Creating A Research Space or CARS

Imagine you're entering a crowded room where an important conversation is already taking place. Before you can contribute your own ideas, you need to show that you understand what's being discussed and why it matters. That's exactly what you're doing in this first move of the CARS model.

Establishing a Territory is all about setting the stage for your research. You're showing your readers that you're knowledgeable about your field and that your topic is worth their attention. Let's break this move down into its three key steps:

In this step, you're essentially saying, "Hey, this topic is a big deal!" You want to convince your readers that your research area is important and relevant. Here's how you can do that:

• Show how your topic is becoming increasingly important
• Talk about recent developments or trends in your field
• Explain the practical or theoretical significance of studying this topic

For example, if you're writing about climate change, you might start with something like: "Climate change has emerged as one of the most pressing global challenges of the 21st century."

Useful phrases for claiming centrality:

• "In recent years, there has been growing interest in..."
• "X is a central issue in [field of study]..."
• "Many researchers are now focusing on..."

Now that you've established why your topic matters, it's time to give some broader context. This step is about painting the big picture of your research area. You're showing that you understand the landscape of your field. Here's what you can do:

• Describe current trends or patterns in your field
• Explain commonly accepted ideas or practices
• Mention challenges or ongoing debates in the area

For instance, continuing with our climate change example: "While significant strides have been made in renewable energy technology, challenges remain in its widespread adoption and integration into existing power systems."

Useful phrases for making topic generalizations:

• "It is widely recognized that..."
• "Recent studies have shown that..."
• "A common challenge in this field is..."

foundation of existing knowledge. Here's how to approach this:

• Mention key studies or influential researchers in your area
• Point out common findings or themes across multiple studies
• Note any disagreements or contradictions in the current research

For example: "Smith (2018) examined the efficiency of solar panels in residential settings, while Jones (2020) focused on the economic viability of large-scale wind farms. However, there's ongoing debate about the most effective strategies for transitioning to renewable energy sources."

Useful phrases for reviewing previous research:

• "Previous studies have demonstrated that..."
• "Researchers have found that..."
• "There is some debate in the literature about..."