Applied Research Methods & Professional Development - Weekly Journal : 7th Week Learning Log

"Where can you find a good research paper?" "What is a research paper?" "Any Guidelines to write research papers?" have any of these questions make you feel miserable in your life? Then this topic will be your medication to solve all of your doubts regarding research papers.

(Source: http://library.poly.edu/sites/default/files/image/2013/04/help-paper.jpg)

(Rajasekar, Philominathan, & Chinnathambi, 2013) once stated that Research paper is a written presentation of important and useful aspects of the research work done.It should clearly present the purpose and outcome of the specific research investigation. By publishing a research paper writer can get feedback from other researchers and professionals in in the field. It will also evaluate the success and originality of the research done and furthermore will interact with the third party readers who are interested about the topic or subject investigated. Research findings and innovative ideas will add value to a research and publishing a paper will guarantee your authority over the matters. Delaying the publication of the paper may loose your rights on findings. That is why Eli Maor, once said "in academic matters the iron rule is publish or perish". Research papers can be found at Conference proceedings and journals.

At class the lecturer provided following points on "What is a research paper":-

Answer a problem statement
Present Findings
Depicts detailed analysis of a particular topic or area
Provide References
Applies various types of research methods
Validate findings using scientific methodologies
Include Literature review as a main part of theory

Main Guidelines for reading a research paper:

Read Critically - Do not always assume that the authors are always accurate. Ask appropriate questions, do critique and find out the best (e.g. - Are they solving the right problem? / Are the assumptions that authors make reasonable? )
Read Creatively - Read the paper with a positive perception (e.g. - What are the good ideas / Any possible improvements? / Do the ideas presented have other applications or extensions that the author might have not thought of? / What is the next level - going further from the base paper)
Make notes - Write down your questions or criticisms as you read the paper. Underline key points presented. Mark down vital data that are important or questionable.
Summarize the paper - Ability to describe author's question and answer in short. Gain insight into more specific details of the research. Deepen your idea by outlining sub points that support the main idea
Compare the paper to other work - Make justification on author's findings by comparing with other supported or related researches.
Have a conclude note - gather all the information found on previous steps and create a small review where you can read and recall significant points regarding a certain research immediately when needed. Like memo card.

After attending few study sessions lecturer then gave students a task where we should read a research paper based on the problem identified for our individual assignment and fill out a table this task can be viewed under the heading "Dec 17th Class Activity" Table consist of info such as: Title of the paper / Authors / References / Main points of research / how it effect the project / related papers & comments.

From this learning log I gained proper knowledge on how to read and summarize research papers where it will positively impact on my individual assignments. And I hope one day i could publish my own research paper in order to prove what I gain from this module.