How to Get More Writing Done for UWA Honours and Masters students

Summary

The video script emphasizes the importance of a cyclical approach to the research and writing process, rather than a linear one. It highlights that meeting milestones is crucial for structure and motivation, but it can also create a misconception that research is primarily about gathering information followed by a rush to write. The script suggests that the real challenge lies in translating ideas into language, a skill that can be honed through regular writing throughout the research journey. It encourages researchers to write early and often, allowing for reflection and the transformation of ideas into articulate text, which is an essential part of the research process.

Takeaways

• 🗓️ Research journeys are often structured with predetermined milestones set by educational institutions.
• 📝 Common milestones include choosing a topic, conducting a literature review, writing a proposal, designing experiments, collecting data, and submitting the final work.
• 🏁 Having clear milestones and deadlines helps maintain motivation and provides a structure for the research process.
• 🤔 Merely meeting milestones can create a misconception that research is mostly about gathering information and then hastily writing at the end.
• 📚 The most challenging aspect of research is translating ideas into written language, which is a complex and iterative process.
• ✍️ Regular writing throughout the research process is crucial for refining thoughts and transforming ideas into language.
• 💡 It's beneficial to have multiple opportunities to test and refine ideas before submitting them for review or examination.
• 🤷‍♂️ The standard approach often overlooks the need for ample time dedicated to both writing and contemplation.
• 🔁 Viewing the research process as cyclical rather than linear can be more effective, involving writing, thinking, reading, researching, and then writing some more.
• 👨‍🏫 Supervisors often advise students to 'write early and write often' to integrate writing into the research process from the beginning.
• 📈 Regular writing includes experimenting with writing, processing new information, and continuously working on expressing ideas in written form.

Q & A

What are the typical milestones in a research journey as described in the script?

The script outlines milestones such as choosing a topic, conducting a literature review, writing a proposal, designing experiments, collecting data or doing archival work, and finally writing and submitting the thesis or dissertation.

Why are these milestones important for researchers?

Milestones provide deadlines to work towards, offer a structured path to follow, and help keep researchers motivated throughout their research journey.

What misconception does the script suggest can arise from focusing solely on milestones?

Focusing only on milestones can give a false impression that the research and writing process mainly involves extensive research followed by a rush to complete all writing at the end.

What is identified as the most challenging task for researchers in the script?

The most difficult work for researchers is turning ideas into language, as noted by Anthony Paré.

How does the script suggest researchers refine their thinking?

The script suggests that researchers should engage in regular writing throughout the entire research process to refine their thinking.

What is the significance of testing ideas before submitting them for review or examination?

Testing ideas before submission allows researchers to refine and solidify their concepts, making them more robust and ready for critical evaluation.

Why is it important to allocate time for thinking in the research process?

Time for thinking is crucial because it allows researchers to process what they learn, reflect on their findings, and develop a deeper understanding of their subject matter.

How does the script recommend viewing the research process?

The script recommends viewing the research process not as a linear progression but as a cyclic one, with repeated phases of writing, thinking, reading, researching, and more writing.

What advice is commonly given by supervisors regarding writing in the research process?

Supervisors often advise to 'Write early and write often,' emphasizing the importance of integrating writing into every stage of the research process.

What does the script imply about the nature of written texts?

The script implies that written texts do not emerge fully formed but are crafted and composed through a process of transforming ideas into language.

What role does regular writing play in processing what a researcher learns?

Regular writing helps researchers experiment with their ideas, process new information, and transform their thoughts into coherent language, which is essential for effective communication of their research.

Outlines

00:00

📚 The Importance of Regular Writing in Research

This paragraph emphasizes the structured nature of a research journey, which typically includes set milestones such as choosing a topic, conducting literature reviews, designing experiments, collecting data, and ultimately writing and submitting the thesis or dissertation. While these milestones are beneficial for motivation and providing a clear path, the paragraph highlights a common misconception that the bulk of the writing is done at the end. It stresses the difficulty of transforming ideas into language and the importance of regular writing throughout the research process to refine thoughts and test ideas. The cyclic nature of writing, thinking, reading, researching, and then writing again is advocated as a more effective approach than a linear one. Supervisors often echo this advice, urging researchers to 'Write early and write often,' which is a crucial part of the research process.

Keywords

💡Milestones

Milestones refer to the significant stages or goals set in a project or process. In the context of the video, they represent the structured checkpoints in a research journey, such as choosing a topic, conducting a literature review, writing a proposal, and submitting the final work. These milestones provide a framework and deadlines that help keep researchers motivated and on track, but the video also suggests that an overemphasis on these alone can lead to a misconception about the research and writing process.

💡Research Process

The research process is the systematic approach to investigating a topic or problem. It involves various stages such as defining the research question, gathering and analyzing data, and drawing conclusions. The video emphasizes that the research process is not solely about meeting milestones but also about the iterative development of ideas and the transformation of these ideas into written language.

💡Writing Process

The writing process is the method by which ideas are translated into written form. It is a critical aspect of research, as it allows researchers to communicate their findings. The video script highlights that writing is not just a final task but should be an ongoing activity throughout the research journey, allowing for the refinement of thoughts and ideas.

💡Literature Review

A literature review is a comprehensive analysis of previously published works on a particular topic. It is a common milestone in the research process, serving to establish the context and background for the research and to identify gaps in the existing knowledge. The script mentions the literature review as one of the steps in the research journey, indicating its importance in shaping the direction of the research.

💡Proposal

A proposal is a document that outlines the plan for a research project. It includes the research question, methodology, and expected outcomes. In the script, writing a proposal is mentioned as a milestone, which sets the stage for the actual research and writing work.

💡Experiment

An experiment is a scientific procedure undertaken to make a discovery, test a hypothesis, or demonstrate a known fact. The video script suggests designing and conducting experiments as part of the research process, which can then be written about and analyzed to contribute to the overall thesis or dissertation.

💡Data Collection

Data collection is the process of gathering information and data required to analyze a phenomenon or answer a research question. The script mentions data collection as a milestone, which is essential for empirical research and forms the basis for the conclusions drawn in a thesis or dissertation.

💡Archival Work

Archival work involves the examination and analysis of historical records or documents stored in archives. It is mentioned in the script as another form of data collection that can be part of the research process, particularly relevant for research in the humanities and social sciences.

💡Transforming Ideas

Transforming ideas refers to the act of converting abstract thoughts or concepts into concrete language or expressions. The video emphasizes that this is one of the most challenging aspects of research and suggests that regular writing is key to refining this skill. The process of transforming ideas is central to the writing of a thesis or dissertation.

💡Cyclic Process

A cyclic process is one that is repeated in a circular or recurring pattern. The video script suggests viewing the research and writing process as cyclic rather than linear, implying that writing, thinking, reading, and researching are interwoven activities that feed into each other and should be engaged in repeatedly throughout the research journey.

💡Regular Writing

Regular writing is the practice of writing consistently and frequently, rather than in bursts or only at the end of a project. The video script advocates for regular writing as a means to test and refine ideas, process what is learned, and improve the overall quality of the research output.

💡Supervisors

Supervisors, in the context of academic research, are experienced researchers who guide and mentor students through their research projects. The script mentions that supervisors often advise students to 'write early and write often,' highlighting the importance they place on the continuous practice of writing in the research process.

Highlights

Research journey consists of milestones set by school or discipline group.

Milestones include choosing a topic, literature review, writing a proposal, designing experiments, data collection, and submission.

Milestones provide structure and motivation with deadlines to work towards.

Thinking only in terms of milestones can give a false impression of the research process.

Meeting milestones alone can make it seem like writing is rushed at the end.

The most difficult work for researchers is turning ideas into language.

Regular writing throughout the research process is recommended for refining thinking.

Opportunities to test ideas before submission are crucial.

The process requires not only more writing time but also time for thinking.

The research process should be viewed cyclically, not linearly.

Cyclic process involves writing, thinking, reading, researching, and more writing.

Supervisors often advise to 'Write early and write often'.

Regular writing is an integral part of the research process.

Experimenting through writing is essential for processing what is learned.

Transforming ideas into language is the key focus of the writing process.

Transcripts

For most of us, our research journey will

consist of milestones that have been laid out

by our school or discipline group.

At set points we might have to choose a topic, do a Lit. review,

write our proposal and design an experiment or two,

do some data collection or archival work,

and right at the end, write it up and submit.

It's great to have these milestones

To have deadlines to work towards, and a structure you can work to

to keep you motivated.

But sometimes, only thinking in terms of these

milestones can give you a false impression of what the research

and writing process is all about.

Just meeting the milestones alone makes it look as though

the process of writing a thesis or dissertation is about spending

the majority of your time researching and then trying to cram in all

the writing work right at the end. This can cause problems because, for most

of us, the most difficult work we have to do as researchers is turn

ideas into language.

Like Anthony Par� points out: "Most written texts do not emerge fully formed;

they are crafted, composed and unfold through a process

of transforming ideas into language."

And the best way we can refine our thinking is to do regular writing

throughout the entire research process.

We need lots of opportunities to test ideas out before submitting

them for review or examination.

What's missing from this picture is not only more time for writing,

but time for thinking too.

For me it's better to look at the process not in a linear way, but as

cyclic. It's great when you have a chance to do some

writing, think about what you've written, do some reading and research

or look at some data, and then think about that and do some

more writing, and so on.

And this is the same advice we hear from many supervisors. They

often say, �Write early and write often.�

So what counts as regular writing?

And this stuff is all part of the process too�

Again, the most important thing is to concentrate on experimenting

through writing, processing what you learn, �transforming ideas into

language.'