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Writing a Position Paper Guide

This document provides guidance on writing different types of academic documents, including position papers, survey questionnaires and reports, field reports, and laboratory reports. It discusses the purpose and structure of each document type. For position papers, it notes they take a single side of an issue and include arguments and evidence to support that position. Survey reports discuss procedures, present results in tables/graphs, and provide conclusions and recommendations. Field reports document observations in a setting and include an introduction, framework, and observations. Laboratory reports provide a record of an experiment and contain an abstract, introduction, procedures, results and discussion, and conclusions.
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0% found this document useful (0 votes)
31 views9 pages

Writing a Position Paper Guide

This document provides guidance on writing different types of academic documents, including position papers, survey questionnaires and reports, field reports, and laboratory reports. It discusses the purpose and structure of each document type. For position papers, it notes they take a single side of an issue and include arguments and evidence to support that position. Survey reports discuss procedures, present results in tables/graphs, and provide conclusions and recommendations. Field reports document observations in a setting and include an introduction, framework, and observations. Laboratory reports provide a record of an experiment and contain an abstract, introduction, procedures, results and discussion, and conclusions.
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

LESSON 6 WRITING A POSITION PAPER

- also known as point of view paper


- used to claim a one side position on a specific issue
- it contains factual arguments to support the one side
claim or position statement.
PRE-WRITING A POSITION PAPER
- Identify the issue to be discussed
- the issue must have two identifiable positions or side - -
research both positions and collect the arguments.
- choose the position or side you want to support.
STRUCTURE OF A POSITION PAPER
1. Introduction- contains the background and the
writers stand on the issue
2. Content- Contains the arguments and evidences
presented.
3. End Statement- concluding paragraph which
includes the recommended solution to the issue
presented.
TIPS ON WRITING A POSITION PAPER

1. Keep in mind that a position paper takes only one side


of argument

[Link] the paper represents a group of people, refrain from


using first person singular pronoun such as I, my,mine
instead use first person plural pronuns like we, us, our.

2. Cite the book or websites where the evidence is


including the facts.

LESSON 7 WRITING SURVEY QUESTIONNAIRE


AND SURVEY REPORTS

- A survey is a data collection method that involves asking a


selected group of people

HOW DO WE CONDUCT A SURVEY REPORT

- A questionnaire is an objective data gathering tool.


- For closed ended questionnaire. questions with objective
answers.

- If you used an open ended questionnaire you need to get only


the responses of the respondents pertinent to your paper.

- You may just barrow a ready-made, validated questionnaire


prepared by others. In this case, give credit to the original author
by citing his/her work.

A self made questionnaire has several parts:

[Link] Details of the [Link] Paragraph

 Greeting
 Introduction
 Request for compliance
 Purpose survey

 [Link] Note- letter just onclude that in introductory


paragraph.

HOW DO WE FORMULATE QUESTIONS FOR OUR


QUESTIONAIRE?
1. Ask easy to answer questions first
2. Ask information needed for subsequent questions first
[Link] sensitive and open- ended questions last..

These are the things that should be avoided in constructing questions.


1. Double-barreled questions, two answers to one question.
2. Ambiguos questions.
3. Leading questions
4. Sensitive or threatening response categories.

HOW DO WE WRITE A SURVEY REPORT


The survey report has the following sections.

1. INTRODUCTION- Introduce your survey report by presenting the


reason for conducting your survey and your objectives.

2. PROCEDURES- This section reports the procedures involved in


the survey. Include details such as:
 Description of the respondents
 Description of the survey

3. RESULTS- The results sections should present the answers to the


survey questions in paragraph form, through highlights of the
results , and in graphical form, through tables or other graphics.
4. CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
 Recap the key findings
 Presents generalizations regarding the responses.
 Recommendations on the other hand present suggested
research topics or actions.

5. APPENDIX
 Include in the appendix all the extras that you don’t need in
the body, but are related to the study.
6. REFERENCES
 It presents the complete biographic information of all the
sources cited in the paper.

These are the things that should be avoided in constructing questions.


5. Double-barreled questions, two answers to one question.
6. Ambiguous questions.
7. Leading questions
8. Sensitive or threatening response categories.

HOW DO WE WRITE A SURVEY REPORT


The survey report has the following sections.
7. INTRODUCTION- Introduce your survey report by presenting the
reason for conducting your survey and your objectives.
8. PROCEDURES- This section reports the procedures involved in
the survey. Include details such as:

- Description of the respondents

-Description of the survey instrument

9. RESULTS- The results sections should present the answers to the


survey questions in paragraph form, through highlights of the
results , and in graphical form, through tables or other graphics.
.
10. CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
 Recap the key findings
 Presents generalizations regarding the responses.
 Recommendations on the other hand present suggested
research topics or actions
11. APPENDIX
 Include in the appendix all the extras that you don’t need in
the body, but are related to the study.
12. REFERENCES
 It presents the complete biographic information of all the
sources cited in the paper.

LESSON 8 FIELD REPORTS


- It is a kind of technical report because it is a written plan document
from data gathered outside the office or field and intends to describe
an observed person,place or event.

TECHNIQUES IN DATA GATHERING

- Note taking

- Video and audio recordings-

- illustrations

THINGS TO DOCUMENT

1. Physical setting
2. Objects and material cultures
3. Language use
4. Unfolding of events
5. Expressive body movements-

PARTS OF A FIELD REPORT

[Link]- basically provide a background, rational or purpose


behind your study or research.

2. Theoretical framework- is simply a framework that is derived from


certain assumptions, certain theories, certain concept that have already
been use or establish in that particular field of [Link] are trying to
ground you study and observation on this particular framework.
3. . Observations - This are the one that you have documented using
note taking video and audio visual recording as well as your
illustrations.

LESSON 9 Writing a Laboratory

A laboratory report provides a formal record of an experiment. The discussion of


objectives, procedures and results should be specific enough that interested readers
could replicate the experiment.

Guidelines for Lab reports

A laboratory report has three main functions:

1. To provide a record of the experiments and raw data included in the report.

2. To provide sufficient information to reproduce or extend the data, and

3. To analyze the data, present conclusions and make recommendations based on


the experimental work.

FORMAT OF LABORATORY REPORT

1. ABSTRACT- a brief informational synopsis of your experiment, typically


under 200 words. Strive to use informational or declarative rather than
descriptive prose.

2. INTRODUCTION- Identifies the expirement to be undertaken. Explains its


objectives and significance, and provides the background necessarybto
understand it.

3. PROCEDURES ( or Methods) should provide readers with enough


information that they could replicate your experiment if they so desired.
4. RESULTS and DISCUSSION- Conveys results relevant to the goals of the
experiment.

- Analyzes the results and discuss their implications.

- Acknowledge possible sources of error. Considers presenting information


visually with graphs and tables; provide figure captions.

5. CONCLUSIONS- This section places specifis results into the context of the
experiment as a whole.

6. APPENDICES- This is the place to include data too extensive or tangential


to warrant inclusion in the main body of the report, but necessary as
procedural or analytical evidence.

Common questions

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To ensure validity and objectivity in a survey, one must construct questions that avoid common pitfalls such as double-barreled questions, which ask for two responses in one query, and ambiguous questions, which can confuse respondents . Objective questions limit bias and leading questions that suggest a particular answer or threaten respondent comfort must also be avoided . A clear structure starting with easy questions and ending with sensitive ones improves response accuracy . Incorporating a well-structured introduction, including a purpose, increases the likelihood of honest and valid responses . When using previously validated questionnaires, proper credit to the original authors should be given to maintain ethical standards .

A laboratory report is structured to record experimental procedures, results, and conclusions, with the primary purpose of documenting an experiment to enable replication and analysis . Its main sections include the abstract, introduction, procedures, results and discussion, conclusions, and appendices . Conversely, a field report describes data gathered from observations in natural settings, focusing on contextual analysis rather than controlled experiments . It includes an introduction, a theoretical framework, and detailed observations gathered through note-taking and audio-visual methods. The primary purpose of a field report is to describe and analyze phenomena as they occur in real life, often utilizing a theoretical lens for interpretation . While both reports aim to communicate detailed observations, their methodologies and environments dictate distinct structures and end goals.

Teaching students to write a position paper helps them develop skills in forming arguments, supporting claims with evidence, and expressing a coherent stance on complex issues . It reinforces critical thinking and enhances the ability to persuade through structured argumentation. On the other hand, writing a survey report fosters skills in research methodology, data collection, and analysis, thereby promoting objective thinking and data interpretation . Both forms encourage different but complementary skill sets: argumentative and analytical, which are valuable in various educational and professional contexts.

To clearly convey complex experimental data and its implications in a lab report, several strategies can be employed. Using visual aids such as tables, graphs, and charts can effectively illustrate data trends and relationships, making complex information more digestible . In the Results and Discussion section, it's crucial to analyze the data by explaining its relevance to the experiment's objectives and acknowledging any anomalies or sources of error . Clear and concise language should be used throughout to facilitate understanding, and technical terms should be defined where necessary. Providing context through well-crafted figure captions ensures that visual data is interpretable independently from the text .

Citing sources in a position paper is crucial for bolstering its credibility and authority. By providing references to research, facts, and evidence used to support the argument, the writer demonstrates a foundation of factual accuracy and scholarly rigor . This practice not only lends validity to the claims made but also allows readers to verify the information, fostering trust in the analysis presented. Additionally, proper citation conventions acknowledge the original authors, upholding academic integrity, and preventing plagiarism . A well-cited position paper is more persuasive, as it is perceived as being grounded in thorough research and objective analysis.

A position paper consists of three essential components: Introduction, Content, and End Statement. The Introduction provides background on the issue and clearly states the writer's stance, establishing a framework for the reader to understand the subject matter . The Content section presents factual arguments and evidence supporting the writer's position, which is crucial for convincing the audience of the stance taken . Finally, the End Statement offers a conclusion that includes recommended solutions, tying together the arguments and reinforcing the position . Each component contributes to building a logical and persuasive argument, making the paper coherent and impactful.

The appendices in a laboratory report play an essential role in contributing to the report's comprehensiveness by housing supplementary information that supports the main text but is too detailed for inclusion within the core sections . They typically include raw data, extended calculations, or technical information that provides evidence for the results and analyses presented in the report. By offering a repository for detailed procedural or analytical evidence, appendices ensure that the report remains clear and focused while still comprehensive. They allow other researchers to scrutinize the underlying data and methods, facilitating reproducibility and transparency .

The results section of a survey report effectively enhances understanding and supports conclusions by clearly presenting the survey's findings in a structured manner . This section should include a summary of the responses in paragraph form, highlighting key results and contextualizing them for the reader . Effective use of visual aids, such as graphs and tables, helps in illustrating trends and patterns, making complex data more accessible . The presentation should be impartial and strictly factual, allowing the reader to interpret the data without bias. By accurately reflecting the survey findings, this section lays the groundwork for informed and substantiated conclusions and recommendations .

Pre-writing activities significantly influence the effectiveness of a position paper by ensuring that the argument presented is well-researched and well-structured . These activities include identifying the specific issue to be discussed, thoroughly researching both sides of the argument, and deciding on the position to support . Gathering comprehensive evidence and factual support during this stage allows for a nuanced understanding of the issue, which is crucial for building a compelling case. The clarity and depth achieved in these pre-writing stages underpin the paper's capability to persuasively communicate a stance and effectively counter opposing views, contributing to its overall efficacy .

A theoretical framework in a field report provides a lens through which observations can be understood and analyzed, grounding the study in established theories and concepts . It sets the stage for interpreting data collected through note-taking, audiovisual recordings, or illustrations by offering a pre-defined context or background relevant to the observed phenomena . This framework not only guides the observation process but also aids in explaining events, behaviors, or patterns in a structured manner, thus enhancing the credibility and coherence of the conclusions drawn . By aligning the study with existing paradigms, it enables researchers to make meaningful generalizations and connect findings to broader theoretical perspectives.

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