A good idea can not be separated from a lot of reading, reading a lot of classic monographs and related research literature. In addition, we should dabble in interdisciplinary subjects, such as sociology, management and other fields, and pay attention to accumulating theoretical frameworks. Among them, reading classic monographs has higher priority than reading literature.
Research methods are accumulated through professional books, related courses and network resources.
In addition, about reading methods. When reading a monograph, don't swallow it, seek quantity instead of quality, learn from it and internalize it. Reference is to take more reading notes and record classic/original ideas. (Pay attention to write down the page number! Internalization is to integrate valuable ideas and pay attention to comparison and extension.
When reading literature, do a good job in literature management, separate core/classic literature, make good use of literature management tools such as Endnote and NoteExpress, and integrate important literature (such as lists). When reading literary works, we should start with the topic, pay attention to the research method, theoretical framework, writing structure (logic) and words (vernacular or refined and popular), and grasp the writing rhythm of literary works. In addition, pay attention to literature review and references, locate classic literature and understand the general situation of the field. Learn and imitate the writing of classic literature. Please indicate the source/page number when quoting relevant documents.
When choosing a topic, we should have a sense of problems and give consideration to innovation. The topic selection should have two characteristics, one is that it can be studied, and the other is that it is worth studying.
When choosing a topic, focus on the following questions:
Make an outline (title) first, and clarify the logical relationship between chapters before writing. In addition, before writing, determine the approximate number of words in the article and the number of words allocated to each part, so that the contents of each section are roughly equal.
The function of article title is to highly summarize the main contents of the paper, emphasize the research methods of the paper, highlight the main ideas and core arguments of the paper, and indicate the research and writing purpose of the paper.
The types of article titles include: descriptive, questioning, comparative, contrastive and so on.
The standard of a good title: accuracy, conciseness, clarity, clear expression, attention, etc.
When writing, you can go to HowNet to read articles about similar research topics or research methods, and imitate the forms and words of other people's topics.
(Part of the content is compiled from Teacher Ye's "Chinese Academic Norms and Writing" course)
If a theory can be proved to be true, it has the functions of prediction, hypothesis and guidance. The theory lies in integrating the existing "facts", integrating these facts and giving them meaning; The same fact can be integrated by different theories, and different theories have different explanations and meanings for the same fact, which leads to more research. Therefore, the theory applied in this article can serve as a framework.
Both quantitative research and qualitative research need to rely on theory. On the one hand, it puts forward the research hypothesis, constructs the analysis framework, integrates the interpretation data and gives it meaning; On the other hand, it can also verify the theory, respond to the theory, improve the theory, or produce new theories.
The theory here refers not only to a specific theory, but also to the organic integration of multiple theories, or to the construction of a new theoretical framework on the basis of existing theories.
It is worth noting that in thesis writing (especially small thesis writing), try not to use too grand theories, and intermediate theories and small theories are better.
(Part of the content is compiled from Teacher Ye's "Chinese Academic Norms and Writing" course)
The general principles of research methods are: research methods (tools) serve research problems; Understand a variety of research methods, choose research paradigms and research methods that you recognize and can control, and do standardized research.
Pay attention to research methods: 1) research paradigm; 2) Research methods: quantitative research, qualitative research, mixed research and speculative research ... 3) Data collection methods: field survey, questionnaire survey, interview, observation, policy text method, literature method, Delphi method (expert survey method) ... 4) Data analysis methods and data analysis software.
The concept of (1) literature review
Literature review is the synthesis and interpretation of the literature related to a specific topic. When you do literature review, you should identify a research question, and then make a systematic written summary of journal articles, books and other documents (these documents describe the past and present state of knowledge), and seek the answer by searching and analyzing relevant documents.
Literature review is to express literature as a clue to development, a visible and clear river, and a way of management and approach. The focus of literature review is not to list the literature, but to sort out and combine the literature according to one's own intentions and ideas.
(2) The purpose and characteristics of literature review.
The fundamental purpose and goal of literature review: 1) to understand and master the frontier knowledge of research fields and problems; 2) Understand the contradictions, conflicts, inconsistencies and gaps in the existing research; 3) Determine your own research direction and content, and choose appropriate research methods.
Literature review is to create problems, find gaps and contradictions, compare, contrast and analyze the contradictions, conflicts, inconsistencies and gaps of different documents, and analyze the contradictions and inconsistencies between different authors and documents, so as to find their own research space.
Literature review is critical, not reportable, but critical and discriminating.
The scope of literature review: the earliest and pioneering; The most authoritative; Research-oriented; The latest; Theories, methods, questions, viewpoints and material data.
(3) the paradigm of literature review
There are three paradigms. First, the chronological style, written according to the time of production, needs to grasp the time context. Second, the style of the topic is written according to several aspects of the sub-topic. The third kind is funnel-shaped, which gradually transitions from the universal problems in the discipline to the problems they study.
From personal experience, you can write according to chronological style first, and then change it into thematic style or funnel style.
(4) Frequently asked questions
One is to list the pipelines piled up without clues. Literature review must have a logic, such as: induction and deduction; From big to small, from small to big; From general to specialized; Vertical and horizontal; Theories, policies and phenomena; positive and negative ...
Second, superficial surface, no in-depth understanding of literature and problems.
Third, it is one-sided, without a comprehensive and systematic analysis of the literature, and the literature is not handled properly.
Fourth, there are too many citations, large paragraphs, or multiple citations in a document. Even if you quote, you should translate it into your own words.
Fifth, improper evaluation, comprehensive affirmation and excessive negation are all wrong.
Sixth, excessive comments, the role of literature review is to ask questions, to analyze, not to demonstrate. In other words, you don't need to put forward your own opinions, just hint, otherwise there will be no new content and opinions in the text.
(The content is compiled from the course "Chinese Academic Norms and Writing" by Mr. Ye)
There are six points worthy of reference in the publication of the paper. First, be good at using course assignments. The second is to polish it repeatedly/look back every once in a while. Third, pay attention to peer/expert review. The fourth is to understand the periodical column/topic/level/review cycle. Fifth, take the reviewers' suggestions seriously. Sixth, it is common to reject manuscripts, and we should have a normal heart.