Intro to Research

1. MRP (MINI RESEARCH PROJECT)
AND POSTER
WEEK 1: GENERAL
INTRODUCTION TO RESEARCH
PREPARED BY: MRS. UMKULTHOOM ALMASKARI

2. MRP (MINI RESEARCH PROJECT)
• The project is intended to be an independent study assignment with support from
respective tutors. It focuses mainly on paraphrasing, referencing, data analysis and
general research skills. Each student is given a topic to research and he or she is
expected to report the research in 1300-1500 words.
• Students are expected to use texts, encyclopaedias, the internet and other resource
materials to research their topics. It is mandatory to document sources and give full
reference lists. Students are expected to submit elements of the report according to the
submission timetable.

3. POSTER
• Students have to submit a poster based on the students Research Project on
A-4 size Microsoft Word File/ Microsoft Powerpoint [one single slide]
or in A4 size PDF file format.
• The poster illustrates the steps in the research and follows the layout
convention.

4. TEACHING AND SUBMISSION SCHEDULE
WEEK TOPICS COVERED
1 1. General Introduction to Research
a. Purpose of Research
b. Parts of a Research Paper
c. Teaching Plan AND Submission schedule
d. Cover Page, Acknowledgements, & Table of Contents
2 1. Choosing a Topic
a. Brainstorming
b. Narrowing the topic down
c. Title
d. Outline
2. Introduction:
a. Background of the study
b. Statement of the problem
c. Objectives
3 Sunday Submission 1: Cover Page, Acknowledgements, Table of Contents &
Introduction – 1 mark

5. WEEK TOPICS COVERED
3-4 Finding Information- Researching
a. Sources & Plagiarism (Recap Unit 1:c) & Referencing
b. Deciding what to look for
c. Evaluating Sources
d. Reading Strategies
e. Taking Notes, Paraphrasing & Summary Writing
f. Finding your voice
g. Literature Review
h. References
5 Sunday Submission 2: Literature Review / References – 1 Mark
5-6 Methods and Procedures
a. Research Approach
b. Research Instrument
c. Samples/Respondents
7 Sunday Submission 3: Methods and Procedures/ appendences – 1 Mark
7-8 a. Results and Discussion
9 Sunday Submission 4: Results and Discussion- 1 Mark

6. WEEK TOPICS COVERED
9 Abstract, Conclusion and Recommendations
10 SUNDAY Submission 5 :Abstract, Conclusion and Recommendations- 1 Mark
10 Poster Layout
10 Thursday Poster Submission- 5 Marks
11 Sunday Final Submission of the research paper – 20 Marks
NB:
∙ All submissions should be in Left-to-Right language format and double spaced.
∙ They should be submitted in Microsoft Word (*.docx) format. Font: Times New
Roman (size12) used for text..

7. WHAT IS RESEARCH?
• Exercise 1 students’ booklet, page 4
BRAINSTORMING: WORK IN PAIRS AND BRAINSTORM WHAT THE TERM
‘RESEARCH’ MEANS

8. WHAT IS RESEARCH ?
• According to the American sociologist Earl Robert Babbie,
“research is a systematic inquiry to describe, explain, predict, and
control the observed phenomenon. It involves inductive and
deductive methods.”
• The aim of research is to formulate an informed opinion on a topic and this
goal is only achieved when one has carefully and widely read what others
have written on the chosen topic; analyzed, compared and evaluated those
ideas; and come up with own conclusions.”(Project-2014-15).

9. WORKING ON A RESEARCH PAPER SHOULD HELP
YOU DEVELOP VARIOUS SKILLS INCLUDING:
• Planning skills – how to approach a particular topic
• Organizational skills – completing weekly assignments on time
• Literature searching skills – use of library, journal, books, etc.
• Reporting skills – how to compile a research paper
• Communication skills – how to share your research findings with others

10. PARTS OF RESEARCH
1. Cover Page
2. Student Declaration Form
3. Acknowledgement
4. Abstract
5. Table of Contents
6. Introduction
7. Literature Review
8. Data Collection
9. Results
10.Discussion
11. Conclusion and Recommendations.
12.References
13.Appendices

11. STAGES OF RESEARCH
• There are three stages in producing an extended project which are :
1. Planning/Preparing
2. Researching/Gathering Information
3. Writing

12. COVER PAGE
COVER PAGE INCLUDES:
⮚title of the research
⮚name of the researcher
⮚group number
⮚submission date
⮚name of the institution
⮚supervisor’s name
⮚CHECK THE SAMPLE RESEARCH AS AN EXAMPLE

13. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
This is written to recognize individuals and institutions that made direct
contribution to your research. It is thanking, colleagues, supervisors,
sponsors, etc. for their assistance.
E.G.
CHECK THE SAMPLE RESEARCH

14. TABLE OF CONTENTS
• It is a chronological list of different parts of the research paper with page
numbers.
• It gives an overview of what is in a document without a reader having to
guess.
• In the beginning start with what is already there and update later.
E.G.: CHECK THE SAMPLE RESEARCH

15. REFERENCES
- FND 103 Course Syllabus 2022/2023
- FND103 MINI-RESEARCH PROJECT, Teacher’s Handout
- FND103 MINI-RESEARCH PROJECT, Students’ Booklet