Writing+Up+the+Research

//This page is devoted to helping teacher-researchers write up their findings for dissemination to a wider audience or for publication.//

=**Key Elements of the Write-up**=


 * Abstract** - A short paragraph (usually no more than 1/2 a page) that briefly summarizes your paper, including the research question, the participants, the method, the findings, and the conclusions/implications/applications. It is basically an outline of your problem statement.


 * Problem Statement/Introduction** - Includes:


 * //Stakeholders// in the problem (Who wins or loses as a result of this problem?)
 * //Background// on the problem (What background information do readers need in order to be able to follow your argument?)
 * //Problem// (What is the problem and why is it significant?)
 * //Response// to problem (What is the purpose of this study? How will it address the problem? Your study--either empirical or theoretical--will intervene to fill or to address the gap you have just identified as the problem in some way.)


 * Literature Review -** Provides justification for the study, including context, rationale, and significance


 * Methodology** - Describes the details of how the study was conducted and includes information about the context, participants, data collection instruments, procedures used to collect the data, and the strategies you used to analyze the data


 * Presentation of Data/Findings** - Summarizes the data you collected and what it shows


 * Interpretation of Data/Discussion** - Explains what you think the information you collected means (especially in light of the literature review)


 * Implications** **of Data/Conclusion**- Summarizes key findings, states your judgment about them, and offers implications regarding classroom practice and/or directions for future research


 * References -** A complete list of the articles, books, and other materials that you refer to in your paper


 * Appendix** **-** Contains copies of your data collection instruments, samples of student work, or other materials that you think will be helpful to the reader, but that might be distracting if included within the body of the text


 * Author Note** - Lists the author's affiliation, acknowledges financial support and professional contributions, and provides contact information

=**Sample Article** (Written by a teacher-researcher after completing an action research project)=

Borich, Jeanette Marie Bowman. (2001). Learning through dialogue journal writing: A cultural thematic unit. //Learning Languages, 6//(3), 74-89. Available: [|http://eric.ed.gov/ERICWebPortal/Home.portal?_nfpb=true&_pageLabel=RecordDetails&ERICExtSearch_SearchValue_0=ED454726]&ERICExtSearch_SearchType_0=eric_accno&objectId=0900000b801413d2

=**Getting Colleagues to Give You Effective Feedback on Your Writing**=

- A process you can use to establish expectations for the kind of feedback you need from peers so that what you get is of higher quality, along with strategies for addressing common problems in writing. This worksheet can be used with students too.

=**Helpful** **Resources**=

American Psychological Association. (2001). //Publication manual of the American Psychological Association, 5th ed.// Washington, DC. ISBN 1-55798-791-2.

[|Citation Machine] - Choose the citation style you are using, insert your information into the form, and the computer will spit out the citation you should use. Very helpful if you are expected to publish in a style that is unfamiliar to you. http://citationmachine.net/

Neyhart, D., & Karper, E. (2006). [|APA formatting and style guide]. //The Owl at Purdue.// Retrieved October 20, 2006, from http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/560/01/

[|Research Skills: Quotations & Paraphrases Online Tutorial] - A short explanation with examples re: how to write an acceptable paraphrase based on a quotation


 * [|Readability.info]**- This useful website allows you to upload Word documents or webpage URLs in order to get an instant, free analysis of the readability of your writing. To see how your writing compares with other forms of popular media, click here: http://www.readability.info/commonscores.shtml