CPPS UGM Held Seminar on Article Writing #1 Finding a Research Gap

Yogyakarta, CPPS UGM – Center for Population and Policy Studies (CPPS) UGM held four monthly seminar series that focus on general materials to support article writing. The four materials are Finding a Research Gap, Reviewing Literature, Formulating the Argument, and Writing the Conclusion.

At the first session (Monday, 27 January 2020), Prof. Ben White as the speaker began the discussion with the tagline, “All good research and writing begins with reading”. According to him, good research and writing always starts with a lot of reading.

Regarding the topic, he explained considerations in choosing the topics, originality of the article writing, and critical study.

In choosing a research topic, according to Ben, the important thing to consider is to select favorable topic since it will affect the sustainability of the writer’s interest or enthusiasm while conducting research.

“Choose something you are interested in which will sustain your interest over a relatively long period of time, and not too ambitious or challenging in relation to the time available, and your capacities (especially if you are not a professional researcher),” Ben added.

He emphasized that a work is original if the writing expresses an argument that has never been revealed before, gives empirical work that has never been published, or provides a new interpretation of information that is already known, and/or by using methods that have not been previously done.

“Your work is original if it advances knowledge (or debate) in a way that it hasn’t been done before,” he stressed.

Regarding the critical study, he gave four tips; a research must have critical value, deconstruction, and theoretical work. Based on these three steps, the writer must develop a point of view or position can link the theory and practice.

The second session will be held on Tuesday, 28 January 2020 at 10.00 a.m. to 12.00 a.m. at Auditorium Prof. Dr. Agus Dwiyanto, Masri Singarimbun Building, Jalan Tevesia, Bulaksumur, Yogyakarta. The next session will tell about two topics entitled “Formulating the Argument” and “Writing the Conclusion” which will be held next month.