{"id":289,"date":"2025-04-17T16:35:39","date_gmt":"2025-04-17T16:35:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.one.lumenlearning.com\/englishcomp1\/chapter\/what-is-research\/"},"modified":"2025-06-26T22:01:53","modified_gmt":"2025-06-26T22:01:53","slug":"what-is-research","status":"publish","type":"chapter","link":"https:\/\/content.one.lumenlearning.com\/englishcomp1\/chapter\/what-is-research\/","title":{"raw":"Research: Learn It 1","rendered":"Research: Learn It 1"},"content":{"raw":"<section class=\"textbox learningGoals\" aria-label=\"Learning Goals\">\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li><span data-sheets-root=\"1\">Explain the key parts of research writing<\/span><\/li>\r\n \t<li><span data-sheets-root=\"1\">Explain the steps in the research process<\/span><\/li>\r\n \t<li><span data-sheets-root=\"1\">Describe strategies for narrowing a research topic<\/span><\/li>\r\n \t<li><span data-sheets-root=\"1\">Explain what makes a research question effective<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/section>\r\n<h2 data-start=\"0\" data-end=\"51\"><strong data-start=\"4\" data-end=\"49\">Research Writing<\/strong><\/h2>\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_212\" align=\"alignright\" width=\"300\"]<img class=\"wp-image-212 size-medium\" src=\"https:\/\/s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com\/courses-images-archive-read-only\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/593\/2015\/05\/21174406\/question-300x300.jpg\" alt=\"A young man sitting underneath a question mark sign, positioned as if he is posing a question himself.\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" \/> <strong>Figure 2<\/strong>. In true research-based writing, you begin with a research question and go hunt for the answer.[\/caption]\r\n<p data-start=\"53\" data-end=\"360\">In some high school and college courses, \"research writing\" is used broadly to describe any assignment that incorporates outside sources. However, true research involves starting with a question you don\u2019t yet know the answer to and building that answer through gathering and analyzing information.<\/p>\r\n<p data-start=\"53\" data-end=\"360\">The difference between research writing and other source-based writing is:<\/p>\r\n\r\n<ul data-start=\"419\" data-end=\"735\">\r\n \t<li data-start=\"419\" data-end=\"555\"><strong data-start=\"421\" data-end=\"445\">In research writing,<\/strong> you begin with a question, gather information, derive an answer, and then state that answer as your thesis.<\/li>\r\n \t<li data-start=\"556\" data-end=\"735\"><strong data-start=\"558\" data-end=\"586\">In source-based writing,<\/strong> you start with a thesis and then find sources to support it. While this requires information gathering, it is not research in the strictest sense.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<div class=\"flex max-w-full flex-col flex-grow\">\r\n<div class=\"min-h-8 text-message flex w-full flex-col items-end gap-2 whitespace-normal break-words text-start [.text-message+&amp;]:mt-5\" dir=\"auto\" data-message-author-role=\"assistant\" data-message-id=\"baa6ad7e-a778-4275-a79d-d183a4499eca\" data-message-model-slug=\"gpt-4o\">\r\n<div class=\"flex w-full flex-col gap-1 empty:hidden first:pt-[3px]\">\r\n<div class=\"markdown prose w-full break-words dark:prose-invert dark\">\r\n<p data-start=\"0\" data-end=\"242\" data-is-last-node=\"\">Understanding this distinction helps you approach assignments effectively. Research projects require different processes than source-based writing, and recognizing the type of assignment ensures you can efficiently plan and execute your work.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<p data-start=\"890\" data-end=\"1052\" data-is-last-node=\"\">Think about a recent writing project that required sources. Based on this definition, was it a research project or a source-based writing project?<\/p>\r\n\r\n<section class=\"textbox keyTakeaway\" aria-label=\"Key Takeaway\">\r\n<h3>research writing<\/h3>\r\nResearch involves both gathering information and analyzing it to answer a question. <strong>Research writing<\/strong>, then, is the process of sharing the answer to your research question along with the evidence on which your answer is based, the sources you use, and your own reasoning and explanation. Regardless of the question or audience, the core components of research writing remain the same.\r\n\r\n<\/section>Regardless of the question or audience, the building blocks of research writing remain the same.\r\n<h3><strong>The Essential Building Blocks of Research Writing<\/strong><\/h3>\r\nThese guidelines will help you as you approach research writing.\r\n\r\n<strong>Step 1:<\/strong> Begin with\u00a0a question to which you don\u2019t know the answer and that can\u2019t be answered just by going to the appropriate reference source. That is, begin from a research question, not a homework question.\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>Decide what kind of information or data will be needed in order to build the answer to the question.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Gather information and\/or collect data.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Work with the information\/data to construct your answer.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<strong>Step 2:<\/strong> Engage in the\u00a0<em style=\"font-size: 1rem; text-align: initial;\">research process<\/em><span style=\"font-size: 1rem; text-align: initial;\">.<\/span>\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>Create a one-sentence answer to your research question. This will become the thesis statement\/main point\/controlling idea of your research paper.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<strong>Step 3:<\/strong> Share your answer to research questions in a way that makes it believable, understandable, and usable for your readers.\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>Include plentiful and well-chosen examples from the data\/information you gathered<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Indicate the validity of your data by accurately reporting your research method (field or lab research)<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Indicate the quality of your information by accurately citing your sources (source-based research)<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<section class=\"textbox tryIt\" aria-label=\"Try It\">[ohm2_question]34450[\/ohm2_question][ohm2_question]34451[\/ohm2_question]<\/section>","rendered":"<section class=\"textbox learningGoals\" aria-label=\"Learning Goals\">\n<ul>\n<li><span data-sheets-root=\"1\">Explain the key parts of research writing<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-sheets-root=\"1\">Explain the steps in the research process<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-sheets-root=\"1\">Describe strategies for narrowing a research topic<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-sheets-root=\"1\">Explain what makes a research question effective<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/section>\n<h2 data-start=\"0\" data-end=\"51\"><strong data-start=\"4\" data-end=\"49\">Research Writing<\/strong><\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_212\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-212\" style=\"width: 300px\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-212 size-medium\" src=\"https:\/\/s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com\/courses-images-archive-read-only\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/593\/2015\/05\/21174406\/question-300x300.jpg\" alt=\"A young man sitting underneath a question mark sign, positioned as if he is posing a question himself.\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-212\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><strong>Figure 2<\/strong>. In true research-based writing, you begin with a research question and go hunt for the answer.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p data-start=\"53\" data-end=\"360\">In some high school and college courses, &#8220;research writing&#8221; is used broadly to describe any assignment that incorporates outside sources. However, true research involves starting with a question you don\u2019t yet know the answer to and building that answer through gathering and analyzing information.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"53\" data-end=\"360\">The difference between research writing and other source-based writing is:<\/p>\n<ul data-start=\"419\" data-end=\"735\">\n<li data-start=\"419\" data-end=\"555\"><strong data-start=\"421\" data-end=\"445\">In research writing,<\/strong> you begin with a question, gather information, derive an answer, and then state that answer as your thesis.<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"556\" data-end=\"735\"><strong data-start=\"558\" data-end=\"586\">In source-based writing,<\/strong> you start with a thesis and then find sources to support it. While this requires information gathering, it is not research in the strictest sense.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"flex max-w-full flex-col flex-grow\">\n<div class=\"min-h-8 text-message flex w-full flex-col items-end gap-2 whitespace-normal break-words text-start [.text-message+&amp;]:mt-5\" dir=\"auto\" data-message-author-role=\"assistant\" data-message-id=\"baa6ad7e-a778-4275-a79d-d183a4499eca\" data-message-model-slug=\"gpt-4o\">\n<div class=\"flex w-full flex-col gap-1 empty:hidden first:pt-[3px]\">\n<div class=\"markdown prose w-full break-words dark:prose-invert dark\">\n<p data-start=\"0\" data-end=\"242\" data-is-last-node=\"\">Understanding this distinction helps you approach assignments effectively. Research projects require different processes than source-based writing, and recognizing the type of assignment ensures you can efficiently plan and execute your work.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p data-start=\"890\" data-end=\"1052\" data-is-last-node=\"\">Think about a recent writing project that required sources. Based on this definition, was it a research project or a source-based writing project?<\/p>\n<section class=\"textbox keyTakeaway\" aria-label=\"Key Takeaway\">\n<h3>research writing<\/h3>\n<p>Research involves both gathering information and analyzing it to answer a question. <strong>Research writing<\/strong>, then, is the process of sharing the answer to your research question along with the evidence on which your answer is based, the sources you use, and your own reasoning and explanation. Regardless of the question or audience, the core components of research writing remain the same.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<p>Regardless of the question or audience, the building blocks of research writing remain the same.<\/p>\n<h3><strong>The Essential Building Blocks of Research Writing<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>These guidelines will help you as you approach research writing.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Step 1:<\/strong> Begin with\u00a0a question to which you don\u2019t know the answer and that can\u2019t be answered just by going to the appropriate reference source. That is, begin from a research question, not a homework question.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Decide what kind of information or data will be needed in order to build the answer to the question.<\/li>\n<li>Gather information and\/or collect data.<\/li>\n<li>Work with the information\/data to construct your answer.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Step 2:<\/strong> Engage in the\u00a0<em style=\"font-size: 1rem; text-align: initial;\">research process<\/em><span style=\"font-size: 1rem; text-align: initial;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Create a one-sentence answer to your research question. This will become the thesis statement\/main point\/controlling idea of your research paper.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Step 3:<\/strong> Share your answer to research questions in a way that makes it believable, understandable, and usable for your readers.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Include plentiful and well-chosen examples from the data\/information you gathered<\/li>\n<li>Indicate the validity of your data by accurately reporting your research method (field or lab research)<\/li>\n<li>Indicate the quality of your information by accurately citing your sources (source-based research)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<section class=\"textbox tryIt\" aria-label=\"Try It\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" id=\"ohm34450\" class=\"resizable\" src=\"https:\/\/ohm.one.lumenlearning.com\/multiembedq.php?id=34450&theme=lumen&iframe_resize_id=ohm34450&source=tnh&show_question_numbers\" width=\"100%\" height=\"150\"><\/iframe><iframe loading=\"lazy\" id=\"ohm34451\" class=\"resizable\" src=\"https:\/\/ohm.one.lumenlearning.com\/multiembedq.php?id=34451&theme=lumen&iframe_resize_id=ohm34451&source=tnh&show_question_numbers\" width=\"100%\" height=\"150\"><\/iframe><\/section>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"menu_order":3,"template":"","meta":{"_candela_citation":"[{\"type\":\"cc\",\"description\":\"Composition II\",\"author\":\"Janet Zepernick\",\"organization\":\"Pittsburg State University\",\"url\":\"http:\/\/www.pittstate.edu\/\",\"project\":\"Kaleidoscope Open Course Initiative\",\"license\":\"cc-by\",\"license_terms\":\"\"},{\"type\":\"cc\",\"description\":\"Photo of finger\",\"author\":\"Jimmie\",\"organization\":\"\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/flic.kr\/p\/73D8Pe\",\"project\":\"\",\"license\":\"cc-by\",\"license_terms\":\"\"},{\"type\":\"cc\",\"description\":\"Image of man with question mark\",\"author\":\"Seth Capitulo\",\"organization\":\"\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/flic.kr\/p\/fnN1SJ\",\"project\":\"\",\"license\":\"cc-by\",\"license_terms\":\"\"}]","pb_show_title":"on","pb_short_title":"","pb_subtitle":"","pb_authors":[],"pb_section_license":""},"chapter-type":[],"contributor":[],"license":[],"part":286,"module-header":"learn_it","content_attributions":[{"type":"cc","description":"Composition II","author":"Janet Zepernick","organization":"Pittsburg State University","url":"http:\/\/www.pittstate.edu\/","project":"Kaleidoscope Open Course Initiative","license":"cc-by","license_terms":""},{"type":"cc","description":"Photo of finger","author":"Jimmie","organization":"","url":"https:\/\/flic.kr\/p\/73D8Pe","project":"","license":"cc-by","license_terms":""},{"type":"cc","description":"Image of man with question mark","author":"Seth Capitulo","organization":"","url":"https:\/\/flic.kr\/p\/fnN1SJ","project":"","license":"cc-by","license_terms":""}],"internal_book_links":[],"video_content":null,"cc_video_embed_content":{"cc_scripts":"","media_targets":[]},"try_it_collection":null,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/content.one.lumenlearning.com\/englishcomp1\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/289"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/content.one.lumenlearning.com\/englishcomp1\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/content.one.lumenlearning.com\/englishcomp1\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/chapter"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/content.one.lumenlearning.com\/englishcomp1\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/6"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"https:\/\/content.one.lumenlearning.com\/englishcomp1\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/289\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2837,"href":"https:\/\/content.one.lumenlearning.com\/englishcomp1\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/289\/revisions\/2837"}],"part":[{"href":"https:\/\/content.one.lumenlearning.com\/englishcomp1\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/parts\/286"}],"metadata":[{"href":"https:\/\/content.one.lumenlearning.com\/englishcomp1\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/289\/metadata\/"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/content.one.lumenlearning.com\/englishcomp1\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=289"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"chapter-type","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/content.one.lumenlearning.com\/englishcomp1\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapter-type?post=289"},{"taxonomy":"contributor","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/content.one.lumenlearning.com\/englishcomp1\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/contributor?post=289"},{"taxonomy":"license","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/content.one.lumenlearning.com\/englishcomp1\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/license?post=289"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}