LIB 180Introduction to Academic Research

What is academic research and

how is it different from what I did in

high school?

Academic Research - Defined

“Scholarly or scientific investigation or inquiry”

“To study (something) thoroughly so as to present in a detailed, accurate manner”

“Systematic investigation to establish facts or principles or to collect information on a subject”

Academic research. (n.d.) The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition. (2003). Retrieved August 27 2012 from http://www.thefreedictionary.com/Academic+research

Academic research. (n.d.) Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged. (2003). Retrieved August 27 2012 from http://www.thefreedictionary.com/Academic+research

High School vs. College – Research Differences

There are many differences between high school and college research…here are a few!

Writing:▪ High School - Wrote infrequently and briefly, maybe a couple of 5-10 page papers per year▪ College- You will write much more frequently, often several 10-20 page papers per semester

in some courses.

Research:▪ High School - Research not required in many high schools; those that did used only a

minimum number of sources and the limited facilities available▪ College - Necessary to develop thorough research skills while mastering a larger and more

complex library system with many different types of available media

Feedback▪ High School - Teachers monitored daily progress with quizzes, homework, asking about

reading, etc. Grades were given frequently with many homework assignments, tests, and quizzes.

▪ College - Students are responsible for self-monitoring; Unless you make an appointment to visit with a faculty member, no one will ask you if you are keeping up with the work.Adapted from Differences between High School and College, Stephen F. Austin State University, Retrieved from

http://www.sfasu.edu/3509.asp

And more…

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