Academic Research Booklet

Academic Research

Adding sections and subsections Formal academic work should be broken up into sections highlighted by section titles. Optional: within each section you may want to include further sub-sections. Section titles: Highlight the section title ⟶ Home tab ⟶ ⟶ Styles ⟶ ⟶ Choose Heading 1 Subsection titles: Important! Sections DO NOT start on new pages, they run on from each other with a simple line space in between.

Highlight the subsection title ⟶ In the Home tab select Styles ⟶ ⟶ Choose Heading 2

Adding a bibliography This can only be done once you have created your references. The bibliography starts on a new page at the end of your essay References tab

⟶ Bibliography drop-down ⟶ ⟶ Choose the first option

If you add or make changes to your references: Click on the Bibliography list ⟶ Click the Update Citations and Bibliography option

When to use

Example Sentence Starters

This essay set out to explore... The central question of this investigation was... The purpose of this research was to determine whether... Throughout the essay, it has been demonstrated... Evidence suggests... The main arguments presented have shown... In answer to the question, To what extent ... In response to the essay question, the findings suggest the extent to which... It can therefore be concluded... In response to the question posed, this essay finds... The findings indicate... These findings are significant because... This has wider implications for... The topic remains important in current debates around... While this essay offers insight into..., there are limitations to... Further research could explore... Due to limited scope, this essay did not... Ultimately, this essay highlights the importance of... In conclusion, understanding [topic] is vital because... This analysis contributes to ongoing conversations about...

Restating the research question or aim

Summarising your key findings/arguments

Answering the question clearly and directly

Reflecting on implications or significance

Acknowledging limitations or further questions

Ending with a thoughtful final statement

How to quote Notice how the wording changes in the following examples yet the same information is given. Regardless of how the information is written all three examples still have a citation. Original quote (a direct quote): “Pandas are often seen eating in a relaxed sitting posture, with their hind legs stretched out before them. They may appear sedentary, but they are skilled tree-climbers and efficient swimmers.” (National Geographic, 2020). Reduced quote with added words: Though “Pandas are often seen eating in a relaxed sitting posture… [and] may appear sedentary… they are skilled tree-climbers and efficient swimmers.” (National Geographic, 2020). Quote completely reworded (an indirect quote) : For a lot of the time pandas often sit in a relaxed posture where they stretch their legs out in front of them, they are very good at climbing trees and swimming even though they seem to spend most of the time not doing very much (National Geographic, 2020). When should you cite your sources? If the information is a fact. If the information is something you didn’t already know. If you are quoting someone. If you copy and paste or copy and reword information. Use ellipses… to show words have been removed and [square brackets] to show words have been added.