Manual for Readers Ch.2

Research Project

A systematic investigation that begins with a question and involves various tasks to find answers and support them with evidence.

Five General Aims

The five goals of a research project:ask a question worth answering, find a supported answer, gather reliable evidence, draft a compelling argument, and revise the draft.

Research Process

The non-linear and often messy journey of conducting research, requiring revisiting earlier tasks.

Focused Topic

A specific area of interest that researchers explore to develop a research question.

Research Question

A question that guides the research process and is worth answering to contribute to a larger understanding.

Manageable Topic

A narrowed-down aspect of a broader subject that is feasible to research.

Practical Problems

Research issues that involve real-world situations with tangible consequences, such as diseases or traffic jams.

Conceptual Problems

Research issues that involve gaps in knowledge or understanding, without direct practical consequences.

Pure Research

Research aimed at understanding a conceptual problem without immediate practical applications.

Applied Research

Research that addresses a conceptual problem with practical implications, often aimed at solving real-world issues.

Working Hypothesis

A tentative answer to a research question that guides the investigation and can evolve as new information is gathered.

Storyboard

A visual planning tool that helps organize ideas and data throughout the research process.

Writing Group

A collaborative group of writers who provide feedback and support for each other's research projects.

Evaluating Questions

The process of assessing the quality of research questions to ensure they provoke deeper thinking and exploration.

Evidence Types

Different forms of data used in research, such as numbers, quotations, observations, and historical facts, that support arguments.