For the workshop on April 5th
Original Research: Following in the Footsteps of Giants
Before the workshop, take a look at some of your key authors in Google Scholar.
Let me share a few of my own random reflections about writing in academic settings and particularly about the process of getting started in scholarly research and writing.
1. Scholars are created by other scholars.
2. The process is more like growing up in a culture and learning to survive in order to multiple than it is like anything else I know.
3. It's probably easier if you imagine growing up to be a dog after being a puppy or growing up to be a cat after being a kitten. For puppies and kittens, it is in their best interest to make the bigger beasts happy.
4. If what you plan to do for a research paper or project makes sense to ordinary people, you may be in trouble.
5. Learning the language and the conventions of the field is essential. Figure out early what seemingly everyday words mean when they are used in an academic context.
6. Original does not mean original like a short story or an editorial.
7. Scholarly work builds upon the scholarly work of those who come before. Try to understand how this works from the beginning.
8. Academic writing doesn't have to be boring but it's probably safer for you if it is. Wait until your dissertation is finished before you try to show any flair for writing creatively.
9. No two scholarly agree on what research is and how it should be done. Look for a basic but not perfect consensus among your professors.
10. Take all criticism gracefully and remember that big dogs take better care of puppies who know how to be respectful. It may not always be right but in my experiences it's true.
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