Part-II: Information Analysis and Presentation: The Art of Academic Writing

In the second part of "Information Analysis and Presentation: The Art of Academic Writing," Siddhartha Shankar Ray- the editor of LIS Links Newsletter transitions from theoretical research constraints to a practical, sequential discussion on problem identification and topic selection. Ray emphasizes that researchers must establish a clear purpose and relevance for their work while balancing practical constraints like degree requirements and submission deadlines. Using a hypothetical M.Phil. dissertation on public health bibliometrics as a case study, the text demonstrates how a broad, unmanageable topic must be progressively refined by adding specific geographic, temporal, and methodological limiting factors. By narrowing the scope—first to India, then to a specific timeframe (1990–2005), and finally to either specific bibliographic databases or top research institutes—the author illustrates how a research title dynamically evolves to match a workable methodology, providing a clear roadmap for effective project design.