Tip #1 Be Prepared
Make sure you understand what “research” is all about. That would mean a good grasp of the course Research Methodology would be an advantage. Why? Without knowing "what is a research", "why do research" and "how to conduct a research", it would be difficult for you to understand the whole purpose of completing a FYP.

Tip #2 Think Broadly
Now, here comes the tough part – generating your topics. After getting a firm understanding on research methodology, you might be cracking your head generating possible topics for your FYP. Well, your first step is to think broadly. This would mean that you need to try to do some readings on various resources (senior’s FYP or even articles on the internet), and make a short list of the areas that interest you the most. For example, if you’re into technology, the field Computer-Assisted Language Learning would be your primary area. Interest is important, because without it, you will be very “demotivated” to continue your research later on.

Tip #3 Narrow Down
Once you have listed all those areas that you are interested, it’s time to narrow it down. How? The first thing is to narrow it down by locating the resources available which include lecturers’ expertises. Some topics that you are interested in might not have the relevant resources that you need or there are just too limited resources available, thus, it’s better for you to leave it out (perhaps for future research). Next, go through some FYPs or research articles available at the library or on the Internet. See if there are topics that are related to yours and try to develop from there. For example, if a senior has done a research on code-switching among university students, you might want to do a research from a different perspective such as factors of code-switching among teachers. NOTE: Avoid doing topics that are too ambitious. Since it’s just a FYP for a Bachelor’s Degree, you might not have enough time and resources to do MEGA projects. As I always say, think small yet beneficial.

Tip #4 Know your topic well
After deciding your topic, instead of start “disturbing” the lecturers, one thing that you need to do is to READ-UP and understand your topic well. Like the example I gave earlier, if you’re doing a topic on code-switching, you need to KNOW what code-switching is, and what have others found out about it. Meaning, you need to gather all related resources and start reading as early as possible. This is to ensure that you know what you’re doing and it can reduce the possibilities of your topic being “rejected” by the lecturers. NOTE: Avoid going to the lecturers with an “EMPTY HEAD” and do not expect the lecturers to give you topics and all the resources. That’s not an undergraduate mentality, that’s a Primary-School Attitude!

Tip #5 Be Independent
Yes! This is in fact very important. I know some of you are struggling to stand on your own, but when it comes to FYP, you need to try to be as independent as possible. You need to be independent in managing your own research and gathering your resources. Try to plan your research by setting your own deadlines or targets and if you are really lost, consult the lecturers, friends or seniors, do not be afraid to ask. If you are not independent and always wait for the lecturers to push you, then you’ll be in trouble. Make the first initiative as it’s your FYP that is at stake.

Tip #6 Stop the Blame Syndrome
Blaming will not solve your problems, particularly when you’re blaming your supervisor/lecturer for not helping you. Perhaps, you are right to argue that some supervisors are not helpful enough, but it is wrong for you to blame them. No matter how “terrible” you think your supervisor is, try to get to know his or her style of working and constantly build good rapport. Some students just do not understand this and treat their supervisors as “personal assistants” by asking them to correct their language/grammar or ask them to help find related resources!

Tip #7 Enjoy what you’re doing
Well, finally do not put unnecessary burden or stress on yourself. Treat FYP as a process of learning and not solely because of wanting to get high grades. If you aim too high, you’re putting yourself into unnecessary pressure which will cause you to be depressed and cannot concentrate on your studies. Remember, even though FYP is important, you have other courses to “entertain” as well. So, you need to balance up.

Extra Tips:
Where to find research articles?

Proquest – http://www.umi.com/pqdauto
Emerald – http://www.emerald-library.com/
Science Direct – http://www.sciencedirect.com/

More Links:
MELTA The English Teacher Journal – http://www.melta.org.my/modules/sections/index.php?op=listarticles&secid=1

UKM’s Internet Journal of E-Language Learning and Teaching http://www.eltrec.ukm.my/ijellt/archive.asp

TEFL Web Journal – http://www.teflweb-j.org/

Oxford’s ELT Journal – http://eltj.oxfordjournals.org/archive

The Internet TESL Journal – http://iteslj.org/

E-Journal on Writing – http://www-writing.berkeley.edu/TESL-EJ/

Australasian Journal of Educational Technology http://www.ascilite.org.au/ajet/ajet.html

Journal on language learning and technology – http://llt.msu.edu

CALICO Journal – http://www.calico.org/calicopubs.html

Some Topics You can Consider

General Education

• The Influence of Classroom Physical Settings on Teaching And Learning
• Teaching of Science and Mathematics in English
• The Effectiveness of Preschool Education
• Class Size Problem: Malaysian Teachers’ Perceptions
• Classroom Management Problems Faced by Teachers in Rural and Urban Schools

General ELT

• The Effectiveness of Using Cooperative Group Work in Teaching Writing
• The Use of Student’s Mother Tongue By Teachers: A Useful Tool in ESL Classrooms
• The Role of Parents In the Development of Their Children Language Competency in English
• The Effects of Teacher’s Written Feedback on Students’ Writing Performance
• The Use of Role-play in Enhancing Speaking Skills in Learning English Language
• A Study of How Teachers Utilise Newspaper in Writing Classroom

Linguistics and Sociolinguistics

• Communicative Strategies of Learners from Different Socio-Cultural Backgrounds
• Discourse Analysis of Language Use in Different Settings (ie: KFC Counter, Medical Consultations)
• Genre Analysis of Students’ Written Assignments
• Code-switching among selected group of students

Computer/IT Related

• The Use of Computer-Simulated Games in English Language Teaching
• Analysing Students’ Interactions in Asynchronous Online Discussions
• Teachers’ Perceptions towards the Use of Computer in Language Teaching
• The Internet as a Tool to Assist ESL Teachers in the teaching English
• E-Mail as an Alternative Consultation Tool For Students: A Case Study
• Implementation of Smart Schools

Teaching of Literature

• Using Songs in the teaching of poetry among Form 4 students
• The use of Reader-Response Theory in Helping Students to learn literature
• The Effectiveness of Drama Techniques in Teaching Short Stories

Literary Criticism

• A study on the Female Characters in Relation to the Development and Changes of Ravi’s Identity in “The Return” By K.S. Maniam
• The Female Protagonists of Jane Austen’s Novels: A Feminist View on Women Respects and Power
• The Tragic Heroes: A Comparative Look at Shakespeare’s Hamlet and Usman Awang’s Hang Jebat
• The Fantasy and Moral Reality in The Rime of The Ancient Mariner
• The Portrayal of Upper Class Malay Society in Karim Raslan’s Short Stories

Gender Studies

• The differences in Class Participation between Male and Female Students in English Classrooms
• A Study of Students’ Attitude Differences in Learning Literature in English: The Factors of Gender
• Gender Portrayals in Teen Magazine
• A Comparative Study on Men and Women Use of Language in Workplace.

Material Development

• Courseware/CD-ROM for Teaching a Specific Language Content (ie: Tenses or Prepositions)
• Teaching Kits for Form 4 Literature Components

It is hoped, however, that this guide will:

1. Provide a rough guide to the various processes that combine to produce a quality essay.
2. Alert you to some of the resources and services available at the library and beyond.
3. Ease any anxieties you may have if writing university level papers for the first time.
4. Do these things in a friendly, accessible way.

Attitude is Everything! Don’t worry! Accept your fate and get on with it. If you feel overwhelmed by the enormity of the assignment, think of it as a series of small, manageable steps. For example, a 1500 word essay might include: Introduction: 200 words Main body: 1000 words (5 core ideas at 200 words each) Conclusion: 300 words Devote time and energy to your essay and you are well on your way to a good mark! Some day you will know this was all worthwhile.

Get the Facts Straight Double-check your assignment to make sure you understand the requirements: How long is the term paper supposed to be? When is it due? How much analysis is required? How much personal commentary? Does the assignment require a literature review? The depth of research often depends on how long the paper needs to be. Because research is a lengthy process, give yourself lots of time. Students who leave too little time find that they cannot complete enough research, or that the materials they need for the assignment are not available. The night before is much too late!

Choose Your Topic Do you have the option of choosing your own topic? Has the professor assigned a broad subject that you must convert into an essay? Choose a topic that interests you, that is challenging, that has enough scope to meet the required size of the paper, and for which you think there is adequate information available in the library.

Know Your Topic Gain at least a basic familiarity with your topic before beginning in-depth research. The right reference book, or even your course text-book, may provide you with a well-written overview of a topic to guide your research process and give you confidence in your ability to handle the assignment. The library’s Reference Department has specific encyclopedias, dictionaries, handbooks and other materials on everything from Philosophy to Economics, Religion to Biology, Native Peoples to Mathematics.

Narrow Your Topic Narrow the topic if it is too broad. For example, if your subject is the novels of Jane Austen (too broad), and your paper length is only 1000 words, you might narrow the topic to an analysis of clothes in Pride and Prejudice. One way to narrow a subject is to check the Library of Congress Subject Headings, which is located at the Library Information Desk. Subject headings will lead you to related and narrower ideas relating to your topic. Browse the broad subject in the Novanet catalogue, or on a computer index in the library. Look at the titles of books (Novanet) and articles (computer index) on your topic, and identify a narrower focus that interests you. Still stuck? Consult your professor/lecturer! If you are floundering with the subject before doing research and writing, your paper will never shape up and you could waste a lot of time.

Analyze Your Topic Think about your assignment. Analyze your thoughts before starting to research. What is your personal view of the topic, as you understand it now? What points do you expect to discuss? What information do you need to find? Think of different words, phrases and synonyms that describe your topic, so that you have a variety of words to use when conducting research. By making lists of these related ideas, your library research will progress more smoothly. Have a firm grasp of your primary sources before turning to secondary commentaries or criticisms. In other words, read Pride and Prejudice first, then write down some of your own impressions and ideas related to your essay topic; then research other people’s opinions on the book.

The Thesis Statement A thesis statement identifies the purpose, scope and focus of the essay; it expresses the controlling idea and your point of view. It should be an assertion or positive statement that covers the topic. Some professors may suggest you phrase your thesis as a question. The thesis statement is the hook that snags your reader/professor and makes him/her want to read the whole essay. Be aware that the thesis statement will probably change as you research and write your paper! Examples of thesis statements: Assignment: Write a paper on Shakespeare\’s Macbeth discussing some element of the play that interests you. Thesis Statement: Shakespeare uses ghosts as a way for Macbeth to have conversations that he could not have with anyone else.

Read the full guide at: http://www.smu.ca/administration/library/perfectgathering.html

[Other USEFUL LINKS on Academic Writing]

http://unilearning.uow.edu.au/academic/1a.html

http://www.mdx.ac.uk/www/study/gloess.htm

http://www.wisc.edu/writing/Handbook/