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Variety is the Spice of Life!
Different Schools… ….Different Rules
– Can you use ‘I’ in an academic text?
– Should an essay have section headings?
– How long is a report?
– Do you use primary or secondary research?
– Footnotes, endnotes or no notes?
– Harvard style referencing or MLA? What about APA?
Which school are you in? What is acceptable and what is unacceptable in your field?
Always check in your module handbooks or with your tutor if you are concerned about appropriacy
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Reading Journal Articles Introduction Aims
—To look at the differences between text books and journal articles
—To analyze the structure of journal articles
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Journal Articles
With a partner, discuss:
—What is a journal article?
—What type of information can you find in a journal article?
—What is the difference between a journal article and a book?
—Have you read a journal article? How did you find it?
Journal arties are usually written by academic researchers
They often report on primary research conducted by the writer(s), but can also discuss concepts, theories, frameworks or even just disagree with someone
else
Journal articles are shorter and more current than text books
They contain very specialized vocabulary, and can drop readers ‘in at the deep end’
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Reading Journal Articles
Books and Journal Articles have different strengths and weaknesses. Look at this diagram – what does it tell you about the advantages/disadvantges of books and journal articles?
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Journal articles
Text books
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Layout
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Publisher &
date of
publication
Abstract
Title
Mainbody
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Structure
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Introduction Literature
Review
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Structure
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Methodology Findings /
Results
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Structure
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Discussion /
Conclusion
References
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Tips
Make sure you follow this advice when using journal articles!
— Check the date of publication – current or out-of-date?
— Check the author – is the author a reliable source?
— Check the evidence – are the writer’s claims supported with evidence?
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Where now?
— Need more detailed assistance? Book a tutorial!
— Want feedback on a specific section? Drop in to Getting Your Assignment Ready!
— Want somewhere quiet to write, and get on the spot assistance? Try The Writing Space!
— Got a few quick questions? AWL Office Hours at [The Study Hub] are for you!
— AWL Open Workshops can be booked here!
• Suggestions:
– Reading Journal Articles Advanced
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Reading Journal Articles Introduction
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