Previous studies have several limitations …: Indonesian Doctoral Students’, Indonesian Academics’, and International Authors’ Research Gap Strategies in ELT Research Article Abstracts and Introductions
Abstract
Presenting research gap(s) in a research article (RA), particularly in the abstract and introduction, should be considered by authors, since it functions to show the novelty of the research. As there have been limited studies on the possible variations in authors' research gap strategies and the problems in identifying research gaps, this mixed-method study aimed to fill the gaps. Using genre analysis, this study compared the use of research gap strategies in English Language Teaching (ELT) RA abstracts and introductions by three groups of authors, namely, Indonesian doctoral students, Indonesian academics, and international authors. The results of the quantitative analysis in this study indicated that the three groups share similarities and differences in using the types of research gap strategy in their ELT RA abstracts and introductions. Then, the qualitative analysis using semi-structured interviews with ten doctoral students revealed some problems encountered by them in identifying research gaps during research activities. Finally, this study demonstrates the extent to which our findings have theoretical and practical implications concerning the use of strategies in presenting research gaps in RAs.
Downloads
References
Abdi, J. & Sadeghi, K. (2018). Promotion through claiming centrality in L1 and L2 EnglishResearch Article Introductions. International Journal of English Studies, 18(1), 53-70. DOI: https://doi.org/10.6018/ijes/2018/1/297381
Abdolmalaki, S. G., Tan, H., Abdullah, A. N., Sharmini, S., & Imm, L., G. (2019). Introduction chapter of traditional and article-based theses: A comparison of rhetorical structures and linguistic realisations. GEMA Online: Journal of Language Studies, 9(1), 116-135. DOI: https://doi.org/10.17576/gema-2019-1904-10
Adnan, Z. (2009). Some potential problems for research articles written by Indonesian academics when submitted to international English language journals. The Asian EFL Journal Quarterly, 11(1), 107-125.
Adnan, Z. (2014). Prospects of Indonesian research articles (RAs) being considered for publication in center journals: A comparative study of rhetorical patterns of RAs in selected humanities and hard science discipline. In A. Lyda, & K. Warchal (Eds.), Occupying niches: Interculturality, cross-culturality and aculturality in academic research (pp. 79-99). Springer.
Afshar, H. S., Doosti, M., & Movassagh, H. (2018). A genre analysis of the introduction section of applied linguistic and chemistry research articles. Iranian Journal of Applied Linguistics, 21(1), 163-214.
Alamri, B. (2020). A comparative study of Saudi and international journals of applied linguistics:The move-bundle connection approach. Journal of Language and Education, 6(2), 9-30. DOI: https://doi.org/10.17323/jle.2020.10531
Ankomah, C. & Afful, J. B. A. (2019). Establishing a niche in research:Rhetorical strategies in undergraduate and postgraduate writings in the department of English, University of Cape Coast. The Journal of Teaching English for Specific and Academic Purposes, 7(3), 359-374. А. DOI: https://doi.org/10.22190/JTESAP1903359
Anthony, L. (1999). Writing research article introductions in software engineering: how accurate is a standard model? IEEE Transactions on Professional Communication, 42(1), 38-46. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1109/47.749366
Arono, & Arsyad, S. (2019). The effect of genre-based mentoring on rhetorical quality of research article drafts by Indonesian lecturers in Social Sciences and Humanities. International Journal of Instruction, 12(3), 35-50.
Arsyad, S., Purwo, B. K., Sukamto, K. E., & Adnan, Z. (2019). Factors hindering Indonesian lecturers from publishing articles in reputable international journals. Journal on English as a Foreign Language, 9(1), 42-70. DOI: https://doi.org/10.23971/jefl.v9i1.982
Basthomi, Y. (2007). Contrastive rhetoric, discourse, and genre analysis: Methodological issues. Bahasa dan Seni, 35(2), 137-147.
Behnam, B., & Zamanian, J. (2013). Genre analysis of Oxford and Tabriz applied linguistics research article abstracts: from move structure to transitivity analysis. The Journal of Applied Linguistics, 6(12), 41-59.
Bhatia, V. K. (1993). Analysing пenre: Language use in professional settings. Longman.
Briones, R. R. Y. (2012). Move analysis of philosophy research article introductions published in the University of Santo Tomas. Philippines ESL Journal, 9, 56-75.
Chen, X. & Li, M. (2019). Chinese learner writers' niche establishment in the Literature Review chapter of theses: A diachronic perspective. Journal of English for Academic Purposes, 39, 48-58. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jeap.2019.03.006
Creswell, J. W. (2007). Qualitative inquiry and research design: Choosing among five approaches.Sage.
Cuthbert, D., & Spark, C. (2008). Getting a GRiP: Examining the outcomes of a pilot program to support graduate research students in writing for publication. Studies in Higher Education, 33(1), 77-88.
Fakhri, A. (2004). Rhetorical properties of Arabic research article introductions. Journal of Pragmatics, 36(6), 1119-1138. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pragma.2003.11.002
Farnia, M., & Barati, S. (2017). Writing introduction sections of research articles in applied linguistics: Cross-linguistic study of native and non-native writers. Indonesian Journal of Applied Linguistics, 7(2), 486-494. DOI: https://doi.org/10.17509/ijal.v7i2.8357
Feak, C. B., & Swales, J. M. (2011). Creating contexts. Writing introductions across genres. University of Michigan Press.
Flowerdew, J. (2001). Attitudes of journal editors to nonnative speaker contributions. TESOL Quarterly, 35(1), 121-149. DOI: https://doi.org/10.2307/3587862
Futasz, R. (2006). Analysis of theoretical research article introductions written by undergraduate students: a genre-based approach. Acta Linguistica Hungarica, 53(2), 97-116. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1556/aling.53.2006.2-3.1
Hatzitheodorou, A.-M. (2014). A genre-oriented analysis of research article: Abstracts in law and business journals. In M. Bondi, & R. Lores Sanz (Eds.), Abstracts in academic discourse: Variation and change (pp. 175-198). Peter Lang.
Horta, H., & Santos, J., M. (2016). The impact of publishing during PhD studies on career research publication, visibility, and collaborations. Research in Higher Education, 57(1), 28-50. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11162-015-9380-0
Hu, G., & Liu, Y. (2018). Three minute thesis presentations as an academic genre: A cross-disciplinary study of genre moves. Journal of English for Academic Purposes, 35, 16-30. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jeap.2018.06.004
Hyland, K. (2013). Writing in the university: Education, knowledge, and reputation. Language Teaching, 46(1), 53-70. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/S0261444811000036
Irawati, L., Saukah, A., & Suharmanto. (2018). Indonesian authors writing their discussion sections both in English and Indonesian research articles. Cakrawala Pendidikan, 37(3), 448-456. DOI: https://doi.org/10.21831/cp.v38i3.21536
Jogthong, C. (2001). Research article introductions in Thai: Genre analysis of academic writing [Unpublished doctoral dissertation]. West Virginia University.
Kawase, T. (2018). Rhetorical structure of the introductions of applied linguistics Ph.D. theses. Journal of English for Academic Purposes, 31, 18-27. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jeap.2017.12.005
Kemenristekdikti. (2015). Peraturan Kementerian Riset, Teknologi, Dan Pendidikan Tinggi Republik Indonesia Nomor 44 Tahun 2015 tentang Standar Nasional Pendidikan Tinggi. Kementrian Riset.
Keshavarz, M. H., Atai, M. R., & Barzgar, V. (2007). A contrastive study of generic organization of research article organizations written by Iranian and non-Iranian writers in Applied linguistics. TELL, 1(2), 13-33.
Khany, R., & Tazik, K. (2010). A comparative study of introduction and discussion sections of sub-disciplines of Applied Linguistics research articles. Journal of Applied Language Studies, 1(2), 97-122.
Khany, R., Aliakbari, M., & Mohammadi, S. (2019). A model of rhetorical markers competence in writing academic research articles: A qualitative meta-synthesis. Asian-Pacific Journal of Second and Foreign Language Education, 4(1), 1-19. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s40862-018-0064-0
Li, Y. (2015).Publish SCI papers or no degree: Practices of Chinese doctoral supervisors in response to the publication pressure on science students. Asia Pacific Journal of Education, 36(4), 545-558. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/02188791.2015.1005050
Lim, J. M. (2012). How do writers establish research niches? A genre-based investigation into management researchers' rhetorical steps and linguistic mechanisms. Journal of English for Academic Purposes, 11(3), 229-245. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jeap.2012.05.002
Lindeberg, A-C. (2004). Promoting and politeness. Conflicting scholarly rhetoric in three disciplines. Abo Akademi University Press.
Loes, C. N., & Pascarella, E. T. (2017). Collaborative learning and critical thinking: Testing the link. The Journal of Higher Education, 88(5), 726-753. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/00221546.2017.1291257
Mirahayuni, N. K. (2002). Investigating generic structure of English research articles: Writing strategy differences between English and Indonesian writers. TEFLIN Journal: A publication on the teaching and learning of English, 13(1), 22-57. DOI: https://doi.org/10.15639/teflinjournal.v13i1/22-57
Moghaddasi, S., & Graves, H. A. B. (2017). Since Hadwiger's conjection is still open: Establishing a niche for research in discrete mathematics research article introductions. English for Specific Purposes, 45, 69-85. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.esp.2016.09.003
Müller-Bloch, C., & Kranz, J. (2014). A Framework for Rigorously Identifying Research Gaps in Qualitative Literature Reviews. In Proseedings of the 36th International Conference on Information Systems (pp. 1-19). Springer.
Orwin, R. G. (1994). Evaluating coding decisions. In H. Cooper, & L.V. Hedges (Eds.), The Handbook of Research Synthesis (pp. 139-162). Russell Sage.
Parnawati, T. A., Basthomi, Y., & Ruslan, S. (2017). Rhetorical moves in the introductions of Islam-related research articles. Jurnal Pendidikan Humaniora, 5(4), 169-174.
Radzuan, N, R, M., Ali, Z, M., Mohammed, A, A, & Yusof, N. (2018). MIM-GA: Measuring non-native students' Group Attitude (GA) in using Mobile Instant Messaging (MIM) in learning English. Asian EFL Journal, 20(7), 14-28.
Rahman, M., Darus, S., & Amir, Z. (2017). Rhetorical structure of introduction in Applied Linguistics research articles. International Journal for Educational Studies, 9(2), 69-83.
Robinson, K., A., Saldanha, Ian, J., & Mckoy, N., A. (2011). Development of a framework to identify research gaps from systematic reviews. Journal of Clinical Epidemiology, 64, 1325-1330. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclinepi.2011.06.009
Rochma, A. F., Triastuti, A., & Ashadi. (2020). Rhetorical styles of Introduction in English language teaching (ELT) research articles. Indonesian Journal of Applied Linguistics, 10(2), 304-314. DOI: https://doi.org/10.17509/ijal.v10i2.28593
Rubio, M. M. d. S. (2011). A pragmatic approach to the macro-structure and metadiscoursal features of research article introductions in the field of Agricultural Sciences. English for Specific Purposes, 30, 258-271. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.esp.2011.03.002
Ruggiero, V. (2012). Beyond feelings: A guide to critical thinking (9th ed.). McGraw Hill.
Samraj, B. (2002). Introductions in research articles: Variations across disciplines. English for Specific Purposes, 21, 1-17. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0889-4906(00)00023-5
Samraj, B. (2005). An exploration of a genre set: Research article abstracts and introductions in two disciplines. English for Specific Purposes, 24, 141-156. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.esp.2002.10.001
Santos, J. M., Horta, H., & Amancio, L. (2020). Research agendas of female and male academics: A new perspective on gender disparities in academia. Gender and Education. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/09540253.2020.1792844
Shehzad, W. (2008). Move two: Establishing a niche. IBERICA, 15, 25-50.
Sheldon, E. (2011). Rhetorical differences in RA introductions written by English L1 and L2 and Castilian Spanish L1 writers. Journal of English for Academic Purposes, 10, 238-251. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jeap.2011.08.004
Sousa, D. A. (2006). How the brain learns to read. Corwin Press.
Su, W., & Wood, M. (2012). What makes a good university lecturer? Students' perceptions of teaching excellence. Journal of Applied Research in Higher Education, 4(2), 142-155. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/17581181211273110
Suryani, I., Yacob, A., & Aziz, N, H. (2015). Indicating a research gap in Computer Science research article introductions by non-native English writers. Asian Social Science, 11(28), 293-302. DOI: https://doi.org/10.5539/ass.v11n28p293
Swales, J. (2004). Research genres: Exploration and applications. Cambridge University Press.
Swales, J. M. (1990). Genre Analysis: English in academic and research settings. Cambridge University Press.
Swales, J. M., & Feak, C. B. (2012). Academic writing for graduate students: Essential tasks and skills (3rd ed.). Michigan ELT.
Tanko, G. (2017). Literary research article abstracts: An analysis of rhetorical moves and their linguistic realizations. Journal of English for Academic Purposes, 27, 42-55. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jeap.2017.04.003
Taylor, G., & Tingguang, C. (1991). Linguistic, cultural and subcultural issues in contrastive discourse analysis: Anglo-American and Chinese scientific texts. Applied Linguistics, 12, 319-336. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/applin/12.3.319
Teng, M. F. (2019). The role of metacognitive knowledge and regulation in mediating university EFL learners' writing performance. Innovation in Language Learning and Teaching, 14(5), 436-50. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/17501229.2019.1615493
Wang, W. & Yang, C. (2015). Claiming centrality as promotion in applied linguistics research article introductions. Journal of English for Academic Purposes, 20, 162-175. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jeap.2015.05.002
Yasmin, T., & Mahmood, M, A. (2017). A comparative analysis of writer's identity in Pakistani research theses of English and Psychology. International Journal of English Linguistics, 7(6), 255-260. DOI: https://doi.org/10.5539/ijel.v7n6p255
Yonezawa, A. (2015). Connecting higher education research in Japan with the international academic community. Higher Education Policy, 28, 477-493. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1057/hep.2015.19
Zainuddin, S. Z. & Shaari, A. H. (2017). Contextual layers in the establishment of research niche in doctoral thesis introductions by Malaysian writers. GEMA Online: Journal of Language Studies, 17(2), 146-162. DOI: https://doi.org/10.17576/gema-2017-1702-09
Copyright (c) 2021 National Research University Higher School of Economics
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Authors who publish with this journal agree to the Copyright Notice.
