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New videos added: elements of a research paper

Posted on by Christian Decker

The structural elements to be applied in academic writing depend on the nature of the research project. Manifestations of academic writing range from student assignments and term papers to doctoral theses and other forms of complex research documentations. Some structural elements are always used in research papers. Other structural elements are optionally or selectively used. Technically, research papers can be divided into four sections: addments, directories, main body and annex. Each of these sections contains different structural elements that have to be applied in accordance with the formal instructions laid out in academic style guides. Although the applicable rules may vary according to the field of research, some commonalities for structural elements exist. These commonalities may be based on logical considerations or result from traditional academic conventions. Important elements to be discussed in this chapter are cover page, abstract, outline, directories, main body, bibliography and list of references, glossary and appendix, declaration of originality as well as data carrier and electronic storage media.

Link to e-learning videos: Overview of chapter 7

New videos added: sourcing of information

Posted on by Christian Decker

Every research project requires the sourcing of information in the form of literature and/or empirical data. Different types of literature, each with individual characteristics, can be used in academic research. It is important to understand the specific categories of literature, such as monographs and textbooks, articles in academic journals, concise dictionaries, edited works, working papers, conference proceedings, white papers and green papers, technical papers, consultation papers, manuals as well as legal sources and documents. Given the variety of literature sources, an academic appraisal of references with respect to their citability and credibility is essential. The existence of a peer review process can signify the academic quality of journal articles. Furthermore, the consultation of citation indices and journal rankings may help to identify acceptable references. Grey literature in particular, which is literature that is not commercially published and distributed, needs to be appraised with respect to its citability. Information access and retrieval can take place via the Internet or in a library. Library catalogues and databases allow for a literature search that uses individual search logic in order to identify adequate references.

Link to e-learning videos: Overview of chapter 6

New videos added: identification of a topic

Posted on by Christian Decker

Every research project addresses an underlying research topic. The research topic is the subject matter of the research to be performed. All researchers need to be able to translate their research problems into appropriate research topics. The motivation and qualification of a (student) researcher play a major role while identifying a suitable research topic. Moreover, potential problems of limited information access have to be considered before deciding for a research topic. The aim of a research project can be of an abstract or a problem-based nature. Both types of aims have different characteristics in terms of practicality, independence, creativity and inherent challenges. A number of proven techniques can be applied in order to identify a potential aim and ultimately a research topic. Six idealised process steps with corresponding actions can help to refine the chosen research topic. The differences between research topic and research title and possible forms of their interaction have to be kept in mind. Clarity while verbalising a research topic can be achieved by following the principles of clearness and proper composition.

Link to e-learning videos: Overview of chapter 5

New videos added: research process

Posted on by Christian Decker

The e-learning videos of chapter 4 introduce you to the research process and its cornerstones. Every research project starts with an open-ended indirect research question, which is implicitly or explicitly accompanied by a research hypothesis. Often a research problem is substantiated by an ad-hoc hypothesis, which advances to a working hypothesis and ultimately will be developed into a scientific hypothesis. The logic and quality of hypotheses can differ and determine the success of the research process. Depending on their inner logic, scientific hypotheses can be formulated as cause-effect hypotheses, distribution hypotheses, correlation hypotheses and difference hypotheses. Based on their quality, scientific hypotheses can be differentiated into nomological hypotheses, quasi-nomological hypotheses and statistical hypotheses. The research approach has to match the research problem to be investigated. Literature-based research, theoretical research, developmental research, quantitative research, qualitative research or a mixture of the aforementioned approaches provide means to tackle a research problem at hand. Different academic disciplines favour different scientific styles that predetermine the applicable research approaches. Three general types of scientific styles are introduced and critically reflected: the theoretical solution-driven style, the empirical solution-driven style and the hypothesis-driven style.

Link to e-learning videos: Overview of chapter 4

New videos added: research logic

Posted on by Christian Decker
Research logic

The e-learning videos of chapter 3 “Research logic” introduce you to the underlying philosophical or, more precisely, logical aspects of research. The basic understanding of research logic is a necessary foundation for every research project. Induction and deduction are the two major types of reasoning and are frequently applied in research. Both types provide a framework for generating inter-subjectively comprehensible conclusions and projections. The understanding of the basic structure of syllogisms, the ancient Greek sets of logical conclusions as laid out by Aristotle, helps to differentiate between universal and existential propositions as well as affirmative and negative statements. The deductive-nomological model and the inductive statistical model provide techniques to formally describe logical reasoning. These thoughts and ideas help to comprehend the concepts of falsification and falsifiability. Finally, indicator and causal hypotheses are introduced in order to discuss individual limitations of induction and deduction and the benefit of a combination of both types of reasoning.

Link to e-learning videos: Overview of chapter 3

New videos added: academic principles

Posted on by Christian Decker
Academic principles

The e-learning videos of chapter 2 “Academic Principles” introduce you to five major academic principles. These sets of unwritten rules prescribe a certain formal and material behaviour in academic research and writing. Although there is often no legally binding rule set in academic research and writing, certain conventions have been developed and generally accepted by academia. The five major principles presented here are a way to collect dispersed rules and standards and organise them in a systematic way. The five principles are defined as accuracy, completeness, clarity, comparability and materiality. The principle of accuracy implies the observation of applicable rules and norms, the inter-subjective comprehensibility of the research output, the timeliness and currentness of processed information as well as the true and fair representation of the research project. The principle of completeness demands qualitative completeness and quantitative completeness. The principle of clarity requires the clearness and the proper composition of academic texts. The principle of comparability implies obeying the status quo of the discipline and explaining deviations. The principle of materiality prescribes an adequate reduction of inherent complexity and demands adequate decision usefulness for the recipients of a research project.

Link to e-learning videos: Overview of chapter 2

New videos added: foundations of academic research

Posted on by Christian Decker
Foundations

The e-learning videos of chapter 1 “Foundations” introduce you to the world of academic research and writing from a practical, terminological and philosophical perspective. To start with, four sample cases exemplify how academic research is embedded in professional, university, institutional and collaborative scenarios. As a thread for you, the topic “windmill financing”, appearing as a recurring theme throughout this course, is used in each of the four sample cases; however, every sample case describes a different setting in order to illustrate different manifestations of academic research. Furthermore, relevant key terms such as academia, science and theory as well as method, set of methods and methodology are discussed providing a terminological foundation for the content of the subsequent chapters. Philosophical considerations are presented in a concise way. The focus is on the terms truth and theories of truth as well as ontological positions and epistemic objectives. The concept of models, as simplifications of reality, is introduced. Finally, the structure of the subject matter “academic research and writing” is presented as a graphic. This illustration is used in order to explain the structure of the following chapters and will reappear as an entry point at the beginning of the subsequent chapters.

Link to e-learning videos: Overview of chapter 1