Analysis of Interdisciplinary Differences in the Structure of the Scientific Genre in the Introduction Section of Humanities Research Articles

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 MA. in Persian language and literature, Faculty of Literature and Foreign Languages, Kashan University, Iran.

2 Associate Professor of the Department of Persian Language and Literature, Faculty of Literature and Foreign Languages, Kashan University.

3 Associate Professor of the Department of English Language and Literature, Faculty of Literature and Foreign Languages, Kashan University, Iran.

Abstract

purpose: The purpose of this research was to analyze the genre of the introduction section of research papers in the humanities, based on John Swales' CARS model, and to demonstrate the potential interdisciplinary differences related to this model. To this end, the introductions of research papers in three disciplines of the humanities—namely, (1) Psychology, (2) Persian Literature, and (3) Management—were analyzed using the CARS model. This analysis focused on compliance with discursive moves, as well as the expected meaning and content associated with these moves and their corresponding steps. The research aimed to explore the discursive strategies employed in the introduction sections of research papers across various fields. Additionally, the study examined whether there was a statistically significant variation in the frequency of adherence to genre-based discursive moves within the fields under investigation.
Methodology: This research was designed as a mixed-method study to analyze the genre of research in the introduction sections of research papers written in Persian, based on the CARS model, and to investigate potential interdisciplinary differences. The textual data for the research comprised the introduction sections of papers from three distinct fields of humanities, as previously mentioned. A total of 45 papers were randomly selected from indexed journals approved by the Ministry of Science over the past decade to serve as the sample. The papers were analyzed in the qualitative section of this mixed-method study using content analysis based on coding to identify the discursive moves and steps of the CARS model. Subsequently,  a score was assigned to each move as a variable using the Likert scale. The mean score of the moves in the quantitative section was calculated for each paper and compared using the Kruskal-Wallis statistical test in a cross-disciplinary manner.
Findings: The results of this study indicate that compliance with the primary discursive moves, as well as the obligatory and optional steps of the CARS model, varies significantly across the selected disciplines. In response to the first research question, papers in the management field demonstrated the highest level of compliance with this model. The first step (determining the scope of research) and the third step (addressing the research gap) exhibited the highest compliance across all three disciplines, while the second step (explaining the research gap) demonstrated the lowest compliance in each field. Furthermore, there was no evidence of compliance with the second component of the third step (introduction of the present research) in any of the disciplines. In response to the second research question, a quantitative review of the research data revealed that the average scores for compliance with discursive moves in the introduction section of the management field were higher than those in the other two fields. Following management, the psychology field ranked second, while Persian literature ranked third.
Conclusion: Since scientific articles serve as a communication platform for researchers across various scientific fields, the style and genre of writing enhance the comprehensibility of these texts for expert readers. This, in turn, increases the likelihood of citing the article, thereby enhancing its visibility and citation count. The present study demonstrated that one of the internationally recognized models of scientific writing is not adequately followed in our country. This heterogeneity was particularly evident in explaining the rationale and necessity of research in the introduction sections of humanities papers. The most common application of both obligatory and optional steps across all three disciplines is the initial discursive move, which involves identifying the research scope. This indicates that researchers, as authors of the papers, have become more inclined to emphasize the centrality and significance of the topics under investigation. While articulating the rationale for the research is a crucial discursive strategy for comprehending the research topic and is essential for maintaining text coherence as well as facilitating effective communication between the author and the reader, a notable weakness was evident across all three fields concerning the second move. It appears that researchers in all three disciplines devote less attention to elucidating the reasons for and the necessity of their research. The findings of this research are both applicable and feasible for evaluating the current challenges in scientific writing. In this context, two key recommendations have been proposed to improve academic writing in the Persian language. First, there is a need for further research specifically focused on various sections of academic papers, including abstracts, introductions, methodologies, findings, and conclusions. Second, experts should organize training courses at the academic level that incorporate academic writing in the scientific genre as part of graduate education.

Keywords

Main Subjects

References

 
ابراهیمی، س.، ستاره، ف.، و حسین چاری، م. (1395). بررسی رابطه بین سنجه‌های رؤیت پذیری و ذخیره با شاخص استناد در نظام التمتریکس پلاس. پژوهشنامه پردازش و مدیریت اطلاعات، 31(3)، 693-693.
    https://doi.org/10.35050/JIPM010.2016.011
کبری، ه.، غضنفری، م.، و حارث‌آبادی، م. (۱۳۹۳). تجزیه‌وتحلیل و مقایسه چکیده مقالات نوشته‌شده توسط محققین ایرانی و خارجی در حوزه پرستاری و مامایی. مجله دانشگاه علوم پزشکی خراسان شمالی. ۶(۳)، ۶۶۵-۶۷۴.
    https://doi.org/10.29252/JNKUMS.6.3.665
بهروزفر، ه.، و داورپناه، م. (۱۳۸۸). میزان رؤیت پذیری مقاله‌های مجله‌های علمی ایرانی نمایه شده در مؤسسه اطلاعات علمی ISIدر مقایسه با مقاله‌های ایرانی چاپ‌شده در مجله‌های علمی بین‌المللی خارجی مقاله. کتابداری و اطلاع‌رسانی، 12(3)، ۸۷-۱۱3.  https://lis.aqr-libjournal.ir/article_43596.html
حسرتی، م. (1384). نگارش دانشگاهی در دانشگاه‌های ایران: حلقه گمشده آموزش عالی. پژوهش و برنامه‌ریزی در آموزش عالی، 11(2-1)، 103-138. https://journal.irphe.ac.ir/article_702520.html
حیاتی، ز.، و علیجانی، ر. (۱۳۸۶). گزارش‌نویسی: آیین نگارش علمی مقالات، مجلات، همایش‌ها و کنفرانس‌ها. تهران: دانشگاه پیام نور. https://press.pnu.ac.ir/book_30042.html
زارع، ج.، و ناصری، ز. (1400). ساختار بلاغی مقدمه در مقالات مروری انگلیسی. زبان پژوهی، ۱۳(۴۱)، ۱۶۷-۱۸۸. https://zabanpazhuhi.alzahra.ac.ir/article_5419.html
زارعی، ع.، قربانپور، ح.، و مجد، مرضیه. (1399). ویژگی‌های زبان‌شناختی نگارش دانشگاهی مبتنی بر کاوش در متن مقالات علمی [مقاله کنفرانسی]. ششمین همایش ملی پژوهش‌های نوین در حوزه زبان و ادبیات ایران، تهران. https://civilica.com/doc/1041954
زندمقدم، ا.، و جنتی، س. (1394). گونة کلام و حرکت در چکیده‌ها: بررسی مقابله‌ای پایان‌نامه‌های دو رشتة آموزش زبان فارسی به غیرفارسی‌زبانان و آموزش زبان انگلیسی. علم زبان، 3(5)، 72-53.
    https://doi.org/10.22054/ls.2016.7519
طباطبایی لطفی، ع.، قاسمی، ط.، و طباطبایی، م. (۱۳۹۸). مقایسه مراحل در چکیده‌های مقالات رشته‌های علوم انسانی و پایه/پزشکی طبق مدل دادلی ایوانز. فصلنامة علمی‌ زبان پژوهی دانشگاه الزهرا، ۱۱(۳۰)، ۲۰۳-۲۲۶.
    https://zabanpazhuhi.alzahra.ac.ir/article_3165.html?lang=fa
فتوحی، م. (1391). سبک‌شناسی: نظریه‌ها، رویکردها و روش‌ها. تهران: سخن‏‫.
    https://www.iranketab.ir/book/40265-sabk-shenasi
گلشائی، ر. (1398). تحلیلی پیکره‌ای از ساختار گفتمانی چکیده‌های پایان‌نامه‌های فارسی در برخی رشته‌های علوم انسانی، فنی مهندسی و علوم پایه. پژوهش‌های زبان‌شناسی تطبیقی، 9(18)، 153-181.
    https://doi.org/10.22084/rjhll.2019.18393.1908
موسوی، ا.، کیانی، غ.، اکبری، ر.، و غفارثمر، ر. (۱۳۹۵). سیر تکاملی آگاهی از ژانر رشته تخصصی با آموزش مهارت‌های نگارش دانشگاهی: یک مطالعه موردی. جستارهای زبانی، ۷(۳)، ۱۷۱-۱۹۶.  
    https://lrr.modares.ac.ir/article-14-7532-fa.html
نکویی‌زاده، م.، بوالی، م.، باقری، م. ص.، و رسایی، ا. (۱۳۹۹). تردید افکنی فراگفتمانی در مقاله‌های پژوهشی در زبان‌شناسی کاربردی: بررسی مقایسه‌ای سوژانر «نتایج و بحث» در مقاله‌های نویسندگان غیر انگلیسی‌زبان و انگلیسی‌زبان. پژوهش‌های زبان‌شناختی در زبان‌های خارجی، (۱۰) ۲، ۴۴۸-۴۶۹.  
    https://doi.org/10.22059/jflr.2019.286626.662
Afshar, H. S., Doosti, M., & Movassagh, H. (2018). A Genre Analysis of the Introduction Section of Applied Linguistics and Chemistry Research Articles. Iranian Journal of Applied Linguistics, 21(1). http://ijal.khu.ac.ir/article-1-2856-fa.html
Akbari, H., Ghazanfari, M., & Haresabadi, M. (2014). Analysis and comparison of research article abstracts published in Iranian and international journals in the field of nursing and midwifery. Journal of North Khorasan University of Medical Sciences, 6(3), 665-674. http://dx.doi.org/10.29252/jnkums.6.3.665 [In Persian].
Amirian, Z., Shayanfar, M., & Rezazadeh, M. (2021). Structural Equation Model of Teachers Mindsets, Self-Efficacy, and Emotional Experiences and Iranian EFL Learners' Willingness to Communicate and L2 Motivational Self System. Journal of English Language Teaching and Learning, 13(28), 1-17. https://doi.org/10.22034/elt.2021.48218.2448
Atai, M. R., & Habibie, P. (2009). Exploring Sub-disciplinary Variations and Generic Structure of Applied Linguistics Research Article Introductions Using CARS Model. Journal of English Language Pedagogy and Practice, 2(5), 26-51.
      https://journals.iau.ir/article_524128.html
Behroozfar, H., Davarpanah, M. (2009). Visibility of articles in Iranian scientific journals indexed in the Institute for Scientific Information (ISI) compared to Iranian articles published in international and foreign scientific journals. Library and Information Sciences, 12(3), 87-113. https://lis.aqr-libjournal.ir/article_43596.html [In Persian].
Casanave, C. P. (2002). Writing games: Multicultural Case Studies of Academic Literacy Practices in Higher Education. Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781410612366
Choe, H., & Hwang, B. H. (2014). A Genre Analysis of Introductions in Theses, Dissertations and Research Articles Based on Swales’ CARS Model. Korean Journal of Applied Linguistics, 30(1), 3-31. https://doi.org/10.17154/kjal.2014.03.30.1.3
Dobakhti, L., & Zohrabi, M. (2017). How do Writers Present Their Work in the Introduction Sections? A Genre-Based Investigation into Qualitative and Quantitative Research Articles. Issues in Language Teaching, 6(2), 181-207. https://doi.org/10.22054/ilt.2019.28068.254
Dudley-Evans, T. (1999). The Dissertation: A Case of Neglect? In P. Thompson (ED), Issues in E AP writing research and instruction, 28-36.
      https://www.scirp.org/reference/referencespapers?referenceid=3177833
Ebrahimi, B., & Weisi, H. (2019). Genre Variation in the Introduction of Scientific Papers in Iranian and International Computer Science Journals. Issues in Language Teaching, 8(2), 51-82. https://doi.org/10.22054/ilt.2020.49119.453
Ebrahimy, S., Setareh, F., & HosseinChari, M. (2016). Assessing the relationship between the alternative metrics of visibility and social bookmarking with citation index in PLOS altmetrics. Iranian Journal of Information Processing and Management, 31(3), 845-864.
      https://doi.org/10.35050/JIPM010.2016.011 [In Persian].
Fotoohi, M. (2013). Stylistics: Theories, Approaches and Methods [Sabk Shenasi]. Tehran: Sokhan. https://www.iranketab.ir/book/40265-sabk-shenasi [In Persian].
Golshaie, R. (2019). A corpus analysis of the discourse structure of persian theses abstracts in some disciplines of humanities, engineering, and basic sciences. Researches in Comparative Linguistics, 9(18), 153-181. https://doi.org/10.22084/rjhll.2019.18393.1908  [In Persian].
Hasrati, M. (2023). Academic Writing in Iranian University: The Lost Ring of the Chain,  Research and Planning Quarterly in Higher Education, 11(1), 138-103.
      https://journal.irphe.ac.ir/article_702520.html?lang=en [In Persian].
Hayati, Z., & Alijani, R. (2007). Report Writing: The Ritual of Scientific Writing for Articles, Journals, Conferences, and Symposiums. Tehran: Payam-e-Noor University. https://press.pnu.ac.ir/book_30042.html [In Persian].
Hopkins, A., & Dudley-Evans, T. (1988). A genre-based investigation of the discussion sections in articles and dissertations. English for Specific Purposes, 7(2), 113–121.
      https://doi.org/10.1016/0889-4906(88)90029-4
Hussain, N., Hussain, M. B., & Khan, M. A. (2022). Rethinking PhD Thesis Introductions from Higher Education Perspective: Using the CARS Model. ARCHIVES OF EDUCATIONAL STUDIES (ARES), 2(2), 184-204. https://ares.pk/ojs/index.php/ares/article/view/37
Hyland, K. (2002). Authority and invisibility: Authorial identity in academic writing. Journal of pragmatics, 34(8), 1091-1112. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0378-2166(02)00035-8
Hyland, K. (2004). Disciplinary Discourses, Michigan Classics Ed.: Social interactions in academic writing. University of Michigan Press. https://doi.org/10.3998/mpub.6719
Hyon, S. (1996). Genre in Three Traditions: Implications for ESL. TESOL Quarterly, 30(4), 693-722. https://doi.org/10.2307/3587930
Jernudd, B. H. (1993). Genre Analysis: English in Academic and Research Settings. John M. Swales. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1990. P. 288. In Studies in Second Language Acquisition, 15(1), pp. 125–126. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0272263100011773
Kaplan, R., Cantor, S., Hagstrom, C., Kamhi-Stein, L. D., Shiotani, Y., & Zimmerman, C. B. (1994). On abstract writing. Text-interdisciplinary Journal for the Study of Discourse, 14(3), 401-426. https://doi.org/10.1515/text.1.1994.14.3.401
Khany, R., & Tazik, K. (2010). A Comparative Study of Introduction and Discussion Sections of Sub-disciplines of Applied Linguistics Research aAticles. Journal of Research in Applied Linguistics, 1(2), 97-122. https://rals.scu.ac.ir/article_10425.html
Malekzadeh, M. (2020). Genre Analysis of Article Abstract Sections Across Translation Studies and English Literature. Language Art, 5(1), 101-114. https://doi.org/10.22046/LA.2020.06
Martín, P. A. M. (2003-04). Genre and Discourse Community. ES: Revista de filología inglesa, (25), 153-166.
      https://dialnet-unirioja-es.translate.goog/servlet/articulo?codigo=974492&_x_tr_sl=es&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=en&_x_tr_pto=sc
Mousavi, S. I., Kiany, G., Akbari, R., & Ghafarsamar, R. (2016). The process of developing disciplinary genre awareness through training academic writing skills: A case study. Linguistic essays. 7(3), 171-196. https://lrr.modares.ac.ir/article-14-7532-en.html [In Persian].
Nekoueizadeh, M., Bavali, M., Bagheri, M. S., & Rassaei, E. (2020). Metadiscursive Hedging in Research Articles in Applied linguistics: A Comparative Study of Results and Discussion Subgenres written by Iranian Native English Writers.  Journal of Foreign Language Research, (10) 2, 448-469. https://doi.org/10.22059/jflr.2019.286626.662 [In Persian].
Nwogu, K. N. (1997). The medical research Paper: Structure and functions. English for Specific Purposes, 16(2), 119–138. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0889-4906(97)85388-4
Paltridge, B. (2004). Academic writing. Language teaching, 37(2), 87-105.
      https://doi.org/10.1017/S0261444804002216
Posteguillo, S. (1999). The schematic structure of computer science research articles. English for specific purposes, Cambridge University Press, 18(2), 139-160. 
      https://doi.org/10.1016/S0889-4906(98)00001-5
Qamariah, H., & Wahyuni, S. (2017). How a Research Article Introduction Structured? The Analysis of Swales Model (Cars) on English Research Article Introductions. Getsempena English Education Journal, 4(2), 136-146. https://ejournal.bbg.ac.id/geej/article/view/744
Salager-Meyer, F. (1992). A text-type and move analysis study of verb tense and modality distribution in medical English abstracts. English for specific purposes, 11(2), 93-113.
      https://doi.org/10.1016/S0889-4906(05)80002-X  
Samraj, B. (2002). Disciplinary variation in abstracts: The case of wildlife behaviour and conservation biology. In J. Flowerdew (ed.), Academic Discourse (pp. 40– 56). London: Pearson. https://www.scirp.org/reference/referencespapers?referenceid=1729692
Samraj, B. (2002b). Introductions in research articles: Variations across disciplines. English for Specific Purposes, 21(1), 1– 17. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0889-4906(00)00023-5
Sánchez, J. A. (2018). Applicability and variation of Swales' Cars model to applied linguistics article abstracts. Elia: Estudios de Lingüística Inglesa Aplicada, 18, 213-240.  
      https://idus.us.es/items/3f33778b-d757-4709-89b0-b238a81617fd
Sánta, B. (2015). Introducing the Literary Critic: The CARS Model in the Introductions of Academic Papers in Literary Criticism. International Journal of English Language & Translation Studies, 3(2), 84-93. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.34372
Schmitt, N. (2002). Writing. In N. Schmitt (Ed.), An introduction to applied linguistics. London: Arnold 252–266. https://doi.org/10.4324/9780203783733
Silva, T., & Matsuda, P. K. (2001). On second language writing. Routledge.  
      http://tesl-ej.org/wordpress/issues/volume5/ej19/ej19r8/
Swales, J. (1981). Aspects of Article Introductions. Issue 1 of Aston ESP research reports. University of Aston in Birmingha. https://books.google.com/books?id=Gok7NAAACAAJ
Swales, J. M. (2004). Research Genres: Explorations and Applications. Cambridge University Press. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/CBO9781139524827
Swales, J. (2014). Create a research space (CARS) model of research introductions. Writing about writing: A college reader, 12-15. https://libguides.usc.edu/writingguide/CARS
Tabatabaee Lotf, S, A., Qasemi, T., & Tabatabee, M. S (2018). A Contrasive Move-Analysis Study of the Abstracts of Humanities and Hard/Medical Sciences Based on Dudley-Evans’ Model. ZABANPAZHUHI (Journal of Language Research), 11(30), 203-226.
      https://zabanpazhuhi.alzahra.ac.ir/article_3165.html?lang=en [In Persian].
Tardy, C. M., & Swales, J. M. (2014). Genre analysis. Pragmatics of discourse, 165-188. https://doi.org/10.1515/9783110214406-007
Thompson, D. K. (1993). Arguing for experimental ‘facts’ in science: A study of research article results sections in biochemistry. Written Communication, 10(1), 106-128.
      https://doi.org/10.1177/0741088393010001004
Uymaz, E. (2017). An Investigation of the Similarities and Differences between English Literature and English Language Teaching Master’s Theses in Terms of Swales’ Cars Model. PEOPLE: International Journal of Social Sciences, 3(2), 552-562.
      https://doi.org/10.20319/pijss.2017.32.552562
Yunick, S. (1997). Genres, registers and sociolinguistics. World Englishes, 16(3), 321-336. https://doi.org/10.1111/1467-971X.00067
Zand-Moghadam, A., & Jannati, S. (2016). A Contrasive Generic Analysis of Thesis Abstracts of TEFL and TPSOL. Language Science, 3(5), 72-53. https://doi.org/10.22054/ls.2016.7519 [In Persian].
Zare, J., & Naseri, Z. (2021). The Rhetorical Structure of Introductions in English Review Articles. Language Research, 13(41), 167-188.
      https://zabanpazhuhi.alzahra.ac.ir/article_5419.html [In Persian].
Zarei, A., Ghorbanpour, H., & Majd, M. (2020). Linguistic Features of Academic Writing Based on Exploration in the Text of Scientific Articles [Conference presentation]. The Sixth National Conference on Modern Research in the Field of Iranian Language and Literature, Tehran. https://civilica.com/doc/1041954 [In Persian].

Files

Share

How to cite

Statistics