Creating A Research Space or CARS

Now that you've set the stage by establishing your territory, it's time for the next crucial move: establishing your niche. This is where you start to focus in on your specific contribution to the field. Think of it as finding your unique spot in that crowded room we imagined earlier.

In this move, you're essentially saying, "Here's what's missing in our current understanding, and here's how my research will help fill that gap." It's your chance to show why your particular study is necessary and valuable.

There are four different ways you can establish your niche. You might use one of these approaches or a combination, depending on your research and your field. Let's explore each of these strategies:

Counter-claiming is like respectfully disagreeing with or adding nuance to previous findings. It's not about dismissing other research, but rather about showing how your work will provide a different perspective or address limitations in existing studies.

When counter-claiming, remember to:

• Acknowledge the value of previous research
• Point out specific limitations or areas that could be improved
• Explain why addressing these limitations is important

For example: "While these studies have provided valuable insights into renewable energy adoption, they have primarily focused on technological factors. However, the role of social and cultural influences in shaping energy choices remains largely unexplored."

Useful phrases for counter-claiming:

• "While these results are valuable, they don't account for..."
• "However, this approach has some limitations..."
• "These findings are important, but they overlook..."

This approach involves directly pointing out something that hasn't been adequately studied in your field. It's like finding a missing piece in a puzzle and declaring your intention to fill it.

When indicating a gap, be sure to:

• Be specific about what's missing in the current research
• Explain why this gap is significant
• Hint at how your research will address this gap

For instance: "Despite the growing body of research on renewable energy, there's been little attention paid to how community-level factors influence individual households' decisions to adopt solar energy."

Useful phrases for indicating a gap.

• "There is limited research on..."
• "Few studies have examined..."
• "An important area that needs more investigation is..."

spark curiosity in your readers and clearly frame the purpose of your study.

When raising questions, remember to:

• Ask specific, relevant questions
• Ensure your questions naturally lead into your research objectives
• Consider both theoretical and practical implications

For example: "This raises several important questions: How do social networks influence renewable energy adoption? What role do local cultural norms play in shaping attitudes towards clean energy? How can policymakers leverage these social factors to encourage wider adoption of renewable energy technologies?"

Useful phrases for question-raising:

• "An important question to address is..."
• "This leads us to ask..."
• "We need to understand..."

This approach shows how your work builds on or extends previous research. It's like picking up the baton in a relay race – you're showing how you're carrying forward the work that others have started.

When continuing a tradition, make sure to:

• Clearly identify the specific research or theoretical framework you're building on
• Explain how your research extends or applies this previous work in new ways
• Highlight the value of this continuation or extension

For instance: "Building on Smith's (2018) framework of technological adoption, this study aims to incorporate social and cultural factors to create a more comprehensive model of renewable energy adoption at the community level."

Useful phrases for continuing a tradition:

• "Following the approach of..."
• "Extending the work of..."
• "Building on previous research..."