LA0834 English for Research

Code LA0834
Name English for Research
Status Compulsory/Courses of Limited Choice
Level and type Undergraduate Studies, Academic
Field of study Languages
Faculty Liepaja Academy
Academic staff Baiba Kačanova
Credit points 3.0
Parts 1
Annotation To provide students with the opportunity to develop and refine academic writing skills and strategies in English by becoming familiar with key techniques, guidelines, and recommendations for improving research writing skills..
Contents
Content Full- and part-time intramural studies Part time extramural studies
Contact hours Independent work Contact hours Independent work
Topic 1 Introduction in writing research papers. Demonstrates effective use of planning, drafting, reviewing and editing strategies. Systematise, analyse and interpret data collected and draw conclusions. Independent work: provides useful feedback to colleagues on research they have designed. 2 4 2 6
Topic 2 Audience and purpose of academic and research writing. Language. Style and register. Independent work: practical exercises (e-environment). 4 6 0 6
Topic 3 Title. Development of the introduction to the research paper. Content and structure (components) of the introduction. Independent work: analysis of introductions of other students' research papers (graduate, undergraduate). 2 4 2 6
Topic 4 Research methods in educational sciences and pedagogy. Choice of data collection methods. Questionnaire design and administration. Formulating and conducting interview questions. Designing and observing observation sheets. Independent work: select research and data collection methods appropriate to your project and justify your choice. 2 4 2 6
Topic 5 Reading for academic purposes. Literature review: managing sources. Notes, summarising. Selecting information. Notes, summarising:- Identification of texts relevant to the aim of the study;- Identification of the main idea of the author of the study;- Identifying the main ideas and distinguishing them from examples and illustrations;- identifying chronological, logical (causal) relationships;- distinguishing between fact and opinion;- following guidelines - inductive (from the particular to the general) and deductive (from the general to the particular); - different formats of note-taking (use of tables, accurate citation, both quotation and evaluation, commentary). Independent work: choose one research article, study and summarise it using one of the note-taking formats discussed, bearing in mind that the notes should help to reconstruct the source text. 2 4 0 6
Topic 6 Avoiding plagiarism: references and citations. Main reference systems. Electronic citation tools. Purposes of using references and citations. Main reference systems (last name - year; alphabet; numbering; citation order); use of citations; arranging references. Electronic citation tools. Documenting electronic materials. Independent work: using at least three different sources, develop a short overview of the research topic of interest, providing references according to APA reference style (in the e-environment). 2 4 2 6
Topic 7 Summary and paraphrasing. Combining sources. Critical approach. Purpose and content of a summary. Paraphrasing techniques. Presenting and organizing multiple sources. Independent work: write a summary of a research paper. 2 4 0 4
Topic 8 Paragraph and its structure. Paragraph writing. Clarity and unity of writing. Conjunctions and punctuation in academic writing. Paragraph structure. Development of ideas. Introductory sentence. Connecting sentences. Transitional sentences. Concluding sentences. Paragraph coherence. Independent work: composing paragraphs from given introductory sentences. 6 6 4 8
Topic 9 Elements of research paper development: definitions, examples, arguments and discussion, causes and effects, comparison, generalization. Independent work: study paper project (draft). 2 4 0 6
Topic 10 Statistical data processing, coding, analysis, interpretation. Visual materials: providing visual information. Functions of visual materials and principles of their development. Types of tables, graphs, images. Names and description of visual materials. Independent work: developing visual materials for your own study project. 2 4 2 4
Topic 11 Analysis of research results. Describing the conclusions of the research work. Conclusion of the research work. Independent work: analysis of the methodology and results section of the selected research work. 2 2 0 4
Topic 12 Abstract of a scientific paper. Translation of an abstract. Review, editing, design of a research paper. Independent work: the study paper project must be submitted for review by colleagues (in an electronic environment). 4 6 2 6
Total: 32 52 16 68
Goals and objectives
of the course in terms
of competences and skills 		The aim of the course is to provide students with the opportunity to develop and improve their academic writing skills and strategies in English by introducing them to key techniques, guidelines and recommendations for improving their research writing skills. Course objectives: 1. To develop competencies for successful written communication in an academic environment; 2. To help students improve their research skills and build their confidence as English language researchers; this also involves devoting time and effort to improving their reading and critical thinking skills; 3. To provide practical experience in the development, organisation and revision of academic texts.
Learning outcomes
and assessment 		Knowledge: 1. Know and apply the principles of scientific inquiry. - 1. Completion of independent work and regular work in practical classes. 2. draft of the study project. The draft of the study project must contain: a title page, a signed documentation page, a table of contents, an introduction, a theory review (at least 12 pages), a list of literature used and a detailed one-page empirical research plan. Final examination: 3. Presentation of the thesis project and discussion of the possibilities for further research.
Skills: 2. Research and critique the content, rhetorical structure and authorial aims of scientific works. 3. Formulate a research topic and select research and data collection methods to achieve the research objective. 4. Gathers and compiles reliable and useful information for a research paper through effective sampling. - 1. Completion of independent work and regular work in practical classes. 2. draft of the study project. The draft of the study project must contain: a title page, a signed documentation page, a table of contents, an introduction, a theory review (at least 12 pages), a list of literature used and a detailed one-page empirical research plan. Final examination: 3. Presentation of the thesis project and discussion of the possibilities for further research.
Competences: 5. Demonstrates effective use of planning, drafting, reviewing and editing strategies. 6. Systematise, analyse and interpret data collected and draw conclusions. 7. Provides useful feedback to colleagues on research they have designed. - 1. Completion of independent work and regular work in practical classes. 2. draft of the study project. The draft of the study project must contain: a title page, a signed documentation page, a table of contents, an introduction, a theory review (at least 12 pages), a list of literature used and a detailed one-page empirical research plan. Final examination: 3. Presentation of the thesis project and discussion of the possibilities for further research.
Evaluation criteria of study results
Completion of independent work and regular work in practical classes - 40%
Study project draft - 40%
Presentation of the thesis project and discussion of the possibilities for further research - 20%
 
Course prerequisites Functional Communicative Grammar III
Course planning
Part CP Hours Tests
Lectures Practical Lab. Test Exam Work
1 3.0 16.0 16.0 0.0 *
[Extended course information PDF]