Academic Research Pitfalls to Avoid and 6 Steps to Proper Research
There are academic research pitfalls to avoid that students should know before they conduct the research process. Academic research is an essential part of learning for students, but it can be a struggle because of rigid requirements. Without knowing the proper research process, students can delay progress, undermine the quality of their work, and even lead to poor grades.
This blog will serve as a guide for students so they can navigate the challenges of academic research and properly conduct academic writing. Throughout the blog, we discuss what academic research is, how to find credible sources, and key mistakes students can avoid during the research process. With our strategies, students can enhance their research skills and steer clear of research pitfalls to avoid.
What Is Academic Research?
Academic research is the systematic process of investigating a specific topic in depth. Its purpose is to generate new knowledge or build upon existing findings from reputable sources. The research process follows a clear methodology, and it aims to contribute meaningful new insights to the larger body of academic research and a specific field of study. The process involves gathering data, analyzing it, and interpreting it to address a specific research question or to prove a hypothesis.
To understand the purpose of academic research is to be able to conduct it properly. According to the National Institute of Health (NIH), to answer, ” What is the purpose of academic research?” it is to contribute to the broader understanding of a specific field of study by generating evidence-based knowledge. Unlike casual or non-academic research, academic research requires using credible sources, a critical analysis that involves peer review afterward. The review ensures that the research is quality and accurate by other members of academia.
Through academic research, specific questions get answered, ideas are explored, hypotheses are tested, and theories are developed. For students undergoing the process, it is crucial to understand the framework of researching so they can contribute meaningfully to their respective academic disciplines.
How To Find Academic Sources
Arguably, one of the most important aspects of the research process is finding credible sources. Without using reliable sources, your research quality can be compromised and can lead you down a path of unreliable conclusions. For students looking for strategies in helping them find trustworthy sources, here are some of Homework Help Global’s tried and tested tips:
- Google Scholar
Google Scholar is a free and widely accessible tool that helps students find scholarly articles, theses, books, conference papers, and patents. Through this platform, you can access peer-reviewed journals and academic papers. It’s a database of reputable sources so students can ensure they are pulling information from quality material. There’s an option to filter search results and prioritize only the most relevant or recent sources, making it a highly efficient research tool. - University Library Databases
Many universities offer access to powerful academic databases like JSTOR, PubMed, Scopus, and ScienceDirect. Through these databases, students can access peer-reviewed articles, journals, and books throughout various academic disciplines. You can also filter results based on criteria such as the publication year, author, and type of source. University libraries typically offer research guides and other tools that help students navigate resources that are highly valuable. - Government Websites
Government agencies publish research reports, statistical data, and other publications that can be valuable sources to students conducting academic research. Examples are reports from the U.S. Census Bureau, the World Health Organization (WHO), or the National Institute of Health (NIH) that provide high-quality and reliable data. These are examples of sources that are often unbiased. They also offer extensive, up-to-date information that can be relevant to various academic disciplines. - Scholarly Books
Academic books are published by university presses or scholarly publishers. These are excellent sources of comprehensive overviews for almost any topic. Articles usually focus on narrower issues, but academic books allow for deeper exploration. They often present well-researched arguments and can help build a strong foundation for research. Utilize library catalogs or platforms like Google Books or Project MUSE to find books relevant to your field of study. - Reference Lists of Relevant Papers
After finding a reputable source, look at the references or citations that are included in the paper. These references may lead to other credible sources that are related to your topic. By following citation trails, students can find foundational texts or more recent research that builds on existing work. - Research Gateways and Directories
There are platforms like the Directory of Open Access Journals (DOAJ), Open Access Button, and ResearchGate that also provide access to peer-reviewed academic articles, journals, and preprints to supplement students’ research. Most of these platforms offer free access to full-text articles, particularly in disciplines that prioritize open access.
The Academic Research Pitfalls To Avoid: Tips For Better Research
The academic research can be daunting for students, and there are mistakes that can hinder their progress. Here are some of the most common academic research pitfalls to avoid:
- Using Unreliable or Non-Credible Sources
One of the biggest mistakes students can make during the research process is relying on unverifiable or unreliable sources. Blogs, opinion articles, or non-academic websites aren’t the best sources for academic research because they can often lead to inaccurate or biased information. For academic research, always prioritize peer-reviewed journals, academic books, and reports from reputable institutions. Google Scholar and library databases are the best resources for credible sources.
For more tips on getting reputable sources, refer to the tips provided by the University of Louisville Writing Center. - Neglecting Proper Citation
An essential part of academic research and writing is including proper citations. In academic research, failure to cite proper sources is a form of plagiarism, and it has serious consequences in academic settings. There are specific citation styles students should follow for their writing, like APA, MLA, and Chicago. The purpose of proper citation is to attribute all ideas, data, and direct quotes from their original sources. There are tools like Zotero, EndNote, and RefWorks that can help students with organizing and managing their citations. - Lack of Focus in Research
One of the academic research pitfalls to avoid is not having a clear and focused research question. A well-defined research question is the core of your research. Without which, your research can be disorganized and can lack direction. Before the data gathering stage, the research question should be specific and manageable. - Overlooking the Literature Review
Literature review is an essential part of the academic research process. It will help researchers understand what has already been studied in your area of interest, and it can position your research within the broader academic context. Without this step, there can be redundancies in your research, and you might miss important developments in the field. It’s a researcher’s responsibility to review and analyze existing literature in their field of study before conducting their own. - Not Revisting and Refining the Research Question
As you progress with the research process, the work can be quite lengthy, so it’s important to revisit and refine your research question and base it on the sources and data you have collected. The research process is iterative, and the question can evolve along the way as you gain more data and more understanding about the topic. Make sure you’re regularly reassessing your focus to help ensure your research remains relevant and aligned with your initial research objectives. - Failure to Plan and Organize Research
Organization is essential in research. Without tracking and organizing a multitude of sources, notes, and ideas, you risk wasting time and effort. There are tools like Trello, Evernote, or OneNote that can help your research be organized, and you won’t miss important steps. - Ignore Data AnalysisWhether the research is quantitative or qualitative in nature, one of the academic research pitfalls to avoid is failing to analyze the data thoroughly. Data analysis is where researchers make the most sense of the information they have gathered. Without spending ample time interpreting and analyzing data, research conclusions may be inaccurate and weak. Invest time in learning how to do proper data analysis.
The Six Steps In Research Process
To effectively conduct academic research, these are the six steps students and researchers should follow for a clear and structured research process.
- Identify the Research Question
Defining the research question is the first step of the research process. This question is what will guide your research and inform every aspect of your writing. With a focused research question, you’ll be able to stay organized and avoid veering off-topic.
Need a research topic? Check out our blog on 250 Research Topics for College Students That Will Get Your Brainstorming Juices Flowing. - Conduct a Literature Review
After the first step, conducting a literature review is the next step. This is important so you can understand the current state of knowledge within your field of study. The literature review will also help identify gaps within the existing research studies, highlight key theories, and gather evidence to support your study. - Choose a Research Methodology
Depending on the type of research you conduct, there will be a suitable methodology. Qualitative research methods and quantitative research methods are the most commonly used within academic research. This step is important because your methodology can dictate how you collect and analyze data. - Collect Data
The fourth step is to gather the necessary data for your research. Like we’ve reiterated, make sure you’re using reliable and valid methods of data collection from either primary or secondary sources. - Analyze the Data
After the data collection process, analyze the data. Find patterns, trends, and correlations within the data and evaluate how these insights relate to your research question. Data analysis can involve statistical methods, coding qualitative responses, and other techniques. - Write the Research Paper
The final step is to write everything you have gathered throughout the research process. Through writing, you can present your findings logically. Make sure you’re supporting your arguments with data from your research, following correct citation styles, and including sections like the introduction, methodology, results, and conclusion.
To get writing tips, read our past blog on How To Write A Research Paper: Tips That Will Impress Even Yourself.
For more research tips, visit our past blog on How To Write A History Research Paper: The Do’s and Don’ts.
Let Homework Help Global Be Your Research Partner
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With our guide on academic research pitfalls to avoid, we hope we’ve provided students with the steps they need to conduct proper academic research.
For all your academic writing needs, remember you can always count on Homework Help Global! We even have editing services, so you can be sure your research paper is formatted correctly. And for custom essay writing, only trust the best with our expert team of writers!
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