Why Should I Do Research?

You are expected to take part in scholarship while at the University of Manitoba. Your instructors teach you facts, theories, and concepts taken from previous and current scholarship. When you write papers, give presentations, or do assignments, you are expected to take part in scholarship and build on current, collective knowledge.

Research is an important part of writing and presenting scholarly work. Scholars build their ideas by learning everything they can from the people who studied before them. In order to be a good scholar, you need to research what other scholars have said before you.

What Is Scholarship?

The Oxford English Dictionary defines scholarship as, "the collective attainments of scholars; the sphere of polite learning." Scholarship includes all the work that has been produced by scholars in various areas.

Scholarship is like a giant discussion that has been taking place since ancient times. Each scholar defines an area of the world that they then examine thoroughly using all the knowledge that is available from other scholars and sources. They share their findings with other scholars through writing, presentations, and discussions. A clear picture of the world only really appears when all of the findings are combined.

Characteristics of Scholarly Work

• Defines and limits the area to be examined. (In other words, the scholar breaks off a small question about the world so they can actually examine it thoroughly. The point of a thesis statement when writing is to define the area that you are going to examine.)
• Presents reasons and evidence rather than opinions and feelings.
• Says something people do not already know.
• Is interested in discussion, dialogue, and sharing information.
• Credits the sources of ideas and quotations that are consulted, borrowed from, and used.
• Presents information in a formal, organized way. (This means that the text is free of spelling and grammatical errors, and contains certain elements, such as an introduction, conclusion, thesis statement, and bibliography.)