Academic Genres Overview

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Questions and Answers

What is the main purpose of using keywords in a text?

To characterize the text for searching and orientation.

What should a literature review accomplish in an academic paper?

It should identify what has been done, what is insufficient, and what is missing.

What essential elements must be included in the methodology section of a research paper?

The methodology section must detail the nature of the text and the methods used for research.

In methodology, why is it important to be specific about the method used?

To ensure replicability and transparency in the research process. Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of theory in research according to the provided content?

To explain and predict actor behavior and help formulate research questions. Signup and view all the answers

How can a researcher critically engage with existing literature?

Researchers can question existing results, compare contradictory views, and criticize papers for insufficient evidence. Signup and view all the answers

What is the main purpose of presenting research at a conference using a poster?

The primary purpose is to present research or a research plan briefly and comprehensively, making it easy to digest. Signup and view all the answers

How should conclusions in an academic paper be structured?

They should answer research questions without repeating the steps taken. Signup and view all the answers

Why are graphical tools recommended in the Results/Analysis/Discussion section?

They enhance clarity and conciseness, aiding in the summarization of findings. Signup and view all the answers

In what ways should a research paper guide its readers?

A research paper should transparently guide readers through the research while ensuring sources, methods, and outcomes are clear and traceable. Signup and view all the answers

What is a crucial tip for writing practical aspects in an academic context?

Avoid paraphrasing whole paragraphs and focus on selecting crucial information. Signup and view all the answers

What components are assessed in a SWOT analysis?

A SWOT analysis assesses strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats related to an issue. Signup and view all the answers

What are the key characteristics of a well-structured research paper?

A well-structured research paper is coherent, concise, and easy to follow, presenting clear purpose and results. Signup and view all the answers

What components should be included in the basic structure of argumentation?

Context, substance, and delivery. Signup and view all the answers

What role do visual elements play in a conference poster?

Visual elements like tables, graphs, and pictures help make the content understandable and engaging. Signup and view all the answers

Why is it important for research outcomes to be replicable?

Replicability ensures that research findings are reliable and can be verified by others. Signup and view all the answers

What are the two main forms of citing sources discussed, and how do they differ?

The two main forms are direct citations and paraphrasing. Direct citations involve using the exact wording from a source, while paraphrasing requires restating the source's ideas in one's own words. Signup and view all the answers

List three examples that can qualify as plagiarism.

Inconsistent referencing, long sections without references, and unclear attribution of text. Signup and view all the answers

What is the problem of political science in the context of topic selection?

The problem of political science refers to identifying significant issues within the study of politics that can be thoroughly examined and debated. Signup and view all the answers

Why is it important to add value through analytical skills in academic work?

Adding value through analytical skills means providing original insights and interpretations that enhance understanding of data or events. Signup and view all the answers

How should common knowledge be treated in terms of citations?

Common knowledge does not require a citation, but it is acceptable to cite the source if one chooses to. Signup and view all the answers

What role does the hidden information of ministers play in the principal-agent problem?

Ministers' hidden information creates an imbalance where they know more about their actions than the principals (e.g., the public or parliament), complicating accountability. Signup and view all the answers

What should researchers consider when assessing a possible topic for academic work?

Researchers should consider the relevance and significance of the topic and whether it can be developed into a substantial thesis. Signup and view all the answers

Why is it insufficient to merely change a few words when paraphrasing?

Merely changing a few words fails to demonstrate comprehension and originality; effective paraphrasing requires a complete restatement of the source idea. Signup and view all the answers

What are the potential consequences of not conducting a proper literature review?

Researchers risk duplicating existing work, failing to contribute to current debates, and producing uninteresting or irrelevant findings. Signup and view all the answers

In starting a literature review, what are the recommended practices regarding source selection?

Use Google Scholar with filters and focus on recent texts from reputable journals to identify key sources. Signup and view all the answers

How does the structure of an academic paper generally differ from the structure of specific papers like seminar or opinion essays?

An academic paper typically follows a comprehensive format including sections like results and discussion, while specific papers have a more condensed structure focusing on the problem and opinions. Signup and view all the answers

What is the maximum word count for an abstract in academic writing?

The maximum word count for an abstract is 200 words. Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes a résumé/summary from an abstract in academic writing?

A résumé is longer (1-1.5 pages) and includes results, while an abstract is shorter and focuses solely on the content without citations. Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of an annotation when describing longer works like books?

An annotation provides a description of the work, its author, and targeted audience without including results or main arguments. Signup and view all the answers

Why is it important for the literature review to be representative but not exhaustive?

It allows researchers to cover key literature while avoiding overwhelming detail that could obscure important insights. Signup and view all the answers

What initial steps should a researcher take when writing a literature review on the topic of economic crisis and party systems?

The researcher should identify key sources and recent publications, and read extensively before starting to write. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of a literature review in academic research?

To evaluate and synthesize available literature into a summary that presents it in an organized and critical manner. Signup and view all the answers

Why should recommendations in a research paper be based on clear outcomes?

Recommendations should be derived from clear outcomes to ensure they are actionable and relevant to the research findings. Signup and view all the answers

How does the methodology of a research paper contribute to its overall purpose?

The methodology should serve the purpose of the research by outlining a clear plan that guides the investigation and data collection. Signup and view all the answers

What is a common mistake students make regarding their literature review?

A common mistake is believing they are the first to write about a topic due to an insufficiently thorough literature review. Signup and view all the answers

In what ways should research papers maintain coherence and cohesion?

Research papers should maintain coherence and cohesion by organizing the text logically, using clear structure, and connecting ideas smoothly. Signup and view all the answers

What two methods can students use to enhance their academic writing?

Students can use mind maps and graphs, along with networks, to enhance the clarity and organization of their academic writing. Signup and view all the answers

What should the structure of a research thesis typically include?

A research thesis should typically include sections such as the purpose, motivation, literature review, methodology, research process, data, conclusion, and discussion. Signup and view all the answers

What is emphasized about the writing style when drafting research papers?

The writing style should be confident, use definitive statements, avoid contractions, and ensure conciseness and clarity. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary component of an argument that supports its conclusion?

A logical structure supported by evidence. Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes an assumption from a claim in an argument?

An assumption is an undisputed proposition taken as given, whereas a claim is a statement that requires evidence. Signup and view all the answers

How can one evaluate the persuasiveness of evidence presented in an argument?

By assessing its relevance, credibility, and whether it effectively supports the claims made. Signup and view all the answers

What are the potential risks associated with not evaluating the political implications of an argument?

It may lead to unrecognized biases and unintended consequences in decision-making. Signup and view all the answers

What role does audience consideration play in shaping an argument?

It influences how the argument is presented and which values are prioritized in the claims. Signup and view all the answers

Why might evidence concerning the effectiveness of torture be disputed?

It often involves ethical considerations and differing interpretations of its outcomes. Signup and view all the answers

How does the framing of an argument impact the perception of human rights laws?

Framing influences whether the argument is seen as a domestic issue or a violation of international norms. Signup and view all the answers

In a presentation context, why is it critical to understand both the purpose and audience?

It ensures that the message is tailored effectively and engages the audience in a meaningful way. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Academic Genres

Academic genres include essays, reviews, position papers, policy papers, and fact sheets.
Genres are defined by the level of subjectivity and normativity, considering the purpose (e.g., stating facts, convincing, or providing opinions).
Social science genres can be described as either normative (e.g., books, essays, position papers) or non-normative (e.g., fact sheets, literature reviews).

Essay

An essay develops a line of argument about a specific issue supported by evidence.
Essays are typically 2-3 pages in length.
Structure: introduction, argumentation, conclusion.

Book Review

A text is assessed from a subjective point of view.
Structure: introduction, summary, author's opinion, conclusion.

Review (Academic Peer Review)

A review, specifically academic peer review, focuses on the features of a text.
It includes normative judgments and recommendations.

Policy Paper

Normative and subjective.
Suggests an approach or alternative to a certain policy.
Structure: overview, purpose statement, suggested options, evaluation, recommendation, implementation plan, conclusion.

Position Paper

Subjective.
Outlines the author's viewpoint on an issue.
Structure: introduction, review, position, conclusion.

Fact Sheet

Non-normative and objective.
Presents data using tables, bullet points, graphs.
Must be self-contained and easy to digest.

Policy Brief

A combination of a fact sheet and policy paper.
Briefly informs and provides information for assuming a position.

Ethics in Academic Writing

Harvard Guide emphasizes adding value to work by providing original responses to research questions.
Plagiarism is submitting someone else's work without proper citation, either intentionally or unintentionally.
Examples of plagiarism include inconsistent formatting, sections without references, unclear text attribution, and using other scholars' tables, graphs, or schemas without citation.

Direct Citations

Used when the exact wording is pertinent and needs emphasis.

Paraphrasing

Restating sources in one's own words completely.
Tips: Put away the source, write in your own words, and use quotation marks/citations for author's words..

Common Knowledge

Widely known facts don't need citations, but can still be referenced.

Research Topic Selection

Choose interesting and relatable topics.
Assess if the topic can be developed into a research thesis.
Consider the problem within a political science context.
Use key questions (what, why, how) to refine the topic.

Critical Thinking in Academic Work

Descriptive skills involve describing facts or events.
Analytical skills involve analyzing and interpreting data to add value.
Adding value in academic work involves contributing original insights.

Research Paper

Presents research outcomes and the process leading to them.
Must be replicable and follow a coherent structure.
Structure: introduction, literature review, theoretical framework, methodology, results, interpretation, and conclusions.

Poster

A concise way to present research or a research plan.
Useful for conferences and should be understandable, self-contained, and visually appealing.

Literature Review

A summary and synthesis of available literature, presenting it in an organized and critical way.
Crucial for academic papers to understand existing research and add value.

Résumé/Summary

A brief overview of a longer work, including results, typically used for books or articles.

Annotation

Used with longer works to describe the work, author, and intended audience.

Keywords

Used for searching and orienting readers.
Use nouns and noun-adjective combinations, avoiding overly common terms.

Content

Should enhance text orientation.
Address important text parts.

Annexes

Contains supplementary material related to research, such as figures, charts and tables.

Introduction

State the research problem concisely.
Avoid broad or philosophical issues.
Refer to the literature and clearly state the aims.

Theory

Explains and predicts actor behavior within a research topic.
Provides structure and anticipates results.

Methodology

Explains the research methods used.
Enables others to replicate the study.

Results, Analysis, Discussion

Presents findings using graphs, tables, and a clear structure.
Summarizes the findings.

Conclusions

Summarizes the findings and answers the research question without repeating previous steps.
Proposes future research.

Argumentation

The foundation of persuasion, incorporating context, substance, and delivery.

Argumentation Model

A model including claim, explanation, and evidence.
Useful for organizing persuassive arguments.

Argumentation Fallacies

Common errors in reasoning, for example Hasty Generalization or false dilemma.

Critical Reading

Judging the strength of arguments involves evaluating the source, underlying values and assumptions, evidence, and conclusions.
Judging political implications will determine the effectiveness of arguments within that context.

Speaking and Presenting

Contexts surrounding presentations.
Crucial aspects like audience, purpose, and preparation tips are covered.
Considerations for language and body language enhance presentation effectiveness.

Non-Native Speaker Advice

Practice English with native speakers.
Immerse in English sources (radio, films, etc.).
Write English frequently.
Be confident with errors.

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Description

This quiz covers various academic genres, including essays, book reviews, and policy papers. It explores their structures, purposes, and levels of subjectivity. Test your understanding of how different genres are utilized in social science writing.