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Source ISBN: 9780007507115

Ebook Edition © May 2014 ISBN 9780008101800

Version: 01-07-2014

Contents

Title Page

Introduction

Chapter 1 Getting started

understand the purpose of research

learn how your research will be marked

learn about the research process

interpret set essay questions

write an essay question of your own

Chapter 2 Accessing information

find information in the library

use databases

search effectively with key words

make the most of the library

make good use of the internet for research

Chapter 3 Choosing the right source material

choose academically credible materials

know who the experts are

recognize what makes a text academic

choose relevant materials

manage your materials

Chapter 4 Academic texts

recognize the key features of a textbook

learn how to use monographs and edited volumes

understand how journal articles and reports are organized

Chapter 5 Reading strategies

choose the right reading strategy for your purpose

read quickly for a general overview

read quickly for specific information

deal with unfamiliar vocabulary

read complex and difficult sentences

Chapter 6 Reading more efficiently

improve your concentration when reading

guess the meaning of unfamiliar words from context

improve your reading speed

Chapter 7 Reading critically

define critical thinking in your study context

distinguish fact from opinion

reflect critically on your own views

critically evaluate reading texts

Chapter 8 Making notes

use a variety of note-making styles

make concise notes

organize and store notes for easy retrieval

Chapter 9 Writing an outline

write outlines for different types of essay

devise an effective argument

structure introductions and conclusions

Chapter 10 Using sources

learn how to integrate source material into your essay

decide whether to quote, paraphrase or summarize

learn how to quote correctly

learn how to paraphrase and summarize

Chapter 11 Referencing

recognize different referencing systems

reference using an author-date system

reference with footnotes

know when a reference is and is not needed

Chapter 12 Finding your voice

use sources correctly

use sources effectively

express your opinion in your essay

Chapter 13 Writing up

get started with your first draft

stay on topic

use assessment criteria to redraft

prepare the final draft

Reference list

Appendices Appendix 1 – Critical reading checklist

Appendix 2 – Instruction words

Appendix 3 – Prefixes, suffixes and roots

Glossary

Answer key

About the Author

Acknowledgements

About the Publisher

Introduction

Collins Academic Skills Series: Research will give you the skills you need for to select, read and use academic source material effectively.

Designed to be used on a self-study basis to support English for Academic Purposes or study skills courses, it is intended for students on pre-sessional or Foundation courses as well as for first year undergraduate students. It will also be useful for more experienced students who want to improve their library-based research skills.

The book has thirteen chapters covering the key stages of the research process from start to finish. You will learn how to:

frame a research question

find library and online resources

choose appropriate source materials

read efficiently and critically

cite and reference correctly

plan and write your essay

At the back of the book there is:

a list of the prefixes, suffixes and root words common in academic English, and a checklist to help you read critically

a glossary of key terms

a comprehensive answer key

Chapter structure

Each chapter includes:

Aims – These set out the skills covered in the chapter.

A self-evaluation quiz – By doing this you are able identify what you already know on the subject of the chapter and what you need to learn.

Information on academic expectations – These sections will help you understand university practices and expectations so you understand what is required.

Guidelines on academic skills – These help you develop the skills to succeed at university.

Practical exercises – These help you to develop the skills to succeed at university. You can check your answers and consult model essays at the back of the book.

Tips – Key points are highlighted for easy reference and provide useful revision summaries for the busy student.

Glossary – Difficult words are glossed in boxes next to where the text appears in the chapter. There is also a comprehensive glossary at the back of the book.

Remember sections – This is a summary of key points for revision and easy reference.

Authentic academic reading texts

The book uses authentic examples of academic reading texts and essays in different academic subjects to help you apply what you learn to your own essay, whatever your subject.

Glossary boxes

Where we feel that a word or phrase is difficult to understand, we have glossed this word/phrase. All definitions provided in the glossary boxes have been taken from the COBUILD Advanced Dictionary. At the end of the book there is a full alphabetical list of the most difficult words from the book for your reference.

Using Research

You can either work through the chapters from Chapter 1 to Chapter 13 or you can choose the chapters and topics that are most useful to you. The Contents page will help in your selection.

Study tips

Each chapter will take about five hours. Take regular breaks and do not try to study for too long. Thirty to sixty minutes is a sensible study period.

Regular study is better than occasional intensive study.

Read the chapter through first to get an overview without doing any exercises. This will help you see what you want to focus on.

Try the exercises before checking the Answer key. Be an active learner.

After doing the exercises in the book, try them again using your own research topic and reading materials. If possible, ask a more experienced researcher to give you feedback on your work.

All university departments are different. Use the information in the book as a guide to investigating your own university department.

Write questions you can ask to find out how your department expects you to do research.

There is no one correct way of doing research. Use your experience of doing the exercises to learn what works best for you. Adapt the suggestions in this book to suit your learning style and context.

Learning to do research is an on-going process, which means you need to practise the same skills many times. Revise regularly.

Other titles

Also available in the Collins Academic Skills Series: Writing, Lectures, Numbers, Presenting, and Group Work.

Getting started

Aims

understand the purpose of research

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