Faculté des Lettres et des Sciences Humaines
Ain Chock
English Department
Introduction to Research: Basic Tips
Blended Learning Booklet
With online content
M. Benyoussef
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List of Contents:
1.
What is research? ………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 3
2.
Types of Research ………………………………………………………………...………………………………………. 4
3. Choosing a topic ………………………………………………………………………………..
9
4. Research: where to find adequate material on your topic ……………
13
5. A well-Structured Outline ………………………………………………………………..
18
6. Organisation ……………………………………………………………………………………….
22
7. Smart Appendix: links to useful research tutorials ………………………..
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1. What is research?
1. Definition of Research
Research is a scientific study of a specific problem, concern, or issue using the scientific
method and making sure to abide by its rules and to work within its well defined parameters.
It is founded on experiment and is accomplished by investigating a question, with the intent of
the research to answer that question. The OXFORD Online Dictionary defines research as
“The systematic investigation into and study of materials and sources in order to establish
facts and reach new conclusions.”
Research can be about anything and everything. To begin researching something, you have to
have a problem, concern, or issue that raises an answerable question. This can come from
observing the world, undertaking prior research, reading professional literature, or from
crossing swords with peers.
There are many types of research, whose methodology differs depending on the nature and
objective of the research project.
Scan the QR code 1 below to see what The Cambridge Dictionary says about research:
https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/research
Scan the QR codes 2-3-4 below to see videos that will help you better understand the meaning
of research:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EEuul8hBip8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g9Z_vkgPxMg
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pLVRpMbD7WA
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2. Types of Research
Research can be classified in many different ways on the basis of the methodology of
research, the knowledge it seeks, and the research problem it investigates.
Scan the QR code 5 below to see a video about the various types of research:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ATzbTGsBxWY
Research can be classified as follows:
1. Descriptive research
2. Analytical research
3. Fundamental research
4. Conceptual research
5. Empirical research
6. One time research or longitudinal research
7. Field-setting research or laboratory research or simulation research
8. Clinical or diagnostic research
9. Exploratory research
10. Historical research
11. Conclusion oriented research
12. Case study research
13. Short term research
Because there is a multitude of research types, let us focus on the following major types:
1. Applied research:
Applied research is a type of research that aims at finding a solution to a specific problem.
Example of Applied research:
How to deal with domestic waste in large cities in Morocco: collection, sorting, and
recycling.
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Scan the QR code 6 below to see a video that provides a working definition of applied
research:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CsUBVV50zhU
Scan the QR code 7 below to see a video that provides a working definition of applied
research in the humanities (with a specific example from the University of Kent, UK):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NzbG1GcEEmQ
2. Basic/Fundamental research:
Basic research also known as fundamental research is research that fills knowledge gaps that
we may have in a given field, in other words it is used to expand our knowledge about a
specific phenomenon.
Example of Basic research:
How are fruits cloned?
The link below takes you to a video that explains the difference between applied and basic
research; scan the barcode 8:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3vyheXBPSsg
3. Exploratory/Qualitative research:
Qualitative research otherwise known as exploratory research is conducted to explore a
phenomenon that has not been investigated before and go in depth to try to cover and clarify it
from all different perspectives.
Example of qualitative/exploratory research:
How do human mass migrations affect life on our planet?
Scan the QR code 9 below to watch a video that explains the nature of qualitative research:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IsAUNs-IoSQ
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Scan the QR code 110 below to watch a video that explains how qualitative research is used
in the health sciences:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6PhcglOGFg8
4. Quantitative research:
Quantitative research is carried out through collecting and analyzing data gathered through
polls, questionnaires and surveys to provide a thoroughly detailed description of the
phenomenon at hand.
Example of quantitative research:
Why are men on average more prone to heart disease than women?
Scan the QR code 11 below to watch a video that focuses on the most important steps in
quantitative research:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HL1H0d7lZWM
5. Conceptual research:
Conceptual research is any research that focuses on an abstract idea or theory that explains or
describes the phenomenon being studied.
Example of a conceptual research: what causes disease?
Scan the QR code 12 below to watch a video that explains “How to support research with
theoretical and conceptual frameworks”:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j2c8G0bBfHk
6. Empirical/Experimental research:
Empirical research works through the use of observation and experimentation for the purpose
of gaining knowledge about a specific problem based on scientific evidence.
Example of empirical research:
Are women in Morocco underpaid?
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Scan the QR code 13 below to watch a video that explains how experimental research works
in the field of psychology:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Se96PZKk3Gg
7. Descriptive research:
Descriptive research is used to investigate and gather information about different phenomena
in an attempt to explore and study them.
Example of a descriptive research: How healthy are the eating habits of Moroccan people?
Scan the QR code 14 below to watch a video about descriptive research:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qKOBYEBF8sg
The Slideshare presentation, Descriptive Research Methodologies, (Scan the code 15 below)
describes the various types of research and recapitulates the basics of the descriptive method
with a discussion of its benefits and limitations. It focuses primarily on the use of descriptive
research in educational settings; however, the basic principles can be applied across
disciplines.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3hjEHVxAOOs&t=95s
On a broader perspective, research is classified in two main categories:
Qualitative research is hypothetical and based on human behaviors, it answers questions
starting with what, when, where, why, how.
Quantitative research is mathematically orientated and makes wide use of charts and
statistics. It requires specific narrowed questions. It is used in the humanities and social
sciences (e.g. psychology, economics, and sociology)
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Scan the QR code 16 below to watch a video which compares quantitative and qualitative
research.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TuZEjOIo0DU
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3. Choosing a topic
The Oxford Online Dictionary defines topic as “a matter
dealt with in a text, discourse, or conversation; a subject.”
e.g. Our discussion included topics such as critical thinking
and career planning in university curricula.
Preliminary steps:

Your first vital step is to think about and determine the purpose of your research
project.

Once you are past this first step, with a clear purpose in mind, it becomes easy for
you to decide what kind of research you will opt for and to choose which type of
paper (class paper, academic term paper, publishable article, dissertation, or thesis)
you want to produce.
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
Consider why you want or need to work on and deliver this research project, who
it is meant for, and who will be interested in it and why.

The latter consideration should be made in relation to your own background and
knowledge.

The most useful, practical step at this preliminary stage is brainstorming.

Brainstorming:
The Cambridge English Dictionary defines brainstorming as
follows:
“It is a method in which a group of people meet to suggest a lot of
new ideas for possible development.”
e.g. “We need to do some brainstorming before we get down to
detailed planning.”
•
You start by writing down a large number of possible topics.
•
At this stage, your objective is to jot down as many possible (even some
unlikely) topics as you can without thinking too deeply about relevance,
importance or organisation.
•
The main purpose is to gather the largest possible number and variety of
topics.

Min map:
In the following organisation stage, called mind map, your objective is to group
your topics into categories. Your panorama of topics starts shaping up, which
allows you to begin focusing on a general choice. At this stage you start seeing
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more clearly into your options and can proceed to leave out a number of
inadequate choices.
The Cambridge English Dictionary gives the following
description of a mind map: “it is a type of diagram or simple plan
with lines and circles for organizing information so that it is
easier to use or remember.”

Often the best topics are those which the research student is fairly familiar with,
but would like to know more about.

Once you have established your topic, choose a reasonable number of key ideas
that you would like to work on and develop into a realistic research project. Think
of the amount of time and effort that is allotted to the task and that you are willing
and prepared to invest in your project. Prepare a detailed schedule to carry out the
necessary research and develop each one of your key ideas/sections/chapters
adequately.
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Scan the barcodes 17-18-19 below to see insightful videos on how to develop a
good research topic:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nXNztCLYgxc
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=enA29lrcMT0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z58VBWXYzGg&t=29s
Scan the barcode 20 below to see a video on how two types of research lead to two
different ways of working:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XpHByTLFiMI
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4. Research: where to find adequate material
Locating research materials:
The Oxford Online Dictionary defines research as, “the
systematic investigation into and study of materials and sources in
order to establish facts and reach new conclusions.”
Research material is original, authoritative material used to
support arguments in research.
Scan the barcodes 21 below to see a good working definition of research:
https://youtu.be/Og4BGyZr_Nk
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Once your choice of topic has matured in your mind, your next most important task is to
locate adequate research material. This is material that will help you develop your topic
and prepare valid explanations and arguments.

Reference material such as specialized dictionaries.

Print Media such as fiction and nonfiction books, reference publications, abstracts,
magazines, and journals.

Academic or scientific journals and periodicals. Universities usually give their
students access to such databases, and the cost of such a service is included in the
university fees.

Personal interviews with experts in the field, conducted once you are familiar with
your subject.

Electronic
Media
such
as
databases,
computer
networks,
videos,
or
documentaries.

Card and e-catalogs, government resources, books and e-books
If it is legitimate for a young pupil in primary or secondary school to seek information in
such sources as Wikipedia or the Encyclopedia Britannica, it is absolutely out of the
question for a university student to do so. As students get accustomed to using established
academic sources, they start realizing that the task involves a considerable investment of
time, effort and even financial resources. For instance, Google Scholar, as an academic
search engine, often leads the researcher to materials that entail relatively important costs.
Google scholar is a database that is linked to JSTOR, an invaluable collection of
academic journals. It does not allow browsing the titles only but actually searching
every single page. Besides, it is also connected to millions of volumes at google
books, which has the invaluable characteristic of being easily accessible and extremely
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fast. This amounts to an enormous wealth of references within reach in less than a
second.
JSTOR allows you to read three articles for two weeks for free and allows you to
replace them with three others after those two weeks are over. You can alternatively
have access to the whole database for a reasonable cost.
To figure out if a source is appropriate to your research, run the CRAAP test:

Currency: when was it written?

Relevance: Is it about my topic?

Authority: Who wrote it? And who published it?

Accuracy: Where does the information come from?

Purpose: Why was it written?
Scan the barcode 22 below to see a video on a very useful test, CRAAP:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_M1-aMCJHFg&t=28s
Scan the barcodes 23-24-25-26 below to see insightful videos on WHERE to
locate adequate academic material:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_GFp_V-5Dhg
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=33lvmShrcOU
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tJQo_pw74ZY&t=38s
https://www.ebsco.com/
Very important!

Do this immediately as you consult your research materials: note down all the
appropriate reference details, including author’s name, title of the book, magazine
or article, computer program, and the specific quotation.

Citing your sources is a vital guarantee for your credibility.
When you have gathered all your material:

Make sure you understand the information you want to use.

Discuss your material/ideas with peers .

Paraphrase lengthy material, and make sure to acknowledge your source.

Use short quotations to support your argument.

Do NOT copy – paste lengthy extracts.
Bibliography / List of references

Keep record of every single reference material you have used.
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Scan the barcode 27-28-29 below to see insightful videos on finding/listing
research references:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k4n7XlHa69I
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AJBjnslKwac
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G4deiZvUJ3U
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5. A well-structural Outline
The Oxford Dictionary defines outline as “a general
description or plan showing the essential features of
something but not the detail.”
Here is what some famous writers said about outlining:
The outline is 95 percent of the book. Then I sit down and write,
and that’s the easy part.
Jeffrey Deaver (American Novelist)
The more work you put in on your outline and getting
the skeleton of your story right, the easier the process is later.
Drew Goddard (TV scriptwriter)
If you do enough planning before you start to write, there's no way
you can have writer's block.
R. L. Stine (American writer)
I'm a big fan of outlining. Here's the theory: If I outline, then I can
see the mistakes I am liable to make. They come out more clearly
in the outline than they do in the pages.
Cynthia Voigt (American writer)
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An outline helps you to decide how to arrange your ideas.
To start your outline there are some questions you might ask yourself:
•
Do some of your ideas naturally cluster together?
•
How many clusters are there?
•
What are your main ideas?
•
What are your minor ones?
•
Which ones are just supporting details rather than ideas?
•
What order should the ideas be in?
Once you have answered these questions, you are ready to draft an outline, putting main
ideas at the top level and the details below them.
Your outline could take the form of a map, a timeline, or a flowchart.
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Preparing an outline

Study the following sample and guidelines
Scan the barcode 30 below to see a video which explains how to produce an outline,
with a very helpful explanation of what a thesis statement is (6 min10):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_HVFdYzGihA
Scan the barcode 31 below to see a video which explains how to produce an outline
(1min 53):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sp0MWYbLUFU
Scan the barcodes 32-33-34 below to see insightful videos on HOW to outline your
presentation
•
University research project outline
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2l5qK5vwLHc
•
Making an Outline, step by step
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fCujEU6xZS0
•
Organise your ideas in an outline
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MEQlqWAPD9A
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6. Organization
Steven D. Cohen, a leading expert on public speaking and
effective presentation skills, says, “The key to delivering a
successful academic presentation is showing your audience
members that you care about them. You don’t want listeners to
view you as a salesperson pitching a product. You want them to
see you as a leader who has their best interests at heart.”
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 Introduction
The introduction is one of the hardest
parts of a research project in terms of
preparation. You’ve got the topic,
you’ve done the research, and you know
what needs to be said, but you just don’t
know where to start.
Your introduction has a decisive effect on the success of your paper. More than just a warm
up to get you going, it allows you to prepare the reader to continue reading you from
beginning to end. It gives your reader a pre-taste of what is to come, whether what is in your
paper is worth reading.

It consists of the following essential elements
a
Thesis statement: A single declarative statement summing up the central idea or
specific purpose of your speech.
b
Preview: By way of forecasting the main areas of focus in the paper, the preview
lists each of the main points which will be covered. Sometimes the thesis statement
and the preview are combined.
c
Significance / Relevance: Give the reader a reason to want to read your paper.
Motivate them by telling them the reason the topic is relevant to their academic
(or other) interests.
d
Credibility: Implicitly prove to your reader that you are qualified to produce
ideas worth reading. Give hints that you have worked on the project, or conducted
research on the topic.
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NB. Your introduction should be rehearsed with particular attention

This will help you to start without having to read from your notes

It will also allow you to maintain eye contact with your audience.

Engaging your audience in the introduction is important because audience
members will decide during the first few minutes if they will continue listening to
you.
Scan the barcode 35 below to see an insightful video on HOW to open your
presentation
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NyE1Kz0e--0
To sum up, in your introduction tell your audience what your subject is by stating your key
elements and how you have organised your presentation.
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 Transitions
Like a bridge, they allow you to progress smoothly from one part to the next.

You need a transition between your introduction and your first main point, then
again between your main points and finally between your last main point and your
conclusion.

Internal transitions are used between words and or sentences and tell the audience
how two ideas may be related.

External transitions tell your audience that one main idea is ending and another it
beginning.
Scan the barcodes 36-37 below to see insightful videos on effective transition in
presentations
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IQnmAvN5t8s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Deeu-IIVHuY
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Scan the barcode 38 below to see a video on effective transitions in PowerPoint
presentations
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ebH2mrXPHJc&t=5s
 Main body


Main points and their subpoints
-
1 or more subpoints grow out of each main idea
-
Each subpoint is supported with adequate details
Supporting details
Give substance to your main points
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Testimony: the opinion of an eye witness or expert about an event that took
place. Always qualify (provide the qualifications of the person) and cite the
source or expert’s name.
Analogy: A comparison between two different items which reveals their
likeness. It allows your reader to grasp the full extent of your argument from
alternative perspectives.
eg. “A computer is like a human brain because they both process information.”
Story: Skillfully narrating a very brief story which has direct relevance to your
topic guarantees you the full attention of your reader.
Example: Facts (real or hypothetical) used to illustrate a point.
Scan the barcodes 39-40 below to see insightful videos on the difference between
main ideas and supporting details in a presentation.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hGrDK7iROIE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i2fKOAuH19Q
 Conclusion
- bringing a paper to a close by reinforcing your major ideas
It consists of a review/recapitulation and then a final statement:
Review/Recap: A restatement of the main points you presented in your paper
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Final statement: Should leave a lasting impact on your reader and bring your
ideas to a close
 Using a powerful quotation is a good way to end.
 You can also end by tying your conclusion into a story that you started in
your introduction
 Your final statement should be refined and the language should be powerful
and direct
Scan the barcodes 41-42-43 below to see insightful videos on how to bring your
presentation to an end in the most effective way:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VvAv3Fv02kE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EucZKuqaVEE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yl_FJAOcFgQ
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