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The Internet makes it easy to treat the research paper as a Google exercise. However, any perceived “failure” of the research paper isn’t in the medium itself or the use of the Internet, but in the way we are tempted to approach it. A research paper done correctly goes beyond the mere conglomeration of facts that teachers today lament, and instead asks us to examine current literature and argue a thesis that is not directly from conventional wisdom. Learning how to take what is already known and enhance it in a unique way is an unparalleled learning experience that we should not lose. My first experience in summarizing the breaking news of the day in high school was a transformative step in developing how I think, argue and write. While my efforts were rewarded when my paper was awarded as the “BEST PAPER AWARD”, it was the process of writing it that was the most valuable and I’m grateful that I’ve continued to be pushed up to treat the research paper as an academic exploration.

Here are some points for the new info-kids, how to start writing a research article:

       1.      Focus of your Article:          

                     a.      Gather all important data, analyses, plots and table

                     b.      Organize results so that they follow a logical sequence

       2.      Draft Properly:

                     a.      Identify two or three important findings emerging from the experiments

                     b.      Note good and bad writing styles in the literature. Some are simple and easy to       follow, some are just too complex.

                     c.       Note the readership of the journal that you are considering to publish your work

      3.      Structure your Article:

                     a.      Title: Compose a title that is simple, attractive and accurately reflects the investigation.

                     b.      Abstract: First couple of sentences should focus on what the study is about. Include major findings in a style that a general readership can read and understand.

                     c.       Introduction: First couple of sentences should focus on what the study is about. Include major findings in a style that a general readership can read and understand. Add 2-3 paragraphs that discuss previous work.

                     d.       Objectives: Make 3-5 objectives on which you are going to summaries your work.

                     e.       Results and Discussions: Describe the results in detail and include a healthy, detailed discussion with tables and figures. Discuss how your data compare or contrast with previous results

                     f.       Conclusion: Include major findings followed by brief discussion on future perspectives and/or application of present work to other disciplines. Don’t copy your abstract.

                    g.      Acknowledgement: Remember to thank all who assisted in preparing it.

                    h.      References: Check the styles (eg. APA; Chicago; MLA etc). The styles vary for different journals.

Writing a research paper needs to be taught and practiced, repeatedly, across curricula, throughout secondary school. This kind of extended critical essay is as much an exercise in thinking as writing. Excellent research papers do not spring unaided form the minds of adolescents or adults.The skills for producing such work need to be taught, learned and practiced. 

Regards,

Ajit P.

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Siddhartha Sir i am very passionate about writing, i am just at the first step of writing, i present my first paper in National Conference at "Gujarat University Library" the paper was not so appreciated, although i was happy, that i can write something and present it in conference. But i am interested to write more and more, starting from paper to book. consider people in mind like you, ajit sir, Munesh sir that one day i can also give advice to my juniors for effective writing. Sir keep guiding us with the wonderful posts.

Thank you all.

Dear Ms. Dimple,

Many thanks for your post and sharing your passions with LIS Links members.

Your post reminded me of a very famous speech by Late Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in 1963,(August 28) he delivered this great speech I HAVE A DREAM at the Lincoln Memorial Washington D.C.

Yes, nobody can achieve anything if s/he has no dream and it is the dreams that turns into conviction and I am confident that if you rear this within you seriously, certainly you will be able to deliver many fruitful contributions.

But I must confess that I do not think myself a good writer at all. I adore people like Dr. Eugene Garfield or Prof P. Balram ex editor of Indian journal Current Science. They used to contribute regularly over the years on diverse subject fields with great wisdom and masterlyness!! As I still go through their writings in Current Comments every week or the editorials in the Current Science every fortnight, I often get mesmerized by their versatility, depth of their knowledge, their clarity of vision and unparallel ability of analyzing issues in extremely lucid language easily understandable by every reader!! I regard them, I worship them and I envy them at the same time!! I must admit that my very dear Sri Ajit, and Sri Munesh are very good and avid writers and they are at their youth they have a very long and highly prospective career ahead and I am confident that they will keep on enriching us for long. and I very seriously expect that with dedication and practice, a young lady from Gujarat will also follow suit in not too distant future!! I look forward for those days with great expectations.

Best wishes,

Siddhartha S. Ray, Calcutta

Thanks sir for your blessings and kind words.!

Ajit P.

Siddhartha Sir, very encouraging words from your side............ a real boosting for us...

sir, as u mentioned the famous speech of M L king's "I have a dream", there are some other world famous speeches including Swami Vivekananda (Sikago speech) ,etc which have published as a Audio CD some years back, would be a very good collections for us. If you have any information reg that publication,pls share with us..

Here I have to mention also the names of Mr. Ajit and Mr. Munesh as they have been contributing really valuable information with us..

my regards to all....

Surajit.

Dear Sri Surajit Sir,

Thanks for your post.

Yes; you are absolutely right;

Swamiji's speech at the Parliament of World Religion in 1893 (Sept11-27) in Chicago is one of the greatest speeches in the history of mankind or Humankind. So also the Speech of Pandit J.L. Nehru as the first prime minister of Independent India in the Midnight of August 14, 1947.

The opening sentences of these speeches are remarkable. They engulf  one's sense and heart with the enchanting spirits of humanism and nationalism reflected through their opening address and as you go on listening to them; it seems that you are at a trance !! It is  only because of their unfathomed wealth of knowledge, vision and personality.

As an ex Student of one of the brightest R.K. Mission Schools in West Bengal, I had so many times HEARD the audio and indeed we used to be so mesmerized, we used to LISTEN to the speech with rapt attention. Our revered teachers infused the sense of appreciation & inspiration among us in our school days!!

But here in the context of Ms. Dimple's post, I have referred to Dr. Martin Luther King's historic speech as I sensed the dream entwined with genuine passion in her post. King's speech has an eternal effect to people who wants to beak free of the shackles of obstructions, oppressions and inequalities.  But what attracts me most, is the vision and passion; an undaunting attitude to overcome the odds and some how, it appeared to me from Ms. Dimple's post that her pen (finger strokes on the key boards actually!) echos the same vision and passion.  That is why I have referred to King's speech; that's all.

Sincerely,

Siddhartha S. Ray, Calcutta

Thank you very much sir

Dimple
Siddhartha sir, today i herd a speech of Martin Luther King mentioned in your post. It really encourage me to reach to my dream.
American's current honorable president is the example of how a dream come to the reality. One day who were fighting with govt. for their rights, today running govt. of that place.
I note down the words as my strength, "I HAVE A DREAM"

Thank you once again all

You know what? The speech was delivered extempore! What a wonderful and gifted  speaker (orator, rather) Dr. King was!  I have listened to "I have a dream" speech so many times, yet, I am never tired of it.  I can keep listening to it several hundred times again. That indeed was a marvelous one. Highly inspiring. No doubt about that!

(Sorry to have swayed away from the main topic)

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