Difference between revisions of "BTH740 Research Essay 20103"

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== Thesis Statement==
 
== Thesis Statement==
−
=== Requirements ===
+
=== Requirements For the Final Essay===
−
set by the instructor
+
set by the instructor - what you need to know before starting to prepare the thesis statement
 
* number of sources
 
* number of sources
 
** primary >= 2
 
** primary >= 2
Line 17: Line 17:
 
** tertiary - summarize
 
** tertiary - summarize
 
* length 1600-2400 words
 
* length 1600-2400 words
−
* due date November 18 2010
 
 
* late penalties 20%
 
* late penalties 20%
 
* timeline:
 
* timeline:
Line 23: Line 22:
 
** preliminary research - due November 1
 
** preliminary research - due November 1
 
** recording details - due November 8
 
** recording details - due November 8
−
** writing - due November 15
+
** writing - due November 22
−
** publication - due November 18
+
** publication - due November 25
 +
 
 
=== Narrowing the Focus ===
 
=== Narrowing the Focus ===
 
select the topic
 
select the topic
Line 87: Line 87:
  
 
== Research ==
 
== Research ==
 +
 +
=== Preparatory Readings ===
 +
purpose: rephrase the thesis statement
 +
* develop a fuller understanding of the topic
 +
* read some of the shorter sources
 +
* keep the research question in mind
 +
* rephrase your thesis
 +
   
 +
=== Record Research Data ===
 +
purpose: create the research note record
 +
* maintain a well-balanced variety of source materials
 +
* question what you read and record continuously
 +
* read the ''prioritized'' sources carefully and in detail
 +
* analyze and select ideas and data related to your thesis
 +
* record all relevant information as research notes
 +
** for
 +
** against
 +
* review other sources for context, support and opposition
 +
* process
 +
** types of notes
 +
*** direct quotations
 +
*** personal insights
 +
*** paraphrases
 +
*** summarizations
 +
** method of documentation
 +
*** note
 +
*** page number
 +
*** source number
 +
** major questions to keep in mind
 +
*** does the note pertain to the thesis question
 +
*** should I reconsider the focus
 +
**** should I broaden the focus
 +
**** should I narrow the focus further
 +
 +
=== Assemble and Prioritize ===
 +
purpose: create a flowing argument
 +
* assemble the notes into major groups
 +
* arrange the notes within each group in order
 +
* distinguish deductive, inductive, and abductive conclusions
 +
 +
=== Submission ===
 +
* edited thesis statement
 +
* prioritized note record
 +
* outline of the argument
  
 
== Writing ==
 
== Writing ==
 +
=== Outline ===
 +
purpose: organize the flow
 +
* structure
 +
** introduction
 +
** body
 +
*** arguments
 +
** conclusion
 +
* process
 +
** retain results that pertain to the thesis
 +
** create a skeleton
 +
** use point form
 +
 +
=== Rough Draft ===
 +
purpose: compose the argument in ascending order of importance/interest
 +
* preface
 +
** title
 +
** abstract
 +
** keywords
 +
* introduction
 +
** context
 +
** purpose
 +
** interpretations
 +
** thesis statement
 +
* body
 +
** each point is one paragraph
 +
* conclusion
 +
** sum up supporting points
 +
** no new information
 +
** one to three paragraphs
 +
* references
 +
** works cited
 +
 +
=== Edit ===
 +
purpose: create final draft
 +
* check instructor's requirements
 +
** format
 +
** layout
 +
** 1st person or third person
 +
** style
 +
*** MLA (see Purdue OWL)
 +
**** Margins 1" all around excluding page numbers
 +
**** Times New Roman 12 point
 +
**** no justification, no hyphenation, double space, two spaces after a period
 +
**** no title page for a research paper
 +
**** sentence case your title no bold no period
 +
**** page numbering in upper right hand corner preceded by your last name
 +
**** secure your pages with a paper clip no plastic folders
 +
**** citations (Author pageNumber)
 +
**** works cited LastName, FirstName. ''Title.'' City:Publisher, Year.
 +
**** sites cited LastName, FirstName. ''Title.'' City:Publisher, Year. <http://www.xxx.org/xxx/>. Date of Access.
 +
**** interviews  LastName, FirstName. Type of Interview. Date.
 +
**** list works cited in alphabetical order at the end of the paper starting on a new page
 +
*** APA (see Purdue OWL)
 +
**** citations (Author, Year, p.PageNumber)
 +
**** works cited LastName, FirstName. (Year). ''Title.'' City:Publisher.
 +
*** [http://www.chicagomanualofstyle.org/tools_citationguide.html Chicago]
 +
**** [http://www.chicagomanualofstyle.org/tools_citationguide.html citations and works cited]
 +
*** CBE
 +
**** [http://ctl.utsc.utoronto.ca/twc/sites/default/files/CSE.pdf citations and works cited]
 +
**** [http://www.lib.washington.edu/help/guides/42cbe.pdf citations and works cited]
 +
*** ACM
 +
**** [https://cs.senecac.on.ca/~bth740/pages/assignments/acm.pubform.doc SIG journal articles]
 +
* expression
 +
** argument flow
 +
** paragraphing
 +
*** circle the topic sentence in each
 +
** clarify your points
 +
** read out loud - use your auditory system - fix the jumps
  
 
== Presentation/Publication ==
 
== Presentation/Publication ==
 +
* source: Parberry, Ian (2000) How to Present a Paper in Theoretical Computer Science: A Speaker's Guide for Students, Dept. Comp. Sc., Univ North Texas. Denton, Texas.
 +
=== What to Say How to Say it ===
 +
* communicate key ideas
 +
** emphasize key ideas
 +
** skip standard, obvious, or complicated
 +
* don't get bogged down in details
 +
** you have been thinking deeply for months
 +
** audience has not - is the paper worth reading?
 +
** details are out of place - leave them in the paper
 +
* structure your talk
 +
** break into distinct parts
 +
* use a top-down approach
 +
** introduction
 +
*** informal description - impressions are important
 +
*** define the problem
 +
*** motivate the audience
 +
**** explain why it is so important
 +
*** introduce terminology
 +
*** discuss earlier work
 +
*** emphasize contributions of your paper
 +
**** this may be the only points audience will remember
 +
*** provide a road-map to the talk
 +
** body
 +
*** abstract the major results or contributions
 +
*** explain the significance of the results
 +
*** sketch a proof of the crucial results
 +
**** gloss over the technical details
 +
** technicalities
 +
*** present a key result
 +
**** give the flavour of the rest of the technical details in a short period of time
 +
*** present it carefully
 +
**** fill in small gaps
 +
**** mention points that may not be in the paper itself
 +
** conclusion
 +
*** hindsight is clear than foresight
 +
**** make observation that would have been confusing earlier
 +
**** regain the attention of non-experts in the audience
 +
*** state open problems
 +
**** identify problems that arise from your paper
 +
**** mention weaknesses of your paper
 +
**** indicate that your talk is over
 +
=== Delivery - Getting through to your Audience ===
 +
* use repetition
 +
** "tell them what you're going to tell them. Tell them. Tell them what you told them
 +
* remind, don't assume
 +
** if your paper assumes a standard result, state it as a reminder
 +
* don't over-run
 +
** conference presentations last 15 to 30 minutes with 5 minutes for questions
 +
** if short on time, cut the technicalities section
 +
* maintain eye contact
 +
** spread your attention, don't concentrate on one person
 +
* control your voice
 +
** avoid fashion, hype, information-free utterances
 +
* control your motion
 +
** avoid hyperactivity
 +
** use natural gestures
 +
* take care of your appearance
 +
** avoid ostentatiousness
 +
* minimize language difficulties
 +
* try not to get anxious
 +
** prepare adequately beforehand
 +
** do not pay undue attention to the reaction of the most important person in the audience - their reactions may be the result of something that is totally unrelated to your presentation
 +
** to calm panic, pause, close your eyes, and take a few deep breaths
 +
** it is the quality of your research that matters
 +
=== Visual and Aural Aids ===
 +
* make legible slides
 +
* don't put too much on a slide - remember short-term memory
 +
* don't use too many slide- reserve 2 minutes per slide
 +
* use colour effectively - avoid rainbows - yellow is almost invisible
 +
* pictures and tables
 +
** pictures are worth a thousand words
 +
=== Question Time ===
 +
* expect three types of questions
 +
** genuine request for knowledge
 +
** selfish - draws attention to the questioner - indirectly compliment them
 +
** malicious - expect to have your ego bruised - be prepared, be polite, and avoid lengthy exchanges - offer a one-to-one discussion afterwards
 +
 +
== Resources ==
 +
* General
 +
** [http://seneca.libguides.com/research Seneca College Library Research Help]
 +
* Writing Labs
 +
** [http://www.arts.uottawa.ca/writcent/hypergrammar/ U of O - Hypergrammar]
 +
** [http://owl.english.purdue.edu Owl at Purdue University]
 +
* Stylesheets
 +
** [http://www.mla.org/publications/style_faq MLA Style]
 +
** [http://nutsandbolts.washcoll.edu/mla.html Nuts and Bolts MLA Style]
 +
** [http://nutsandbolts.washcoll.edu/science.html Nuts and Bolts Science Style]
 +
** [http://www.councilscienceeditors.org/index.cfm Science Editors]
 +
* Classification
 +
** [http://www.acm.org/about/class/ccs98-html ACM Classification System]

Latest revision as of 11:40, 22 November 2010


BTH740 | Weekly Schedule | Research Projects | Research Essay | Student Resources

How To Write a Research Essay

Four Stages of Research

  • Thesis Statement
  • Research
  • Writing
  • Presentation


Thesis Statement

Requirements For the Final Essay

set by the instructor - what you need to know before starting to prepare the thesis statement

  • number of sources
    • primary >= 2
    • secondary >= 4
    • tertiary - summarize
  • length 1600-2400 words
  • late penalties 20%
  • timeline:
    • thesis statement - due October 18
    • preliminary research - due November 1
    • recording details - due November 8
    • writing - due November 22
    • publication - due November 25

Narrowing the Focus

select the topic

  • sources
    • encyclopedias
    • textbooks
    • dictionaries
    • videos
  • process
    • jot down ideas
    • discuss ideas
    • circle one that are of interest
    • select one from a short-list
    • select another as the alternative

Searching for Sources

create working bibliography

  • questions to answer
    • are there sufficient sources
    • is each one relevant to the focus
    • are the sources diverse
    • are the sources quality sources
    • are there twice as many sources as required
  • process
    • read
      • abstracts
      • conclusions
      • reviews
    • balance
      • books
      • articles
      • electronic
      • audio-visual
      • old
      • new
    • list publication details accurately

Defining the Purpose

  • single sentence plus keywords
  • discuss the thesis
    • discuss with two peers
    • refine the focus
    • define the scope
  • pose the research question
    • sufficient sources
    • narrow enough topic
    • avoid
      • bibliographical
      • narrative
      • descriptive
      • unfounded assumptions
    • how successful not why successful
  • formulate one precise sentence
  • task is to answer the question <- sole purpose
  • make short list of sub-tasks
  • identify keywords

Submission

  • thesis statement
  • keywords
  • bibliography

Research

Preparatory Readings

purpose: rephrase the thesis statement

  • develop a fuller understanding of the topic
  • read some of the shorter sources
  • keep the research question in mind
  • rephrase your thesis

Record Research Data

purpose: create the research note record

  • maintain a well-balanced variety of source materials
  • question what you read and record continuously
  • read the prioritized sources carefully and in detail
  • analyze and select ideas and data related to your thesis
  • record all relevant information as research notes
    • for
    • against
  • review other sources for context, support and opposition
  • process
    • types of notes
      • direct quotations
      • personal insights
      • paraphrases
      • summarizations
    • method of documentation
      • note
      • page number
      • source number
    • major questions to keep in mind
      • does the note pertain to the thesis question
      • should I reconsider the focus
        • should I broaden the focus
        • should I narrow the focus further

Assemble and Prioritize

purpose: create a flowing argument

  • assemble the notes into major groups
  • arrange the notes within each group in order
  • distinguish deductive, inductive, and abductive conclusions

Submission

  • edited thesis statement
  • prioritized note record
  • outline of the argument

Writing

Outline

purpose: organize the flow

  • structure
    • introduction
    • body
      • arguments
    • conclusion
  • process
    • retain results that pertain to the thesis
    • create a skeleton
    • use point form

Rough Draft

purpose: compose the argument in ascending order of importance/interest

  • preface
    • title
    • abstract
    • keywords
  • introduction
    • context
    • purpose
    • interpretations
    • thesis statement
  • body
    • each point is one paragraph
  • conclusion
    • sum up supporting points
    • no new information
    • one to three paragraphs
  • references
    • works cited

Edit

purpose: create final draft

  • check instructor's requirements
    • format
    • layout
    • 1st person or third person
    • style
      • MLA (see Purdue OWL)
        • Margins 1" all around excluding page numbers
        • Times New Roman 12 point
        • no justification, no hyphenation, double space, two spaces after a period
        • no title page for a research paper
        • sentence case your title no bold no period
        • page numbering in upper right hand corner preceded by your last name
        • secure your pages with a paper clip no plastic folders
        • citations (Author pageNumber)
        • works cited LastName, FirstName. Title. City:Publisher, Year.
        • sites cited LastName, FirstName. Title. City:Publisher, Year. <http://www.xxx.org/xxx/>. Date of Access.
        • interviews LastName, FirstName. Type of Interview. Date.
        • list works cited in alphabetical order at the end of the paper starting on a new page
      • APA (see Purdue OWL)
        • citations (Author, Year, p.PageNumber)
        • works cited LastName, FirstName. (Year). Title. City:Publisher.
      • Chicago
      • CBE
      • ACM
  • expression
    • argument flow
    • paragraphing
      • circle the topic sentence in each
    • clarify your points
    • read out loud - use your auditory system - fix the jumps

Presentation/Publication

  • source: Parberry, Ian (2000) How to Present a Paper in Theoretical Computer Science: A Speaker's Guide for Students, Dept. Comp. Sc., Univ North Texas. Denton, Texas.

What to Say How to Say it

  • communicate key ideas
    • emphasize key ideas
    • skip standard, obvious, or complicated
  • don't get bogged down in details
    • you have been thinking deeply for months
    • audience has not - is the paper worth reading?
    • details are out of place - leave them in the paper
  • structure your talk
    • break into distinct parts
  • use a top-down approach
    • introduction
      • informal description - impressions are important
      • define the problem
      • motivate the audience
        • explain why it is so important
      • introduce terminology
      • discuss earlier work
      • emphasize contributions of your paper
        • this may be the only points audience will remember
      • provide a road-map to the talk
    • body
      • abstract the major results or contributions
      • explain the significance of the results
      • sketch a proof of the crucial results
        • gloss over the technical details
    • technicalities
      • present a key result
        • give the flavour of the rest of the technical details in a short period of time
      • present it carefully
        • fill in small gaps
        • mention points that may not be in the paper itself
    • conclusion
      • hindsight is clear than foresight
        • make observation that would have been confusing earlier
        • regain the attention of non-experts in the audience
      • state open problems
        • identify problems that arise from your paper
        • mention weaknesses of your paper
        • indicate that your talk is over

Delivery - Getting through to your Audience

  • use repetition
    • "tell them what you're going to tell them. Tell them. Tell them what you told them
  • remind, don't assume
    • if your paper assumes a standard result, state it as a reminder
  • don't over-run
    • conference presentations last 15 to 30 minutes with 5 minutes for questions
    • if short on time, cut the technicalities section
  • maintain eye contact
    • spread your attention, don't concentrate on one person
  • control your voice
    • avoid fashion, hype, information-free utterances
  • control your motion
    • avoid hyperactivity
    • use natural gestures
  • take care of your appearance
    • avoid ostentatiousness
  • minimize language difficulties
  • try not to get anxious
    • prepare adequately beforehand
    • do not pay undue attention to the reaction of the most important person in the audience - their reactions may be the result of something that is totally unrelated to your presentation
    • to calm panic, pause, close your eyes, and take a few deep breaths
    • it is the quality of your research that matters

Visual and Aural Aids

  • make legible slides
  • don't put too much on a slide - remember short-term memory
  • don't use too many slide- reserve 2 minutes per slide
  • use colour effectively - avoid rainbows - yellow is almost invisible
  • pictures and tables
    • pictures are worth a thousand words

Question Time

  • expect three types of questions
    • genuine request for knowledge
    • selfish - draws attention to the questioner - indirectly compliment them
    • malicious - expect to have your ego bruised - be prepared, be polite, and avoid lengthy exchanges - offer a one-to-one discussion afterwards

Resources

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