CARS

Creating-A-Research-Space (CARS):

Useful for Abstracts, Proposals and Introductions

Move 1: Establishing a research territory

a. By showing that the general research area is important, central, interesting, problematic, or relevant in some way

b. By introducing and reviewing items of previous research in the area

Move 2: Establishing a niche

a. By indicating a gap in the previous research, or by extending previous knowledge in some way

Move 3: Occupying the niche

a. By outlining purposes or stating the nature of the present research

b. By listing research questions or hypotheses

c. By announcing principal findings

d. By stating the value of the present research

e. By indicating the structure of the research project

Move 1: Language for Establishing a Research Territory

. . . has been extensively studied . . .

. . . there has been growing interest in . . .

. . . has become a major issue . . .

Recent studies have focused on . . .

. . . remains a serious problem . . .

. . . there has been increasing concern . . .

. . . has been investigated by many researchers . . .

. . . has become an important aspect of . . .

Move 2: Some Options for Establishing a Niche

A. counter-claiming (something is wrong)

B. indicating a gap (something is missing)

C. raising a question or making an inference (something is unclear)

D. continuing a tradition (adding something)

Source: Swales, John and Christine Feak. Academic Writing for Graduate Students. Ann Arbor: University of Michigan Press, 2013. Print.