Introduction to Research for Essay Writing
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Introduction to Research for Essay Writing
This course is part of Academic English: Writing Specialization
Instructors: Tamy Chapman
143,055 already enrolled
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1,178 reviews
1,178 reviews
What you'll learn
Plan and structure academic research papers effectively.
Identify and evaluate credible sources for college-level writing.
Master academic tone and language for research writing.
Properly cite sources and avoid plagiarism using MLA/APA formats.
Details to know
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There are 5 modules in this course
Course 4: Introduction to Research for Essay Writing
This course is designed for college students and professionals aiming to master the research and planning phases of academic writing. As the final course in the Academic Writing specialization before the capstone project, it builds upon foundational writing skills to prepare you for advanced academic and professional tasks. By the end of this course, you will be able to complete all the essential steps in planning a comprehensive research paper. After completing this course, you will be able to: - Choose appropriate research topics for college classes and professional reports. - Write detailed outlines for structured research papers. - Find and evaluate credible source material for academic research. - Take and organize effective notes for efficient research and writing. - Use appropriate academic tone and language in your writing. - Document sources by creating a Works Cited list in MLA format. - Avoid plagiarizing your sources through proper citation techniques. To be successful in this course, you should have a foundational understanding of academic writing principles and essay structure, ideally from completing the preceding courses in the Academic Writing specialization.
In this course, you will synthesize your research and writing skills to plan your full research paper. You'll learn to structure your arguments, integrate sources effectively, and refine your academic voice. This course builds directly on your source evaluation and note-taking, preparing you for the final writing stages. By the end, you'll have a robust plan to avoid plagiarism and confidently complete your paper.
What's included
1 video1 reading
1 videoβ’Total 1 minute
- Course Introduction Videoβ’1 minute
1 readingβ’Total 10 minutes
- Message About Peer Reviewsβ’10 minutes
In this module, you will dive into research assignments common in American universities. You'll practice choosing compelling topics and learn to select and evaluate academic sources for reliability. These foundational steps are crucial for launching any research assignment successfully. By the end, you'll confidently identify strong research topics and credible sources.
What's included
3 videos6 readings2 assignments2 peer reviews
3 videosβ’Total 18 minutes
- Intro Videoβ’0 minutes
- Choosing a Research Topic Video Lectureβ’8 minutes
- Finding and Evaluating Academic Sources Video Lectureβ’10 minutes
6 readingsβ’Total 60 minutes
- Introduction to Research Writingβ’10 minutes
- Lecture Objectivesβ’10 minutes
- Sample Research Assignmentsβ’10 minutes
- Choosing Search Terms Practiceβ’10 minutes
- Lecture Objectivesβ’10 minutes
- Evaluating Sources Practiceβ’10 minutes
2 assignmentsβ’Total 60 minutes
- Introduction to Research Quiz β’30 minutes
- Practice Quiz β’30 minutes
2 peer reviewsβ’Total 180 minutes
- Practice Writing Research Questionsβ’60 minutes
- Practice Finding Sourcesβ’120 minutes
In this module, you will enhance your research skills by learning advanced techniques for finding sources. You'll master organizing your research through effective note-taking and learn to write an annotated bibliography, a common college assignment. By the end, you'll efficiently manage your research materials, building on your foundational source evaluation.
What's included
4 videos8 readings3 assignments2 peer reviews
4 videosβ’Total 14 minutes
- Intro Videoβ’0 minutes
- More on Finding Sources and Taking Notes Video Lectureβ’8 minutes
- Making an Outline Video Lectureβ’2 minutes
- Thesis Statements for Research Papers Video Lectureβ’3 minutes
8 readingsβ’Total 80 minutes
- Lecture Objectivesβ’10 minutes
- Creating an Annotated Bibliographyβ’10 minutes
- Sample Annotated Bibliographiesβ’10 minutes
- Annotated Bibliography Assignmentβ’10 minutes
- Making an Outlineβ’10 minutes
- Lecture Objectivesβ’10 minutes
- Lecture Objectivesβ’10 minutes
- Thesis Statements for Research Papers Practiceβ’10 minutes
3 assignmentsβ’Total 70 minutes
- Doing Research Quiz β’10 minutes
- Practice Quizβ’30 minutes
- Practice Quiz β’30 minutes
2 peer reviewsβ’Total 120 minutes
- Annotated Bibliography Assignment Feedbackβ’60 minutes
- Thesis Statement for Research Paperβ’60 minutes
In this module, you'll master the precise language essential for research papers. You'll learn to apply academic tone, effectively use statistics, and integrate words from the Academic Word List into your writing. This builds on your paper planning, ensuring your arguments are communicated clearly and persuasively. By the end, you'll confidently craft sophisticated academic prose.
What's included
4 videos9 readings2 assignments1 peer review
4 videosβ’Total 21 minutes
- Intro Videoβ’1 minute
- Academic Tone and Language Video Lectureβ’8 minutes
- Using Statistics in Writing Video Lectureβ’6 minutes
- The Academic Word List and Reporting Verbs Video Lectureβ’7 minutes
9 readingsβ’Total 90 minutes
- Lecture Objectivesβ’10 minutes
- Academic Tone and Language Practicesβ’10 minutes
- Academic Tone and Language Practice Keyβ’10 minutes
- Lecture Objectivesβ’10 minutes
- Using Statistics for Writing Practiceβ’10 minutes
- Additional Resources on Using Statisticsβ’10 minutes
- Academic Word List and Reported Speech Introductionβ’10 minutes
- Lecture Objectivesβ’10 minutes
- Academic Word List Practiceβ’10 minutes
2 assignmentsβ’Total 60 minutes
- Language for Research Quizβ’30 minutes
- Practice Quizβ’30 minutes
1 peer reviewβ’Total 60 minutes
- Using Statistics for Writing Peer Reviewβ’60 minutes
In this final module, you will master citing sources in your research paper. You'll review MLA and APA formats, ensuring your academic work is professionally presented. Discover online resources that simplify formatting, building on your previous research and writing skills. By the end, you'll confidently document sources, crucial for academic integrity.
What's included
3 videos9 readings3 assignments1 peer review
3 videosβ’Total 9 minutes
- Intro Videoβ’0 minutes
- Using Purdue OWL Video Lectureβ’5 minutes
- Using EasyBib Video Lectureβ’4 minutes
9 readingsβ’Total 90 minutes
- Citing Sources Overviewβ’10 minutes
- Updates to MLA Formatβ’10 minutes
- Lecture Objectivesβ’10 minutes
- Purdue Owl Practiceβ’10 minutes
- Resources for Formatting Research Papersβ’10 minutes
- Lecture Objectivesβ’10 minutes
- EasyBib Practiceβ’10 minutes
- EasyBib Practice Keyβ’10 minutes
- Learn More!β’10 minutes
3 assignmentsβ’Total 90 minutes
- Citing Sources and Formatting Quiz β’30 minutes
- Practice Quizβ’30 minutes
- Practice Quizβ’30 minutes
1 peer reviewβ’Total 120 minutes
- Purdue Owl Practiceβ’120 minutes
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Reviewed on Mar 21, 2016
This was a very informative and useful course. It has improved my skills immenseley and I'm grateful for all the work that has been put into it.
Reviewed on Jun 29, 2020
A highly recommended course. I loved the practical part and peer-reviewing. However, I do not recommend it to people with advanced level in scientific writing
Reviewed on Jan 6, 2020
I would highly recommend this course to everyone who is struggling to learn about bibliography, proper writing methods, and the use of proper nouns and verbs.
Frequently asked questions
Academic research involves systematically investigating topics using credible sources to support arguments in scholarly work. For essay writing, it's crucial for developing well-supported arguments and demonstrating a deep understanding of the subject matter, enhancing the quality and credibility of your academic writing.
Choosing an effective research topic involves identifying an area of interest, narrowing its scope, and ensuring sufficient academic resources are available. This course guides you through evaluating potential topics for relevance, feasibility, and originality to ensure a strong foundation for your essay.
Planning a research paper involves several critical steps: defining your research question, conducting thorough research to gather evidence, creating a detailed outline, and organizing your findings. This course covers each step to help you structure your academic writing effectively.
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