LECTURE 4 – The Academic Writing Style must consider is the cost own is a major expense.

of the store space. The

KNOWING YOUR AUDIENCE price per square meter of
space is a major expense
 The ability to predict the extent of what they
whether the space is
already know about the topic, or what they need to
owned or rented.
know, or interested to know about, or what their Academic Writing: Reader not directly addressed- no
thoughts, feelings, or outlook about the topic may personal pronouns
be. Non-Academic Writing: Addresses the reader directly –
DEFINING ACADEMIC WRITING uses second person “you”

 A formal writing style used in colleges and ACADEMIC NON-ACADEMIC

universities The use of deliberate At first I thought that the
 Used to write scholarly materials ambiguity by Hemingway people were talking about
 Not complex and does not require the use of long in the dialogue serves to something ordinary. Si
sentences and complicated vocabulary heighten the interest of what’s so interesting
the reader in what is about it? In fact, it is so
KEY CHARACTERISTICS OF ACADEMIC going on in the story. The boring. And then I
WRITING reader comes to the realized that Hemingway
realization that the used simple language on
1. Formal Tone – not conversational; slang and deceptively simple use of purpose because he
clichés are not included dialogue belies the wanted the dialogue to
2. Precise Language – clearly delivers the author’s seriousness of the topic of contrast with the serious
meaning conversation. topic.
3. Point-of-View (POV) – written in third-person Academic Writing: Uses formal tone and objective point
POV because it is focused on educating rather than of view
support an opinion or give advice Non-Academic Writing: Asks rhetorical question
4. Research-focused – most academic writing
involves reporting research results ACADEMIC WRITING CONVENTIONS
5. Organization – organized logically in a linear,  Formality
matter-of-fact fashion INFORMAL FORMAL
6. Source citations – cites sources and includes a If users know how search An understanding of the
bibliography or references page engines work they can fundamental operations
deal better with them. of the search engine will
ACADEMIC WRITING provide improved user
interface.
Academic Writing in English is the required standard in
Less conversational, uses more complex words
your college writing. Although academic writing may
not be used at all times in all academic settings, in much
 Impersonality
of the writing you have to do in college, the distinctive
PERSONAL IMPERSONALITY
style of academic writing is most appropriate.
If you don’t own a Not owning a vehicle and
IDENTIFYING ACADEMIC WRITING vehicle and drive it, you knowing how to drive
will have to commute to will prompt someone to
ACADEMIC NON-ACADEMIC work or school. commute to work or
Because of its Consumers preferred school.
convenience, online online shopping because
shopping was preferred it’s quite convenient. PERSONAL IMPERSONALITY
by consumers. The market place is The rapid expansion of
Academic Writing: Uses passive voice growing so fast; pretty the marketplace is more
Non-Academic Writing: Simple and informal & Uses soon, you’d think the than enough reason for
contraction government would the government to
address the unresolved immediately address the
ACADEMIC NON-ACADEMIC issues surrounding e- unresolved issues
One factor that traditional If you own a business, the commerce now. surrounding e-commerce.
retail business owners store space you rent or
1. Use of abstract language – conveys a sense of non-
familiarity and objectivity
2. Avoid using personal pronouns – not directly
addressing the reader
3. Avoid the use of emotive language – can weaken
objectivity
It is possible that the threat of terrorism is more
serious than ever before, and that a massive attack like
the September 11, may be just a matter of time.
Terrorism experts suggest that global terrorism is still a
serious threat, and a massive attack like September 11,
may be just a matter of time.

 Structure HEDGING DEVICES

Further studies can beFurther studies can be
conducted to solve theconducted to find
technical problems
solutions the technical
surrounding e-
problems surrounding e-
commerce. commerce.
The team can
The accomplishment of
accomplish its goals goals can be done
through hard work. through the hard work of
the team.
The economy did not The performance of the
perform well. economy was dismal. ------------------------------------------------------
Nominalization

ACTIVE VOICE PASSIVE VOICE LECTURE 5 – Data Gathering and Sampling Methods
The decision of the The sharp increase of the
major petroleum- price in the world market WHAT IS DATA?
producing countries to was caused by the  According to Good, “collection of numbers,
cut production caused decision of the major quantities, facts, or records, used as bases for
the sharp increase of oil petroleum-producing drawing conclusion or making inferences.”
prices in the world countries to cut  What research is searching for and which are
market. production subjected to analysis, statistical procedures, and
The company can use The cost savings can be interpretation so that inferences, principles, or
the cost savings to add used to add value to the generalizations are drawn.
value to their products. products of a company.
 Reveals unsatisfactory conditions that need to be
improved
ACTIVE VS PASSIVE VOICE
Active Voice
CLASSIFICATION OF DATA (according to source)
 Mostly used for non-scientific writing
1. Primary data – those that are gathered from
 The sentence subject is the doer of the action primary sources, such as:
(verb) o Individual persons
Example: Thousands of incoming college students took
o Organized groups or organizations
the entrance exam.
o Established practices
o Documents in their original forms
Passive Voice
o Living organisms
 More commonly used in scientific writing
o Man-made material things
 The subject is acted upon; he/she receives the
action expressed by the verb o Natural objects and phenomena
 The agent performing the action may appear in a 2. Secondary data – those that are gathered from
“by the…” phrase secondary sources, such as:
Example: The entrance exam was taken by thousands of o Books (dictionaries, encyclopedias, almanacs,
incoming college students. etc.)
o Articles published in professional journals,
 Use of Hedging magazines, newspapers, and other publications
A repeat of terror attacks, as massive as 9/11, is just a o Unpublished master’s theses and dissertations,
matter of time. and other studies
 o Monographs, manuscripts, etc.
o All other second-hand sources
COMPARISON OF PRIMARY AND SECONDARY
CATEGORIES OF DATA GATHERED FROM
RESPONDENTS
1. Facts – recollections, observations, and perceptions
of respondents about themselves and other people
2. Attitudes and feelings – ideas and thoughts about
the research topic; personal feelings about the
worth of item being investigated
3. Judgments – ideas or opinion or actual behavior in
a given situation
4. Psychomotor skills – manipulative skills; activities
that include the five senses
5. Results of tests and experiments
RESEARCH TOOLS OR INSTRUMENTS
1. Interview method
2. Questionnaire method (survey)
3. Experimental method
4. Library method
INTERVIEWS
A purposive, (usually) face-to-face encounter between
two people to exchange information.
 The interviewer asks questions to gather
information
 The interviewee or respondent supplies the
information asked for
Uses two types of instruments: the interview schedule
and the interview guide
INTERVIEW INSTRUMENTS
1. Interview schedule – similar to a questionnaire;
the set of questions being read to the interviewee,
while his/her reply is written by the interviewer
2. Interview guide – not as comprehensive as the
interview schedule; provides a list of ideas that the
interviewer can freely pursue in depth during the
interview.
INTERVIEW PROPER
1. Opening
- Establish rapport
- Set the foundation for the interview
2. Body
- Questions are the heart of the interview
3. Closing
- Signal conclusion
- Provide summary statement
- Show appreciation and courtesy
TYPES OF QUESTIONS
1. Open-ended – broad questions usually about one
topic.
2. Close-ended – calls for restricted response
3. Primary – introduce new topics or other aspects
with the same topic.
4. Secondary – helps the interviewee elaborate on
responses.
5. Neutral – asks for clear cut answers.
6. Leading – directs the interviewee to an expected
response.
7. Loaded – implies some negative aspect regarding
the interviewee thus, are highly inappropriate.
THE INTERVIEW REPORT
 The objective summary of the interview
 Used as proof or basis for statements you included in
your research paper
 Must provide brief background of the interview
 What the interviewee said must not be taken out of
context and does not support the interviewer’s
personal bias
 Must be written considering the intended audience,
requirements, and how to best convey the
information
 Outline the main points discussed
QUESTIONNAIRE
According to Good, “a list of planned, written questions
related to a particular topic, with space provided for
indicating the response to each question, intended for
submission to a number of persons for reply.”
A set of questions which, when answered properly by a
required number of properly selected respondents, will
supply the necessary information to complete a research
study.

MOST COMMONLY USED SAMPLING

METHODS
1. Random sampling – in this method, each member
of the population has an equal chance of being
selected.
2. Systematic sampling – in this method, the sample
size of the population is estimated and from this, a
list of the population is obtained and from the list,
the nth member is selected.
3. Stratified sampling – in this method, the stratum is
identified by the researcher.
4. Convenience sampling – in this method, the sample
is selected by convenience.

DESIGNING THE SURVEY QUESTIONNAIRE

1. Provide clear instructions.
2. Start with interesting questions.
3. Ask clear questions.
4. Ask close-ended questions.
5. Ask only one question at a time.
6. Group questions in logical order.
7. Ask important questions.
8. Keep your questionnaire short.
9. Provide a cover letter to accompany your
questionnaire.

CONTENTS OF THE COVER LETTER

 The purpose of the questionnaire or study
 Who is sanctioning, endorsing, or sponsoring the
study
 What will be done with the information gathered by
the questionnaire
 The reason why the respondent should answer the
questionnaire and giving importance to the
respondent
 The expected date for the return of the questionnaire
 A guarantee for the anonymity of the respondent and
the confidentiality of the information given by
him/her
 An expression of gratitude for the respondent's
participation in the study
 An offer to inform the respondent of the results of
the study if he/sheis interested