THE ACADEMIC WRITER’S SANGUINITY IN THE TURABIAN MANUAL FOR WRITERS OF RESEARCH PAPERS
1) INTRODUCTION
Period two (2) of ACA-401D, requests us to analyze Kate Turabian’s Manual for Writers of Research Papers, Theses and Dissertations, which encapsulates the Chicago Style for students and researchers. The eighty-four pages in the first fourteen chapters stipulate the processes and procedures or the roadmap to follow when developing a research question, thesis and dissertation. In summary, the coursepack essentially dealt with research and writing, from planning to production as it offers updated coverage on finding and using the many types of digital sources that have become available in recent years. Turabian might have acquired a wealth of experience after reviewing the best and worst papers and came up with a unique way of addressing the inadequacies discovered, which led her into developing this manual with the University of Chicago, as a foundation that has stood the test of time, till date. No doubt, millions of researchers around the world have benefitted from her effort, by developing quality research papers. Going through the manual further from Chapter 1-14, simultaneously reflecting on my academic life, I am convinced that even over thirty-seven years after her home call, Kate Turabian continues to linger in the minds and hearts of many successful academics and researchers. Reading through for the second time, with keen interest, I became much more comfortable as her teachings and guidance are gradually being assimilated into my academic and research chromosomes.
The portion of the Manual I am asked to review, focuses mainly on the drafting of research reports, strategizing on the appropriate approach, working with the hypothesis, adopting and engaging sources, citing evidence(s) as well as the drafting and reviewing of reports and presentation of research, thereafter. The coursepack also provides two videos on the use of Zotero, as a tool that helps researchers collect, manage, and cite their references. It also assists us to attach PDFs, notes, and images to our citations, organize them into collections for different projects, create bibliographies and automatically updates itself to work with new online sources and new bibliographic styles (Runge, 2018). In essence, the emergence of the Turabian Manual of Style, fostered an air of sanguinity in the minds of researchers, past and present, yet the lacunae discovered over the years have been fully updated in the eighth edition, which I would eulogize as a leading protagonist in academic research, which may have imitators, but no equals.
2) COMPREHENDING THE NEXUS BETWEEN RESEARCHER, READER AND RESOURCES
My recent office as Deputy Director-General (DDG) in charge of policy at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, which entails amongst several functions including assisting with the preparation of policy briefs for the Honorable Minister, as well as critically analyzing key policy options the Honorable Minister would be engaging the president with, it became quite evident that some people in high places have to read my paper, although the readers play in almost all cases, less active role in the research, writing and submission. As such His Excellency (H.E.) the President is the basis the DDG Policy (Researcher) is asking the question and undertaking the relevant activities to provide answers. This underscores the fact why the reader, in this case, H.E. the President should agree to the questions, the answer and the support that is given. In essence, the reader must have the notion that the question is relevant, therefore supported and applied thoughtfully. Without thought, relevance is lost in an unsupported argument. It is, therefore, fundamentally important to in the first instance, understand the question, before attempting it. In essence, the topic, question and the significance of your research take into account the direction you are heading towards as a writer and the relationship and implication for your readership. It is therefore advisable to submit a research paper that contains theoretical and significant data that has gone through in-depth proper research (Miller 2020, 1).
The marriage between the writer and the reader is bound to stand the test of time when it is witnessed by a third party, I would refer to in this study as the resources. Policy briefs must have the concurrence of H.E. the President, when they are based on shreds of empirical evidence. Chapter three of the Turabian Manual, we are asked to review, emphasize on choosing the resources that will support our research as it outlines the tripartite distinction between primary, secondary and tertiary sources (Turabian 2013, 25). Access to sources becomes my first concern whenever I am given the task to put up a brief or in some cases, a position paper. I am also faced with a similar concern when writing a journal for publication. Since my initial graduate studies, I have the urge to developing my home library and registering with the city library and the library of the University of Sierra Leone. The internet has also been useful to me, but much of what I acquire from this source, is secondary and tertiary, so I generally look for other sources where it will be best to access primary and secondary sources such as periodicals and primary research documents, which will fovourably support my research. The course in mediation and conflict resolution has ever since been my passion, so I have over the years purchased much literature from the shelves as well as secured online library sources on this subject matter, from where I will be able to search for relevant material. Choosing sources that are related to my topic aids the reader to clearly understand how my research impact and inform my question and my thesis. The number of sources examined and adopted indicates to a great extent, the significance of my research to the reader
By and large, the rippling effect of this relationship helps us recognize that the various facets in writing excellent research papers for the consumption of the readership have varying results, which may produce positive and negative scenarios, depending on how you follow the rules enshrined in this manual.
3) APPROPRIATE ROADMAP FOR POSITIVE FEEDBACK
I have learnt that it is always advisable to commence the research by reading as many sources as possible, noting down key points as I get along and ensuring that notes taken, are related to my topic. In essence, as I browse from question to hypothesis, it is necessary to keep an open mind, because, by the time I commence actual writing, I have already gathered enough material to read and comprehend, before I write and support my thesis.
Storyboarding and its use in researching and writing, helps me fix a roadmap at the outset of my destination. Thus using the storyboard helps me discover keywords and common trends as well as refine the flow and structure of the piece (Turabian 2013, 45). By comparing and contrasting readers will engage in, and hopefully embrace a story or an argument (Turabian 2013, 46). In a nutshell, a storyboard directs a researcher’s attention inexorably to the value-added of the research, the key findings and conclusions and in effect the fundamental argument.
I do not wholly subscribe to the view that “Most of us would rather read than write” (Turabian 2013, 36) because I am not a victim of such practice. In the quest to achieve my objective, to read and write is paramount when I think of identifying a question, building a hypothesis, developing a claim, finding evidence, arguing my position, considering diverse opinions and articulating all of these and more into words, which is challenging, but a rewarding confusion(Turabian 2013, 37-42).
By strengthening your research wherein supporting statements are proven beyond reasonable doubt and connected to other supporting statements, as well as how sources will attach to which supporting statements, weaknesses and strengths could be easily identified in both your research and in the design of your argument. As a result, expected questions from the readers could be factored into the design of my storyboard and stronger arguments could be located where they may make an impact, whereas weaker arguments could be mentioned or even expunged, depending on their significance to the overall argument. In a nutshell, the storyboard will help the readership appreciate your topic, thesis and research, as significant for them.
A story, an issue or character can navigate us to new horizons. One feels accomplished when you put ideas on paper, noting that significant work is required to transfer ideas into a well-crafted essay. As a result, it is always relevant to find out what works for you, exploit it, reference it and build on it (Turabian 2013, 48). Notably, having someone review your writing is stressful, but it provides a different perspective that can elevate your work to another level (Turabian 2013, 22). I had this experience when I presented the final draft of my book of reading titled, Child Soldiers in Africa and Beyond: A Sociocultural Survey, to one of my lead assessors during my postgraduate studies and thereafter received both applause and some criticism. He then, offered suggestions, asked a few questions and continued to provide constant guidance and attention, until he finally requested that he would like to be the co-author. His critique and academic input into that publication have over the years, added value to my writing credentials.
But as writers, we find it quite annoying when questions and criticisms are raised about our writing, especially if much effort has been put in a lengthy piece of work. However, it is left with us to decide whether to treat a reader’s comments as an advice or as mere observations about what we could do (or should have done), to make the paper better and as reliable data documenting a reader’s response. From either dimension, feedback should be taken into consideration as a pointer to the fact that your work gave rise to a question or a concern and may, therefore, require further or more specific clarifications or to some extent, supporting documents. I should adopt an analytical eye when examining the feedback with objectivity because, I have learnt that this approach could help make my paper better with stronger arguments, after making corrections and clarifications. Henceforth, you hear the readers’ perspective to know if they are on your line of thinking or not and to find out why if they are not.
By and large, “when we make a claim, we must expect, even encourage, others to question not just our claim but how we reached it – to ask, why do you believe that” (Turabian 2018, 135). It is therefore advised that if data in a research report is not trustworthy, relevant and reliable, there is no reason to produce the paper (Turabian 2013, 28).
4) CONCLUSION
Initially, when I began skimming through the work titled, A Manual for Writers of Research Papers, Theses, and Dissertations, I found it difficult to appreciate its relevance to my course, but interestingly and with perseverance, I discovered that there is no way I can present a well-written thesis at EUCLID without studying it. Having read, comprehended and digested the fourteen chapters, I suddenly saw the need to reconfigure and recalibrate my intellect in a strategic manner, such that both my proposed thesis topic and possible resources, need a second visitation. Although I have not been completely off track, yet to some extent, the course material has led me to identify other sources for my thesis and also provided the necessary guidance required to effectually use and display evidence. The fundamental truth is that I can tell what I did well in crafting research papers and the gaps I need to fill. In essence, if my writing makes sense and has a consequence to me alone, then the accountability to the readership and my thesis is lost. It is always necessary to adopt the highest standards for the substantive content of dissertations/thesis, hence the Turabian Manual remains my citadel in the pursuit of my doctoral degree at EUCLID, as it provides a writing style that is clear and easy to read, with examples illustrating proper formatting of items. So far, it is a definitive material that provides information relevant to my course in writing research papers.
REFERENCES
Miller, Sandra. n.d. Tips for Writing an Effective Research Paper. College Express (2020).: accessed January 14, 2020, https://www.collegexpress.com/articles-and-advice/majors- and-academics/ articles/college-academics/tips-writing-effective-research-paper/ (accessed January 14, 2020).
Runge, Steve. 2018. Zotero: Why Use Zotero. Boston College Libraries (2018). : accessed January 18, 2020, https://libguides.bc.edu/zotero (accessed January 18, 2020).
Turabian, Kate L. 2013. A Manual for Writers of Research Papers, Theses, and Dissertations, Eighth Edition: Chicago Style for Students and Researchers. Edited by Wayne C. Booth, Gregory G. Colomb, Joseph M. Williams, and University of Chicago Press Staff. Eighth Edition. Chicago: University of Chicago Press.
Turabian, Kate L. 2018. A Manual for Writers of Research Papers, Theses, and Dissertations, Ninth Edition: Chicago Style for Students and Researchers. Edited by Wayne C. Booth, Gregory G. Colomb, Joseph M. Williams, Joseph Bizup, William T. FitzGerald, and The University of Chicago Press Editorial Staff. Ninth Edition. Chicago: University of Chicago Press.
