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Kendall Richards. Academic Support Adviser Engineering, Computing & Creative Industries C77 k.richards@napier.ac.uk X2659. Where did you search? How reliable is it? Skim the conclusion, abstract, introduction and headings Write a paragraph Main argument/point/position/findings
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Kendall Richards Academic Support Adviser Engineering, Computing & Creative Industries C77 k.richards@napier.ac.uk X2659
Where did you search? How reliable is it? Skim the conclusion, abstract, introduction and headings Write a paragraph Main argument/point/position/findings Bibliographical details You should have one or two articles
State what happened? State what something is like? Give the story? State the order in which events occurred? Note the method used? Say when something occurred? List details? State links between items? Give information? Look at each other’s text: Did they:
Significance: Scholarship
Principles of Academic Communication • Honesty-state only that which can be supported • Reality-be clear and direct in style and aims and objectives and explain what needs to be explained • Relevance
Who wants the report/paper? Why do they want it? What are they going to do with it? What do they want it to cover? What will the report/paper not cover? What will happen as a result of the report/paper? A report/paper should have a clear objective. Clear objective = clear focus = easier to write. Who Are You Writing for?
The following will be taken into account, as appropriate to each assignment: • Structure • Original insight • Writing style • Research methodology • Subject knowledge (including the ability to critically reflect upon the chosen subject) • Analytical skills
Structure • Any thoughts? • Brainstorm ideas in groups.
Academic writing: Structure? Contextualise Outline Overview Thesis • Introduction • Body • Conclusion Thematic? Headings? Broad to specific Support Sum up Support Thesis? Conclude
A report usually has these components: • Title page • Summary • Table of Contents • Introduction • Middle sections with numbered headings (i.e., the body of the report) • Conclusions • References • Appendices
Summary/executive summary/abstract The summary: • states the topic of the report • outlines your approach to the task if applicable • gives the most important findings of your research or investigation, or the key aspects of your design • states the main outcomes or conclusions. The summary does NOT: • provide general background information • explain why you are doing the research, investigation or design • refer to later diagrams or references.
Abstract • ‘This report details….’ • Short • Statement of objectives • Self-contained • Clear • To the point • Create interest • Main findings and conclusions • Write this last!
The introduction includes: • the background to the topic of your report to set your work in its broad context • a clear statement of the purpose of the report, usually to present the results of your research, investigation, or design • a clear statement of the aims of the project • technical background necessary to understand the report; e.g. theory or assumptions • a brief outline of the structure of the report if appropriate (this would not be necessary in a short report)
1.0. Introduction. There are problems of installing new tramways and light railway tracks in city streets congested with traffic and full of utility services underground. These problems have increased the price of rail based public transport, lengthened the construction period and generated public resistance to the dislocation of busy urban areas. Background In an attempt to resolve some of these issues, as well as addressing some technical consideration like electrical stray currents and noise and vibration transmission a completely new rail track system has been developed. The new rail has no vertical web and is suspended at its top level. (Fig.1) rather than supported from its foot, like traditional rails. (Fig. 2). Such a different rail form has generated considerable scepticism, and mirrors the difficulty of getting flat bottom (Vignoles) rails accepted in place of traditional bullhead rail in the UK. While Vignoles rails were invented in the third quarter of the 19th Century, they were not accepted as a standard on Britain's railways until 1951, and have only recently been accepted for London Underground. In order to address these concerns a comprehensive battery of tests; computer simulation, laboratory and in field have been undertaken. This report sets out those tests and their results. Statement of purpose Note: Use of tense and absence of personal pronouns. Write a quick introduction to this coursework.
The purpose of this report is to…… Two alternative designs for a fuel cell powered car are presented. Car A, which uses hydrogen fuel, is a sedan designed for the executive market. It provides extra luxury for the driver, but is spacious enough for family use. Car B, powered by hydrogen and oxygen, is a medium sized hatchback which offers a range of features for the family. While both cars are efficient for short trips, they lack the range and speed desirable for long journeys. Both cars incorporate similar safety features and fulfil the design criteria of having low exhaust emissions and using environmentally friendly materials; however, Car B is recommended as it has slightly lower power consumption and is more economical to manufacture.
Conclusions The conclusions section provides an effective ending to your report. The content should relate directly to the aims of the project as stated in the introduction, and sum up the essential features of your work. This section: • states whether you have achieved your aims • gives a brief summary of the key findings or information in your report • highlights the major outcomes of your investigation and their significance.
Original insight • How would you demonstrate this?
Style? • Formal • Objective • Structured • Example?
Style questions? • Can I use “I”? • Can I give my opinion? • How can I give my opinion?
Research Methodology • How might you approach this?
Subject knowledge • Critical reflection?
Analytical skills? • What are these?
Start with searching • Links • Wiley • Sage
Databases? Which ones? • IEEE Xplore- journals, conferences, standards, historic papers, weekly updates
Significance: Scholarship
So, what is critical thinking and analysis? • How do I do this? • Discuss
How do I do this? • Note making not note taking • Wide and varied reading • Synthesis • Analysis interpretation
Three questions • What am I looking at? • Why am I looking at it? • So what?
How might Critical Thinking be applied to your discipline? • Work with a partner (or more) and discuss areas for criticism
It is • Evaluation, discussion, comparison and contrast, analysis Look for: • Similarities • Common issues raised • Contradictions (why?) • Criticisms On balance, what is your academic opinion?
Do the same with your article, use whatever categories you like.
Use Grids. Authors Themes/Concepts
How might Critical Thinking be applied to my project/dissertation? Break down your discipline. What is it exactly that you will do in your dissertation/project? • Literature review • Methodology • Creation of something • Analysis • Design • Implementation • Testing
Design? • What will you discuss? • Link to specific examples from research
testing • Expected result? • Result? • What did you learn? • Link to research
implementation • Comments? • Link to research
How do I do this? • Wide and varied reading • Note making not note taking • Synthesis • Analysis interpretation
In small groups look at your articles and make a scale from strongest to weakest: • Criticality • Sources • Focus • Structure • Language
Criticality? • Scholarship • Analysis
Sources • Relevance • How they are used • Authority
Focus • How much it focuses on task • Relevance
Structure • Academic • Easy to follow argument • Links
Language • Academic • Style
Significance: Scholarship
What Is Plagiarism? • Plagiarism is to take someone else’s words or ideas and present them as your own without proper acknowledgement (Marshall and Rowland, 1998)
