How To Go About Researching
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The document provides a comprehensive guide on research methodologies, covering essential skills such as reading, managing references, writing, and presenting research findings. It emphasizes the importance of systematic investigation, critical reading, and proper citation to advance scientific understanding. The guide also includes practical tools and strategies for conducting research effectively, along with tips for writing and delivering impactful presentations.
How To Go About Researching
- 2. How to go about Researching? H. S. Sudhira. hs.sudhira@gmail.com
- 3. Overview • The Scientific Enterprise • Basics • Reading Skills • Managing References • Writing Skills • Presentation Skills • Funding your Research • Publish & Get Cited or else Perish!
- 4. The Scientific Enterprise. • Philosophy of Science – To construct theories and define laws of the properties of nature. • Why advance Science? – New knowledge derives from Science – It is a systematic investigation to gather information on a particular subject or problem and establish facts, principles or laws relating to it. • Research rests on Scientific Methods • Communicating Science
- 5. Basics • Be Motivated! Its you & your Research. • Get your Fundamentals Right. • Think – Have clarity in thought. – Be Inquisitive, Intuitive, Hungry for Information, and Open Minded. – Always Question: • What? How? Why? • Ideate – Hypothesize – Gather Data – Analyze – Publish - Present – Get Cited! • Research will never be complete, its an ongoing process.
- 7. Reading Skills • Ways of Reading. • Reading Strategies. • Reading Goals. • Reading for Scientific Reporting.
- 8. Ways of Reading • Read from beginning to end (2x), • Read & mark / underline, • Read & make notes, • Read & make summaries, • Read & make schemes of concepts / relationships between concepts, • First read global, then read the whole text, • Determine what you already know, then read .
- 9. Reading Strategies • Global Reading. • Thorough Reading. • Selective Reading. • Critical Reading. • Application of reading types depends on the goal of reading! • Reading for an exam: – Global > Thorough > Selective • Reading for scientific reporting: – Global > Selective > Critical
- 10. Reading for Scientific Reporting • Overall goals: – Defining an overall research problem and formulating specific research questions. – Finding already existing answers to research questions
- 11. Global Reading Goals • Get an overview of the contents. • Refresh what you already know. • Will this text help me to formulate my research questions or does it provide answers to these questions? • Select the parts that are useful for selective and critical reading.
- 12. Global Reading • Pay attention to: – Title and subtitle – Author: name, profession, institute – Name of journal, publication year – Abstract and / or summary – Introduction – Conclusion – Headings of sections – Illustrations (tables, graphs, diagrams…)
- 13. Global Reading ... • Look out for Signals: – Firstly .., secondly .., etc. – 1 .., 2 .., 3 ..; a .., b .., c .. – To summarize / To conclude – For example – Marked text: underlined, italic, bold, different font, etc. – Change of margin – First and/or last sentence of each paragraph.
- 14. Selective Reading for Scientific Reporting • Study the parts you have selected in the global reading phase • Mark, underline, identify keywords or summarize • Rephrase to formulate overall research problem and / or specific research questions • Rephrase to give answers to research questions in own words
- 15. Critical Reading • Do you agree with the author? • Is what the author writes reliable? • Are all relevant aspects included? • Are all arguments used acceptable?
- 16. Are all Arguments used Acceptable? • Facts: – Can be checked • Opinions: – Do you agree or not? • Advices: – Based on what? • Remarks: – Justifiable?
- 17. Critical Reading • Use: – Yourself, your own knowledge and your own norms and values – Your knowledge of the authority of the author and / or the medium (e.g. refereed journal or not) – Acceptability of the line of argumentation
- 18. Types of Argumentation • Description / prescription • Induction / deduction • Causes / consequences • Comparison • In favour / against • Necessary conditions / sufficient conditions • Use of authorities
- 20. Managing References • Scout for Literature • Store • Catalogue – Index • Cite Properly • Tools for Managing Bibliographic Information • Styles of citation
- 21. Where to Look for Literature? • E-Library Resources of JRD Tata Memorial Library:http://www.library.iisc.ernet.in/ebrary.html • NCSI: IISc LIBRARY CATALOGUE: http://www.ncsi.iisc.ernet.in • Directory of Open Access Journals: http://www.doaj.org • The Scholarly Journal Archive (JSTOR): http://www.jstor.org • Google Scholar: http://scholar.google.com • Google Books: http://books.google.com • CROSSREF: http://www.crossref.org • Elsevier's Science Direct: http://www.sciencedirect.com • SCIRUS: http://www.scirus.com • J-Gate: http://www.j-gate.informindia.co.in
- 27. Scirus Search Engine in Firefox
- 29. Search Strategy • SYNONYMS • BOOLEAN OPERATORS, BRACKETS, COMBINE • TRUNCATION • Boolean Operators – “AND” OPERATOR: RECORDS THAT INCLUDE BOTH TERMS – “OR” OPERATOR: RECORDS THAT INCLUDE EITHER OF THE TERMS – “NOT” OPERATOR: RECORDS THAT INCLUDE ONE TERM BUT NOT ANOTHER TERM
- 30. Free Tools for Managing References • Stand alone – JabRef – open source and platform independent:http://jabref.sourceforge.net • Available Online! – Connotea: http://www.connotea.org/ – CiteULike: http://www.citeulike.org/
- 31. This is a demonstration intended to show a guided tour of JabRef. JabRef provides sorting and searching functionality for getting the overview of your databases' contents. You can easily add new database entries without having to remember what information is required, and bibtex keys can be autogenerated. JabRef is is a program for working with bibtex databases. The program uses no internal file format, which means you normally load and save your databases directly in the bibtex .bib format. However, you can also import bibliography databases in a number of other formats into JabRef. MANAGING REFERENCES WITH JABREF
- 33. Working with JabRef • This is the main window from where you work with your databases. Below the menu bar and the toolbar is a tabbed pane containing a panel for each of your currently open databases. When you select one of these panels, a table appears, listing all the database's entries, as well as a configurable selection of their fields. • You decide which fields are shown in the table by checking the fields you want to see in the Preferences dialog. Note: Most menu actions referred in the following have keyboard shortcuts, and many are available from the toolbar. The keyboard shortcuts are found in the pull-down menus
- 34. Adding a new entry • There are several ways to add a new entry. • The New entry menu action shows a dialog where you can choose the type of the entry from a list. • When a new entry is added, by default an editor dialog for the entry will be opened. This behaviour can be toggled in the Preferences dialog.
- 36. Editing an entry • To open an editor dialog for an existing entry, simply double-click in the leftmost column of the appropriate line, or select the entry and press ENTER. • If "Allow editing in table cells" is not selected in the dialog window Options --> Preferences --> General, a double-click anywhere on the appropriate line will open the editor dialog.
- 37. Importing Bibliographic Information • Most online journals offer features to download / export bibliographic information • Look for “export citations” / “download citations” • If you have an option for “citations + abstract”, select it • Download in any popular formats (*.bib, *.ris, *.enl, etc. formats) • When working with Jabref – Go to File>> Import and Append >> Auto-detect Format – Select the appropriate file by browsing the file locator • Your bibliographic entry is imported!
- 38. While searching try giving keywords in quotes Look for export citations
- 40. Exporting to Word document
- 41. Writing Skills • Problems and Purpose • Report Structure • Standard Report Elements • References to Information Sources • Hints for Writing • Report Writing: Do’s and Don’ts
- 42. Problems & Purpose • Report Writing Problems: – When you have to write a report or paper, what do you find difficult? • Purpose of the Report: – All report writing activities should be based on a clear definition of the purpose of the (research) work (to be) done. – Structure and contents of the report are completely based on the purpose. – Always ask: Why am I writing what I am writing?
- 43. Report Structure • Translate the purpose of a research assignment into a number of questions that have to be addressed. • These questions, and the answers to them, will together make up the contents of the report.
- 44. Standard Report Elements • Title Page • Main Text • Abstract (Introduction-core- • Executive Summary Conclusion) • Preface • Footnotes or Endnotes • Acknowledgements • Bibliography • Glossary • Appendix or Annexure • Table of Contents • List of Illustrations • List of Tables
- 45. References to Information Sources • Fundamental rule: – Proper references to secondary information sources must always be made as soon as part of the text, or just an idea, is not your own! • Why? – Plagiarism is not allowed in science – Allow reader to check original sources – Justification for statements – Safeguard against mistakes made by the other author!
- 46. Hints for Writing • Always think of clear and logical relationships in the text! • Report: • Start (intro): What are you going to say Purpose of the research • End: conclusion. • Introduction + conclusion = summary
- 47. Report Writing Do’s • Do write down immediately what comes up in your mind (during the work) • Do decide on purpose / structure at start • Do explain structure to reader • Do explain function of every new chapter • Do begin new chapter on new page • Do make several versions • Do work individually in group reports
- 48. Report Writing Don’ts • Do not add new information in a conclusion or summary • Do not postpone writing • Do not forget about your target group • In the first draft, do not worry about exact formulations
- 50. Presentation Skills • Verbal Presentations • Purpose of a Verbal Presentation • Structure • Preparation • Duration • Visual Aids • Making Slides • Speaker Notes • The Presentation Itself!
- 51. Verbal Presentations • When you have to make a verbal presentation, what do you find difficult? • What Shall I Say? • Who is the Audience ? – Who are they? – Why will they be listening? – What do they want to learn? – What are their interests? – What do they already know? – What language do they speak? • What is the Purpose of the Presentation?
- 52. Purpose of a Verbal Presentation • Always ask yourself: Why am I saying what I am saying? • Purpose: – Communicate findings / information – Introduce the subject to people – Interest people in the subject – Present proposals – Raise questions for discussions – Influence decisions – Make people read your paper
- 53. Purpose of a Verbal Presentation • The primary purpose of a verbal presentation is to stimulate attention. • Without that attention no purpose can be achieved!
- 54. Structure of a Verbal Presentation • Introduction – Catch attention (title / opening line) – Subject and aim and reasons – Relevance for audience – Overview (outline of the presentation) • Core (3-5 questions depending on time) • Closing – Conclusion linked to purpose – Recommendations / implications / questions left – What do you expect from the audience
- 55. Verbal Presentation Preparation • Make a logical story: – Introduction – Core topics – Closing • With smooth links from one part to the other ….
- 56. Verbal Presentation Preparation • Traps to avoid: – Trying to cover too much – Lack of structure / cohesiveness – Not written for speaking – Not allowing sufficient time to prepare
- 57. Duration of a Verbal Presentation • If you may decide on the duration yourself: – Do not speak for longer than 15-20 min. • If the duration is dictated: – Make sure you will complete your presentation in time (i.e. not halfway) • Rehearse your presentation to know its duration and to find out what you can tell.
- 58. Visual Aids • Benefits: – Increase impact – Focus attention – Clarify complex ideas – Stimulate – Lasting impression (of whole presentation) – Increase confidence – Provide frame of reference
- 59. Making Slides • One topic per slide • Topic translated in slide title • 6-9 lines • 6-10 words per line • Use big type sizes (>30 points) • No fancy type styles • Lowercase better than CAPITALS • Insert many pictures! • Simple graphics, no detailed tables
- 60. Speaker Notes • All good presenters have them • Designed to be used as a reference • Should help with structure and timing of the talk • Brief - no script! • Make sure they are legible
- 61. Speaker Notes ... • What do you have on paper? • Write introduction in full • Key questions + key answers in short • Keywords, details, quotations, figures, n ames • Links between topics in full • Closing in full • Instructions for use of media
- 62. WHEN & WHERE Check-list • Nature of the occasion • Who will be there? • Available audio visual facilities • Size of room and screen • What other presentations will be made? • Duration of the presentation • Start time • Questions and discussions afterwards? • Paper required? • Organisor’s contact number • How to travel to the site
- 63. The Presentation Itself: Dealing with Nerves • Manage not prevent • Prepare thoroughly • Rehearse your presentation • Reconnaissance of the premises (does the technology work / can you use it / etc.) • Catastrophize the situation (what if …) • Don’t apologize • Positive self talk / You are in charge!
- 64. The Presentation Itself: DO’s • Do repeat the most important information (readers can repeat, listeners cannot) • Do engage the audience (e.g. asking questions and eye contact) • Do use clear and legible visual aids • Do speak loud and clear • Do show a lot of enthusiasm (body language) • Do be confident (if you prepared well)
- 65. The Presentation Itself: DON’Ts • Do not use written language, difficult words or long sentences • Do not read from a script • Do not speak too fast • Do not speak too monotonous • Do not be afraid of introducing short breaks (e.g. to let people watch a slide) • Do not stand in front of screen
- 66. The Presentation Itself: Dealing with Questions • Types of questions: • Answers: • Barely audible or • repeat back badly phrased ………………… • Irrelevant • answer briefly • Technical • translate the jargon • Private interest • answer privately ………….. afterwards
- 67. The Presentation Itself: Dealing with Questions • Types of questions: • Answers: • Thoughtless • answer briefly / do not cast scorn on it • “Funny” • deal with in a …………………. serious manner • Provocative • answer concisely do not be drawn into argument
- 68. Funding
- 69. Publish & Get Cited or else Perish • Bibliometrics – Effectiveness of your research – No of papers or citations? • Citation Analysis – ISI Web of Knowledge – Scopus – Google Scholar • What’s your H-index?
- 70. Credits • Bill Watterson for Calvin and Hobbes. • Dr. Corné van Elzakker, ITC, The Netherlands. • Information and Documents of the Basic Research Skills module of ITC, The Netherlands.