Research Skills And Competencies in Essay Writing Paper.
The possession of strong research skills coupled with competencies in essay
writing are an important prerequisite for a successful college and campus life. The study
of most subjects and courses requires students and learners to constantly critique and
analyze an essay based on its validity and usefulness to the respective academic field. Research Skills And Competencies in Essay Writing Paper.
The core purpose for most article analysis assignments is to ascertain whether the
arguments and ideas presented in a paper are valid and concrete. This is done in a
stepwise approach that begins by critiquing the abstract section, followed by the
introduction all through to the conclusion. The end result is able to determine which
sections of the article were well prepared vis-à-vis the ones that require urgent
improvement. This paper is an essay that provides an in-depth analysis of two articles
that discuss about the issue of diets and inflammation.
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a) Point of contrast between both articles
There is a sticking contrast between these two papers in terms of their readability and the
credibility of their research. The article on “Don’t diet” by Charlotte Markey is more
credible when compared to the paper on “inflammation”. This is because it talks about an
issue that affects a large part of the population and uses past experiences of people to
make valid conclusions (Markey, 2015). What’s more, the readability of this paper is
much higher because many people can associate with the issue of weight and obesity. On
the other hand, the paper on “inflammation” is a bit complicated to the average reader as
it touches on a number of technical concepts and facts (Rabbit, 2015). Another point of
contrast in the two articles also lies in their format and style of writing as well as their level of worthwhileness to the consumer of this research information. Hence, in as much
as both articles use secondary research as their main method of gathering information, the
points of contrast help in identifying the article that is most superior to the other. Research Skills And Competencies in Essay Writing Paper.
b) Analysis of both articles
i) Article One: “Don’t diet” by Charlotte Markey
1. Is the author describing primary or secondary research? How do you recognize
that?
The author makes use of secondary research because she reports her findings based on
the analysis of the work of other researchers. Secondary research involves the use of other
sources of information such as books, journals, articles and the work of other scholars
(Oaklander, 2015). This is in direct contrast to primary research that is conduct firsthand by the
author through setting up an experiment or a trial study. Instead, Markey (2015) incorporates the
findings of other people to draw conclusions on the dangers of dieting. For instance, she uses the
case study of her friend Ann and how her numerous diets did not benefit her body. Research Skills And Competencies in Essay Writing Paper.
Additionally, she also includes the research conducted in the University of Toronto where
106 students (n=106) took part in a study that aimed at determining the psychological effects of
dieting (Markey, 2015). The author also cites another study that was conducted in 2012 were 144
obese people (n=144) were placed on a low calorie and low fat diet and the effects on their
bodies were monitored. All of these studies provided secondary data which the author has used
to develop the argument for her paper.
2. Is the main argument or message of the article clearly stated? What is it?
The main argument for this article is exhaustively and extensively elaborated. Research Skills And Competencies in Essay Writing Paper. Markey
(2015) tries to convince her readers that dieting is not the best method to use when a person wants to cut down weight or reduce their calories. She gives the logic argument that diets have
the highest rate of backfiring because people find it difficult to stick to their alternative diets.
What’s more, the process of dieting is known to cause the individual a lot of harm to the physical
and mental well-being. The author explains these two effects in an explicit manner where she
includes several case studies to support her thesis (Markey, 2015).
She includes the pizza research study that show how the participants suffered when the
saw other people pass close to them holding pieces of pizza. The participants could not be able to
eat the same pizza because they had already been placed on a strict diet (Markey, 2015). Research Skills And Competencies in Essay Writing Paper.
Likewise, the 144 obese men and women whose diet was abruptly changed had a negative
impact on the body because it had to adjust to the feeding changes. Additionally, the author also
shows how a person can face mental torture when they are placed on a diet that is not of their
own choice.
3. What is the purpose of the article? i.e. why was it written?
The main reason for writing this article is to show the reader that dieting is not an
effective measure or tool to use for the purpose of weight loss. Markey (2015) advocates for the
use of alternative measures instead of adopting a diet that is hard to adhere to on a daily basis.
Additionally, the author attempts to show that dieting can cause more harm to the body instead
of improving it (Markey, 2015). Hence, this article advises the readers to embrace other methods
of losing weight that are more user-friendly and beneficial to the body. Research Skills And Competencies in Essay Writing Paper.
Markey (2015) confirms that people who have been able to modify their diets and begin
moderate exercise routines on the short-term have been able to achieve better results compared to
people who diet. In addition, these individuals were able to change their eating behavior because
they adopted realistic measures to reduce their weight. What’s more, their mental health was also improved because they drew their motivation from their internal self that made them feel more
confident and happy. Therefore, Markey (2015) advises the audience to switch to alternative
forms of losing weight and staying healthy instead of adopting the dieting approach.
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4. What audience is the article for? Why do you think that?
The main audience for whom this article is written is for the people who are trying to lose
weight as well as people who want to keep fit and healthy. The reason for this is because the
author highlights a lot of studies that discuss about the type of diets people use and follow so that
they can shed extra pounds (Markey, 2015). Additionally, the author also tries to capture the
attention of people who are overweight or obese and why dieting cannot be so effective for them.
The reason why the author targets these groups of people is because she wants them to become
informed and know that dieting causes more harm to the physiological functioning and mental
being of any person (Oaklander, 2015). Hence, people who desire to lose weight, stay healthy or
overweight people can immensely benefit from reading this article. Research Skills And Competencies in Essay Writing Paper.
5. What can you find to help you identify the point of view, bias, and credentials of the
author?
The author of this research paper is a professor who has conducted a lot of studies
on eating and dieting for over fifteen years. As a result, she tends to develop a positive
bias towards the people who are struggling with their weight as well as those who are
striving to maintain a healthy lifestyle (Oaklander, 2015). At the same time, the many
years in research give her admirable credentials to be able to conclude and affirm that
dieting is not an effective way of losing weight. Research Skills And Competencies in Essay Writing Paper.
6. Is there a research question or hypothesis?
This article does not include any research questions or hypothesis. Instead, the author
employs the use of other people’s experiences to report whether it helped them lose weight.
Additionally, the author also constantly states facts on the dangers of dieting and why adopting a
tailor made routine of weight loss would be more effective. Research Skills And Competencies in Essay Writing Paper.
7. What research is presented and how well is it presented to support the main
argument?
The main research findings that this article presents is based on the inefficiencies of using
diets as a way to lose weight. The author calls it the magic of moderation where she insists that
making of very small changes to a person’s daily routine can significantly help in creating a
healthy lifestyle that can be easily sustained over a long-term duration. Furthermore, Markey
(2015) presents this argument clearly by asserting that diets have always had over ninety percent
chances of failing. Instead of people losing weight, people become psychologically ill because
dieting makes the mind fatigued due to lack of enough nourishments. Research Skills And Competencies in Essay Writing Paper. Moreover, people easily
develop cravings for food that the diet forbids and if they happen to fall of the wagon, they end
up in binge eating (Markey, 2015). Hence, the author concludes that adopting a moderate
approach is the most successful way of achieving long lasting weight loss and a healthy lifestyle
as well.
8. Are there clear conclusions?
Markey (2015) provides a very vivid conclusion by stating that the best way of losing
weight can only be achieved by making gradual changes to one’s eating patterns. This is a
guaranteed way of promoting lasting loss of weight and at the same time remaining healthy. The
author supports this assertion and conclusion through a case study that was conducted in 2008
among obese and overweight adults. Research Skills And Competencies in Essay Writing Paper.This study was able to show that the people who made moderate changes and adjustments to the calories that they took in on a daily basis were able to
lose weight faster compared to those who stuck to a strict diet (Markey, 2015). Therefore, the
author concludes that dieting should not be used as a weight loss measure as it is not beneficial
when it comes to staying fit or losing weight.
ii) Article Two: “Inflammation” by Meghan Rabbit. Research Skills And Competencies in Essay Writing Paper.
1. Is the author describing primary or secondary research? How do you recognize that?
The author of this paper employs the use of secondary research to show how
inflammation is a serious problem in the contemporary society. Rabbit (2015) makes use of
online sources of information to describe how most people are victims of different forms of
inflammation. Additionally, this paper uses findings of other researchers and their conclusions on
the medical causes on inflammation (Mohammadi, 2015). This culminates into secondary
research because the author did not set up his own experiment to study inflammation and its
causes on a firsthand level. If the author had chosen to carry out primary research, then it would
have meant having a study design, an appropriate sample size and a matching methodology that
would have been useful in gathering data related to the issue of inflammation (Mehal, 2015). Research Skills And Competencies in Essay Writing Paper.
2. Is the main argument or message of the article clearly stated? What is it?
The main aim of writing this research article is to show the audience that inflammation is
a serious problem that could be caused by many reasons. Rabbit (2015) states that the modern
lifestyle has brought with it a lot of complications in health, with inflammation being one of
them. The author clearly states out his argument by explaining the main causes of this medical
problem (Rabbit, 2015). The top reasons that he gives include being overweight, indigestion
problems, belly issues, constant stress as well as sitting continuously for long periods of time.
Rabbit (2015) continues to support his argument by showing how the immune system becomes stressed in this conditions and it responds by creating an inflammatory condition. Research Skills And Competencies in Essay Writing Paper.At the same time, the author tries to show that inflammation destroys and wears of the body
because it is forced to react to conditions that are non-existent in the first place.
3. What is the purpose of the article? i.e. why was it written?
The main purpose for writing this paper is to explain to the reader the main ways in
which inflammation occurs in the body. The author begins by showing how the immune system
is tasked with the duty of defending the body from foreign and invasive pathogens. Additionally,
this article documents how this process is effective such that it is able to guard and protect the
body in the right spun of time (Rabbit, 2015). However, if this process is interfered with, then
inflammation is the most immediate response which results in the release of chemicals that harm
the body instead of protecting it (Mehal, 2015). Research Skills And Competencies in Essay Writing Paper.
This process occurs in such a manner that these chemicals get released into the blood
where numerous irreversible damages occur to other body organs. Rabbit (2015) shows the
readers that inflammation is a serious condition that can extensively harm the body. Hence, he
advises readers to embrace modifications and alterations to their lifestyle and basic diets in order
to trim down the chances of developing inflammation.
4. What audience is the article for? Why do you think that?
The target audience for this research article is general and anybody above the age of 18
years can benefit from reading it. The age bracket of 18 years and above includes people who are
either studying, working or active on a daily basis. Therefore, their lifestyle predisposes them to
developing inflammation if they are not careful (Rabbit, 2015). Additionally, this article provides
valuable information on some of the causes of this condition that may be easily assumed by the reader. For instance, Rabbit (2015) shows how the consumption of an unhealthy diet can easily
lead to an inflamed situation. Research Skills And Competencies in Essay Writing Paper.
Likewise, the lack of regular exercises, constant stress as well as continuous sitting can
make the body become prone to inflammation. Hence, the audience of this paper can be
described as being limitless as any person is at risk of developing inflammation.
5. What can you find to help you identify the point of view, bias, and credentials of the
author?
The author of this article provides a fair way of presenting his findings in relation to
inflammation and its causes. He points out that this condition can easily occur to anyone who is
always up and about on a daily basis. He does particularly isolate a certain group of people and
neither is he inclined towards suggesting that a specific category of people are at risk of
suffering from inflammation (Rabbit, 2015). The tools that help in finding out whether the
author has any bias is the approach he adopts in supporting his argument. At the same time, the
facts and information used to develop this analysis also shows that his point of view and
credentials are viable and can be relied upon by other scholars. Research Skills And Competencies in Essay Writing Paper.
Rabbit (2015) makes use of real life situations such as poor diets, unhealthy lifestyles,
stress, depression, metal conditions and lack of exercise to show how inflammation can easily
begin manifesting in the body. This approach makes his credentials and point of view easy to
associate when reading the rest of the research paper.
6. Is there a research question or hypothesis?
This research article does not make use of any research hypothesis or questions but
instead a lot of real life cases to show how easy it is to become a victim of inflammation. Research Skills And Competencies in Essay Writing Paper. Rabbit
(2015) makes use of secondary information to show the importance of understanding the causes of inflammation. Consequently, a person can then be able to know how to tame this condition so
that they can feel better within a short time (Rabbit, 2015). The author also constantly makes use
of call out images which are meant to scream out loudly that inflammation causes damage and
destruction to the body. Research Skills And Competencies in Essay Writing Paper.
For instance, Rabbit (2015) uses call out expressions that state that inflammation can lead
to constant fatigue, heart ailments, brain fog, troubles in the gut system among many others. The
use of this pictorial images captures the attention of the audience and enables them to
concentrate while reading the paper to obtain concrete facts about inflammation.
6. What research is presented and how well is it presented to support the main argument?
The research presented in this article is able to provide a link as to how poor diets and the
lack of exercise are the leading causes of inflammation. The author is quick to point out that this
medical condition is causes by a myriad of reasons that can be easily prevented and solved.
Rabbit (2015) begins by explaining the importance of the immune system to the body and why
inflammation is one of the deterrents to perfect health. He goes on to explain how most people
have adopted a poor choice of lifestyle such that they do not exercise regularly and at the same
time eat unhealthy meals. As a result, the body is left strained and inflammation results to alert
the person that there is a persistent problem. This argument is very well elaborated by the author
and the reader is able to understand the main reason for concern. Additionally, the use of simple
English and grammar adds to the validity of this article and it makes its conclusions more vivid
and concrete. Research Skills And Competencies in Essay Writing Paper.
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8. Are there clear conclusions?
The conclusions of this paper are given in a nutshell where they summarize the main
findings and ideas presented within the article. Rabbit (2015) shows that inflammation is actually a serious condition that troubles even the most experienced doctors. The main reason for this is
the fact that it is caused by a cocktail of factors that are not easy to point out in one sitting.
Hence, coming up with the appropriate mitigation strategy becomes more of an elusive reality
(Rabbit, 2015). Research Skills And Competencies in Essay Writing Paper.The conclusion given by the author emphasizes that the use of blood screening
methods is by far the most effective way of knowing the cause of inflammation. However, the
author insists that people should not wait for this ailment to get to such severe levels and instead,
they should modify their eating habits as well as their lifestyle to keep inflammation at bay.
b) Comparing and Concluding:
9. Which article is more persuasive and why?
The article that can be described as being more persuasive is the paper titled “Don’t
Diet” by Charlotte Markey. The reason for this point of view is that obesity, overweight and
similar issues revolving around weight are very common in the modern world (Oaklander, 2015).
The majority of states and nations are grappling with the effects of dealing with an overweight
population where most of them are not even aware of the most effective ways of losing weight.
Hence, Markey (2015) is able to effectively show that dieting is not a successful way of losing
weight. In fact, it makes the person develop stronger cravings for the forbidden foods such that it
is easy to fall back to binge eating. This article easy relates with most people because issues of
weight are some of the problems that have come with the dawn of the 21 st century. Research Skills And Competencies in Essay Writing Paper.
9. What are the limitations or weaknesses of these articles that you notice?
The limitations of these two articles is that they do not adopt the right layout when it
comes to writing a research article. Additionally, the paper is not sub-divided into headings that
should indicate where the introduction beings, where the results section is, abstract or even the
study design. Therefore, the reader is forced to read through the entire article to get a gist or snapshot of what the author is trying to address. Despite these weaknesses, the papers still
manage to address some of the most persistent problems within the contemporary society. Research Skills And Competencies in Essay Writing Paper.
References
Markey, C. (2015). Don’t Diet. Scientific American Mind. 26(5), 46-53.Press. Print.
Mehal, W. Z. (2015). Cells On Fire. Scientific American, 312(6), 44-49.
Mohammadi, D. (2015). Brain under siege. New Scientist, 226(3027), 38-41. 0, 9, 1-14, Sept. 23,
ISSN: 19326203. Research Skills And Competencies in Essay Writing Paper.
Oaklander, M. (2015). If You Want to Lose Weight, Don’t Pick Your Own Diet. Time.Com,
N.PAG. Plos ONE [serial online]. 10(9):1-14. Available from: Academic Search Premier,
Ipswich, MA. Accessed October 21, 2015.
Rabbit, M. (2015) Inflammation. Doctor magazine.com. Printed and photographed by the
Voorhags. Research Skills And Competencies in Essay Writing Paper.