This article is dedicated to writing a full academic study and is presented in a sequential step-by-step system. Having gone through all seven stages of the program sequentially, it becomes possible to create competent academic work at a formal level. The recommendations given in the article should be used in a manner adapted to the specific needs of the researcher or their institution. Definition and identification of a topic with its further development is the basis for writing any independent work. The ability to ask questions about a specific topic serves as the basis for further writing of the work. The main concepts can also be presented in the list of keywords, that is, the understanding of which is necessary for the performance of academic work.
The next step is to search for additional information. It is necessary to form a so-called background, that is, a general and at the same time a fairly complete understanding of the topic. Among the recommended literature, the authors mention encyclopedias, reference books, and dictionaries. That is, at this stage, a circle of ideas about the problem is compiled, and the basic knowledge is strengthened on the basis of which new information will be produced. The most important advice here is the recommendation to refer to bibliographies and references in books on the topic as often as possible. Using bibliographies, you can significantly expand not only your horizons but also a list of literature on a given topic.
The next three steps of the program are also devoted to finding valuable resources, but the search sequence is also worthy of mention. It is recommended to use catalogs to search for books and bibliographies. For journals and academic publications, periodic indexes are required to find them. If the index does not contain an article, it can be found by citation in the library catalog. Finally, in the last place, it is proposed to use modern Internet sources, subject directories, and search engines.
The most important step is the critical assessment of the information. The resulting articles and books can be distributed in terms of relevance based on factors such as publication date, affiliation, and past experience of the author of the article. Paying attention to the details of the publication is also recommended due to the greater value of academic sources. The goals and objectives of a particular study used can also be assessed for targeting and general relevance, which allows a deeper understanding of not only the problem but also the attitude of the public. It is required to compare articles with each other for information content, information cross-talk, and coverage of a given topic. A recommendation is given to appreciate the author’s writing style and how their work has been accepted by the academic community through reviews and feedback.
The final stage in the critical study of scientific literature is its adequate design. The organization of links to sources according to one of the main format principles is necessary in order for the work to have an outwardly academic value. The last important piece of advice given within the article is the recommendation to record all sources of information and work from the whole to the more particular. The language of abstracts and information should be able to translate into the language of citations and index references. These principles constitute the creation of technically acceptable academic work.
Work Cited
“Seven Steps of the Research Process.” Oregon Writes Open Writing Text, Cornell University Library. Web.