ADVANCED ENGLISH FOR ACADEMIC COMMUNICATION UHB 2422

Mr Norhaizal Ramley
Instructor:

LETS GET STARTED!

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COURSEWORK MARKS
Proposal Presentation (Group) (5%) Research Instrument (Group) (5%) 2 Drafts of Report (Group) x 10% (20%) 1 Consultation (Individual) (10%) Quiz (10%) Final Report (Group) (10%) Oral Presentation (Individual) (10%) Final Exam (30%) TOTAL (100%)
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1ST WEEKEND
1st session Introduction Research planning Research proposal Data collection 2nd session Proposal Presentation Consultation 1 (Research instrument) Data processing Data presentation Writing Research Report (First 3 chapters)
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BEFORE 2ND WEEKEND

COLLECTION OF DATA Components: Introduction Literature Review Methodology

Submission of 1st draft via e-mail (haizal.ramley@gmail.com)

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2nd WEEKEND
3rd session Consultation 2 (Return 1st draft First 3 chapters) Report writing (Final 2 chapters) 4th session Consultation 3 (Check 1st draft Final 2 chapters) Oral Presentation & Listening

BEFORE 3RD WEEKEND

Submission of Final Draft via e-mail (haizal.ramley@gmail.com)

3RD WEEKEND
5TH session Students Oral Presentations Submission of Final Report Discussion on Sample Exam Paper

NOW GET INTO YOUR GROUP!

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INTRODUCTION
What is research report writing?

Emotional VS. Factual

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Conducting A Research

Writing a Research Report

ISSUES/ PROBLEMS

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HOW DO I CONDUCT A RESEARCH?

Follow these 5 steps!

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HOW DO I CONDUCT A RESEARCH?

1. Identify the Issue or Problem

What do I want to know? Who are involved? Where? Why?

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HOW DO I CONDUCT A RESEARCH?

2. Determine the Purpose

What exactly do I want to do here? What is my statement of purpose? To evaluate? To investigate? To compare? To describe?

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HOW DO I CONDUCT A RESEARCH?

3. Draw a Plan or a Strategy
Who, where and what are going to be

involved in the research? How do I collect the data? What are the deadlines?

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HOW DO I CONDUCT A RESEARCH?

4. Search and Collect the Data
Do I need primary data? Do I need secondary data? What are the instruments to be used

to collect the data?

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HOW DO I CONDUCT A RESEARCH?

5. Analyze Data
How do I process, record, analyze

and interpret the data? How do I make connections among the data? How do I draw conclusions from the data?
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So what is the problem?

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RESEARCH PROPOSAL

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WHAT IS A RESEARCH PROPOSAL?

A Plan of Action

Why?
To seek funding To seek commitment

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2 TYPES OF PROPOSAL INTERNAL VS. EXTERNAL SOLICITED VS. UNSOLICITED

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10 COMPONENTS OF A PROPOSAL
1. Title 2. Background Information 3. Statement of Problem 4. Research Objectives 5. Research Questions
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10 COMPONENTS OF A PROPOSAL (Contd)

6. Significance of the Study 7. Scope 8. Methodology 9. Work Schedule 10. Call to Action
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DATA COLLECTION

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WHAT IS DATA COLLECTION?

A process of collecting data (primary & secondary) from different sources PRIMARY DATA obtained through questionnaires, interviews, observations & experiments SECONDARY DATA obtained through reading others works

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COLLECTING SECONDARY DATA

Conducted at the beginning of a research to get a better picture of what you are going to investigate Gathered from various written resources (offline/online) Used in various sections of research report esp. Literature Review Must be properly cited
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COLLECTING PRIMARY DATA

FOUR INSTRUMENTS:

1.QUESTIONNAIRES 2.INTERVIEW 3.OBSERVATION 4.EXPERIMENTS

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1.QUESTIONNAIRES
A systematic compilation of questions distributed to respondents from which information is needed Administered through survey, mail, telephone & internet

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2 TYPES OF QUESTIONS
1. Open-ended Questions
2. Close-ended Questions
Yes/No Scale Listing/Choice Ranking Category
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2.INTERVIEW

A two-communication which permits an exchange of ideas and information 3 types of interviews: 1. Structured 2. Semi-structured 3. Unstructured
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3.OBSERVATION
To get

firsthand information

To strengthen existing data

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4.EXPERIMENTS
To test various techniques, assumptions or products (esp. in engineering & agriculture)

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SAMPLING & POPULATION

SAMPLING a group of respondents who provide information that may be generalised to general population POPULATION a target group to which the results of a research are applicable

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RANDOM Respondents are selected randomly without criteria 3 Categories: Simple Stratified Cluster

2 TYPES OF SAMPLING

NON-RANDOM Respondents are selected based on certain criteria 3 Categories: Systematic Convenience Purposive
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DATA PROCESSING & DATA PRESENTATION

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WHAT IS DATA PROCESSING?

To convert raw data into meaningful statements that could help answer research questions Raw data are systematically organised so that their meanings can be understood Procedures for quantitative and qualitative data are different
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3 STAGES (QUANTITATIVE DATA)

1. ORGANISING, RECORDING AND CATEGORISING AND/OR CODING 2. PRESENTING 3. ANALYSING

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1.ORGANISING, RECORDING & CATEGORISING AND/OR CODING Organise manually or using computer Record using keyword Categorise to see the picture Coding helps processing the data statistically (using SPSS)

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2.PRESENTING
Turn data into comprehensible pictures through

1. Table 2. Graph 3. Chart

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3.ANALYSING
Analyse manually or using computer
Involves the interpretation of frequencies based on data presentation

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3 STAGES (QUALITATIVE DATA)

1. ORGANISING, CATEGORISING AND/OR CODING, AND RECORDING 2. PRESENTING 3. ANALYSING

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1.ORGANISING, CATEGORISING AND/OR CODING, Organise by using transcriptions Categorise by listing the responses Coding by using flexible codes

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2.PRESENTING
Usually presented in original forms Can also be presented using tables

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3.ANALYSING
Involves finding commonalities, regularities or emerging patterns among the responses

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WRITING RESEARCH REPORT

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3 SECTIONS 1.PRELIMINARY 2.MAIN 3.SUPPLEMENTARY

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1.PRELIMINARY
Title Page Abstract Acknowledgement Table of Content List of Figures/ Tables List of Abbreviation & Symbols
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2.MAIN
1. Introduction 2. Literature Review 3. Methodology 4. Findings & Discussions 5. Conclusion & Recommendation

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3.SUPPLEMENTARY
References Appendices

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1.INTRODUCTION

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7 ELEMENTS
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. Background of the Study Statement of Problem Purpose of the Study Research Objectives Research Questions Significance of the Study Scope of the Study
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1.Background of the Study

Three steps: 1. To state general statements of facts related to the field of study 2. To state specific statements about issues studied by other researchers 3. To state statements that indicate the need for more investigation
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2.Statement of Problem
To define the issue or problem investigated in the study To refer to problem statement in the proposal

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3.Purpose of the Study

To include a broad discussion on the reasons why the study was carried out and intentions of the study

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4.Research Objectives
To show the extent and the expected outcome of the study To begin with a leading statement followed by the objectives written in point forms

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5.Research Questions
To guide the discussion about the topic To stimulate readers interests To turn the objectives of the study into research questions

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6.Significance of the Study

To justify the reason for conducting the study To emphasize the potential benefits that it would bring

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7.Scope of the Study

To indicate the direction of the study To map out the boundaries of the study To outline the method of investigation To give a preview of the written report

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2.LITERATURE REVIEW

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WHAT IS LITERATURE REVIEW?

It is an account of what has been published on a research area It describes, summarizes, evaluates and clarifies the studies reviewed It outlines a framework and a theoretical base of a research

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WHY?
To guide you through others works To prepare for your own research To provide a context for your research To justify the research To illustrate how the subject has been studied before To outline gaps in previous research
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HOW DO I DO IT?
Identify relevant articles and books Read and appraise the text critically Organise the literature around your research questions Synthesize relevant information to current study

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5 GENERAL STEPS
1. Prepare annotated bibliography 2. Maintain a reference list 3. Organise materials and make notes 4. Write individual sections according to themes 5. Integrate all sections

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HOW DO I CITE IN A REPORT?

THREE WAYS:

1. SUMMARIZING 2. DIRECT QUOTATION 3. PARAPHRASING

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1. SUMMARIZING
It is a shortened piece of writing by restating main points in your own words General ideas are highlighted Details & examples are excluded

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2. DIRECT QUOTATION
Authors exact words are copied directly from original sources It is preferred when citing powerful phrases or interpreting literary works like poems or plays Sources must be properly cited

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3. PARAPHRASING
Authors words are rephrased/ reworded in your own words Paraphrased text is usually shorter than original text Paraphrased materials must be properly cited

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3.METHODOLOGY

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FIVE PARTS
1. Introduction (Short description of purpose, location, respondents & instruments) 2. Research Instruments 3. Respondents of the Study 4. Research Procedure 5. Data Analysis
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4.FINDINGS & DISCUSSION

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WHAT ARE FINDINGS?

Discoveries based on facts, not emotions Presented in the form of statistics (percentages, frequency counts & averages) or illustrations (tables, graphs, diagrams, etc.)

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ISNT A PICTURE WORTH A THOUSAND WORDS?

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HOW TO WRITE IN THE REPORT?

Type A
Findings Research Question 1 Research Question 2 Research Question 3 Discussion Research Question 1 Research Question 2 Research Question 3

Type B
Research Question 1: Findings & Discussion Research Question 2: Findings & Discussion Research Question 3: Findings & Discussion

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TAKE A LOOK AT AN EXAMPLE OF FINDING (page 177)

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12 TIPS ON WRITING FINDINGS

1. Introduce the topic 2. Point to significant findings 3. Use graphics to support findings 4. Explain statistics selectively and concisely 5. Support statistics with qualitative data (if any)
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12 TIPS ON WRITING FINDINGS (contd)

6. Spell out the word percent in the text (dont be confused with percentage) 7. Spell out the number that begins a sentence, and use figure in the middle of a sentence 8. Follow correct organisation
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12 TIPS ON WRITING FINDINGS (contd)

9. Use concise, grammatically correct statements 10. Use correct tenses 11. Use language expression correctly (page 180-1) 12. Focus on 4Cs - Clarity, Coherence, Conciseness and Correctness
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4 STRATEGIES IN WRITING DISCUSSION

Explain Compare Evaluate Infer

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1. Explain Findings
Give reasons for findings Explain circumstances during data collection Explain limitations

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2. Compare Findings
Relate the different findings to highlight their significance Compare similar findings from related studies

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3. Evaluate Findings
Assess findings as: unexpected or insignificant or unsatisfactory

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4. Infer from Findings

Make sense of findings Develop ideas and viewpoints Be creative and speculate

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5.CONCLUSION & RECOMMENDATION

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5 ELEMENTS IN A CONCLUSION
Overview Restatement Review Implications Limitations
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1.Overview of the study

Summarize what the research is all about (do not introduce new ideas) Explain briefly why & how you conduct the study

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2. Restatement of the objectives

Rephrase the objectives Start with the most significant one

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3. Review of the findings

Draw conclusions for each major issues Use discourse markers to connect the findings Start with the most important one

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4. Implications of the findings

Deduce some ideas based on findings (do not exaggerate) Implicate some ideas that can support further actions

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5. Limitations of research (optional)

State the weaknesses (do not apologize) E.g. Small sample size, limited time, improper instrument, etc.

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Conclusion can be written in paragraph/ point form (page 192-3)

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WHAT IS A RECOMMENDATION?
It suggests actions to be taken based on findings It is related to conclusions It is NOT based on biases or beliefs that are not supported by data

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2 TYPES OF RECOMMENDATION
1. To recommend actions to be taken based on findings 2. To recommend actions to other researchers for further research

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Recommendation can be written in paragraph/ point form (page 196)

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LANGUAGE INPUT: Modal Auxiliary Verbs

Use appropriate modals when making recommendations: 1. May/Could/Might mild suggestion 2. Should/Ought to strong suggestion 3. Must/Have to extreme suggestion

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ORAL PRESENTATION

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SALES! 70%!

SALES! 50%!

SALES!!
120%!
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I HATE PUBLIC SPEAKING!

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WHAT IS AN ORAL PRESENTATION?

A type of communication that involves speaking & listening Can be formal/ informal Essential for professionals A requirement for students

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3 PURPOSES OF ORAL PRESENTATION

1. Informative 2. Demonstrative 3. Persuasive

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4 TYPES OF ORAL PRESENTATION 1. Impromptu 2. Manuscript 3. Memorised 4. Extemporaneous

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7 TIPS FOR EFFECTIVE ORAL PRESENTATIONS

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1. Planning Your Oral Presentation Well

What is the purpose? Who is the audience? What is the topic? Where?

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2. Knowing Your Content Well

What is the content? Have I included all the relevant information?

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3. Analysing Your Audience

What is the background of audience? Are they educated? What is the reason for attending? How many of them?

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4. Knowing the Presentation Room

What is the size of the room? How is the seating arrangement? What are the facilities provided?

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5. Knowing the Time Allotted

How long do I have to present?

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6. Writing the Outline of Your Delivery

What are the main ideas?

(Prepare short notes, either linear or non-linear - do not outline them word by word)

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7. Deciding on the Appropriate Style of Delivery

Do I have to be casual? Is there a large audience that requires a formal presentation?

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ORGANISING YOUR ORAL PRESENTATION

1.Introduction 2.Body 3.Conclusion

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1.Introduction
Start with attention grabbers (Question, humour, quotation, statistics, stories, etc) Use correct language expressions (examples - page 209)

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2.Body
For report presentation, follow the pattern in the report Support with details and evidence Ensure clarity by keeping message simple Ensure cohesion by using linking words (examples page 216)
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3.Conclusion
End it by using: >> a summary of key points >> a recommendation >> an umphh final thought
Use correct expressions (examples page 221)
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Prepare the outline (linear/non-linear) for the introduction, body & conclusion of your presentation.
(refer to Tables 7.1 7.8)
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WHY VISUAL AIDS?

To believe (seeing is believing) To enhance understanding To enable better retention To ensure continuity To build presenters credibility To have more fun!
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19 TIPS IN USING VISUAL AIDS

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19 TIPS IN USING VISUAL AIDS

1. Arrange accordingly to the content 2. Points form (using key words) is advisable dont punctuate! 3. Coordinate points in parallel forms (content, grammar, numbering) 4. Subordinate major & minor headings appropriately
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19 TIPS IN USING VISUAL AIDS (contd)

5. Avoid irrelevant words 6. Words must be clearly readable 7. Avoid too much info on a single slide (remember to KISS!) 8. Avoid too many colours

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19 TIPS IN USING VISUAL AIDS (contd)

9. Use animation sparingly 10. Introduce a visual before showing it 11. Stand to the side of your computer 12. Face audience as much as possible

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19 TIPS IN USING VISUAL AIDS (contd)

13. Use a pointer to direct audience focus (not your finger) 14. Visuals should tally with what you say 15. Avoid reading your notes 16. Use appropriate language expressions (examples page 230)
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19 TIPS IN USING VISUAL AIDS (contd)

17. Use visual aids as support only (you are the spotlight!) 18. If you have handouts, tell your audience in advance 19. Practise, practise, practise!

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PREPARE THE SLIDES!

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Which is more important? WHAT you say or HOW you say?

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25 TIPS FOR EFFECTIVE DELIVERY

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25 TIPS FOR EFFECTIVE DELIVERY

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Visualise a successful presentation Emulate excellent speakers Channel your nervousness accordingly Do not apologise Be well-versed with technology

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25 TIPS FOR EFFECTIVE DELIVERY (contd)

6. Always have Plan B 7. Dress appropriately 8. Stand still (dont slouch!) 9. Show your confidence 10. Talk to audience (not your notes)
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25 TIPS FOR EFFECTIVE DELIVERY (contd)

11. Refer to notes sparingly 12. Pronounce words correctly 13. Use linkers for content traffic 14. Use spoken English (not text-book English) 15. Be interactive
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25 TIPS FOR EFFECTIVE DELIVERY (contd)

16. Maintain eye contact 17. Be enthusiastic 18. Vary your volume, tone & pace 19. Minimise crutches 20.Use gestures naturally

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25 TIPS FOR EFFECTIVE DELIVERY (contd)

21. Place your hands appropriately 22.Use facial expression effectively 23.Move around 24.End your presentation in time 25.Rehearse, rehearse, rehearse!

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7 WAYS TO HANDLE Q & A SESSION

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7 WAYS TO HANDLE Q & A SESSION

1. 2. 3. 4. Invite questions Repeat questions from audience Look at the questioner Answer in short

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7 WAYS TO HANDLE Q & A SESSION (contd)

5. Be straightforward 6. Be honest (just admit that you dont have the answer!) 7. Dont forget to thank the questioner

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ARE YOU A GOOD LISTENER?

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7 STRATEGIES FOR GOOD AUDIENCE

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7 STRATEGIES FOR GOOD AUDIENCE

1. Listen actively & selfishly (dont just hear) 2. Focus on the message, not style 3. Listen for major ideas (look for cues) 4. Listen to body language (they do speak!)

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7 STRATEGIES FOR GOOD AUDIENCE (contd)

5. Be objective (dont easily get angry) 6. Avoid jumping to conclusion (dont pre-judge) 7. Discipline your thoughts!

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REMEMBER, A GOOD SPEAKER IS A GOOD LISTENER

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