8.1
Structuring Your Arguments in a Scholarly Article
Purpose – To help you create an argument-driven article.
Introduction – This activity is designed to help you develop your argument further by logically linking all aspects of your scholarly article to your central argument; in other words, making your argument the centre piece of your academic writing.

Individual Task – Please read the article “Structuring an academic argument within a journal paper” from University of South Australia. You are required to use the argument you developed in Activity 7.2 as a reference point for the following exercises. Please remember to document these tasks in your workbook.
For your research paper draft:
Step 1: Write an introductory draft that describes your argument using any suitable approach as discussed in the introductory section and subsection 1 of the reading. You should include clear statements of objective or your research questions.
Step 2: Drawing from your review of relevant literature, discuss the significance and/or validity of your argument, particularly why it is a “gap” worth investigating. You may wish to consult subsection 2 of the reading for guidance.
Step 3: Describe a scientific method that you have applied to examine your research objectives or to answer your research questions, specifically highlighting how this method has contributed in verifying or validating your argument. Subsection 4 of the reading would be very useful as a guide.
Step 4: Present a description of your results in a way that strongly supports the central argument of your article. See the discussion in subsection 5 of the reading for guidance.
Step 5: Present a discussion on how your results support your argument and any other interesting finding that came out of your research. See the discussion in subsection 6 of the reading for guidance.
8.2
Structuring Your Research Paper
Purpose – To introduce the research paper format and clarify requirements for the paper structure.
Introduction – Please pay careful attention to the following instructions.
The research paper should be no more than 4 pages (can be less) and detail the research component of the project. If the whole project is a research project, then the paper should be a summary of this research. If the whole project is a research & development project, then the paper should only summarise the research part.
The general headings we’re proposing for all students to use are: • Abstract • Background • Literature • Methodology • Results • Discussion • Conclusion • References.
To ensure consistency and make the research paper an authentic piece of assessment, we are going to use the IEEE conference paper template.
The IEEE link for templates are below:
http://www.ieee.org/conferences_events/conferences/publishing/templates.html
You are advised to use the word A4 template or if preferred you can use the LaTex template.

Individual Task – After you have downloaded the IEEE conference paper template.
Step 1: Read the instructions on it carefully; particularly, in relation to the paper structure, headings, font type(s) and sizes, referencing styles, etc. Please note that you are NOT allowed to change or alter the template settings.
Step 2: Copy and Paste the draft you developed in Activity 8.1 into the IEEE template. Please ensure the font types, sizes and other settings are the same before you start pasting across; otherwise, simply type into the template.
Step 3: Proof-read your work carefully and check that you are within the page limits.
7.1
Identifying an Academic Argument
Purpose: To clarify the notion of argument in an academic context
Introduction: This activity is designed to help you understand the notion of argument in a scholarly context.

Individual task: Watch the YouTube video (?Argument Essay: How to Write a Persuasive Paper?) and respond to the following prompts in your workbook. You may also wish to consult the helpsheet for further reference: Critical Thinking Helpsheet.pdf.???
1. Identify a debate in the literature that relates to an aspect of your research (such as a theory, a model or a method).
2. Identify and describe TWO opposing views to this debate.
3. In no less than 100 words, describe the evidence that each side of the debate has employed to support their claims.

7.2
Creating Your Own Scholarly Argument
Purpose: To provide you with a framework for creating your own scholarly arguments
Introduction: This activity is designed to help you identify key elements to consider when building an academic argument, and to assist you in developing rigorous arguments for your research.

Individual task: Based on your responses and descriptions in Activity 7.1, respond to the following
1. Provide a statement of claim that clearly identifies your position in relation to the various ways people have applied a theory, model or method that is relevant to your research problem.
a. What evidence or information is available that supports your position? (e.g., Results or discussions from previous research, AS or ISO standards, established technique in a field of practice, etc.)
b. How exactly does the set of evidence support your position?
c. What other claims and evidence are available that may have challenged your proposed theory, model or method?
2. In no less than 150 words, respond to a discussion in an article that challenges the use of a theory or method you have proposed, providing counter-arguments and evidence to rebut their claims.