In constructing a research paper that is both focused and relevant, one must do more than simply amass facts and statistics; some aspect of the topic must be problematized, giving the work a reason to exist beyond merely being a display of knowledge. The authors of The Craft of Research seemingly write ad nauseam about the importance of highlighting a problem to give structure to one’s writing, but ultimately, they do introduce a novel distinction that allows the skill of problematizing to transcend the field of research writing into daily life. The authors suggest that it is not whether one’s research can solve the manifested problem that is imperative, but if readers can be persuaded to care. Finding a solution can only stand to
improve a research inquiry, but if the topic’s relevance is questioned, it may all be for naught.
It is here that the art of problematizing for research’s sake finds an application in daily life. As students move ever closer towards graduation, they become more specialized in the subjects prescribed by their respective concentrations, hopefully later applying this knowledge at a professional level. While this knowledge is often sequestered in the minds of those lucky enough to have studied it, it is no less applicable to everyone. As responsible professionals, whether health care providers, educators, businesspeople, or otherwise, it is a vital talent to be able to recognize a problem found in an area of expertise and adequately convey the gravity of such an issue to those not privy to or fully capable of interpreting this information. By sharpening this skill through researching and writing, students will be better able to shed light on problems they encounter as professionals.
Julian Chimelewski
I couldn't agree with this statement more. Julian has eloquently described possibly the most important distinction between a simple research paper and a study proposal. This of course relates to the assignment we have all just completed, as some people may have had trouble with "problematizing" their selected research topics. For example, the topic "child education" would be a potential subject on which to study further, but in order to meet the requirements for the paper, students were told to find a problem that demands a solution.
ReplyDeleteAs a psychology major, this proposal activity was great practice for future papers I will be writing concerning my field of study. I will be writing actual journal articles about experiments conducted in my future classes, and being forced to identify a problem and form an experiment to hopefully correct this problem will become extremely relevant to my other classes fairly soon.
All in all, I agree with Emily and Julian completely. The proposal essay was a great insight on what to expect in the future. As a dietary major, I am required in the future to write papers on food experiments and other fields of dietary research. By learning to find a problem and a solution, I will be able to conduct the experiment more easily.
ReplyDeleteAlso, I agree with Julian's statement of how "a researcher must do more than just discover facts and figures and problematize." Without a problem there would be no basis for the proposal.
Julian's blog clearly hits the target regarding the point of our research class. True, while it’s always a smart idea to throw in facts and statistics at people for a research paper or proposal. You have to in the end persuade the audience on what you’re trying to educate them on, meaning that it’s not always necessary for the researcher or researcher’s to find the answer to the imperative problem.
ReplyDeleteThat was one of the problems I was faced with while I was writing a paper on the near extinction of Orangutans. I knew all the facts and statistics, but could I educate my audience and strike a chord within them. In my opinion all you really need to do is pick a topic you love and put your heart and soul into it. But of course don’t get too indulged, I mean it has to make sense now.
I completely agree with Julian in that the focus of your research paper must be focused and relevant. The topic must be focused and relevant because you need to convince your audience why they must care about your research. To make your audience care you must “problematize” your topic and give good reason of why the audience must know your investigations. The readers must know the information you will deliver is relevant as opposed to only stating facts and statistics.
ReplyDeleteI also agree with Julian’s example that students who sharpen their problematizing skills will be better equipped to deal with problems they encounter as professionals. The skill of problematizing is an important skill when doing research, but it is also an excellent skill to carry over in your day-to-day life.
I totally agree with Julian. It’s very important to be able to persuade your readers to care. If you don’t achieve that in a paper, you didn’t convey your point in the right way. Problematizing in any field is a very important skill to have. As an accounting major, I have already been exposed to having to recognize a problem and being able find a solution that is clear and makes sense. The Craft of Research writers make it very clear and very step by step on how to not only recognize a problem but to also find an answer and convey that answer in a way that your readers will be persuaded to care. If you apply this thought to a professional aspect, you would want to persuade your colleagues to care about whatever problem that you are facing.
ReplyDeleteI agree completely with this post and Julian is absolutely correct. your research has to be spot on because that way readers will actually care about what they are reader instead of not caring at all. In order to get that kind of response its important to throw in new data or statistics to make the reader want to read more, but also that your research is clear and relevant to your topic and point of view.
ReplyDeleteJessica Young said:
ReplyDeleteVery well said Julian. I completely agree that just throwing out facts and statistics to an audience is very counter intuitive. It may lead your audience asking “so what”? Now, I’m not saying that facts should be avoided altogether. Though, they should be used in moderation. If you ever noticed when you are talking to your friends, you occasionally present a statistic that you’ve picked up on. Whether it was from a primary or secondary source, you use this method daily. You can also notice that while in that same conversation, you did not just present all the statistics you know. This same concept must be applied in your research, just as Julian had said.
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ReplyDeleteI think it is interesting how often the reminder of not turning your writing into a fact dump appears. It comes up frequently in our blogs, comments, and our text.
ReplyDeleteAnyway is response the last paragraph of the entry I find what I think is most lacking in the education system in America. Being able to recognize a problem, analyze it, think critically and enact a plan to fix it are skills not emphasized enough. Especially critical thinking skills.
So in a very competitive job market, how do we put ourselves ahead of others? I venture to say that if you demonstrate the ability to think critically and work through problems you have better chances at success.
I feel that creating concern for a project is generally not a difficult problem, rather instilling an ongoing concern should be a chief priority of research. On a number of occasions I have seen first hand people become enthusiastic about a specific topic after attending a rally, or reading an article then after a time of partial enthusiasm the person's interest slowly starts to diminish. It should be the goal of the researcher to try to get a reader to think in a long term sense. A researcher's work must be able to continue past the reader's initial curiosity. Rather their research must in a way shape the way that the reader thinks, acts, or feels depending on the subject of the paper.
ReplyDeleteJeffrey says,
ReplyDeleteI utterly agree with Julian on the issue that the topic of research must be problematized, giving the work a reason to exist beyond merely being a display of knowledge. Readers are not looking for a display of random facts, or to inform them about something they already know. What researchers ARE looking for though is a solution to the problem being addressed. Readers WANT to know “how” and “why” your research shall prove significant to them. As a researcher, you need to edify your audience about your topic.
Posing a practical problem will help your reader understand the purpose of the research. Practical problems have the same two-part structure: a situation or condition, and undesirable consequences caused by that condition, costs that you (or, better, your readers) do not want to pay. It is the reader who judges the significance of the researcher’s problem by the cost that they pay if you do not solve it. According to the book, “in order to make your problem their problem, you must frame it from their point of view, so that they see its costs to them.” The cost of a practical problem is always some degree of unhappiness. As a researcher, imagine that your reader responds to the condition part of your problem with a “So what?” In that case, you have grasped your reader’s attention, and from here you can give your research a reason to exist beyond merely being a display of knowledge. Problematize your research.
Lastly, I also agree with Julian that by sharpening this skill through researching and writing, students will be better able to shed light on problems they encounter as professionals. I am currently working on a bachelor’s degree as a Safety Science major. As a Safety Professional, I will be expected to evaluate hazardous situations which pose a problem to the work environment. After indentifying the problem, a solution will be needed and formulated to correct the hazard. I will prove why I feel the problem needs further evaluated using OSHA standards to highlight the hazards (problem) affecting the work being conducted. Showing this proof will help the corporation (readers in this example) better understand the reasons for which the area needs to be further evaluated. Learning how to problematize, will sharpen my skills as a researcher, and prepare my future for the problems I shall encounter as a Safety Professional.
I agree with this blog entry by Julian. I thought that it got the point across and vas very opinionated, but informative at the same time. When writing a paper, at least a research paper there ultimately has to be a problem and this is what the authors are talking about in this section of the book. You can’t just not have a problem because it is intertwined with your proposal, ect. I do feel that using statistics and fact is a very important aspect of your paper though. I understand where Julian is coming from though, that statistics and facts will not just make your paper for you.
ReplyDeleteKRISTI QUINN
Julian made a great point that research writing is more than just facts and statistics. Most people may think they can just persuade people by saying as many facts and statistics as they can find about a subject, but so what? Any person can look up information but the hard and important part is getting a reader to care and see why your information may overcome any previous thoughts about the topic they may have had. Research writing is about bringing your point across and making people care.
ReplyDeleteWhile statistics are a good way to convey information, it does not always get the point across. If all a paper does in spit out facts, no one is really going to listen. We as a society like stories, opinions, and debates. Blurting out random facts may strengthen your argument, but do not use them alone.
ReplyDelete"but if readers can be persuaded to care. Finding a solution can only stand to
ReplyDeleteimprove a research inquiry, but if the topic’s relevance is questioned, it may all be for naught."
I like what Julian stated here because I think if you can persuade the reader you have done a good job with your research, but if the research is still questioned you have to prove your point more or a little better.