Abstract

This study aims to delineate the rhetorical organization of research article (RA) discussion sections in an engineering discipline and explore the variations that distinguish discussion sections of high-impact and low-impact RAs. Research questions: What is the rhetorical organization of RA discussions in chemical engineering? What are the similarities and differences in the use of rhetorical moves and steps in RA discussions of high-impact and low-impact articles? Literature review: Some studies have been conducted using Swales' move analysis with regard to the identification and textual comparisons of RA discussion sections. However, it remains to be determined whether RA discussions of the high- and low-impact articles within a single discipline display the variation in rhetorical patterns. Research methodology: A total of 40 RA discussions published between 2005 and 2015 were chosen based on five-year journal impact factor and citations of the articles in which they were published. Swales' move analysis was used to compare rhetorical moves and steps in both sets of RA discussions. Results and discussion: The study identified the rhetorical organization of RA discussions in the field of chemical engineering. The findings indicate that discussion sections of high-impact articles tend to make use of the “comment on results” move. Explanations of the similarities and differences in the employment of moves and steps are provided. Implications of the findings are discussed.

Journal
IEEE Transactions on Professional Communication
Published
2018-03-01
DOI
10.1109/tpc.2017.2747358
CompPile
Open Access
Closed
Topics
Export

Citation Context

Cited by in this index (3)

  1. IEEE Transactions on Professional Communication
  2. IEEE Transactions on Professional Communication
  3. IEEE Transactions on Professional Communication

References (43) · 3 in this index

  1. 10.1016/j.jeap.2010.09.004
  2. A comparison of consensus, consistency, and measurement approaches to estimating interrat…
    Practical Assessment Res Eval
  3. 10.1017/CBO9781139524827
  4. Rhetorical community: The cultural basis of genre
    Genre and the New Rhetoric
  5. Informing automated writing evaluation using the lens of genre: Two studies
    CALICO J  
Show all 43 →
  1. College Composition and Communication
  2. 10.1057/9781137350466
  3. 10.4324/9780203122761
    Handbook of Automated Essay Evaluation Current Applications and New Directions  
  4. 10.1177/0033688215609230
  5. Genre Analysis English in Academic and Research Settings
  6. 10.1016/S0889-4906(98)00001-5
  7. 10.1016/j.jeap.2015.08.004
  8. 10.1016/j.esp.2004.08.003
  9. 10.1016/j.esp.2014.06.008
  10. IEEE Transactions on Professional Communication
  11. IEEE Transactions on Professional Communication
  12. 10.1016/j.jeap.2011.08.004
  13. 10.1016/j.jeap.2005.10.002
  14. 10.1016/j.jeap.2008.10.007
  15. 10.1016/j.esp.2011.03.001
  16. Spanish researchers’ perceived difficulty writing research articles for English-me…
    Ibérica
  17. 10.1075/scl.70.03nor
  18. English for research publication purposes
    The Handbook of English for Specific Purposes
  19. A genre-based study of pedagogical business case reports
  20. 10.1016/j.esp.2010.05.001
  21. 10.1016/0889-4906(94)90024-8
  22. 10.1080/00335638409383686
  23. Writing and Publishing Science Research Papers in English A Global Perspective
  24. Organizational features in chemical engineering research articles
    ELR J
  25. The structure of the methods section in research article across eight disciplines
    The Asian ESP Journal
  26. Academic Writing in Global Context
  27. 10.1016/0889-4906(88)90029-4
  28. 10.1016/j.esp.2014.08.002
  29. 10.3998/mpub.2173936
  30. 10.1016/S1060-3743(99)80125-8
  31. 10.5040/9781472541734
    Scientific Discourse and the Rhetoric of Globalization The Impact of Culture and Language  
  32. 10.1093/applin/12.3.319
  33. 10.1016/j.jeap.2009.07.001
  34. Genre Knowledge in Disciplinary Communication Cognition/Culture/Power
  35. 10.1016/S0346-251X(02)00050-7
  36. 10.2307/3587930
  37. 10.1093/applin/amm021
  38. 10.1016/j.jeap.2011.10.004