #2

(Ammon, 2023)

Source: Ammon, C (2023)

Introduction Section to

Research Papers San José

State University Writing Center.

3 Qualitative Research Introduction: EXAMPLE #2

(Ammon, 2023)

Source: Ammon, C (2023)

Introduction Section to

Research Papers San José

State University Writing Center.

3 Qualitative Research Introduction: EXAMPLE #2

(Ammon, 2023)

Source: Ammon, C (2023)

Introduction Section to

Research Papers San José

State University Writing Center.

3 Qualitative Research Introduction: EXAMPLE #2

(Ammon, 2023)

Source: Ammon, C (2023)

Introduction Section to

Research Papers San José

State University Writing Center.

4 A GOOD Research Paper Literature Review (Cantero, 2019)

• a review or discussion of the current published material available on

a particular research topic in APA-referencing format with 800-1,000

words.

•summarizes, synthesizes and evaluates the ideas of other scholars

on that research topic

Source: Cantero, C (2019) How to write a literature review San José State University Writing Center.

4 A GOOD Research Paper Literature Review (Cantero, 2019)

literature review San

José State University Writing Center.

4 A GOOD Research Paper Literature Review: Citation

(Cantero, 2019)

Source: Cantero, C (2019) How to write a literature review San José State University Writing Center.

How to write a literature

review San José State

University Writing Center.

5 A GOOD Research Paper Methodology (Chris, 2021)

•Describe how your research was conducted; help increase the reader’s trust in your findings

Qualitative research

( collecting non-numerical data ( from open-ended questionnaire, interviews, observations) &

identifying patterns in language,

theme, structure among other features to understand human

experiences)

5 Research Methodology: 4 Steps (Chris, 2021)

Source: Chris, M J (2021) Methodology Section for Research Papers San José State University Writing Center.

1 describing your research question and the type of data you

used in answering it,

2 explaining your process of data collection

3 elaborating on data analysis

4 justifying the research design you took

5 Quantitative Research Methodology: EXAMPLE #1

(Chris, 2021)

5 Quantitative Research Methodology: EXAMPLE #1

(Chris, 2021)

Source: Chris, M J (2021) Methodology Section for

Research Papers

San José State University Writing Center.

5 Quantitative Research Methodology: EXAMPLE #1

(Chris, 2021)

Source: Chris, M J (2021) Methodology Section for

Research Papers

San José State University Writing

5 Quantitative Research Methodology: EXAMPLE #1

(Chris, 2021)

5 Qualitative Research Methodology: EXAMPLE #2

(Chris, 2021)

5 Qualitative Research Methodology: EXAMPLE #2

(Chris, 2021)

6 Research Results/Findings : 3 Parts (Ammon, 2022)

Source: Ammon, C (2022) Results Section for Research Papers San José State University Writing Center.

• report the findings of the study in connection to the research question(s);

state the facts ONLY; in written text, tables, graphs, and other illustrations

with 1,000-1,200 words.

• 3 parts:

1 introduction to connect the results with the research question(s)

2 presenting your findings in a structured way (such as thematically or

chronologically), attention to any important, interesting, or significant findings, combining text and visuals

3 Closing that clearly summarizes the key findings of the study

•Source: Ammon, C (2022) Results

Section for Research Papers San José

State University Writing Center.

6 Quantitative Research

Results/Findings:

EXAMPLE #1 (Ammon,

2022)

6 Quantitative Research Results/Findings: EXAMPLE #1 (Ammon, 2022)

•Comments:

6 Qualitative Research

Results/Findings:

EXAMPLE #2 (Ammon,

2022)

•Source: Ammon, C (2022) Results

Section for Research Papers San José

State University Writing Center.

Comments:

Notice that the findings presented by

the author are primarily descriptive

and focus on the perceptions of

people The authors are interpreting

the commonalities and themes that

arose within the study, comparing,

and contrasting the stakeholders’

nationalities and opinions to drive

conclusions By clumping shared

opinions, the authors have

7 Research Discussion : 3 Parts (Dunton, 2021)

Source: Dunton, R (2021) Discussion Section for Research Papers San José State University Writing Center.

• describes, analyzes, and interprets their findings, why the research results are important and where they fit in the current literature, and stating the shortcomings of the study

with 1,000-1,200 words.

• 6 parts:

1 summarize the key findings from the research and link them to the initial research

question

2 place the findings in context , analyzing how the results fit in with previous research.

3 mention and discuss any unexpected & significant results to the research question.

4 address limitations or weaknesses in the research

5 provide a brief look at potential follow-up research studies

6 conclude with a restatement of the most significant findings and their implications

(connections with existing literature)

7 Research Discussion : EXAMPLE (Dunton, 2021)

Source: Dunton, R (2021) Discussion Section

for Research Papers San José State

University Writing Center.

Comments:

The sample discussion section was split

between a dedicated “Discussion”

section and a section exclusively

covering “Limitations.” The authors

presented their key findings and placed

them into the context of pre-existing

literature and research They restated

those findings and then discussed the

limitations of their study, followed by

recommendations for future research

that could possibly address or overcome

those limitations

8 Research Conclusion : 3 Parts (Tablas-Mejia, 2021)

Source: Tablas-Mejia, I (2021) Conclusion Section for Research Papers San José State University Writing Center

• reiterate why your research is important with 400 - 800 words.

• 3 parts:

1 Overview and significance of the research; summarize key points and purposes of

the research

2 Mention limitations and further explanations of why the research is important

3 Suggest future studies and/or describes how to apply findings to real world

8 Research

Conclusion: EXAMPLE

(Tablas-Mejia, 2021)

•Source: Tablas-Mejia, I (2021) Conclusion

Section for Research Papers San José State

University Writing Center.

8 Research Conclusion : EXAMPLE (Tablas-Mejia, 2021)

THANK YOU

!

Q & A