research-craft

Research Craft

Master the systematic process of formulating meaningful research problems, constructing evidence-based arguments, and communicating findings that contribute to scholarly conversations.

When to Use

✅ Use for: Academic research papers, thesis/dissertation work, scholarly article writing, literature reviews, evidence-based argumentation, knowledge synthesis, participating in disciplinary conversations ❌ NOT for: Creative writing, journalistic reporting, business case studies, technical documentation, marketing content, personal essays, opinion pieces

Core Process

Problem Formulation Decision Tree

START: Do you have a clear research problem?
├─ NO: Do you have a specific topic (not just broad subject)?
│  ├─ NO → Find specific topic within general interest area
│  └─ YES → Question topic systematically
│     └─ Ask "So what?" to test consequences
│        ├─ Readers won't care → Reframe problem from reader perspective
│        └─ Readers will care → Verify problem structure:
│           ├─ Condition (knowledge gap) stated? 
│           ├─ Cost/consequence stated?
│           └─ Evidence type available?
│              ├─ ALL YES → PROCEED to argument building
│              └─ ANY NO → Revise problem formulation
└─ YES → Is problem practical or conceptual?
   ├─ PRACTICAL (tangible costs requiring action)
   │  └─ Solution must be actionable
   └─ CONCEPTUAL (understanding gap)
      ├─ Pure research → Solution improves understanding
      └─ Applied research → Solution has practical consequences

Argument Construction Decision Tree

START: Building argument for research claim
├─ State CLAIM (answers research question)
├─ Develop REASONS (assertions from thinking)
│  └─ For each reason, do you have EVIDENCE (data from world)?
│     ├─ NO → Insufficient support; gather evidence or drop reason
│     └─ YES → Is evidence representative, accurate, sufficient?
│        ├─ NO → Cherry-picking risk; expand sample or qualify claim
│        └─ YES → Continue
├─ Anticipate reader objections
│  ├─ Plausible objections exist?
│  │  ├─ YES → ACKNOWLEDGE and RESPOND with subordinate argument
│  │  │  ├─ Can you refute? → Provide counter-evidence
│  │  │  ├─ Must concede? → Acknowledge limitation candidly
│  │  │  └─ Alternative view? → Show why yours is stronger
│  │  └─ NO → Proceed to warrants
│  └─ Will readers question reason-claim connection?
│     ├─ YES → STATE WARRANT (general principle)
│     └─ NO (expert audience) → Omit warrant
└─ Test complete argument
   └─ Evidence comprises ~1/3 of section?
      ├─ NO: Too little → Data dump; too much → Add interpretation
      └─ YES → ARGUMENT COMPLETE