Epistemic Writing a common denominator of knowledge production

ESSHRA European conference in Switzerland, 12-13 June 2007 Berne

Otto Kruse
Zurich University of Applied Sciences

Outline Writers block and epistemic writing Some interfaces of writing and research For dimensions of epistemic writing Writing as part of the university teaching

Writing-research Interconnection
Planning

Proposal

Revision Data Writing

Review Publication

Research

Draft Revision Feedback

Logic of Research/ Writing Process

Research Question Which problem is to be solved? State of the Art: What is Perspectives: Which already known about the are the next steps in problem? future research?

Discussion: How can the results be interpreted?

Knowledge Gap: Which knowledge is still missing?

Results: What data or results have been produced?

Method: How will new knowledge be produced?

Research Report: IMRAD Formula

Abstract Introduction Method Results Discussion

Research question State of the art Knowledge gap Method Results Discussion Perspectives

Initial idea

Reviewing the literatur State of the art Research question Data collection Data analysis Draft Revision

Publication

Final submission

Peer Review Submission

Feedback

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Four Perspectives on Epistemic Writing

Cognitive perspective: Navigating the stream of thinking: reflecting, planning,
managing the writing process

Writing

Epistemic perspective: Making sense of data and connecting approved knowledge with newly acquired knowledge Linguistic perspective: designing language and texts according to language and genre conventions Social and communicative perspective: Participating in a conversation among experts; writing as a member of a knowledge community

Writing as part of the intersection of

Knowledge construction

Communication

Writing
Critical thinking Language design

Core features of seminar teaching/ learning

Independent, self-directed studies Study of original sources and specialized literature instead of text books Highly specialized research topics as seminar themes Use of academic genres with scientific apparatus Training of critical and analytic thinking Collaborative learning in small groups Feedback for all compositions