Research Papers in Education: Mediums of Discussion and Reflection

Research Papers in Education: Mediums of Discussion and Reflection

According to Copley, Greenberg, Handley and Oaks (1996), “a research paper is more than the sum of your sources, more than a collection of different pieces of information about a topic” (para.1). What is more, they consider that in order to write a research paper a person not only needs to make use of analytical skills but also of your argumentative ones. Besides, these authors think that a finished research paper should present the researcher´s own thinking supported by others´ information and ideas.
It is supposed that when writing academically, a researcher should make use of the already mentioned skills. This is because, by analysing a research paper critically, its author could break down a topic or specific issue and consider it in detail thus interpreting and discovering the essential features of it. In the same way, by employing argumentative skills, the researcher will be able to use its information and support its points of view. Moreover, the Purdue OWL experts (2010) state that “The goal of the argumentative paper is to convince the audience that the claim is true based on the evidence provided” (para.1).
As in any other area, research papers in education should also be recognized as mediums of discussion and reflection. Every year, educational researchers try to produce and reproduce new knowledge and theories as well as to solve problems when writing research papers. In this way, they are involved in a constant and dynamic process which enables them to share, discuss and reflect on critical issues concerned with the area of inquiry. What is more, they can help educators find sensible and concrete solutions to important issues.
To sum up, research papers might be considered as single pieces of art in which its author may be able to show his/her understanding of a certain topic but, at the same time he can utilize his/ her critical thinking and writing skills in an appropriate way. Research Papers in Education is not only a vital source of pertinent information for educational researchers, but also required reading for educational policy-makers and planners. Therefore, these kinds of papers can be utilized in education for other colleagues anytime they need in order to investigate and find sensible answers to gaps concerned with the teaching and learning process.













References

Copley, C., Greenberg, L., Handley, E., & Oaks, S. (1996). Developing a research question. Retrieved September 1, 2009, from Empire State College: State University of New York Web site:
http://www.esc.edu/esconline/across_esc/writerscomplex.nsf/0/f87fd7182f0ff21c852569c2005a47b7

Purdue University Online Writing Lab (OWL) (2010). General Format. Retrieved May, 2011, from http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/560/01/