Parameters of variation in the use of words in empirical research writing

Abstract

Empirical research writing is one of the primary means of disseminating knowledge in academia. It is through this particular form of knowledge dissemination that a rich body of scientific knowledge about a given phenomenon is accumulated. This paper explores patterns of variation in the language of this specific sub-register of academic writing, as reflected in the use of words in different sections of empirical research articles from across ten disciplinary fields. An inductive approach was adopted through which patterns of specificity in vocabulary use were systematically identified, triangulated and verified using different methods of data analysis. The results presented in this study show that the lexical choices academics make in the process of composing their research papers are differentially affected by the standards and conventions of scholarly activities in their field. It was found that such conventions have the potential to govern the delineation of authors' linguistic decisions at the most basic levels, such as the lexis.

Intermediate English as a Foreign Language learners’ formulaic language speaking proficiency: Where does the teaching of lexical chunks figure?

“…Today, experts (e.g., Toub et al, 2018 ; Carpenter et al, 2020 ; Verzella, 2020 ) agree on the ubiquity of chunks in language formation; for example, studies (e.g., Nergis, 2021 ; Indriyani et al, 2022 ; Khoiriyah and Mujiyanto, 2022 ; Monica, 2022 ) on the importance of multi-word chunks in developing communicative ability show that numerous elements participate in making the speech more natural. One of which is the extent to which learners use multi-word chunks, as well as conversation patterns or established idioms.…”

“…Little attention has been paid to lexical chunks in most conventional work on formal and theoretical linguistics. Most lexical chunks advocates come from language studies and instruction, notably foreign language education ( Omidian and Siyanova-Chanturia, 2021 ; Shirazizadeh and Amirfazlian, 2021 ). One of the reasons for the paucity of consideration of lexical chunks in formal languages is that it is a challenging phenomenon to nail down formally.…”

“…Previous research is available on the effects of lexical chunks on writing. Omidian and Siyanova-Chanturia (2021) conducted empirical research on using lexical chunks on writing skills. The study focuses on whether using a lexical chunk approach in EFL education can assist college students in enhancing their EFL writing skills.…”

Representaciones de estudiantes sobre la escritura y su evaluación en el posgrado

“…Existe un vínculo entre disciplina y escritura (Kuteeva & Negretti, 2016;Omidian & Siyanova-Chanturia, 2021;Benítez-Castro, 2021) que introduce un habitus de escritura y percepciones afines entre docentes de una misma disciplina. No obstante, los resultados de este estudio se alejan de discursos que simplifican esta compleja relación y reducen las dificultades al escindirlas ante un criterio disciplinar.…”