Page 73 - PAPER PRESENTATION 2ND

PAPER PRESENTATION 2019

Discussion LANGUAGE ELEMENTS IN WRITING
2
RESEARCH METHODS

In writing research methods, simple past tense is commonly used. This is

because the actions you describe happened in the past before you began writing
your paper. The following are some examples of past tense use taken from the

above excerpt of research methods.

a) Thirty Korean and Japanese international students participated in this study.

b) To recruit the participants, the researcher contacted some prospective
participants at the international student orientation seminar at the beginning of

each academic semester.

Another important element used in writing research methods is passive voice.

The use of passive is recommended here because the focus is on what was done
rather than who did it. The following examples highlight passive voice in writing

research methods.

a) This survey study was conducted on fourth-year medical students at the end
of their first clerkship.

b) A validated questionnaire was adapted from a similar study conducted by

Maastricht University.
c) One week after the interview, the participants were given a transcript and the

option to remove, edit or add to their comments.
d) Invitation for students to participate in the study were made through the

clinical sciences department.

Some Expressions used in Research Methods

No Element of Sample Phrases
Research Quantitative Qualitative

Methods

1 Research 1) A non-experimental 1) The analysis was situated
Design survey design was used within a case study (Yin,

for data collection (Maree 2014) of the experiences of
and Pietersen 2007). six graduate students and

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