Notes on Samraj Article

Overview

Samraj’s article analyzes research paper introductions from two related fields Wildlife Behavior and Conservation Biology using Create-A-Research-Space (CARS) model. The result of Samraj’s analysis reveals “disciplinary variation in the structure of this genre, which has important pedagogical implications” (Samraj 1). By comparing the two texts that belong to the same genre but different disciplines, Samraj hopes to “better distinguish textual characteristics that are due to disciplinary norms from those that are features of the genre to which the text belongs” (3). The results of his analysis reveal differences in terms of “both the moves and the steps used to realize the moves in the two disciplines” (3).

CARS model may not adequately account for the structure of all RA introductions. Samraj’s results indicate the need for a model with a greater degree of flexibility in embedding. In particular, Samraj’s study shows that the step literature review need not just appear in the first move but can also be embedded within other steps, such as indicating a gap. As such, literature reviews perform functions other than that of merely reporting previous research (3).

• Original CARS Model
  
  Move 1: Establishing a territory
• Step 1 Claiming centrality and/or
  Step 2 Making topic generalization(s) and/or
  Step 3 Reviewing items of previous research
  
  Move 2: Establish a niche
• Step 1A Counter-claiming or
  Step 1B Indicating a gap or
  Step 1C Question-raising or
  Step 1D Continuing a tradition
  
  Move 3: Occupying the niche
• Step 1A Outlining purposes or
  Step 1B Announcing present research
  Step 2 Announcing principal findings
  Step 3 Indicating RA structure

Above. Swales’ Create-A-Research-Space (CARS) model. RA = research article.

Important Notes

• Centrality claims, according to Swales, are “appeals to the discourse community whereby members are asked to accept that the research about to be reported is part of a lively, significant or well-established research area” (4).
• Centrality claims are made in two ways: either by assertions about the importance of the topic being discussed or by assertions concerning active research activity in the area concerned.
• Wildlife Behavior introductions include centrality claims and half of these assert the centrality of the topic by maintaining the topics importance for animal behavior and the other half by referring to search activity in the area.
• Almost all Conservation Biology introductions include at least one instance of the step centrality claim.
• 10 out of 11 Conservation Biology introductions with centrality claims are attempts to validate the importance of the topic in relation to the real world.
• 6 Biology Conservation introductions establish the centrality of the research being reported by referring to current research in the area.
• Only 1 BC introduction establishes centrality of the topic solely in terms of research in the field.
• All five others that do refer to research activity also connect the study to be reported to important environmental concerns by the following: pointing to problematic aspects of the environment, current conservation practices, and models and methods being used in conservation management.

Wildlife Behavior

-Component of Environmental Science
-Longer history; part of Ecology
-Deals with life histories and behaviors of different species

Introduction

-Uses centrality claims at the beginning of the introductions
-Discuss previous literature to provide support for the topic generalization or centrality claim or to justify the gap created.
-Review of literature follows statement that establishes niche
-Literature reviews elaborate on gaps in research
-Move 2s are clearly present. Only 1 introduction lacks a clearly demarcated Move 2.
-Creates niche in terms of gap
-Move 3 has a general to specific development
-For most part contain moves given in CARS model
-Most notable difference is presence of background move that details the features of the species that is the object of observation of experimentation
-Centrality claims are not frequent
-Current research mainly justified in terms of gaps in previous research

Conservation Biology

-Component of Environmental Science
-Newly developed area
-Draws on various fields such as: resource economics and policy, ecology and environmental ethics

Introduction

-More explicit rhetorical work is performed in the beginning of the introductions
-Discuss previous literature to provide support for the topic generalization or centrality claim or to justify the gap created.
-Include at least one instance of step centrality
-Step claiming centrality is well-developed and occupies an important position
deals more in terms of the phenomenal world that the epistemic world
-Justify research by creating a gap in real world conservation practices
-Elements of persuasion and promotion are more strongly present
-Centrality claims are common and well-developed and often concern the real world
-Research to be presented is frequently promoted in negative terms (i.e. loss of biodiversity and species extirpation)