What Makes a Good Research Paper? Examining Differences and Similarities in Turkish and American Expectations

Year 2014, Volume: 5 Issue: 4, 1 - 11, 01.04.2014

Nilgün Yücel Kia Decou

https://doi.org/10.17569/tojqi.55391

Abstract

Success in a research paper is not only about gathering information and presenting your own thoughts and interpretations; equally as important understands the instructor's understanding of what the purpose of research is and what constitutes a “good research paper”. Individual instructors often have very different ideas about what the focus of the paper should be and what they are looking for in terms of information, independent thinking, structure, and accuracy of language. These differences become even more marked as universities seek to diversify their student bodies and teaching staff. This study aimed to explore Turkish and American instructors’ perceptions regarding the possible influence of their cultural and educational backgrounds on their understanding of a “good” research paper. The data was obtained from interviews of both Turkish and American instructors to examine the similarities and differences in expectations for research assignments. These interviews revealed some differences in how different instructors view research assignments and how they grade them.

Keywords

internationalization, research assignments, independent thinking, instructors’ expectations

İyi Bir Araştırma Makalesi Nasıl Olur? Türk ve Amerikan Beklenti Arasındaki Benzerlikler ve Farklar

Abstract

Araştırma makalelerindeki başarı bilgi toplamak ve fikirlerini ve yorumlarını sunmak kadar eğitimcinin iyi bir araştırmadan ne anladığıyla ve iyi bir araştırma makalesinin nasıl olması gerektiğiyle ilgili görüşlerini anlamakla da ilgilidir. Her eğitimcinin iyi bir araştırma makalesinin odağında ne olması gerektiğine ve bilgi, bağımsız düşünme, yapısı ve dilin kullanıma dair farklı görüşleri vardır. Üniversitelerin öğrenci ve eğitimci profillerini çeşitlendirme çabalarıyla birlikte bu farklılıklar daha da artmıştır. Bu çalışma da Türk ve Amerikan eğitimcilerin kültürel ve öğrenim geçmişlerinin, onların iyi bir araştırma makalesinden ne anladıklarını nasıl etkilediği araştırmayı amaçlamıştır. Araştırma verileri hem Türk hem Amerikan eğitimcilerle görüşme tekniği kullanılarak elde edilmiştir. Görüşmeler, farklı eğiticilerin araştırma makalelerine dair görüşlerinin ve onları değerlendirme şekillerinin çok farklı olduğunu ortaya koymuştur

Keywords

Uluslarasılaşma, araştırma ödevleri, bağımsız düşünme, eğitimcilerin beklentileri

References

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• Do fairy tales promote gender stereotypes? Research gender stereotypes on the internet. Write about how “The Princess Bride” does or does not support them. Do you think fairy tales affect how little boys and girls view themselves and how they should act? Why or why not?
• In the movie, the king was trying to start a war with his neighbors. What countries in the world today are having problems with their neighbors? Choose one dispute, do some research on what is happening there and why. Do you think they could resolve their problems without fighting? Why or why not?
• In the movie the six-fingered man was a kind of torture specialist. Many countries in the world still use torture. Do some research on why some governments insist that they need to do this. Do you think there is ever justification for torturing someone? Why or why not? Appendix B
• When you look at this these questions, what do you think they are asking the students to do?
• What would a student have to do to get an A, B or C on this assignment?
• What would cause you to fail a student on this assignment?
• How do you feel that your culture(s) affect your view of what a “good” response would be? GENİŞLETİLMİŞ ÖZ
• Bu çalışma da Türk ve Amerikan eğitimcilerin kültürel altyapılarının ve eğitim geçmişlerinin, onların iyi bir araştırma makalesinden ne anladıklarını nasıl etkilediği araştırmayı amaçlamıştır. Eğitimcilerin yabancı dil sınıflarındaki araştırma makaleleri ve bu çalışmalardaki ‘bağımsız düşünce’nin rolü dair beklentilerini karşılaştırılmıştır. Araştırmada şu sorulara yanıt aranmıştır:  
• Eğitimcilerin araştırma ve bağımsız düşünce gerektiren bir ödevden beklentileri öğrencilerin başarılarını nasıl etkiler?
• Eğitimciler kültürel altyapılarının ve eğitim geçmişlerine dair farkındalıkları nasıldır?  Katılımcılar
• Bulgular ve Tartışma
• Sonuçlar ve Öneriler