The final step to achieving your Certificate in Applied Research and Inquiry (CARI) certificate stands before you. A rigorous, thirty-page research paper guards the gate to your future. It is daunting–but not impossible. The previous trials of the CARI program have given you the tools to succeed. Coupled with your own knowledge, and what I impart, you will overcome the challenge.
Start Early
The earlier you begin thinking, researching, or writing, the easier you’ll make the process. Now, in a perfect world, you would begin your research in your nascence. But, considering were not delivered in the hospital with a writing utensil in hand, let’s address what you can do:
- Outline
- Outlining key sections gives your paper shape, and provides you with uniting aspects that keep your paper coherent.
- An early outline is dynamic, subject to change. That is alright. Life happens and a number of outcomes could derail your progress; data is lost; other assignments take priority; time constraints. These changes cause less disruption when you have a plan to tackle your paper from the beginning.
- Narrow Topic
- Rather than edit as you go, compose a variety of drafts that improve upon one another. As a result, your key ideas will shine through, even when those change due to unexpected data or results. This is especially beneficial if you are considering a number of issues to focus on within a broader topic.
- Incorporate Experiences
- If you are planning to conduct your research based on a study-abroad or other international experience, use that time to investigate a question of interest. This provides a head-start on your thesis research and gives your paper a level of authenticity. You can become an expert in your focused area through reading, but nothing compares to actual physical experience and observation. Previous research and knowledge incorporated into your thesis will add a level of nuance and excitement to your words.
Write, Write, Write
This cannot be over-exaggerated. The more you write, the better your paper will ultimately read and sound. A few simple ways to keep up your writing prowess:
- Block out Time to Write
- Weekly or daily scheduled writing blocks enable focused sessions with minimal distraction. If you do find yourself repeatedly distracted, change the time or place in which you write. Still not helping? Consider tracking your progress through Excel spreadsheets by entering data about your writing habits. Seeing your strengths and weaknesses mapped out can help you maintain or change habits.
- Stay Motivated
- It is one thing to start early, but it is another entirely to finish as or more powerfully. Staying motivated provides an antidote to procrastination and fatigue. As you write, keep your main research question in mind.
- Do Not Write When You are Fatigued
- Writing a lot can be exhausting. If you wait until the last minute to complete the assignment, it can be even more daunting. Writing while tired will only work to set you further back because your concentration is low, and the next-day-you will likely look in horror at the “work” you accomplished the previous night.
Communication is Key
Your thesis class professor, thesis advisor, and outside reader are there to help you. Use them to your advantage. Set up times to speak with them early on in the semester to guarantee meeting times when parties are free. Communicate to them when you run into issues. Furthermore, while your meetings are likely to be one-on-one with your advisor or outside reader, connecting these voices may prove helpful when their respective advice diverge from one another.
At the same time, their guidance is colored by their experiences. If you think that certain suggestions are outside of your research interests or capabilities, the paper is ultimately yours, and you should feel comfortable following your intuition over others’ at this point.
Have Fun!
Although it is a cliche, this experience is not all work. Topic selections for research are yours alone to decide. This is the final leg of your CARI journey–the culmination of all the late nights spent studying, days spent reading, and hours spent getting closer to your cohort. The ups, the downs… everything boils down to this research deliverable. If you choose something familiar and choose to engage with your topic, you will not have to choose to have fun.
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