WHAT IS RESEARCH?
● Systematic investigation: Academic research
involves a rigorous and structured approach to
examining a specific topic or problem.
● Original contribution: Academic research strives
to make original contributions to existing
knowledge, often through the discovery of new
facts, theories, or methodologies.
● Impact on society: Academic research aims to
have a positive impact on society by addressing
real-world problems and informing
decision-making.
● Methodological rigor: Academic research
employs systematic methods and procedures to
ensure the validity and reliability of its findings.
● Peer review: Academic research is subjected to
rigorous peer review by experts in the field to
ensure its quality and credibility.
● Dissemination of finding: Academic research
findings are typically shared through
publications, conferences, and presentations to
inform the broader academic community and the
public.
● Continuous process: Academic research is an
ongoing process of questioning, exploring, and
refining our understanding of the world around
us.
QUALITIES OF EFFECTIVE RESEARCHERS
1. They must be organized especially with time
2. They must be highly motivated and creative
3. They must read often to get new ideas and
identify knowledge gaps
4. They must be effective communicators
5. They must be participative and collaborative
6. They must be analytical and critical about
matters relevant to them, to others, or to the
society
7. They must be open-minded and good listeners
TITLE PAGE
● It describes the content of the research paper
● Lists the name of the author/s with their
addresses or affiliation, and date submitted
Derntl (2014) identified for (4) different types of titles:
1. Descriptive-Describes what the paper is
about.
Investigating the Impact of ASEAN Integration Policy on
Higher Educational Institutions in the Philippines
2. Declarative - States the results of the research
ASEAN Integration Policy Impacts Higher Educational
Institutions in the Philippines
3. Interrogative - Poses a questions
Does ASEAN Integration Policy Impact Higher Educational
Institutions in the Philippines?
4. Compound - Combines two titles and separates
them with a colon
Does ASEAN Integration Policy Impact Higher Educational
Institutions in the Philippines?: An Empirical Study
ABSTRACT
● Contains the summary of the findings and
conclusions
● Briefly presents the context of the study,
research questions or objectives, methodology,
major findings, conclusions, and sometimes
implications
● Does not contain any citations
● Its length varies from 100 to 250 words
● Should not include references, slang words,
abbreviations, and non-essential numbers and
statistics
STRUCTURING YOUR ABSTRACT
● Background/Motivation (30%): Why was the
research conducted?
● Aim/Purpose/Problem Statement (10%): What is
the purpose of your research?
● Methods (10%): What methods or techniques
did you use?
● Results (40%): What are your most important
findings?
● Conclusions (20%): What are your conclusions?
INTRODUCTION
● Explains the current state ofeld and identifies
research gaps
● Also presents your research focus in a way that
it addresses the identified gaps and puts the
research topic in context
● Usually ranges from three to five paragraphs in
length
LITERATURE REVIEW
● Contains the summary and synthesis of all
available sources directly related to your study
and generally into two sections:
1. Related Concepts - this section is where
concepts and theories are defined, explained,
and elaborated
2. Related Studies - are based on previously
conducted studies directly related to the paper
● Both the related concepts and studies will help
the writer explain the phenomena that may arise
in the study
● This section ends with a paragraph that
synthesizes all of the studies presented and puts
the study in context
METHODOLOGY
● This section clears out the processes used to
answer the research questions
● This section also states the research methods
and design, sampling, statistical treatment,
procedures, and other related concepts
necessary for data gathering
RESULTS
● Factually describes the date gathered
● Usually contains graphs and tables that
summarize the collected data with their
respective interpretations
 ● The flow of the results section should follow the
flow of the research
questions/ problems/ objectives
● It is expected that for each research problem or
objective, corresponding results are presented
DISCUSSION
● Presents the why's of the results and provides
an explanation of all the results in relation to the
previous studies presented in the literature
review
● Succeeding paragraphs should explain whether
your study supports or rejects previous findings
and explains the reason for this claim.
● New findings uncovered by the writer should
also be stated
● Similar to the results sections, this section
follows the follow of your research problems or
objectives
CONCLUSION
● Contains the restatement of major findings,
limitations of the study, recommendations, and
implications
REFERENCES
● Contains the different sources you used in your
study such as academic books, journals, and
other online sources.
● Its format depends on the school, teacher, or
field of study
POWER TIP #1
● Fifty (50) to seventy- five (75) percent of the
paper should be devoted to results and
discussion
POWER TIP #2
● Be sure to cite all your sources whether they are
paraphrased or
directly quoted
POWER TIP #3
● Use direct quotation sparingly. Paraphrase as
much as possible
FORMALITY IN ACADEMIC WRITING
● In academic writing, formality plays a crucial role
in establishing credibility, clarity, and objectivity.
● It sets your work apart from everyday writing and
conveys a tone of seriousness and
professionalism.
Here are some key aspects of formality in academic
writing:
Word choice:
● Avoid contractions and slang: Opt for full verb
forms ("is not" instead of "isn't") and professional
vocabulary over informal phrases ("significant"
instead of "big").
● Minimize colloquialisms: Expressions like "you
guys" or "basically" might be unclear or sound
too casual for academic contexts.
● Use precise language: Be specific and avoid
vague terms like "stuff" or "a lot of." Aim for
accuracy and clarity in your word choices.
Sentence structure:
● Complex sentence structures: Employ a variety
of sentence lengths and structures to avoid a
monotonous writing style. However, maintain
grammatical correctness and avoid overly
complex sentences that could obfuscate your
meaning.
● Formal tone: Maintain a neutral and objective
voice, avoiding personal opinions or anecdotes
unless directly relevant to your argument.
● Use passive voice strategically: While formal
writing often utilizes the passive voice, overuse
can lead to awkward phrasing. Use it
intentionally for specific purposes, like
emphasizing actions over actors.
Formatting and mechanics:
● Consistent formatting: Follow the specific
citation and style guide required for your
discipline. This promotes professionalism and
makes your work easier to read and understand.
● Precise punctuation: Utilize commas, colons,
semicolons, and dashes correctly to improve the
flow and clarity of your sentences.
● Avoid grammatical errors: Proofread your work
carefully to ensure proper grammar, spelling,
and punctuation.
Overall tone:
● Respectful and objective: Maintain a respectful
tone even when discussing opposing viewpoints.
Aim to present your arguments logically and
avoid emotional language or sarcasm.
● Authoritative: While avoiding self-promotion,
demonstrate your knowledge and expertise
through evidence-based arguments and clear
reasoning.
● Focused on clarity: Your primary goal is to
communicate your ideas effectively and
precisely. Eliminate ambiguity and ensure your
reader can easily understand your points.
Remember, formality is not about rigidness or using
unnecessarily complex language. The key is to strike a
balance between clarity and appropriate professional tone.
OBJECTIVITY IN ACADEMIC WRITING
● Emphasis is on what you are writing and not
about you, the writer.
● Impersonal rather than personal
● Point of view: third person point of view rather
than the first person*
Remember!
Readers will take statements as yours if no citation is
indicated; therefore, there is no need to indicate that the
statements are yours.
HEDGING IN ACADEMIC WRITING
● Hedging in academic writing refers to the use of
language that qualifies or softens the strength of
your claims.
● It's like putting training wheels on your
statements, providing a sense of caution and
nuance in the face of uncertainty or complexity.
IMPORTANCE OF HEDGING
● Accuracy: Research is rarely definitive, and
findings can be subject to limitations and
interpretation. Hedging acknowledges this
reality, avoiding overconfidence and promoting
objectivity.
● Humility: Recognizing that knowledge is
constantly evolving encourages intellectual
humility and openness to new perspectives.
● Credibility: By acknowledging potential
weaknesses in your argument, you come across
as more thoughtful and trustworthy to readers.
● Engagement: Hedging can stimulate critical
thinking by inviting readers to engage with the
nuances and uncertainties of your research.
HOW TO USE HEDGING
● Modal verbs: Use words like might," "could,"
"may," "seems," and "appears" to express
possibility or probability instead of making
definitive statements.
● Adverbs and qualifying phrases: Phrases like "it
is likely," "on the other hand," "to some extent,"
and "arguably" soften the force of your claims
and acknowledge alternative viewpoints.
Remember:
Don't overuse hedging! Excessive tentativeness can
weaken your argument.
● Strike a balance between caution and
conviction. Maintain your arguments while
acknowledging the inherent limitations of
knowledge.
● Choose hedging techniques that fit the context
and formality of your writing.
SUMMARIZING
● Summarizing is the process of condensing a
piece of information, like a text, speech or even
a video, into a shorter version that captures the
main points.
● It's like taking a big pile of leaves and raking
them up into a neat little stack - you're still left
with all the important stuff, but in a much smaller
and more manageable form.
Here's a breakdown of the key ste involved in
summarizing:
● Read or listen carefully: Pay close attention to
the main ideas and supporting details.
● Identify the main points: Ask yourself what the
author or speaker is trying to get across. What
are the key arguments, findings, or events?
● Discard irrelevant information: Not everything is
equally important. Focus on the essential details
and leave out anything that's tangential or
repetitive.
● Express the main points in your own words:
Don't just copy and paste! Use your own
language and sentence structure to convey the
key ideas.
Keep it concise: A good summary is short and to the
point. Aim for a length that's about 20-30% of the original
text or speech.
SUMMARIZING IN DIFFERENT CONTEXT
● In academic writing: Students often need to
summarize research papers or other sources in
their own work. This helps them to show that
they understand the material and can integrate it
into their own arguments.
● In business communication: Executivesght need
to summarize a long report for their colleagues
or clients. This helps to save time and ensure
that everyone is on the same page.
● In everyday life: We all summarize information
all the time, whether we're telling a friend about
a movie we saw or giving directions to a
stranger.
USES OF SUMMARIZING
● Improve your comprehension: By identifying the
main points of a piece of information, you'll gain
a deeper understanding of it.
● Save time: A good summary can help you to
quickly grasp the essentials of a topic without
having to read or listen to the entire thing.
● Communicate effectively: When you can
summarize information concisely and clearly,
you'll be able to share it more effectively with
others.
Use when:
● You need to provide background information or
context for a complex topic.
● You want to give a concise overview of a lengthy
source.
● You're focusing on main ideas and not specific
details.
Avoid when:
● The exact wording is important.
● You need to analyze specific claims or
arguments.
● The source is short and easily paraphrased.
PARAPHRASING
● Paraphrasing is all about taking someone else's
ideas and expressing them in your own words,
while still preserving the original meaning.
 ● It's like putting on a different outfit for the same
message - you're changing the packaging, but
the heart of the matter remains the same.
Here's how paraphrasing works:
● Understand the source material: Make sure you
fully grasp the meaning and intent of the original
text, speech, or piece of information.
● Analyze the key points: Focus on identifying the
important ideas and supporting details.
● Find synonyms and alternatives: Use your
vocabulary to rephrase the key points in different
ways, without changing the message.
● Rearrange the structure: You can change the
order of sentences or combine them to create
different sentence structures.
● Maintain a similar tone and style: Adapt the
vocabulary and sentence structure to match the
context of the original source.
BENEFITS OF PARAPHRASING
● Avoids plagiarism: You're using your words,
which helps to avoid unintentional plagiarism.
● Shows understanding: If you can paraphrase
accurately, it demonstrates that you've truly
grasped the message.
● Improves clarity: Sometimes, using your own
words can make the meaning clearer and more
accessible.
● Adds your own voice: You can incorporate your
own perspective or interpretation while still
staying true to the original idea.
Use when:
● You want to explain a key concept or argument
in your own words.
● You need to avoid overusing direct quotes.
● The original wording is awkward or unclear.
Avoid when:
● The exact wording is essential for meaning or
impact.
● You risk misinterpreting the original source.
● The source is very short and easily quoted
directly.
DIRECT QUOTING
● Direct quoting, in essence, is borrowing
someone else's exact words and reproducing
them in your own work. It's like placing a
spotlight on a particularly powerful or noteworthy
phrase or passage, giving it prominence within
your own writing or speech.
KEY ASPECTS OF DIRECT QUOTING
Formality:
Direct quotes are always enclosed in quotation marks
(single or double, depending on style guides). This visually
distinguishes the borrowed words from your own.
Attribution:
It's crucial to credit the source of the quote.
This can be done through a signal phrase like "As [author's
name] said," or by including the author's name, publication
date, and page number within the quotation itself.
Purpose:
We use direct quotes for various reasons, such as:
● Adding authority and credibility: Borrowing the
words of an expert strengthens your own
argument or point of view.
● Providing vivid evidence: A well-chose quote
can paint a picture or convey an emotion in a
way you might not be able to achieve on your
own.
● Highlighting a contrasting viewpoint: You can
present another perspective through a quote,
even if it differs from your own.
Proper Usage:
● While valuable, overuse of direct quotes can
make your work lose its own voice. Ideally,
quotes should be used strategically and
integrated seamlessly into your own writing.
● Additionally, it's essential to ensure accuracy
when quoting. Double-check the quoted text
against the original source to avoid mistakes.
EXAMPLES OF DIRECT QUOTING
In his book "Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind," Yuval
Noah Harari argues that "the ability to cooperate flexibly in
large numbers" is what propelled humans to dominate the
planet.
"A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step,"
as Lao Tzu reminds us,
emphasizing the importance of taking the first crucial step.
Use when:
● The exact wording is crucial for your argument
or analysis.
● You want to add authority or credibility to your
point.
● The quote is particularly powerful or evocative.
Avoid when:
● You can easily paraphrase the same idea
effectively.
● The quote is too long and disrupts the flow of
your writing.
● You haven't properly attributed the source.
ADDITIONAL TIPS
● Always cite your sources: Regardless of the
technique you choose, make sure to properly
cite the source of any information you use.
Integrate seamlessly: Don't just drop quotes or
summaries into your writing. Introduce them
smoothly and explain their significance to your
argument.
● Use sparingly: Overusing any of these
techniques can make your writing seem
cluttered and unoriginal.
● Check for plagiarism: Even when paraphrasing,
ensure you're not simply copying the structure or
main points of the original text without giving it
your own spin.