Unit 6 The results anticipated. Exemplification

In the British tradition results are presented in a separate chapter titled Summary and Discussion, the two parts being clearly distinguished. Summary contains tables and figures to summarise quantitative results and describes the trends and concepts identified from qualitative analysis, while Discussion would include a full analysis of data interpretation and details of calculations. So the two tasks are separated: while describing results you are to refrain from explanations and comments – otherwise it would be confusing to readers. Although those issues are not always included in proposals, it might still be useful to report on the results anticipated which commonly range from transcriptions of interviews to tables of raw data.

You are also supposed to carefully select the illustrative material to be included – both in the written proposal (whose format does not presuppose detailed discussion) and its oral presentation (which has strict time limits). In the latter case you might deliberately reserve some interesting examples till the final stage.

1. Find Russian equivalents for the following phrases.

This part of the proposal is organized in terms of the n specific research questions posed in part 1
As stated at the outset, the study reported here will examine in detail the problems encountered by
The presentation of the results will use an appropriate organizational pattern
The results will be reported accurately and objectively
The text will be integrated with tables and figures
The project will have some major implications
The project presents disconfirming evidence of the existing theory
The reliability/ validity of carefully collected data is high enough to support the sustained analysis
Most data are revised each decade at the time of the census
The facts obtained rest on skill and care

2. Consider the following clichés to be further used in writing your project proposal.

The following part of the proposal	reports on the results which are likely to be obtained with the methods mentioned
In the part to follow	some complex data will be presented in tables
	some nonlinear relationships will be shown in figures
The final part of the proposal	will include graphs, photographs and drawings, all other results will be reported in the narrative text
The appendices	will include instructions to participants/ copies of the instructions used/ questionnaires/ survey forms/ raw data/ letters of access and permission

6.2

As stated at the outset, the study reported here	will examine in detail the problems encountered by
This part of the proposal	is organized in terms of the n specific research questions posed in part 1: it first will report…, it then will examine…
The presentation of the results	will use an appropriate organizational pattern
The results	will be reported accurately and objectively
The text of the final part of the proposal	will be integrated with tables and figures

6.3

The project	Will have some major theoretical implications
	Is an attempt to confirm the existing theory
	Presents disconfirming evidence of the existing theory
	Reveals that additional research seems needed on

6.4

The reliability and validity of carefully collected data	are high enough to support the sustained analysis
While a single case study cannot provide a sound basis for	this study (and other case studies with similar findings) would suggest that
Devices used for the () analysis of () data	range from simple descriptive measures to complex analytic schemes
Most data	are revised each decade (at the time of the census)
The data-set	contains information on
The facts obtained	rest on (skill and care)
The fact of…	is clearly revealed
The effects described	have been carefully controlled for
The explanations mentioned	are tested (for n types of …)
Possible explanations for [x]	are represented by (n) hypotheses, namely…
The testing of the hypotheses	was carried out in (n) stages
The hypotheses	do partially explain [x]

6.5

There are I can give We can take stock of We can find

many some the a

examples comparable example

drawn from different (sources) set by… discussed so far by returning to the case of (7)

6.6

It is possible to

extend comment on adduce / give consider

the previous examples the examples discussed some contrasting examples a few comparable examples

6.7

The most striking example of	was
Examples of [x]	(still) abound
A few examples	will provide	an initial understanding of (nature/objectives)
	will suffice	to illustrate

6.8

Contrasting examples drawn from different sources	we can
Considering the examples adduced above	it is possible to
A brief analysis of the … examples	makes it possible/ confirms/proves

In the British tradition, there are several choices for presenting the results. Consider the following features of their presentation:

• by hypotheses (1,2…),

• by research questions (1,2…),

• by research method (grouping the results in relation to the methods – interview results, survey results),

• by chronology – if the time is important (entry, middle phase, exiting) or using a chronological pattern relying on testing (pre-test results, post-test results),

• by variable – if variables are critical for the study (e.g. ordered by variable such as age, self-concept, achievement, level…).

PART II. Introductions and Conclusions

Unit 7. Introduction: the background of the study

The introduction to the study, the first part of the project proposal introducing the research problem, is intended to set the tone for the readers, enable them to form some idea of the content, the structure and the writer’s position. Commonly, the introduction includes – apart from an introductory paragraph / opening sentences – the following key elements: the background of the study, the problem statement, the professional significance of the study, and possibly some other features relevant for your study whose combination varies with various university requirements (so that some elements are not always included).

The background presents the context for the study and explains what external factors might influence or affect it. In identifying the background factors you might outline the general state of knowledge about the research problem very briefly (a more detailed account is expected in the review of the literature) and account for key reasons for your choice of the topic focus (i.e. justify it). Justification suggests the rationale for doing research on the topic chosen, in other words, you are to explain why the research needs to be done on this particular problem. According to the British tradition, in this introductory part you are supposed to make a brief reference to the literature, gaps in knowledge, potential usefulness of a methodology and possible benefits of outcomes for understanding, practice and policy. You should also provide key references to support your case.

The academic text analysis shows that in practice those elements can seldom be clearly distinguished – certain features overlap (like, e.g. justification may be regarded in part as background information, or thesis statement reflecting the writer’s viewpoint or perspective may be connected with his purpose). Still, since analyzing those features might prove useful for academic text writing, they are briefly outlined below, the key elements being further discussed in greater detail.