Academic Research Writing

About the Book

The writing manual “Academic Research Writing” is essentially based on the author’s own experience in teaching academic writing and research to university students for over twenty years. It became clear during this period that students (also teachers and researchers) need a writing guide that is handy, well-structured and accessible to help them conduct and write academic research properly. Although there are many good writing manuals and course books around, these are often found to be lacking in one area or another. This is because academic research has to grapple not only with the complexities of academic subjects, but also with a concomitant multitude of requirements pertaining to academic conventions, accuracy in language use, appropriacy of style, correctness of methods, reliability of information, and validity of results. Precisely because of the complexities and rigors of research, it is rarely possible to find a book that deals with all issues under one cover. The norm is that many manuals written on research chose to focus on a particular area of the many-faceted subject. Some of these manuals focus on the technical aspects such as methodologies, procedures, requirements, data and analyses. Others deal with the language and style of writing; yet others focus on the types of audiences. A researcher will need all; and this guide gives them just that. It explains the methodological requirements and conceptual framework of conducting good research, and gives a strong grounding in accurate language use and appropriate style required in academic writing. It also gives researchers guidance on how to avoid the most common language and style errors that usually vex writers. The idea is that in order to give a comprehensive coverage of the diverse requirements in a single book for the sake of giving researchers ease and accessibility of essential information, a good writing guide should meet the following criteria: • is organized in a way that corresponds closely with the actual steps of writing research (preparation for research, the writing process, editing and proof-reading) • elucidates conventions and conceptual frameworks (e.g. integrity, plagiarism) • explains methods of data evaluation and collection • shows how to create a working plan (outline) • shows how to write in accurate language • shows how to write in an appropriate academic style • draws awareness to common language and style errors to avoid early on • explains the various techniques used in academic writing (e.g. introduction, thesis statement, body paragraphs, methods of development, conclusion techniques) • summarizes the various referencing and citation styles (APA, Harvard, MLA) • explains proper editing and proofreading strategies • summarizes proper formatting of academic research papers (on different formatting styles in APA, Harvard, MLA) • advises on the final draft and the sections to be present in the final copy for binding & submission With these criteria in mind, this manual has been conceived and written to afford researchers with a comprehensive step-by-step instructions on how to properly conduct and write good academic research. The various aspects and requirements contained within this manual are arranged sequentially in close correspondence to the actual steps researchers take as they go along with their research activities. The Book’s Organizational Structure: Perhaps the strongest merit of this manual is the way its material is organized in a manner that concords closely with the actual research steps that researchers go through in the process of conducting and writing their research. Research process is seen to go through three successive stages: (1) a preparation stage, (2) a writing stage and (3) a final editing and submission stage. The first preparatory stage starts with an idea or question that the researcher wants to investigate; driven by various reasons, paramount of which is the quest to find answers to questions or issues of academic, professional or public concern. The idea usually starts in broad general lines, which the researcher needs to narrow down to a more manageable scope that is researchable. Then a thesis is formulated to capture the specific aspect(s) which the researcher wants to focus on. The next step is to look for relevant sources of information to develop the thesis. Good and reliable sources of information need to be dug out from libraries, books, journals, encyclopedias and electronic on-line materials, databases, e-journals and books. Care has to be exercised to select the right sources, applying measures of selectivity and evaluation of the various sources. Also at this stage the researcher needs to be familiar with important academic concepts, conventions and traditions so that s/he follows appropriate academic practice, such as documentation, referencing, citations and acknowledgements of materials borrowed from other sources and authors. After having found the suitable sources for the academic work, and having been familiarized with requisite academic conventions, it is advisable that the researcher sketches out an outline or a preliminary plan of the work in bare skeletal form to form the base for the next stage; the writing stage. The second; the Writing Stage is where the researcher embarks on the actual writing process of the academic work. The writing process involves two elements: (a) the components of research and (b) the language and style of writing. The components include the various elements to be found in an academic work such as table of contents, introduction, abstract, literature review, case study, methodology, data collection & analysis, discussion, and findings. The language of writing discusses the appropriate language to be used in academic discourse, the characteristics of academic language, linguistic accuracy and proper style and diction. The writing process also includes guidelines on how to write good introductions, body paragraphs and conclusions. The various conclusion techniques commonly used in academic writing are presented, with examples. Another important aspect is style. Appropriate style is a key to distinguishing a good academic work from a layman’s. Objectivity, neutrality, impartiality, brevity and conciseness are key characteristics in academic discourse. The researcher needs to be assisted on how to avoid the most common errors; and good lists of the most common language, style and spelling errors are included to help the writer avoid such errors. The final Editing, Proof-reading and Submission Stage starts from compiling the first draft. The first draft is a rough work that needs a lot of revision in editing and proof-reading. So, the first draft is to be edited first for major corrections, additions, omissions and shuffling parts to smooth out the paper. After the first editing, you get the second draft, which also needs thorough proof-reading to correct minor errors in language, grammar, spelling, and punctuation. After all has been done, and the paper is completed in its “final draft”, some final hints on formatting are necessary before submission. These include the general lay out, the cover page, acknowledgements, page numbering, Table of Contents, lists of tables, font size, margins, graphic labelling, appendixes, and indexes to be written in proper format. Formatting and summaries of referencing and citation styles (APA, Harvard, MLA) Formatting, citations and referencing continue to be some of the most vexing and frustrating of all research activities. This is primarily because there are different styles and a vast number minute variations; and that many people engaging in research have little or no knowledge of the differences that exist between the various styles. This book gives brief and concise summaries of three mostly used styles: the American Psychological Association (APA), Harvard style, and the Modern Languages Association (MLA) styles.

About the Author

Dr. Ahmed H. Hamid Fadlalla received his undergraduate education in Sudan, where he graduated with BA (Honors) degree in English Literature at the University of Khartoum; and joined the University’s academic staff as a Teaching Assistant immediately after graduation. He then received a British Council scholarship award to do an MA in English at the University of Lancaster, UK where he completed his studies in Applied Linguistics in 1988. He returned to the UK again to do a PhD degree on the Political Economy of food and famine at Leeds University; a study which explored the politico-economic root causes of the recurrent famines that afflicted Sudan and Sub-Saharan African countries during the latter half of the 20th century. Currently, Dr. Ahmed Fadlalla is an Associate Professor working for the University of Khartoum Sudan. He previously worked for Saudi ARAMCO and for the Royal Commission in Saudi Arabia for over twelve years as an English Language Consultant (for ARAMCO), and as senior lecturer of English, teaching English writing and supervising students’ research at Jubail University College of the Royal Commission. Dr. Fadlalla has taught and supervised university students’ research for over 35 years; in Sudan and in KSA. While writing up his PhD studies at Leeds University, Dr. Fadlalla was also tutoring with undergraduate students at the Department of Modern Arabic & Mid-Eastern Studies, University of Leeds, UK. When in Sudan, he has taught ESP English to undergraduate students in various disciplines (Economic & Business English, Legal English, for Medicine & Pharmacology, Engineering, Oil and Petroleum, Math & Sciences, and English for Agriculture and Veterinary Sciences). He has also taught English literature (Victorian literature, Romantic Poetry, the Novel, Shakespeare, Drama, African & American Literature). Dr. Fadlalla was Head of the English Department at the University of Khartoum between 1999 and 2006. Falling back on his doctoral study in political economy, he has also taught and supervised students at the Development Studies and Research Center (DSRC), and the Diplomatic Studies Center at the University of Khartoum. Research Interests: Dr. Fadlalla’s academic interests include research writing, educational philosophy & leadership, English Language & Literature, international relations, political economy, food security & international food trade. He has two book projects in the pipeline: one on the philosophy of education for leadership; and the other on the eradication of hunger and the right to food for everybody on earth. Publications: Author of “Academic Research Writing 2019” a guide. Different articles and papers in conferences, symposia and websites, active writing in e-newspapers on Sudanese political issues (in Arabic) to be published in two books. Interests and Hobbies: Dr. Fadlalla is interested in political, international, philosophical and educational issues. He is a staunch defender of justice and respect of human dignity. This passionate personal commitment led him to seek academic explanations for the phenomenon of recurrent famines in Sudan, Ethiopia and African countries during the last century; a commitment which earned him the animosity and antagonism of many quarters inside and outside of Sudan. For that end, he has written extensively in Sudanese Arabic newspapers, exposing the corruption, oppression and violence perpetrated by the deposed Bashir regime which led the country to ruins. Dr. Fadlalla loves the countryside, where he originally belongs, having grown up in a peaceful beautiful rural area in the rich savannah zone of Kordofan. He loves the green landscape dotted with herds of cattle and sheep, migratory birds and itinerant Bedouins saddled on their camels during the rainy season, Captivated by that natural beauty, Dr. Fadlalla has bought a large piece of land which he intends to develop into a natural wildlife reserve, to preserve the environment and protect wildlife.