research project,and thus the results section should be emphasized,probably by presenting it immediately after the problem section and before the procedures section.Other researchers would be most interested in the procedures section,and this should be highlighted in writing up research projects for publication in professional journals or for presentation at professional conferences.Fo o-tehical implications of the results might be the most important consideration,and emphasis should be placed on the discussion of the results for this readership. o For additional clarity and emphasis,major results should be presented in a visual format- tables,charts,graphs,diagrams-as well as in a written one 1 Beyond checking the report for clarity and accuracy in the presentation of technical data, the writer of a research report reviews for basic grammatical and mechanical accuracy.Short sente be used to break up long passages of prose and to emphasize information.The research writer should try to use the simplest possible language without sacrificing the professional quality of the report.Although specialized terms can be used,pretentious jargon should be avoided.A fnished research repor should be readable and usefu document prepared with the reader in mind. Conclusion relatively easy task.A positive attitude (i.e.,one that sees the oral or written presentation of research results as of equal importance to the data-gathering process),an orderly approach which includes prewriting (ie,before any actual research is done,the researcher should try to get down on paper as much about the subject under investigation as possible),a formal research report structure as the framework for the investigation,and a reasonable approach to the actua writing process including editing for accuracy and clarity,will help one to produce effective research reports efficiently. Deciding on a topic he first step of working on a project or writing a research paper is to decide on an I appropriate topic.Choosing a topic.however,is not easy and it requires carefu consideration and even investigation.A topic that is too general or too specialized may bring many problems in terms of the time you can devote to the research or the sources of information available on the topic.How to choose a topic which is possible to research?There are three principles to achieve"AIM" 26EAP1学术英语理工（第二版）
1)Adequate.You may ask the question:Has the topic Iam going to choose been researched in previous studies?Investigate the related literature and make sure that there are adequate source materials available on the topic.Avoid a topic that has very limited information,for it is difficult-to carry out your research without previous studies. 2)Important.You also have to consider the value of the topic you are likely to choose,both academic and social.Tha is,the topic you are addressing should be problem-orientated aiming to solve a particular problem.A research paper without practical or theoretica value will be of little importance. 3)Manageable.Narrow your topic down to make your paper manageable.For example,if important ideas in a short report,or a literature review of about 1,500 words Narrow down the following topics step by step and tell the feasibility of each topic.Read the model carefully before the exercise. Model Radiation-The Effects of Radiation-Radiation and Its Effects on Health Laypeople's Knowledge of Radiation and Its Effects on Health A study of radiation's effects,even its effects on health,takes a long time and needs humans or animals as its subjects in experiments.It is impossible to finish the project within six months or a year without adequate time or money.But an investigation of laypeoples knowledge entails only questionnaires and interviews. Genetic Engineering→ 2 Breast-feeding Practice 3 Internet Technology Choose one of the following topic areas and narrow it down to three or four appropriate topics.Then discuss with your partner.Read the model carefully before the exercise. Model Academic Dishonesty My narrower topics: 1)Factors Influencing College Students'Decisions to Cheat 2)Academic Dishonesty:A Plague on Our Profession 3)Academic Dishonesty:Zero Tolerance in USA 4)Faculty Perceptions of Students Academic Dishonesty in China UNIT1 Choosing a Topic 27
1 Global Warming My narrower topics: 1) 2) 3) 40 2 Genetically Modified Foods My narrower topics: 1) 3) 4) 3 Nuclear Energy My narrower topics: 10 2 3) 4 Science Fraud My narrower topics: 2) Formulating research questions on question could form the basis of a research paper. It is the question that your project or your paper wants to answer.For example,you may develop it into the following research questions if your topic is"Threats of Building a Nuclear Power Plant": 1)What kind of threat may human beings face when building a nuclear power plant? 2)What are the advanta es and disad power plant How can we reduce the potential dangers and harmful effects of nuclear power plants? 28EAP1学术英语理工（第二板
A research question,therefore,serves two purposes: 1)It identifies the specific objectives your project or your paper will address.You can check whether you answer it completely when you finish y er will the (Howcan we reduce the dangers and harmful effects of nuclear power plants?). Hence raising research questions will make your topic more specific,more tangible and more focused.(Note that the research question should be answered by doing research rather than by simply consulting dictionaries.) Turn the following topics into more specific ones by asking yourself some wh questions such as Why,What,How,Who.Then share your topics with your partner and Model Academic Dishonesty 1)Why is academic dishonesty prevalent on Chinese campuses? 2)What are potential effects of academic dishonesty on students:academicor ethical? 3)How to fight against academic dishonesty on Chinese campuses? 4)Who should be responsible for academic dishonesty on Chinese campuses? 1 Nuclear Wastes 1) 2) 3) 4) Threats of Artificial Intelligence 2) 3) 4) 3 Global Warming and Its Effects 1) 2 3) 4) 4 Genetically Modified Foods 1) 2) 3) 4) UNIT1 Choosing a Topic 29
Brainstorm in groups for a potential topic you are going to research in your then answer the 1)Why do you choose the topic?For example,is it adequate,important,or manageable in source materials? 2)What research questions do you want to answer in your research? Complete the following table My Topic My Reasons 2 3 Research Questions 3 Writing a working title A the subject of your project. A successful title should meet the following requirements: 1)It should indicate the topic of the study by using the key words about contents and methods. 2)It should indicate the scope of the study (e.g.,"Laypeople's Understanding of Radioactivity and Radiation") Itshould be self-explanatory to readers in the chosen area 4)Sometimes it summarizes the results (e.g."Students Who Smoke Get Lower Grades"). Two things are normally included in the title:method and content.The former has key words like comparison,analysis,contrast,investigation,discussion,explanation,study and assessment key words which tell the readers the research task.The latter includes key words which tell the reader what the topic is,such as health risks,smokers,research report,computer hackers,lung cancer,nuclear power plant and energy. A good title may also include two variables.A variable is any characteristics that can be measured or influenced.For example,a variable such as age,sex,education,family background or traits may influence another variable such as your academic or career success The more variables you study,the more complex yo rresearch paper will be.The limiting and make the topic workable.Hence a typical title is composed of: method words+content words+limiting words 30EAP1学术英语理工（第二版