Academic Skills PDF

ACADEMIC GENRES I. pondelok 14. októbra 2024 15:33 Academic genres: Essay Review Position paper Policy paper Fact sheet Normativity & Subjectivity in Academic Genres Normativity: Recommendations Subjectivity: Opinion content Genres can be defined by th...

ACADEMIC GENRES I. pondelok 14. októbra 2024 15:33 Academic genres: Essay Review Position paper Policy paper Fact sheet Normativity & Subjectivity in Academic Genres Normativity: Recommendations Subjectivity: Opinion content Genres can be defined by the level of subjectivity and normativity. Mind the purpose of a given genre (To state facts? To convince? To provide opinion?). Literature Genres in Social Sciences Non-normative: Subjective: Book review, essay, position paper Objective: Factsheet, literature review Essay Developing a line of argument addressing a specific issue, supported by evidence. Usually shorter (2-3 pages). Subjective (provides opinion). Structure: Introduction, argumentation, conclusion. Book Review Assessing a text from a subjective point of view. Structure: Identification and introduction, summary of content, author's opinion, conclusion. Review – Academic Peer Review Special case of review with emphasis on features of the text. Includes normative judgments and recommendations. Policy Paper Normative & subjective. To suggest implementation of a certain approach or provide an alternative to a certain policy. Structure: Overview of current situation, purpose statement, suggested options, evaluation of options, recommendation, implementation plan, conclusion. Position Paper Subjective. Outlines the author's viewpoint on an issue. Structure: Introduction, review of the situation and literature, presentation of the author's position, conclusion. Academic Skills Page 1  position, conclusion. Fact Sheet Non-normative & objective. Presenting data in a brief form using tables, bullet points, graphs. Must be self-contained and easy to digest. Policy Brief Combination of fact sheet and policy paper. To briefly inform and provide information for assuming a position. Academic Skills Page 2  PLAGIARISM AND WORK WITH SOURCES utorok 10. decembra 2024 19:07 Part A: Ethics in Academic Writing Harvard Guide: Emphasizes the importance of adding value to your work by offering original responses to research questions. Plagiarism: Defined as submitting work written by someone else, either intentionally or unintentionally, without proper citation. Examples of plagiarism: Inconsistent referencing Long sections without references Unclear attribution of text Using tables, graphs, or schemas from other scholars without citation Part B: Work with Sources Direct Citations: Use when the exact wording is important for emphasis or clarity. Paraphrasing: Restate the source's ideas in your own words completely, not just changing a few words. Tips for paraphrasing: Put away the source material while writing your paraphrase. Use quotation marks and citations if you include some of the author's words. Common Knowledge: Widely known facts do not need a citation, but you can still cite the source if desired. Examples from Carter and Poguntke (2010) Executive Bias in European Integration: Discuss how EU-level decision-making privileges governmental actors and excludes non- governmental domestic political actors. Informational Asymmetries: Ministers benefit from hidden information and actions, creating a principal-agent problem. National Parliaments' Adaptation: Studies how national parliaments and parliamentarians have reacted to European integration. Academic Skills Page 3  RESEARCH TOPIC SELECTION utorok 10. decembra 2024 19:11 Critical Thinking in Academic Work Descriptive vs. Analytical Skills: Descriptive: Describing facts or events. Analytical: Analyzing and interpreting data to add value. Value Added: The importance of contributing original insights to the academic debate. Topic Selection: How to Begin Choose issues that are interesting or relatable. Assess if the topic can be developed into a thesis. Consider the "problem of political science." Key Questions for Topic Selection 1. WHAT: What do you want to study? 2. WHY: Why is the topic relevant? 3. HOW: How will you approach the research? Mixed Remarks on Topic Selection Relevance and significance of the topic. Appropriate methodology. Scope of research (number of cases). Timeframe and feasibility. How to Find a Research Topic Question existing results. Compare contradictory views in literature. Criticize papers for insufficient evidence. Draw conclusions from multiple sources. Main Tip: Read extensively (literature, media texts, etc.). Practical Examples (How Not to Do It) Example Topics: Interaction of member states with the EU after the Lisbon Treaty. Italian political system's Europeanization post-Lisbon Treaty. Georgian readiness for NATO membership before and after the Russian-Georgian war. Comparing Orban and Putin in the context of the EU. Criticizing Research Designs Example: Growth of Eurosceptic parties in Italy. Review data from past elections to identify reasons for voting. Example: Europeanization of the Italian political system post-Lisbon Treaty. Analyze the treaty and institutional changes in Italy. Refer to juridical, political, and institutional changes. Consult party manifestos and leaders' speeches. Academic Skills Page 4  ACADEMIC GENRES II. utorok 10. decembra 2024 19:13 Research Paper Purpose: Present research outcomes and the process leading to them. Key Points: Must be replicable (reliable). Focus on the WHATs, WHYs, and HOWs of the research. Coherent, structured, concise, and easy to follow. Published in academic journals. Structure: 1. Introduction: Description of the issue. Purpose statement. Literature review. Theoretical foundations. Objectives. 2. Methodology: Nature of the text and methods used. 3. Results. 4. Interpretation/Discussion. Tips: Guide readers through the research transparently. Do not describe every detail of the process. Ensure sources, methods, and outcomes are clear and traceable. Poster Purpose: Present research or research plan briefly and comprehensively at conferences. Key Points: Similar to a fact sheet (uses tables, graphs, pictures). Understandable in a multi-disciplinary environment. Self-contained and easy to digest. Attractive but not oversold. Should include references and contact information. SWOT Analysis Purpose: Structured way of assessing an issue. Components: Strengths. Weaknesses. Opportunities. Threats. Key Points: Uses precise and verifiable statements. Recommendations should be derived from clear outcomes. Thesis Purpose: Academic Skills Page 5  Purpose: Comprehensive record of the entire research process. Key Points: Similar to a research paper but more detailed. Includes purpose, motivation, literature review, methodology, research process, data, conclusion, and discussion. Should enable replication of the research. Writing Style Tips: Be confident: Use definitive statements (e.g., "The study shows..."). Avoid contractions (e.g., use "are not" instead of "aren't"). Be concise and avoid wordiness. Ensure coherence and cohesion. Organize text logically (e.g., introduction, methods, results, conclusion). Paragraph structure: Opening sentence, content, closing sentence. General Advice Focus on the message you want to convey. Use mind maps, graphs, and networks when necessary. Always ask if the content brings you closer to the conclusion and if it makes the topic easier to understand. Methodology should serve the purpose of the research. Important Reminder Research papers and theses should not only present outcomes but also describe the research process to ensure replicability and reliability. Academic Skills Page 6  LITERATURE REVIEW utorok 10. decembra 2024 19:17 Literature Review Purpose: Evaluate and synthesize available literature into a summary, presenting it in an organized and critical manner. Importance: Shows that your research is a starting point for new ideas rather than repeating existing knowledge. Literature Review as a Genre Option 1: As a specific genre of a bachelor thesis (the entire thesis is a literature review). Option 2: As part of any academic work (a section of your thesis). What to Do If You Think Nobody Wrote About Your Topic Common mistake: Believing you are the first to write about a topic. Likely, the literature review was not thorough enough. Look for existing knowledge, not just literature. Why Conduct a Literature Review (J. Knopf) Provides a map for academic work: What’s right What’s wrong What’s inconclusive What’s missing Focus on topics, not individuals. Consequences of a Poor or Missing Literature Review Risk of researching something already done. Unable to contribute to ongoing debates. Results in uninteresting and irrelevant work. Robustness of the Literature Review Depends on the genre (diploma thesis or article). Should be representative but not exhaustive. Part 2: Literature Review and Literature Search Starting the Literature Review: Use Google Scholar with filters. Start with recent texts from reputable journals (e.g., JCMS, Party Politics). New texts can help find other relevant sources. Make detailed notes before writing the review. Writing a Good Literature Review Academic Skills Page 7  Writing a Good Literature Review Example Topic: Influence of economic crisis on party systems. First Steps: Identify key sources and recent publications. Read extensively before writing. Academic Skills Page 8  STRUCTURE OF ACADEMIC PAPER utorok 10. decembra 2024 19:19 General Structure of Academic Papers 1. Title 2. Summary and Keywords 3. Introduction 4. Literature Review and Theory 5. Data and Methodology 6. Results 7. Discussion 8. Conclusions 9. List of Sources Structure of Specific Papers Seminar/Formal Paper: Introduction (Problem and aim of the paper) Data, sources, methods Theory Conclusions List of references/sources Opinion Essay: Introduction (Problem and aim of the paper) Opinions, ideas Conclusions List of references/sources (optional) Abstract Purpose: Precedes longer academic texts, informs about the content and examined issue. Characteristics: Short and concentrated (max. 200 words). No citations/references. Depersonalized. May include results. Résumé/Summary Origin: French tradition. Characteristics: Similar to a linear abstract, includes results. Longer (1-1.5 pages). Mini version of the text. Annotation Purpose: Used with longer works (books) to describe the work, author, and targeted audience. Characteristics: Does not include results or main arguments. Used on book covers/bookmarks to attract and inform. Academic Skills Page 9  Used on book covers/bookmarks to attract and inform. Keywords Purpose: Characterize the text/issue for searching and orientation. Characteristics: Avoid common terms. Use nouns and noun-adjective combinations. Typically 3-6 keywords. Content Purpose: Enhances orientation in the text. Characteristics: Should address important parts of the text. Usually up to 3 levels. Annexes Purpose: Related to references and reliability. Characteristics: Include materials used during the research (maps, figures, tables, charts). Statement of availability if annexes are not included. Introduction Tips: State the problem early. Avoid being too broad or philosophical. Make references to literature. Clearly state the aim of your work or research question. Literature Review Purpose: Realize what has been done, what is insufficient, and what is missing. Importance: Crucial part of any academic paper. Theory Purpose: Explain and predict actor behavior, systemize knowledge, and help formulate research questions. Importance: Theories provide a broad reach and help anticipate results. Methodology Purpose: Ensure replicability and transparency. Tips: Academic Skills Page 10  Tips: Be specific about your method. Describe your data and how you will collect them. Discuss the limits of your research. Results/Analysis/Discussion Tips: Use a well-structured chapter with graphical tools (tables, schemas). Be clear and concise. Summarize findings at the end. Conclusions Tips: Do not repeat the steps taken to answer the question. Answer research questions in a structured way. Propose future research. Practical Aspects of Writing Tips: Avoid paraphrasing whole paragraphs. Select crucial information/ideas. Use concise and clear language. Academic Skills Page 11  ARGUMENTATION utorok 10. decembra 2024 19:23 Basic Structure of Argumentation Components of Persuasion: Context: ○ The setting or situation in which the argument takes place. Substance: ○ The content of the argument, including claims, explanations, and evidence. Delivery: ○ How the argument is presented. Simple Argumentation Model 1. Claim: The main statement or assertion. 2. Explanation: The reasoning behind the claim. 3. Evidence: Supporting data or information. Example of Argumentation Claim: Traditional Chinese cuisine is healthy. Explanation: Uses lots of fresh vegetables, which are proven to be healthy. Evidence: Data showing low obesity rates in China compared to EU countries. Common Use of Argumentation Typically involves presenting a claim followed by evidence. Models of Argumentation Classical Model: Traditional approach to argumentation. Rogerian Model: Focuses on finding common ground and understanding opposing views. Toulmin Model: Break down arguments into six components (claim, data, warrant, backing, qualifier, rebuttal). Types of Reasoning Inductive: Drawing general conclusions from specific examples. Deductive: Drawing specific conclusions from general principles. Analogical: Comparing two similar cases to draw a conclusion. Narrative: Using storytelling to make a point. Causal: Establishing a cause-and-effect relationship. Rebuttal: Addressing and countering opposing arguments. Academic Skills Page 12  Common Reasoning Fallacies Post Hoc Reasoning: Assuming correlation implies causation. Hasty Generalization: Concluding an unrepresentative sample. Non Sequitur: Making a conclusion that does not logically follow from the premises. Straw Man: Misrepresenting an argument to make it easier to attack. Slippery Slope: Assuming one action will lead to a series of negative events. False Dilemma: Presenting only two options when more exist. Academic Skills Page 13  CRITICAL READING utorok 10. decembra 2024 19:27 Critical Reading – Judging the Strength of Arguments CLUES – A Guide to Critical Thinking: 1. Consider the Source and the Audience: Different sources (e.g., left-leaning vs. right-leaning) have different audiences and adjust arguments accordingly. 2. Lay Out the Argument and the Underlying Values and Assumptions: Argument: ○ Claim, explanation with logical structure, supported by evidence, leading to a conclusion. Assumption: ○ Undisputed proposition is taken as given. 3. Uncover the Evidence: Look for real-world data, examples, historical examples, and quotes from experts. 4. Evaluate the Conclusion: Assess if the argument is convincing and if the conclusion is connected to the reasoning. Determine if the evidence is persuasive and supportive of the claims. 5. Sort Out the Political Implications: Consider the impact on decision-making and who benefits or loses from accepting the argument. Example: Is Torture Ever Justified? Consider the Source and the Audience: What is the standpoint of the magazine? Uncover the Evidence: What sorts of evidence does the source provide? What kind of evidence would show that torture works? Evaluate the Conclusion: What argument is made by those who blur the definition of torture? What value do they prioritize? What argument is suggested by those who oppose torture based on "who we are"? What value do they prioritize? Sort Out the Political Implications: How does engaging in torture affect how a country is viewed globally? Does it make the country stronger or weaker in conflicts like the war on terror? Does the debate have implications for human rights law or is it a domestic issue? Academic Skills Page 14  SPEAKING AND PRESENTING utorok 10. decembra 2024 19:30 Presentations Contexts: Presenting research to peers, supervisors, conference attendees, or during state exams. Presenting positions or opinions at seminars or roundtables. Teamwork presentations, assuming responsibility for others. Practical implementation of designs to persuade audiences or clients. Presenting oneself during interviews. Key Points to Remember Purpose and Audience: Understand the purpose of your presentation and who your audience is. Assessment Criteria: Know what will be assessed. Content: Ensure the content is desirable and relevant. Formal Requirements: Be aware of timing, use of equipment, and interaction with the audience. Q&A Session: Prepare for questions and answers if included. Outcome: Consider what the outcome of your presentation will be. Preparation Tips Warm-Up: Warm up before giving the presentation (music, exercise, self-talk, deep breathing). Planning: Plan carefully and rehearse, but avoid scripting everything. Flexibility: Be prepared for potential problems (technical issues, timing, late arrivals). Natural Delivery: Don’t be overly attached to notes or slides; be natural. Time Management: Stick to the time frame and create checkpoints. Confidence: Be confident and stick to the topic. Language and Body Language Adjust Style: Adapt your style to the audience. Engagement: Keep contact with the audience and adjust style/pace if needed. Interaction: Interact with the audience if possible. Appearance: Pay attention to your attire. Audience Perception: Remember, the audience is not there to judge harshly; some are genuinely interested. Academic Skills Page 15  Remember, the audience is not there to judge harshly; some are genuinely interested. Conviction: Be convincing but not intimidating. Imagination: Leave room for imagination and don’t try to tell everything you know. Learning: Learn from good practices. Advice for Non-Native Speakers Practice: Find English-speaking conversation partners and practice small talks. Immersion: Surround yourself with the language (think, talk, read, watch films, listen to radio/podcasts in English). Writing: Write in English (notes, essays, home assignments, stories). Mindfulness: Be mindful of the meaning of phrases. Mistakes: Don’t worry about mistakes—just speak! Presentation Analogy Analogy: Giving a presentation is like skiing down a mountain with a glass of wine, chocolate, and a little bit of love. Calmness: Don’t panic—nobody has ever died from speaking in front of an audience. Practical Exercise Research Topic: Think of a research topic. Goal: Describe the goal of your research. Importance: Explain the importance of the research. Adaptation: Consider how you would change your presentation for different audiences (peers, state exam committee, future employer). Tools: Decide what tools you will use for your presentation. Academic Skills Page 16