Advises for Writing Essays, Reports, Understanding of Valid Research Techniques - Assignment Example

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT How to reference in the Harvard convention? In academic writing it is important that you credit every source of information and any ideas that you have used. There are several different methods for doing this. The Harvard System is one way of citing references in your assignments and giving the sources of those references. In text citations: Reference Lists at the end of the paper: The reference list is usually included at the end of the paper and is arranged in alphabetical order. Electronic Journal Articles: In text citations are in the format: Author Name, Year for example: (O’Connor 1969). While the references to be included at the end of the paper, are in the format: Author Name, Initial, Year, "Title of the Journal Article", vol. no., Pp. No., viewed dd, mm, yy, Newspaper Article: Articles cited from newspapers are to be cited in the following format: In case of in text citation: (Author Name year) and in case of reference list: Authors Last Name, Initials Year, "Title of the Article", Name of the Newspaper, Date, Page No. In case of articles cited from an online source: In text citation: (Author Name Year) and reference list: Authors Last Names, Initial, Year, "Title of the Article", Name of the Newspaper, Date Month, viewed DD MM YY, In case of references where no date is mentioned, the term n.d. i.e., no date is used to denote that no date is available for citing. In case the name of the author is not available, it is mandatory to cite the name of the author who has cited it in their work/s by mentioning cited by. For instance, It is advisable to ensure that citations from other authors must be used with extreme caution and care and if at all such works are cited, adequate care must be taken to apply the accurate conventions. In case where quotations used in the text are fewer than three lines, it must be: (a) placed within the text, (b) in quotation marks and (c) in italics while in case of quotations exceeding three lines, the same should be placed within quotation marks, in italics, blocked, indented and single spaced. 2. Literature Review: Learning Organizations: Organizational learning has always been a center of focus for several decades. Learning in itself is given due importance owing to its contributions and outcomes in enhancing the overall organizational productivity as well as environment. The term Learning Organization which was first used in the 1980s is defined as: "any company having a climate that speeds up individual and group learning" (Kirk 1996 Pp.3). The concept has been defined differently by different authors, however the perception of three of such authors is presented below: According to Senge (1994), the Learning Organization is: “an organization that is continually expanding its capacity to create its future. For such organizations it is not enough to merely survive. Survival learning or what is more often termed as adaptive learning is important - indeed it is necessary. But for a learning organization that enhances our capacity to create". Senge firmly believed that for individuals willing to be a part of a Learning Organization, it is essential to first experience a process of personal transformation. This change refers to the attitudes and set beliefs, since the author believed that change facilitates improvement and helps in overcoming limitations hence contributing to the overall development of the organization. Chris Argyis, was another key author who contributed significantly to further develop and propagate the concept. He stressed on the various methods of which can be adopted and implemented within a learning organization. The author believed that learning helps individuals solve critical problems and enables establishment of good corporate values including transparency, fostering of an environment which encourages development of creative ideas and provides a good working environment. (Jarvis et al, 2003 Pp.149). Margaret Wheatley, is one of such prominent authors who developed and endorsed the concept of a learning organization. She pointed out that organizations often struggle to manage the information available to them and hence needs to implement learning within their framework so as to enable them use and implement such information effectively for its overall growth and development. She also believed that sustaining an organization in the midst of fierce competition could be possible only through development of learning organizations which not only encourage generation of new ideas but also sharing of the same, thus broadening the perspectives and fostering development (Wheatley 2006 Pp.110). 3. An overview on how to set out research methodology for a report/dissertation The chief rationale of writing the methodology section is to illustrate all the processes and methods undertaken to facilitate the research, with a view to familiarize the target audience regarding the manner in which they may assess the design procedure as well as outcomes presented in the study. Like any other part of the research report, the methodology section too, must be very well structured and concise and must have the ability to resolve whatever queries the reader or the target audience might have regarding the research and its credibility and scope. Of all the other major queries the most important of them which must be answered include: The actual detailed process through which the research was conducted The manner in which it was conducted The people or subjects involved The type of results derived there from Problems encountered while carrying out the research as well as the manner in which they were dealt with Methods of data collection The following is an outline of the Methodology Section: Statement of Research Problem The fundamental aim of the research study The key objectives intended to be addressed Research hypotheses Criteria for Sample selection The various research units involved Key distinguishing attributes of the sample units The Sampling frame The techniques of selecting the samples and The total number of sample units Review of Data Collection Methods: The data collection methods must provide satisfactory explanation to the following points: Justification of the data collection method/s employed for the purpose of conducting this research The area/s (here, it refers to the actual geographic location) from which the data was gathered The duration of data collection Methods through which the primary data was collected. It must be followed by a comprehensive explanation of the research carried out, the research design tools and techniques employed, fieldwork experiences if any, etc. Whether secondary data was used in the research? If yes, then its relevance, sources as well as significance in sustaining the arguments presented in the research study Pilot Study(if any) The subjects or participants involved Modifications or alterations made to the research tools and/ or techniques Methods of Analysis- must include the following: The manner in which the collected data is proposed to be analyzed i.e., whether the data is to be analyzed through general statistical analysis tools or through the use of state of the art softwares specially designed for the purpose. If the research analysis involves the use of sophisticated tools such as a bespoke software, it must be specifically and separately specified in the report. Limitations: Any research has certain limitations or drawbacks and the same should e clearly mentioned in the body of the research. It must include all the limitations encountered during the entire process as well as a brief account of the manner in which such setbacks were overcome (Kothari 2008 Pp. 1). 4. Design a research document and demonstrate an understanding of valid research techniques Designing of an effective research report involves consideration of all of the following elements, such as: the introduction, the statement of purpose i.e., the basic objectives of the research, key research questions as well as the research hypothesis, applicable theories, key definitions used in the research, significance as well as limitations of the research, ethical considerations, quantitative and / or qualitative methods or mixed methods as well as procedures employed etc (Creswell 2003). In the recent years, research approaches have grown significantly to such an extent that today the researchers have a wide array of choices at their disposal for choosing an effective design for their research proposal. However, it is highly recommended that in order for a research proposal to be effective, a common structure must be adopted with a view to offer adequate assistance to the researcher regarding various aspects of their research such as the basic ideas or concepts behind the research topic selected, the methods of investigation proposed to be employed while conducting the research, methods of collecting data- including qualitative, quantitative or mixed, etc. Adoption of existing structure also facilitates the researchers to skillfully amalgamate their research proposals into well developed ideas through a well grounded literature review in a way which can be widely accepted by the target audiences for instance the faculty committees to whom the research proposal is presented for approval. While diverse forms of structures which are presently in existence which offers guidelines for developing an effective research design proposal, some of the most common types include: qualitative, quantitative and mixed method approaches (Creswell 2003 Pp.3). Figure 1: Knowledge Claims, Strategies of Inquiry and Methods Leading to Approaches and the Design Process (Cresswell 2003 Pp. 5). Figure 2: Four Alternative Combinations of Knowledge Claims, Strategies of Inquiry and Methods (Cresswell 2003 Pp. 20) Where research refers to the fundamental plan or strategy of a research report, a research technique is mainly associated with the various methods used for collecting and generating data required for the purpose of undertaking the research, i.e., whether the data concerning the research would be collected through interviews or questionnaires or surveys etc. The research techniques also include the methods with which the data so collected is proposed to be analyzed for instance, techniques for analyzing quantitative data includes statistical techniques such as acceptance sampling, process control, statistical quality control etc (Kothari, 1984 Pp.5); while techniques for analyzing qualitative data include participation and observation, interviewing, document construction and analysis, sorting, organizing, indexing etc (Lee, T. W. 1998 Pp.96). 5. How to write a Report? The basic idea behind writing a research report is communicating important ideas rather than the mere presenting statistical data, in a precise format which includes relevant examples and case studies. Report writing involves a range of factors which must be followed in order to generate a comprehensive research report. These include various phases, such as preparation and planning, collecting and handling information, writing and revising the report, following an appropriate and effective writing style, as well as ensuring proper presentation of ideas and facts. The essential parts of a good report includes: The report title, an abstract, Introduction, Method, Results, Discussion and Analysis, Conclusion and References. The title of the report is extremely important and hence must be brief as well as be able to describe the main objective of the research. It should clearly be able to indicate the purpose for which the concerned study is being conducted, so as to enable its readers to develop an understanding of the various issues dealt with in the study. The abstract must be short and precise. The main aim of writing an abstract is to serve two key purposes namely, assisting the target audiences in gaining knowledge about the relevance and scope of the research topic and the various issues dealt with in the study as well as provide a framework for its target audience. It must also contain a problem statement, which signifies the main problem or issue being probed as a part of the study. The abstract must be followed by an introduction which is a detailed description of the report as well as the problem/s being investigated. It must also include the significance of the issues being studied and its relevance to the readers. This is in turn followed by an extensive literature review. The methods section contains the various methods used to collect data relevant to the research topic and includes both quantitative as well as qualitative data, followed by analysis of the data which is discussed in detail in the results section. Finally, in the Discussion and Analysis part, the problem/s addressed in the research report must be discussed and provide a framework within which the entire study can be based. It must also include the various limitations encountered during the research and questions that are likely to be raised by scholars, or the audiences alike. Finally the references section must include an alphabetically arranged list in the appropriate format. 6. How to write an essay? The process of writing a good quality essay requires a thorough understanding of the subject matter as well as a comprehensive study along with great language and presentation. A good essay usually is well organized and appropriately presented, so that the readers have a clear understanding of what to expect and can get a general understanding of the topics covered and discussed by the author. The process of writing an essay must first begin with a detailed research of the topic chosen. Familiarizing oneself with the topic under study helps in generating clear ideas and concepts and provides greater depth to the essay. This research may include data collected through various sources such as books, libraries, journals, periodicals etc. Once the data regarding the topic of research is collected, the next logical step is to analyze it. Points / arguments regarding the essay must be listed and supporting evidence must be gathered so as to substantiate the concept proposed in the essay. Weaknesses or absence of a clear logic often act as setbacks in an essay and hence should be avoided. Once the rough draft is ready, the next step is brainstorming of ideas, followed by the actual thesis where the best idea of all the points noted above is chosen as the topic for the research. Writing a good essay is inconceivable in the absence of a good thesis. Appropriate and adequate presentation of all the ideas generated during brainstorming is vital for a good and effective essay. The structure of the essay should be well thought out and must be initiated with an Introduction followed by the Main body and finally the Conclusion. Also, adequate precaution must be taken to ensure that appropriate styles of referencing have been adopted and properly implemented. Finally, all the sources cited so far in the essay must be adequately referenced at the end of the paper, titled as References (Wyldeck 2008). References: QMU. AC. UK. 2009. How to Reference Using the Harvard System, [Internet] Available from: Accessed August 27 2009 Browden, J. 2004 . Writing a Report: How to Prepare, Write and Present Effective Reports, How to Books Ltd. Creswell, J. W., 2003. Research Design: Qualitative, Quantitative and Mixed Method Approaches, SAGE Publications, Pp. 1 - 208 Kirk, L. D. 1996. Training Games for the Learning Organization, McGraw-Hill Professional, Pp. 3 Kothari, C. R., 2008. Research Methodology: Methods And Techniques, New Age International, Pp. 1 – 21 Lee, T. W., 1998. Using Qualitative Methods in Organizational Research, SAGE Publication Senge, P. A., Kleiner, et al 1994. The Fifth Discipline field Book: Strategies and Tools for Building a Learning Organization, Doubleday Wheatley, M. J., 2006. Leadership and the New Science: Discovering Order in a Chaotic WOrld, Berrett-Koehler Publishers, Pp.110 Wyldeck, K., 2008. How to Write an Essay, Lulu publications Read More