Essentials of Academic Writing (D314)

Correct Answer

B. When the writer paraphrases the conclusions of their own research paper in another piece of writing.

Explanation

When you are paraphrasing the conclusions from your own previously written work, you do not need to provide a citation, as you are the original author of the material. This is not considered plagiarism, as the work is your own.

Why other options are wrong

A. When writing about an idea or concept with which the reader might disagree.

Even if you disagree with the idea, if it is someone else's work, it requires citation. The citation is for the source of the idea, not for agreement.

C. When the writer uses visuals created by a media company to illustrate their point.

Visuals from a media company are copyrighted material and require citation to avoid plagiarism.

D. When reviewing another writer's theories or experimental results published in a periodical.

Theories or experimental results from another author must always be cited, as they are someone else's intellectual property.

Correct Answer

C. MLA and APA

Explanation

MLA (Modern Language Association) and APA (American Psychological Association) are two of the most widely used citation styles in academic writing. MLA is commonly used in humanities, especially literature, while APA is used primarily in the social sciences.

Why other options are wrong

A. MPA and APA

MPA is not a widely recognized citation style, making this pairing incorrect.

B. MPA and AMA

MPA is not a recognized citation style, and while AMA (American Medical Association) is a valid citation style, it is not as commonly used in general academic writing as MLA or APA.

D. MLA and AMA

While MLA is widely used, AMA is more specific to medical writing and not as widely applied in general academic fields as APA.

Correct Answer

B. When exploring complex phenomena in-depth through a limited number of cases

Explanation

The case study method is particularly effective when researchers want to explore a phenomenon in great detail, especially when the study focuses on a limited number of cases. This method allows for an in-depth examination of the subject, providing rich, qualitative insights into the complexities of the cases being studied. It is especially useful for understanding intricate issues that may not be easily generalizable across larger populations.

Why other options are wrong

A. When examining a large population through statistical analysis

Case studies are typically focused on small, specific cases and do not lend themselves to large-scale statistical analysis. For large populations, methods like surveys and experiments are more appropriate for drawing conclusions that are statistically significant.

C. When conducting experiments to establish cause-and-effect relationships

While case studies can provide valuable insights, they are not typically used to establish cause-and-effect relationships. Experimental methods, where variables are controlled and manipulated, are better suited for establishing causal connections.

D. When gathering broad survey data from diverse demographics

The case study method focuses on a small number of cases, so it is not well-suited for gathering broad survey data from diverse demographics. Surveys and other quantitative methods are better suited for large-scale data collection and demographic analysis.

Correct Answer

B. Literature review

Explanation

A literature review is essential for situating your findings within the context of existing research. It provides a foundation by summarizing prior studies, theories, and methodologies that relate to your case, allowing you to demonstrate how your findings fit within or challenge existing knowledge. This is vital for establishing the relevance of your case study and explaining how it contributes to the broader academic field.

Why other options are wrong

A. Methodology

While methodology is crucial for explaining how the case study was conducted, it does not directly address the context of existing research. The methodology section focuses on the research design and methods used, rather than the theoretical background or prior studies.

C. Data collection

Data collection refers to the process of gathering information for the case study but does not provide the necessary context for interpreting the findings within the existing body of research. Data collection supports the analysis but does not establish the framework of previous knowledge.

D. Discussion

The discussion section is where the findings are interpreted, but it relies on the literature review to frame those findings in the context of existing research. Without the literature review, the discussion would lack the necessary context for situating the findings within broader academic conversations.

Correct Answer

D. social sciences.

Explanation

APA (American Psychological Association) style is commonly used in the social sciences, including fields such as psychology, sociology, education, and other related disciplines. It emphasizes clarity, conciseness, and proper citation of sources, which is essential for academic work in these fields.

Why other options are wrong

A. literature.

Literature is generally associated with MLA (Modern Language Association) documentation style, which is more suitable for the humanities and language arts. APA is not typically used for literary analysis or research in these areas.

B. philosophy.

Philosophy often uses Chicago or MLA style rather than APA. APA is focused on the social sciences, so it's less common in philosophical manuscripts.

C. communications.

While APA is used in communication research, it is not the default style for all communications studies. Other styles such as MLA or Chicago can also be used depending on the specific focus of the communication research. However, APA is the most prevalent for research in communication within the social sciences.

Correct Answer

A. a short story about learning how to read

Explanation

An expository essay is designed to inform or explain a topic with clear facts, explanations, and examples. A short story, on the other hand, is typically more narrative in nature, focused on storytelling and character development, which does not align with the goal of an expository essay.

Why other options are wrong

B. answering a question on an English exam

Answering a question on an exam often requires explaining or elaborating on a given topic, making it a potential context for an expository essay.

C. writing an informative article in a magazine

An informative article in a magazine is a typical example of an expository essay, where facts and information are presented clearly to educate the reader on a topic.

D. giving directions on how to bake a cake

Providing instructions, such as how to bake a cake, falls under the category of expository writing, where step-by-step explanations are given to ensure understanding.

Correct Answer

D. MLA (Modern Language Association) style

Explanation

MLA style is widely used in the humanities and liberal arts disciplines, particularly in literature, philosophy, and other related fields. It provides guidelines for citing sources, formatting papers, and structuring academic writing in these areas.

Why other options are wrong

A. APA Style (American Psychological Association)

APA style is commonly used in the social sciences, including psychology, sociology, and education, not typically in the humanities.

B. Chicago Manual of Style (CMS)

Chicago style is frequently used in history and some other humanities subjects but is less common in liberal arts subjects compared to MLA.

C. Council of Science Editors (CSE) style

CSE style is used primarily in scientific disciplines such as biology, environmental science, and medicine, not in the humanities or liberal arts.

Correct Answer

C. Association of American Universities (AAU) style

Explanation

The Association of American Universities (AAU) does not have a specific citation style. The main documentation styles used in academic writing are APA, Chicago, and MLA. These styles provide guidelines for citing sources, formatting papers, and structuring academic writing.

Why other options are wrong

A. APA Style (American Psychological Association)

APA style is one of the most commonly used citation styles, particularly in social sciences, education, and psychology. It provides clear guidelines for citing sources and formatting research papers.

B. Chicago Manual of Style (CMS)

The Chicago Manual of Style is a widely used citation guide, particularly in history and humanities. It provides two systems of citation: the notes and bibliography system and the author-date system.

D. MLA (Modern Language Association) style

MLA style is commonly used in the humanities, particularly in literature and language studies. It provides guidelines for citing sources and formatting papers, with a focus on in-text citations and a works cited page.

Correct Answer

D. presenting new results for the first time

Explanation

The discussion section is where researchers interpret their results, compare their findings with previous studies, highlight the significance of their findings, and discuss any limitations of the study. However, new results should not be introduced in this section; results should already be presented and analyzed in the results section.

Why other options are wrong

A. highlighting important findings

The discussion section is specifically designed for this purpose. Researchers emphasize the key results of their study and their implications.

B. comparing findings with previous related work

A critical part of the discussion is to compare the current study's findings with prior research to place the new results in context.

C. identifying/explaining limitations of study

Discussing the limitations of the study is a key element of the discussion section, helping readers understand any potential weaknesses or areas for improvement in future research.