Presenting and discussing the work of other scholars

Compiled for the IP 2018 Groningen@Krakow

A key element in writing a research paper is to present the work of other scholars. Firstly, you will have to argue which scholarly discussions are the most important ones for your research problem. Describing prior research is necessary in order to put your own research project in context, and to indicate your position in relation to other viewpoints. Your paper will build on the work done by other researchers, questioning their work, or modifying it. Whilst carrying out your initial reading you may have noticed a gap in the scholarly literature which can prove useful in justifying your research question. Critically analyzing and addressing relevant academic works will also reveal the most relevant concepts and major academic disputes. You should present and summarize this prior research honestly and make sure that you adequately reflect the opinion of the author.