Research Methodology

HCMC University of Technology & Education

Faculty of Foreign Languages
Unit 3

RESEARCH LITERATURE ENGAGEMENT

and
METHODOLOGY ARGUMENT ARTICULATION
Lecturer: Tin T. Dang, PhD
Email: tin.dang@hcmute.edu.vn

Unit 3 Sources of Literature

Literature Argument

3.1 • Sources of literature

1 • Three kinds of sources
3.2 • Relevance & reliability of sources
2 • Library databases
3.3 • Engaging sources
3 • Internet searching
3.4 • Building an argument

1. Three kinds of sources 1. Three kinds of sources

 Searching without a specific aim
 Searching with a topic Secondary
 Searching with an idea
 Searching with a problem
 Searching with a question/hypothesis. Primary Tertiary

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1. Three kinds of sources 1. Three kinds of sources

Primary source – Raw data Secondary source – Research reports

 Your own problems  Discussions in class  Conference presentations

 Your friends’ situations  Your observations  Journal articles
 Your colleagues’ problems  Your experiences  Research project reports
 Your teachers’ problems  Your diaries.  Theses/dissertations.

1. Three kinds of sources 1. Three kinds of sources

Tertiary source – Synthesized reports Look at a journal article that you have. Identify

 Textbooks and learning materials  The primary source of information

 Mass-circulation publications  The tertiary source of information
 Popular science newspapers  Two examples of secondary source of information.
 Magazines
 Commentaries and reviews.

2. Library databases 2. Library databases

Traditional library vs. Digital library Traditional library vs. Digital library

 SCI & SCIE (ISI – Web of Science, Thomson)

Library Online Random
Internet
 Scopus (Elsevier)
Extension
Resources Resources
 Google Scholar.

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2. Library databases 2. Library databases

Databases for TESOL and Applied Linguistics Libraries in HCMC

 ERIC, JSTOR, ProQuest  VNU Library

 MLA International Bibliography  American Center – US Consulate General
 Linguistics and Language Behavior Abstracts  HCMC Library
 Dissertations & Theses Global.  Vista (vista.gov.vn).

3. Internet searching 3. Internet searching

Internet, a house without no gate-keeper Example of a practical internet search

 Searching skills
 Information selection skills
 Information processing skills.

3. Internet searching 3. Internet searching

Example of a practical internet search Example of a practical internet search

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3. Internet searching
Example for a practical internet search
3. Internet searching
Example for a practical internet search
Relevance & Reliability
1 • Relevance & reliability
2 • Bibliographical trails
3 • Author trails
4 • Beyond predictable sources
Developed by Tin Dang, PhD
3. Internet searching
Example for a practical internet search
3. Internet searching
Example for a practical internet search
Digital Object Identifier
2. Relevance & reliability of sources
1. Relevance - Books
 Skim the table of contents for key words
 Skim the index for your key words
 Skim the first and last paragraphs in relevant chapters
 Skim prologues, introductions and summary chapters
 Skim the last chapter
 Check the bibliography for relevant titles and authors.
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2. Relevance & reliability of sources 2. Relevance & reliability of sources

1. Relevance - Journal articles 1. Reliability

 Read the abstract  Reputable press/publisher  Year of the publication

 Skim the introduction and conclusion  Peer-review process  Bibliography/references
 Read the first and last paragraphs of each section  Reputable author/scholar  Review & commentary
 Check the bibliography for relevant titles and authors.  Sponsor of the publication  Citation of publications

2. Relevance & reliability of sources 2. Relevance & reliability of sources

2. Bibliographical trails 3. Author trails

 Every publication should have a bibliography/references
 Important ideas are often cited from some other works
 Repeated terms in the bib. should be the main focus
 Key terms and concepts are often from key authors.
 Key scholars of a field often have an online profile
 Email contact should be possible for all situations
 Most researchers are members of academic
communities
 Most academic communities have their bibliography.

2. Relevance & reliability of sources 2. Relevance & reliability of sources

4. Beyond predictable sources Your research

 Pictures and media publications

 Graphic script of languages in poster, exhibition, museum
 Design and presentation of languages in publications
key research key
references topic authors
 Communication behaviors & lang. uses in movies & play
 Learning behaviors in documentaries.

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Thank you!
👉 More discussions are presented on the LMS.

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