ENG103: The Body: Research Findings

1. The Body:
Research Findings

2. Steps to complete the secondary
research
1. Find relevant sources on your topic and follow trails of
references
2. Identify themes/ideas/theories/approaches to the topic that have
emerged from reading
3. Introduce ideas by themes/theory/approach/chronologically or
any other appropriate structure but do not just list different
authors’ viewpoints
4. Introduce and explain each idea, present evidence from readings
(agreements/ disagreements), critically commentate and relate to
your own research

3. Critical Reading
The importance of critical reading
In pairs, come up with at least 5 questions that you
would ask yourself when critically analysing a text
for your review.

4. Critical questioning when reading
1. Who is the author?
2. What is the authors central point or main argument?
3. What findings and conclusions are made?
4. What evidence is used to support the conclusions?
5. Is the evidence relevant? What methodology has the author used? What are the strengths and
limitations?
6. Does the author make any assumptions?
7. What is not being said?
8. Is there any explicit or hidden bias?
9. How is the text relevant to YOUR research topic?
10. How does this link with other texts that you have read?

5. Synthesising the information
(adapted from Divan, 2009)
Author(s),
date
Aim of
paper
Type of
study/informatio
n
Key findings
and
conclusions
Strengths,
weaknesses,
links to other
sources
Hardy (2007) Assess the
future roles of
subject
librarians in the
context of
technological
changes and
financial
pressure.
Questionnaires were used
to collect data about the
roles, relationships and
competencies of 32
subject/liaison librarians
supporting three
disciplines in UK
universities.
Librarians
undertaking a wide
range of activities,
with academic liaison
and information
literacy teaching as
central tasks,
Teaching skills are
needed to
compliment more
tradition
librarianship skills
They are still
fulfilling a useful
role in web based
Study limited to just
3 subject areas and
non respondents
may have skewed the
results.
Conroy and Boden
(2007) does support
the evidence found
here.

6. Synthesising the information
Sample Main Idea 1: Psychological Factor Influences
spending habits
Author Year Type of
study
Sample Design Data
collection
approach
Key
findings
1. Experimental focus
2. Survey focus
Author Year Type of
work
Strengths Weaknesses Relevance to own
study
Source: The University of Adelaide Writing a literature review
http://www.adelaide.edu.au/writingcentre/learning_guides/learningGuide_writingLiteratureReview.pdf
Do these two sources share the same findings about the main idea above or contradict?

7. What is the big picture?
photo by oddsock on Flickr
When reading for the body of your secondary research paper, you’re trying
to identify links between papers. Not just reviewing each paper separately.
What’s the story? The overview in your topic?

8. What is the big picture?
 You might read first during which time you start to develop ideas for
themes.
 Ask yourself:
 What ideas seem to come up in several articles?
 Are the same ideas presented from the same or different
perspectives?
 Are there any major debates that need addressing
 Does there seem to be a change in thought over time?
 What ideas/themes are relevant to answer my question(s)

9. What is the big picture?
You might already have a “big picture” idea. Your reading may then
either:
 Confirm and support the structure of your initial plan
OR
 Lead you to change your plan due to new ideas you’ve developed
in your reading

10. What is the big picture? Categorise the evidence into main ideas.
Main Ideas Relevant references
Topic: Factors Influencing the
Purchase of Luxury Branded
Product
1. Psychological factor
 Motivation
 Perception
 Attitudes and beliefs
1. Wiedmann, K., Hennigs, N., & Siebels, A. (2007). Measuring Consumers’
Luxury Value Perception: A Cross-Cultural Framework.
https://www.researchgate.net.
2. Aroche, D. (2016). 2016 Luxury Industry Predictions From The Experts.
Luxury Society.
Retrieved 5 June 2017, from
http://luxurysociety.com/en/articles/2015/12/2016- luxury industry-
predictions-from-the-experts
2. Societal/Cultural Factor
 Social Recognition & status
 Peers’ influence
 cultural preferences and sub-
culture
1. Factors That Influence Consumers’ Buying Behavior. (2012).
2012books.lardbucket.org.Retrieved 7 June 2017, from
https://2012books.lardbucket.org/books/marketing-principles-
v2.0/s06-01-factors-that-influence-consume.html
2. Gattiker, E. (2012). Christmas and luxury brands. Social Media Audit |
measure for impact - ROI, KPI.
3. Personal Factor
 Self Concept
 Lifestyle
1. Haataja, M. (2011). ATTITUDES OF YOUNG PEOPLE TOWARDS LUXURY
PRODUCTS. Theseus.fi.Retrieved 7 June 2017, from
https://www.theseus.fi/bitstream/handle/10024/36814/Haataja_Maria.p
df?sequence
2. Ligaya, A. (2010). Survey suggests luxuries have become a lifestyle in
UAE | The National. Thenational.ae.

11. Main body: General writing advice
“Provide the reader with strong "umbrella" sentences at
beginnings of paragraphs, "signposts" throughout, and
brief "so what" summary sentences at intermediate
points in the review to aid in understanding
comparisons and analyses”.
 Use language to show confidence/caution:
e.g. There is clearly a link.../This suggests a possible
link...
 Use you own voice to comment on the literature

12. Writing the Body Organized according to
themes/main points.
Main points 1-3:
Main point introductory paragraph:
1. Introduce and explain the idea.
2. Explain the idea
3. Create a link or introduce the sub points

13. Sub-points1-3:
1. Supporting point 1: Explain + 2 research support (academic & reliable
sources) + explanation
2. Supporting point 2: Explain + 2 research support (academic & reliable
sources) + explanation
3. Supporting point 3: Explain + 2 research support (academic & reliable
sources) + explanation
4. Critical Analysis of the research sources (strengths & weaknesses,
comparison and contrast)
5. Mini closing: State your own opinion based on your findings from
different research sources. Do you agree with your findings? Are there
relevant evidence that confirm the main point? Explain. This part
should be your OWN opinion.

14. Practice
 Write your body paragraphs