Teacher Links and Materials

Summary of PM600  Research Project Support Class Week 2

1. How to write the Research project Conclusion

Writing the conclusion

The conclusion should relate to the introduction, summarise key methods/findings/discussion points, mention limitations and make recommendations for future study to overcome the limitations you had.

Usually the conclusions written as a single paragraph without subheadings. Keep it brief (check the recommended word count in the Assessment ATI) but include at least one sentence on each of the following areas:

Aim:

Remind the reader what extent the aim of your project was achieved

Research questions

Remind the reader how you answered your RQs  (using a few words to summarise your methodology e.g. primary/secondary approach analysing qualitative/quantitative/mixed methods data). Then summarise the most important findings for each question by paraphrasing  relevant points from the findings/discussion section.

Value of the research:

Inform the reader why the wider community should be interested in your research and results by paraphrasing this information from your Discussion. State how your research is significant to the field or to specific stakeholders. What possible actions could others take as a result of your findings? Use hedging language.

Limitations:

Highlight the weaknesses or limitations of your research (synthesise limitations from other sections-method, analytical approach, findings). Paraphrase, don’t simply repeat the same phrases/sentences.

Recommendations for further research:

Make relevant recommendations for future research that could overcome the limitations of your research could be overcome. e.g. study sources with more participants, evaluate more sources, add qualitative or quantitative data, study different populations or regions etc. Think of your own ideas!

*Tips for Writing a Good Conclusion*

1. Demonstrate your critical thinking skills by commenting on the value, implications,  limitations and future work suggestions using your own ideas.

2. Avoid Repetition. It is boring for readers to read the same phrases and sentences multiple times. Paraphrase and synthesise key points from several sentences in the Conclusion to bring important points together.

3. Don’t introduce any new information.

2. How to write the Research project Discussion Section

 3. Identifying gaps in your Literature review and creating related research questions

All sections in a literature report relate to the title. The information in one section is linked to the next and previous sections.

The purposes of your literature review are:

1. to identify themes related to your title. Each theme should have a subheading that is related to your title. 

2. to paraphrase what other authors of recent and credible, peer-reviewed sources are writing about the topic described in your subheading This summarises what is already known about the topic

3. to identify gaps in the literature. Each theme in your literature review should end with identifying something that is not known about this theme., i.e. a gap in the literature. Your sentence about the gap you identified allows you to create your first research question. Research question 1 should relate directly to theme 1 and to the gap you identified at the end of this theme. Follow the same process when finalising themes/research questions 2 and 3.

In class, we worked through the example below:

• Title: The effect of Social media on Teenage Mental health.
• Subheading: How does social media negatively influence mental health
• Theme content: 
  • We know from our lit review:
  • Negative comments reduce mental health (source 1)
  • Body shaming reduces mental health (source 2) 
  • Lifestyle envy reduces mental health (source 3)
•  Gap-: the literature does not identify if particular social media platforms cause more mental health harm to teenagers.
• Research Question: Which social media platforms have the most negative impact on teenage mental health?

4. Creating Better Search Terms to Find Sources

• Use Google Scholar, it has more sources than EBSCO. Set a filter for recent sources e.g. from 2018 etc. Only use sources that have a full text link in the right hand column so you can read the article and find the doi.
• Use search terms from each of your theme subheadings for the literature review, and from your research questions for the Findings section. Remember the Findings section needs new sources- not the same ones as the Literature Review!
• Broaden your search terms e.g. if your keyword is social media mental health, try Facebook AND mental health, or social media AND depression, or social media AND mental health AND teenage. Try adding specific countries or regions, or age groups, or company types etc to find relevant sources.
• Use synonyms. The words and phrases you are using in search terms may not be the ones others use in the same field. Type your keywords into your internet browser together with the word synonyms, e.g. mental health synonyms.

5. Synthesising Information From Sources to Improve Your Academic Expression

It isn't enough at this level to simply list information from sources one after the other. You need to connect the information from the different sources e.g. explain to your reader how they agree, or disagree, or use a different method, or study a different country etc. This is known as synthesising sources. 

Sources are synthesised using linking language. You can find examples in the University of Manchester Academic Phrasebank -scroll down until you find the section on synthesis.

• https://www.phrasebank.manchester.ac.uk/referring-to-sources/

We looked at the difference between these two examples in class:

1. Not synthesised

Smith (2018) found that excessive use of social media can lead to increased feelings of anxiety and depression among teenagers. Johnson (2019) also reported that social media use is linked to poor mental health outcomes. Brown (2020) discovered that social media can have both positive and negative effects on mental health, depending on how it is used.

2. Synthesised.

Research on the impact of social media on mental health reveals a complex relationship. Smith (2018) and Johnson (2019) both found that excessive use of social media is associated with increased anxiety and depression among teenagers. However, Brown (2020) highlighted that the effects of social media on mental health are not universally negative; they can vary based on usage patterns. For instance, while passive consumption of social media content can exacerbate feelings of loneliness and anxiety (Smith, 2018; Johnson, 2019), active and meaningful interactions on social media platforms can provide social support and enhance well-being (Brown, 2020). This suggests that the impact of social media on mental health is multifaceted and context-dependent.

6. Adding a Topic Sentence to paragraphs

Note that example 2 begins with a topic sentence- try to include these!

A topic sentence is a sentence that introduces a paragraph by presenting the one topic that you will focus on in that  that paragraph. It is the first sentence of a paragraph.

The rest of the paragraph then supports that topic with evidence and critical evaluation.

Topic sentences should:

• Be specific and have a narrower focus than your theme subheadings or research questions

• Appear in  first sentence of the paragraph.
• Introduce the topic of the paragraph.

Here are some examples:

1. Climate Change and Its Impact on Coastal Ecosystems:

   • “Rising sea levels due to climate change are significantly altering coastal ecosystems, leading to habitat loss and increased salinity.”

2. The Role of Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare:

   • “Artificial intelligence is revolutionizing healthcare by improving diagnostic accuracy and personalizing treatment plans.”

3. The Influence of Social Media on Adolescent Mental Health:

   • “Excessive use of social media platforms has been linked to increased levels of anxiety and depression among adolescents.”

4. Renewable Energy Sources and Their Economic Benefits:

   • “Investing in renewable energy sources not only helps reduce carbon emissions but also creates new economic opportunities and jobs.”

5. The Effects of Remote Learning on Student Performance:

   • “Remote learning during the COVID-19 pandemic has had mixed effects on student performance, with some students thriving while others struggle.”

6. The Impact of Globalization on Local Cultures:

   • “Globalization has led to the homogenization of cultures, often overshadowing local traditions and practices.”

Week 7 and 8 Links to help you improve your literature review

https://www.lc.cityu.edu.hk/ELSS/Resource/Cohesive%20devices/  Interactive worksheet with examples of how to use cohesive devices (linking language).

https://www.lc.cityu.edu.hk/ELSS/Resource/Cohesive%20devices/  Additional interactive worksheet to give you examples of cohesive language that you can apply to your literature review.

https://www.ref-n-write.com/blog/hedging-techniques-in-academic-writing-with-examples/. Hedging Language Guide and Examples

https://ask.library.uic.edu/faq/345899 What is a doi and how do I use them in citations from University of Illinois, Chicago

https://www.editage.com/insights/what-is-the-difference-between-a-research-paper-and-a-review-paper Difference between Research and Review papers from editage.com