Writing out the research

1. Writing out the research Research methodology

2. Writing as a continual process Self-aids: • Research proposal (keep it up-to-date) • Summaries (of articles, conference presentations etc.): • always add a full reference of the source • always mark which research it is connected to • Make notes of your ideas (research, methods, anything) even if they are not useful right now • Self-memos, research diary, research notebook • Make draft even if cannot complete them right now (for chapters, models, methods etc.)

3. Writing as a continual process • Write out parts of your research: • If your research is ‚large’, it may not be possible publish as one single article. • Train yourself from easier to harder publications (writing can be improved only by doing) • But keep your ‚main contribution’ safe! (until cannot publish it in a defendable level)

4. Some hints for the writing process • Writing is not only a must: it helps you to clarify your thinking • Create time for writing (it needs concentration and warm-up periods) • Write when you are creative (right when you feel the inspiration) • A regular writing place can help • Writing requires a structure (create the macro-structure first ad then fill it) • Set goals and achieve them • Complete a unit before stopping your writing session to avoid loosing ideas • Keep multiple copies of your work • Get friends to read your work

5. The traditional structure of a research report • Abstract • Introduction • Literature review • Methodology • Results • Discussion • References • Appendices

6. Reporting approaches • Linear-analytical: followsthelogic of theresearchprocess (this is thetraditionalapproach) • Comparativeapproach: thestructure is designedtoallowanalyticalcomparisonsto be made (eg. comparingtheresults of differentanalyticalmethods) • Chronologicalapproach • Theory building: presenttheresearchas an emergentprocessleadingto a convincing story ndcompellingexplanation • Suspenseapproach: allowsthereadertounderstandhow an explanation has beenbuilt

7. Abstract • A short summary of the COMPLETE content of the research. • It is short, self-contained, reflects the content, adequately informs the reader, objective, precise and easy to understand.

8. Introduction • Provides a clear idea about the central issue of concern and its value. • A full statement of the research questions,aims and objectives. • Some general infirmation about the background. • A ‚route map’ for the reader

9. Methods

10. Discussion • Interpreting the results • Their relations to the research questions • The implications of the results for the relevant theories • Strength, weakness, limitations of the study • Demonstrates the originality and importance of the study

11. Conclusion • No new materials are presented here • It reflect to the whole research not only to the results

12. The length of a project report • Do stick to the guidelines • Exceeding the limit is not a virtue but a sign that you did not spent on writing a shorter one (or that you do not really understand your own research).

13. How to get successful with your report/manuscript • It is also an art and a profession to write good articles • Title: short and describes the content accurately (and also draw attention) • Clear, simple and straightforward storyline: what is the conclusion, what (results) it is built on, how did you get to that results, why the research is interesting/important and to whom • Help the reader: • Structure • Previewing and summarizing parts • Tables, graphics, illustrative examples • Develop the appropriate writing style • Clarity, simplicity • Simple language (avoiding jargon) • Avoid quotation if possible (that is not your contribution) • Spelling and grammar • Person, tense and gender: Scientific tradition: impersonal, past tense, passive voice • Anonymity • Continual revision