Academic Writing In Social Science Research

ACADEMIC WRITING IN SOCIAL SCIENCE RESEARCH
Binu Joseph
Research Scholar
Department of Politics and International Studies
Pondicherry University
binuj5555@gmail.com
Introduction
Academic writing is varying from other forms of writing such as creative writing and
journalist writings. It is important in academic writing to argue ideas logically and with
empirical evidence. In academic writing, writers are frequently in a position of interaction
with other texts in a similar field hence it is necessary that the references to ideas, thinking or
research of others in this field (Farrell, p. 6). The arguments should present in a logical order
and it has to arrive at a precise conclusion. It is an exploration of various views connected to
the area where to be focused. Moreover, academic writing is structured, organised and
ordered because it is a guiding text for the readers. (Edi Ahi, 2013, p. 21).
Other Forms of Writings
Before understanding the real features of academic writings, it is necessary to know
about the characteristics of other various kinds of writings. Instead of academic writings,
there are some other forms of writings such as creative writings, business writings, technical
writings and personal writings (Simanskiene, 2005). Each one is differentiae because of their
purpose, audience and characteristics, in connection to academic writings. The following are
the various kinds of writings.
 Personal Writing – it mainly relates to personal matters only. It includes letters to
friends, relatives, writings diaries and to the journals. It simply means people write for
themselves.
 Business Writing- it follows certain rules. The writings process is very standard and it
must be accurate, concise and clear. It normally writes about their services and
products. In universities, students are also writings such writings for instance letter of
application.

 Technical writing – it is also preparing in a formal order. It can consider as practical
writings because people do as part of their job. It is specialised writings from seniors
to juniors in a department and vice versa. It enables business, corporations and public
agencies to obtain their target.
 Creative writing – it about writings poetry, short stories, novel, and film scripts and
play. The imaginative behaviour of the writer is more important in this writing. The
personal feelings and attachments are as mainly highlighting part of this writing.
Principles of Academic writing
There are mainly ten principles are often following in academic writing namely;
should clear the purpose, focus on specific audience, should clear point of view, single-
focused, logical organisation, support the topics with strong evidences, clarity and completion
in explanations, effective use of research before writing, correct APA style and use less
complicated writing style (Vysoka Skola Manazmentu ).
Specific Rules of Academic Writing
Academic writing bases on certain rules and guidelines. Such rules are demarcating
academic writing from other forms of writings. The following are the those rules
 Use of abbreviation and acronyms correctly
 Write down numbers- the numbers are writing in numerical, words, cardinal numbers,
ordinal numbers,
 Use quotes correctly – to quote the ideas or narration from other sources should
mention properly.
 British English or American English- does not mix both styles. Before writing, a
thesis should make clear in which English style is required for preparing the thesis.
 Verb tenses- there are certain rules to apply tenses in different parts of the
dissertation.
 Some words avoided- should avoid those that are generally unnecessary or incorrect,
vague, unsophisticated, too informal and exaggerated or subjective.
 Use of pronouns - the application of first-person pronouns only in certain restricted
areas (Scribbr).

Certain Things Do not Do in Academic Writings
 Informal writings – avoid contractions, which mean an apostrophe that joins two
words by replacing some letters in those words. For instance, instead of it’s use it is,
instead of won’t use will not, Avoid informal phrases and slang such as figurative and
obscure. Instead of a lot use much or many, instead of cut down on use reduce.
 Avoid the second person – the use of the second person is very strictly restricted.
 No use of gender bias – the words such as he, she, her and him should be avoided.
 Integrated quotations avoided – for example, John comments on the problem. “The
president misuses the party fund’’. However, it can apply by integrating with a colon
for example, John comments on the problem: “the president misuses the party fund’’.
 Do not use rhetorical questions- it asked as not as a genuine inquiry but asked as to
suggest something or make a point.
 Do use too informal words- certain words such as, a bit, a lot of, kinds of, till ,you and
yours should be avoided.
Certain Things Do use in Academic Writings
 Use of serial commas – it uses before the conjunction in a list. Sometimes, serial
comma is very requiring otherwise, the list will be unclear. The Serial comma is
varying according to the styles because the MLA style is different from APA style.
 Use of Active voice – in academic writing the use of passive voice is not preferable.
The active voice is mostly preferred in writing.
 Use of adverb – when using adverb a writer should be conscious.
 Clarity in the use of “this’’ – in academic writing it mandatory to make clarity in use
of this, that, these or those. Use a word or a short phrase afterwards to clarify what is
demonstrative pronouns are.
Features of Academic Writings
 Complex
 Formal
 Objective
 Explicit
 Hedging

 Responsible
 Organisational
 Planning
Complex
The written language is commonly complex than spoken language. It uses longer
words. It specifically focused on varied and specific forms of vocabulary Christopher Tribble
observed, “Lexically dense, nominalised styles make it possible to give prominence to certain
categories of information and construct a distant impersonal relationship with the reader”
(Tribble, 1996). It framed on noun based phrases and also it greatly depends on noun than
verbs to construct, compact and meaningful sentences
Formal
Academic writing is relatively formal. A writer should avoid vague words, or
phrases contractions, colloquial words and expressions, tautology and every day smiles
(Simanskiene, 2005). Formality means the avoidance of personal voice (the use of I and
you,). The sentence structure formed in a complex manner. It also uses elevated, technical
and abstract vocabulary. D. Hacker pointed out that, “Formal writing emphasizes the
importance of its subject and the exactness of its information. Its tone is dignified, and it
maintains a certain distance between writer and audience” (Diana Hacker, Nancy Sommers, p.
126).
Objective
The academic writing is not personal writings because it is a narration of personal
feelings, experiences and view rather academic writing is an objective. Academic writing
uses fewer words. It is mainly emphasising on commenting, evaluating or analysing on
someone else ideas. It uses very specific vocabulary. It adopts information from a variety of
sources. It ideas are substantiated on the basis evidence.
Explicit
Academic writing is more explicit because it is about the relationship in text. It uses
language accurately and in an appropriate range. Writing is relatively comprehensive and
arranged in a cohesive and a coherence manner.

Hedging
Hedging knows as cautious language, “vague language’’. It is about the writer’s
stance on a particular subject or substantiates the writers claim whatever is making.
(UEFAP). For example; will, must, assumptions, possibilities, it may be possible to obtain.
Responsible
Academic writing is responsible in a manner of providing evidence and justification
regarding what the writer is claiming. The writer is also responsible for what kinds of sources
of texts use. The writer is showing responsibility in various ways, mainly through the means
of paraphrasing, summarising and acknowledging by indicating citation
Organisational
Academic writing is well organised. It moves from one section to another through
logical fashion. The structure of academic writings logically arranged on subject wise. If the
subject is laboratory reports, book review, essay, posters, research proposal and such different
genres formed on basis on a different organised structure (UEFAP).
Planning
The academic writing is according to specific purpose and plan and it takes place after
conducting a research and evaluation of the specific topics.
Characteristics of the Academic Writer
The mentioned general features of academic writings are specialised qualities should
keep in mind while preparing the academic writings. The specified principles are applicable
not only for the common academic writings framework but also the writer should follow
certain principles when he/she engage in work. A writer should approach academic writings
in way of a particular manner. A writer should not be passionate regarding his topics to
analyse ideas rather should in an impassionate manner and should mention in an analytical
order. The writer should not be subjective but should be an objective. A writer should not
show any emotional attachment towards the topics about to write more over a writer should
be intelligent in writings. The person who writes the topics should try to avoid harsh criticism
regarding the subjects and should not be polemical instead of such characteristics a writer
should see rational while facing the subjects. The tone of the writer should be the following
ways; that should in a conversational manner and not in a serious, personal choice should
avoid and should show writers impersonal behaviour. The way of writings should be in a
formal order and should not be colloquial.

Research Paper
It considers as a thesis statement. It comes from detailed research to understand a specific
topic. A research has observed in a way of, “it is similar to a long essay; an introduction, a
body and a conclusion; it is thesis statement which means a writer is going to support or
substantiate the research , a research paper developed with specific details, examples and
explanations (Ann Ingalls, 1999). For writing an effective paper, a writer has to do an in
detailed initial study regarding the particular area of study. It comes by the data collected
from different sources such as journals, magazines, internet resources, books, newspaper
articles and such areas. The borrowing information should be summarised or paraphrased.
The evidence collected from the one sources should incorporate at the appropriated place at
appropriate means. A research paper should substantiate with the adequate evidence in to
prove what researcher is intending to explain. The writer is both legally and morally
responsible for the work about what he/she done in the research.
Report Writing
The Report is a statement has given by investigation and consideration (Simanskiene,
2005, p. 16). There are certain important features can see while preparing a report. Report
writing is also a presentation of information, which gathered through detailed research. It has
also certain procedures, which the readers can quickly understand what contents in detail
narrated in the report are. It prepares through a specific number of questions and subheadings.
The paragraph is a concise one and uses dot point where it is applicable. A report framed
through graphics by the use of graphs, tables and illustrations. One of the essential primary
parts of the report is abstract or also called as an executive summary. Recommendations and
appendices may follow it.
The Structure of the Dissertation or Thesis
The each programme demands the different forms of structure of the dissertation.
However, the structure of the thesis is requiring certain elements.

The following are the elements of the thesis structure.
 A title page
 Information page
 Preface
 Acknowledgements
 An executive summary/ abstract
 A Table of content
 Lists of figures and Tables
 A list of abbreviation and or glossary
 An introduction
 Theoretical framework
 Review of literature
 Research design
 Research results
 Conclusion and discussion
 Recommendations / advisory plan
 After words/evaluation/reflection
 Bibliography /reference list
 Appendices (Scribber).
The following are the explanations
 A title page – it explains, what paper is about, To summarise paper is content with
few words. It differentiated the paper from other papers of the same area.
 Information page –it includes more information than in title page. To note again the
title, subtitle, supervisor’s information, writer’s information, information about the
educational program.
 Preface – it is a personal note of the writer. It provides the readers with personal
information about the dissertation.
 Acknowledgement – here, it gives thanks to everyone who helped to finish the
dissertation
 A table of content – it includes first before the main paper starts. A brief description
of chapters with page numbers.

 List of figures and tables – it helps readers to find how the writer used these items in
documents. It also helps them to find specific figures and tables.
 A list of abbreviation and glossary – it also called as an explanation of the acronym. It
listed in alphabetically because the reader can easily find the specified abbreviations.
 An executive summary / Abstract – the executive summary is also a vital part of the
thesis writing. It includes in the first part of the thesis. It is a brief version of the
abstract. It explains the title of the thesis. Furthermore, it is an overview of the
dissertation.
 An Introduction- it introduces what the topic is. It gains readers attention. It includes
in the first chapter of the thesis. It is at the starting point of the thesis.
 The theoretical framework- it provides a scientific research base and gives support to
the rest of the parts. It also a scientific justification of the work.
 Review of literature – it is a process of gathering of knowledge that has already
existed in relating to the topics. It includes the books, articles, journals theses,
archival materials and papers. It has also provided scientific grounding with the
works.
 Research Design – it an explanation of when, where, how and with whom a writer
going to do the research. Here explains the research method, mention about survey or
paragraph with an experiment, questions of research methodology.
 Research results – it explains how the research went and analyze the results.
 Conclusion and Discussion – the final part provides an answer corresponding to the
problem statement. Here, includes multiple interpretations. In discussion, session
provides various suggestions for following research.
 Recommendations / Advisory plan – it makes for follow up research. An advisory
plan makes in response to the conclusion of the study.
 Afterword / Evaluation/ Reflection – it uses to thank people for those who helped in
the completion of the research. If a writer has used preface then the using of afterword
often unnecessary. It mainly uses in writing a thesis in collaboration with another
person. Reflection writes separately and it does not part of the thesis.
 Reference List- it is a list of all sources, which, used in preparing a thesis. Here
specifies which style the writer has followed. For example, APA (American
Psychological Association), style or MLA ( Modern Language Association) style.

 Appendices – here, mentions the documents, which used in preparing the thesis but
those not a needful part of the research.
Citation Style
Citation is referring as ‘when you use another person’s work in your own work, either
by referring to their ideas, or by including a direct quotation, you must acknowledgment this
in the text of your work’ (Imperial College London). This acknowledgement called a citation.
It also differs in the location, order and syntax of information about references and the
number and style of citation reflect indifferently with respect to readability, conclusion, date,
authors, publications and style (American University of Beirut).
In academic writing, the style of citation is differing in according to the areas such as
sciences, humanities and social sciences.
Humanities
 Chicago Manual style
 MLA style ( Modern Language Association)
 Turabian style – it also uses in other academic disciplines
Sciences
 ACS (American Chemical Society)
 AMA ( American Medical Society)
 CBE (Council of Biology Editors)
 IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers)
 NLM ( National Library of Medicine )
 Vancouver (Biological Sciences )
Social Sciences
 AAA (American Anthropological Association)
 APA ( American Psychological Association)
 APSA (American Political Science Association)
 Legal style
The most common citation styles in both social sciences and humanities are APA (American
Psychological Association), Chicago, Harvard and MLA (Modern Language Association).

 APA (American Psychological Association) – the current style is its 6th
edition. The
most preferable one in social sciences is APA. In text citation example, ‘the book uses
success stories from the authors’ own lived experiences to make the case for a
creative revolution in the business world (Stewart & Simmons, 2010, p.22)’ (Scribbr).
In the literature list example, ‘Stewart, D. & Simmons, M. (2010). The Business
Playground: Where Creativity and Commerce Collide. Berkeley, USA: New Riders
Press.’ (Scribbr).
 Harvard – often uses in the field of economics. There is no official guideline, which
means there are a few variations. In text citation example, ‘ the book uses success
stories from the authors’ own lived experiences to make the case for a creative
revolution in the business world (Stewart & Simmons 2010, p. 22)’ (Scribbr). In the
literature list example, ‘Stewart, D & Simmons, M (2010), The Business Playground:
Where Creativity and Commerce Collide, New Riders Press, Berkeley.’ (Scribbr).
 Chicago – Chicago Manual Style uses in humanities. There are two variances such as
Chicago A use in as endnote or footnote and Chicago B uses as abbreviated form, in
authors date format, in text itself. Chicago A in –text citation example, ‘The book uses
creative revolution in the business world.1
’(Scribbr). In the footnote/ end note
example, ‘ 1
Dave Stewart and Mark Simmons, The Business Playground: Where
Creativity and Commerce Collide (Berkeley: New Riders Press, 2010).’ (Scribbr).
In the literature list example, ‘Stewart, Dave and Mark Simmons. The Business
Playground: Where Creativity and Commerce Collide. Berkeley: New Riders Press,
2010.’ (Scribbr). Chicago B for book, for In-text citation example, ‘The book uses
creative revolution in the business world (Stewart and Simmons 2010, 22)’. (Scribbr).
In the literature list example, ‘Stewart Dave and Mark Simmons. 2010. The Business
Playground: Where Creativity and Commerce Collide Berkeley: New Riders Press.’
(Scribbr).
 MLA (Modern Language Association) – developed by Modern Language
Association). It popular especially among language studies. In text- citation example,
‘The book uses success stories from the authors’ own lived experiences to make the
case for a creative revolution in the business world (Stewart and Simmons 22).’
(Scribbr). In the literature list example, Stewart, Dave and Mark Simmons. The

Business Playground: Where Creativity and Commerce Collide. Berkeley: New Ride
Press, 2010. (Scribbr).
Conclusion
Academic writing is not only an art but also a science. It is tailoring and designing
academic work and present it in a simple and effective way. ‘Academic writing characterises
by evidence-based arguments, precise word choice, logical organization, and an impersonal
tone, it informs, analyses, and persuades in a straightforward manner and enables the reader
to engage critically in a scholarly dialogue’ (Valddes, 2019). ‘Academic writing is generally
quite formal, objective (impersonal) and technical’ (University of Sydney). ‘Academic
writing refers to a style of expression that researchers use to define the intellectual
boundaries of their disciplines and their specific areas of expertise. Characteristics of
academic writing include a formal tone, use of the third-person rather than first-person
perspective (usually), a clear focus on the research problem under investigation, and
precise word choice. As specialist languages adopted in other professions, such as, law
or medicine, academic writing is designing to convey agreed meaning about complex
ideas or concepts for a group of scholarly experts’ (USC Libraries ).
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Scribbr. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.scribbr.com/citing-sources/citation-style-overview/#apa
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UEFAP. (n.d.). Retrieved from ww.uefap.com/writing/feature/hedge.htm
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