Writing the Research Paper

Writing the Research Paper

Zooey 9810003m Angela 9810010m

Chapter I: Introduction  A. Area of Study: Provide a general

introduction to the topic; outline the problem  B. Definition of Terms: Define important terms & concepts  C. The purpose of the study  D. Assumptions: Make hypotheses for the proposed study

Chapter II: Literature Review  A. History: Provide a review of the

historical background  B. Current Literature: Include a review of current relevant with the analysis of pros and cons  C. Research Problem: Provide research questions

Chapter III: Methodology  A. Research Questions and Hypotheses:

Propose them based on literature review (major points)  B. Research Design:  Quantitative research: Use a survey (three design

considerations; discuss how to design questionnaire)  Qualitative research: Use interviews (present a

rationale for the design of choice) ＊Grounded theory: Develop a theory after gathering and analyzing the data

 C. Sample:  Quantitative research: Describe sampling

techniques and rationale for method used for selecting the sample and sample size  Qualitative research: describe the criteria for the selection for the participants and setting

Research Questions and Hypotheses:  4 categories of research questions:  1. Descriptive questions: Provide information about

what is or has been happening related to the research topic  2. Normative questions: Provide information

compared with some standard or expected observation  3. Correlative questions: Identify relationship  4. Impact questions: Indentify effect

Research Questions and Hypotheses:  Two types of hypotheses:  1. Directional hypothesis:  e.g.," If ss can get teachers’ positive comments. (then)

they will have a better writing performance because (pro 1).”  2. Null hypothesis:  e.g.,” There is no difference between teachers’

positive comments and ss’ writing performance because (con 1).”

Research Design  Mixed-Methods Models Design: Apply the

quantitative and qualitative methods simultaneously (parallel) or sequentially.  4 design options:  1. Pragmatic parallel mixed-methods  2. Pragmatic sequential mixed-methods

 3. Transformative parallel mixed-methods  4. Transformative sequential mixed-methods

Survey Research  3 design considerations:  1. Descriptive approach: A survey describing the

characteristics of a sample at one point in time (e.g., senior students’ research paper writing difficulties in the Department of Applied English at I-Shou University in 2009)

 2. Cross-sectional approach: A survey examining

several groups at one point in time (e.g., different grade level students’ writing difficulties in the AE Department at ISU in 2009)  3. Longitudinal approach: A survey examining

one group at different points in time (e.g., 1-year, 2-year, and 3-year graduates’ perceptions of RP course in the AE Department at ISU in 20062008)

 5 probability sampling:  1. Simple random sampling: Each member has a

number (code) and each population has an equal chance to be selected  2. Systematic sampling: Select every nth name from

the list, so need to estimate the needed sample size  3. Stratified sampling: Divide the populations into

subgroups (e.g., genders) or levels (e.g., proficiency levels) and then draw randomly from each subgroup

 4. Cluster sampling: Choose groups of individuals

(e.g., city blocks or classrooms in a school, and study all of the samples there)  5. Multistage sampling: Combine sampling strategies

(e.g., use cluster sampling to randomly select classrooms and use random sampling to select a sample with each classroom)

Data Collection Procedures  Quantitative research: Describe the procedures

that the data will be collected by using a survey 

Open Questions



Close Questions: Classificational

questions, List questions, Ranking questions, Scale

(rating) questions

Data Collection Procedures  Qualitative research: Describe the use of

audiotapes, note-taking  Interviewer is the important tool.

Data Analysis Procedures  Quantitative research: Describe how you

handled the data; provide statistical procedures (e.g., compute mean score or frequency)

Data Analysis Procedures  Qualitative research: Describe data analysis

strategies; explain multiple sources of data  Form your grounded theory

Limitations of the Study  Explain anticipated limitations of the study  Ex: Sample size is too small.

Results  Just report what the data say (you may give

the subheading based on each hypothesis)

Results A. Findings from the quantitative results (% or

mean) Ex: 4.2 means that most participant agree that…

B. Findings from the qualitative results (3 excerpts) C. Fit into your hypotheses or not (e.g., broadly/partially/do not fit)

Discussions and Conclusion  A. Interpret the meanings of data (discuss

“why” your participants would think/say so)  B. Discuss whether the findings fit into the

literature or not  C. Form any grounded theory?

Discussions and Conclusion  D. The results will be useful to “whom”?  E. Any limitation to reach the generalizability

 F. Draw conclusions and suggestions (about

improvement) *based on your or minority’s opinions