![Research Question Formulation
A well-formulated research question is the cornerstone of a strong paper. It should be:
• Clear and Focused: Easily understood and specific.
• Feasible and Researchable: Possible to answer within the given constraints.
• Original and Relevant: Contributes new knowledge to the field.
Example formats:
• "How does [X] impact [Y] in [Z context]?"
• "What is the effect of [intervention] on [outcome] among [population]?"
• "To what extent does [factor] influence [phenomenon]?"
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Research-Fundamentals-and-Topic-Development.pdf
- 1. Research Fundamentals & Topic Development Welcome to this session on mastering the foundational elements of research paper writing and leveraging modern tools, including AI, to effectively develop your research topics. This session will equip you with essential knowledge and practical strategies to embark on your academic writing journey. © Dr. Ayesha Butalia 2025. All rights reserved. Youtube playlist: Research Paper Writing Lecture Series https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLMdJWe0JoIuLIZP- 65vU7TONphhoE6WYT&si=adWSqncaVD8zrkfy
- 2. Session 1 Research Fundamentals & Topic Development Presented by Dr. Ayesha Butalia Email: [email protected] Monday 21st July 2025 © Dr. Ayesha Butalia 2025. All rights reserved. Youtube playlist: Research Paper Writing Lecture Series https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLMdJWe0JoIuLIZP- 65vU7TONphhoE6WYT&si=adWSqncaVD8zrkfy
- 3. Learning Objectives Structure & Types of Research Papers Gain a comprehensive understanding of various research paper formats. Academic Writing Norms Familiarize yourself with essential citation practices and scholarly conventions. Topic Development Develop a focused research topic, question, and preliminary thesis statement. AI for Research Explore how AI tools can assist in the topic development process. © Dr. Ayesha Butalia 2025. All rights reserved. Youtube playlist: Research Paper Writing Lecture Series https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLMdJWe0JoIuLIZP- 65vU7TONphhoE6WYT&si=adWSqncaVD8zrkfy
- 4. 1 Why Research Matters Research papers are fundamental to academic growth. They allow you to advance knowledge in your field, develop analytical thinking, build credibility, and contribute to real- world solutions. “Research is formalized curiosity. It is poking and prying with a purpose.” – Zora Neale Hurston 2 Crafting Your Question A strong research paper starts with a compelling research question. It must be specific, researchable, and relevant, leading to a clear argument or analysis. Consider a structure like: "What is the impact of X on Y in Z context?" 3 Next Steps: Preliminary Research Your homework is to find and read 5 preliminary sources related to your topic and create annotated bibliography entries. Utilize tools like Zotero, Mendeley, Google Scholar, and Semantic Scholar for efficient management. © Dr. Ayesha Butalia 2025. All rights reserved. Youtube playlist: Research Paper Writing Lecture Series https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLMdJWe0JoIuLIZP- 65vU7TONphhoE6WYT&si=adWSqncaVD8zrkfy
- 5. Types of Research Papers Analytical Examines an issue or idea, presenting both sides of an argument. Argumentative Presents a strong claim and supports it with evidence. Experimental Details the results of empirical research and observations. Review Summarizes and synthesizes existing literature on a topic. Case Study In-depth analysis of a single subject, group, or event. Reference: OWL Purdue – Types of Research Papers © Dr. Ayesha Butalia 2025. All rights reserved.
- 6. Anatomy of a Research Paper • Abstract: A concise summary of the paper. • Introduction: Background, problem statement, and thesis. • Literature Review: Survey of relevant prior research. • Methodology: How the research was conducted. • Results: Presentation of findings. • Discussion: Interpretation of results and implications. • Conclusion: Summary of key findings and future research. • References: List of all sources cited. Resource: University of Manchester Writing Guide • Mobile whatsapp 9673102198. © Dr. Ayesha Butalia 2025. All rights reserved.
- 7. Academic Writing Standards Formal Tone & Structure Maintain objectivity and use precise language. Avoid colloquialisms. Avoid Personal Bias Present information impartially, focusing on evidence rather than opinion. Clear Thesis & Evidence Ensure your main argument is explicit and supported by robust evidence. Proper Referencing Adhere to a consistent citation style to acknowledge sources and avoid plagiarism. Tool: Grammarly – for clarity, tone, and correctness in your writing. © Dr. Ayesha Butalia 2025. All rights reserved.
- 8. Activity 1: Sample Paper Analysis In this interactive activity, you will analyze two research paper excerpts to identify key elements. • Identify Structure: Locate the abstract, introduction, and conclusion. • Thesis Statement: Pinpoint the main argument of the paper. • Research Question: Determine the central question the research addresses. Files to Provide: 2 annotated sample PDFs Tool Suggestion: Hypothes.is – for collaborative PDF annotation. Specific, researchable, relevant Should lead to argument or analysis Example: “What is the impact of X on Y in Z context?” Formulating a Research Question © Dr. Ayesha Butalia 2025. All rights reserved.
- 9. Topic Development Strategies Brainstorming Generate a wide range of ideas without immediate judgment. Mind Mapping Visually organize and connect ideas to explore relationships. Identifying Research Gaps Discover areas where current literature is lacking or incomplete. Feasibility Check Evaluate the scope, available time, and resources for your chosen topic. Tools: MindMeister for mind-mapping, and ChatGPT for brainstorming topic variations. © Dr. Ayesha Butalia 2025. All rights reserved.
- 10. Research Question Formulation A well-formulated research question is the cornerstone of a strong paper. It should be: • Clear and Focused: Easily understood and specific. • Feasible and Researchable: Possible to answer within the given constraints. • Original and Relevant: Contributes new knowledge to the field. Example formats: • "How does [X] impact [Y] in [Z context]?" • "What is the effect of [intervention] on [outcome] among [population]?" • "To what extent does [factor] influence [phenomenon]?" © Dr. Ayesha Butalia 2025. All rights reserved.
- 11. AI Tools for Topic Ideation ChatGPT Refine ideas, generate various questions, and explore different angles for your topic. Scite.ai Discover how research claims are cited and supported, aiding in identifying robust evidence. Consensus.app A search engine specifically designed for evidence-based answers from scientific literature. ResearchRabbit Visually explore literature connections and discover relevant papers and authors. © Dr. Ayesha Butalia 2025. All rights reserved.
- 12. Navigating Your Research J ourney Building a Research Timeline Plan your milestones: from topic exploration and source gathering to drafting and revision. Tools like Trello or Notion can help you track tasks and stay organized. • Day 1–2: Topic Exploration & Refinement • Day 3–4: In-depth Source Search • Day 5: Draft Outline & Initial Ideas Overcoming Challenges If your topic is too broad, narrow its scope. If too niche, check for sufficient literature support. If confusing, rephrase it into a clear, concise question. AI tools can assist in testing clarity or generating variations. Academic Integrity Always cite your sources rigorously to avoid plagiarism. Utilize plagiarism checkers like PlagScan (or Turnitin if accessible through your institution) and never copy-paste from AI. Essential Tools & Resources Tool Use Link Zotero Reference Management zotero.org Mendeley Citation Management mendeley.com ChatGPT Idea Support chat.openai.com Grammarly Grammar/Style Check grammarly.com ResearchRabbit Literature Mapping researchrabbit.ai Scite.ai Citation Analysis scite.ai Consensus Research Synthesis consensus.app MindMeister Mind Mapping mindmeister.com OWL Purdue Writing Resource owl.purdue.edu © Dr. Ayesha Butalia 2025. All rights reserved. Youtube playlist: Research Paper Writing Lecture Series https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLMdJWe0JoIuLIZP- 65vU7TONphhoE6WYT&si=adWSqncaVD8zrkfy
- 13. Today's Deliverables 1 Finalized Research Topic A well-defined subject that genuinely interests you and has academic merit. 2 Clear Research Question A focused, answerable question that will guide your entire research process. 3 Preliminary Problem Statement A concise statement outlining the issue your research aims to address and its significance. 4 Personal Research Timeline A realistic plan with key milestones to keep you on track and manage your progress effectively. © Dr. Ayesha Butalia 2025. All rights reserved.
- 14. Today's Deliverables 1 Finalized Research Topic A well-defined subject that genuinely interests you and has academic merit. 2 Clear Research Question A focused, answerable question that will guide your entire research process. 3 Preliminary Problem Statement A concise statement outlining the issue your research aims to address and its significance. 4 Personal Research Timeline A realistic plan with key milestones to keep you on track and manage your progress effectively. © Dr. Ayesha Butalia 2025. All rights reserved.
- 15. Mastering Your Research Journey Effective planning and adherence to academic standards are crucial for successful research. Here's how to navigate common challenges and maintain integrity. Building a Research Timeline 1 Plan Milestones Map out key stages: topic selection, source gathering, outlining, drafting, and revision. Break down large tasks into smaller, manageable steps. 2 Task Tracking Tools Use platforms like Trello or Notion to organize tasks, set deadlines, and monitor progress. 3 Sample Template Consider this quick template: Day 1-2 Topic Exploration; Day 3-4 Source Search; Day 5 Draft Outline. Overcoming Topic Selection Challenges Too Broad? Narrow your scope. Define specific parameters or a particular aspect to investigate. Too Niche? Verify sufficient literature support. Ensure there's enough existing research to build upon. Confusing? Rephrase into a clear, concise research question. Use AI to test clarity or generate variations. Academic Integrity & Plagiarism Cite All Sources Always give credit to original authors to avoid plagiarism and acknowledge intellectual contributions. Use Plagiarism Checkers Tools like PlagScan (and Turnitin via institutional access) help ensure originality. Avoid AI Copy-Paste Use AI as a tool for brainstorming and drafting, but always write your own final content to ensure originality. © Dr. Ayesha Butalia 2025. All rights reserved. Youtube playlist: Research Paper Writing Lecture Series https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLMdJWe0JoIuLIZP- 65vU7TONphhoE6WYT&si=adWSqncaVD8zrkfy
- 16. Getting Started: Your Research Homework This section outlines your initial steps in the research process, focusing on essential preliminary work and effective resource management. Preliminary Source Discovery & Management Find 5 Preliminary Sources Locate and read at least five sources relevant to your research topic. Focus on foundational texts, recent studies, and key authors in the field. Create Annotated Bibliography Entries For each source, write a concise summary and evaluation of its relevance and quality. This helps in organizing your thoughts and future referencing. Utilize Reference Tools Streamline your citation process with powerful tools: • Zotero: Free, open-source reference manager. • Mendeley: Reference management and academic social network. • Google Scholar: Broad academic search engine. • Semantic Scholar: AI-powered research tool. © Dr. Ayesha Butalia 2025. All rights reserved.
- 17. Research Timeline Template Use tools like: Trello or Notion for task tracking o Week 1: Topic exploration Source search Sample template: o Day 5: Experimentation and Results with Draft Outline o Day 3–4: Methodology o Proposed Model / Solution © Dr. Ayesha Butalia 2025. All rights reserved. Youtube playlist: Research Paper Writing Lecture Series https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLMdJWe0JoIuLIZP- 65vU7TONphhoE6WYT&si=adWSqncaVD8zrkfy