THE APPLICATION OF ‘SWALES’ MODEL’ IN THE M.A. THESES OF APPLIED LINGUISTICS IN KRG UNIVERSITIES

Kamaran  Ahmed Sharif; Twana Saadi Hamid

doi:10.25098/9.2.31

Authors

Kamaran Ahmed Sharif Department of English language, College of Basic Education, University of Halabja Halabja, Iraq
Twana Saadi Hamid Department English language, College of Languages, University of Sulaimani Sulaimani, Iraq

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.25098/9.2.31

Keywords:

Swales, CARS model 1990, Introduction Chapters, M.A. thesis, Kurdish researchers, KRG

Abstract

This research investigates the extent to which M.A. thesis introductions in Applied Linguistics written by postgraduate students in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRG) adhere to Swales's (1990) CARS (Create a Research Space) model for conventionalizing research introductions. The CARS model is well-known and often cited in research on academic writing. However, its application in the Kurdish context has remained under-researched in the context of individual language-based rhetorical practices, which are a combination of local academic practice and international practices.

The study employed a mixed-methods design in analyzing the introductory chapters of 15 M.A. theses from three universities in the KRG —Sulaimani, Salahaddin, and Duhok. The thesis introductions were analyzed using Swales’ three moves—Establishing a Territory, Establishing a Niche, and Occupying the Niche—and their respective steps.

The data indicate that students used all three moves, but they did so inconsistently. In Move 1, students accomplished the establishment of their topic's importance reasonably well. However, often with limited or uneven reviews of prior research. The most common strategy in Move 2 was to identify the gap in the literature for their study; however, very few adopted higher order strategies like counter-claiming arguments or continuing a tradition. Move 3 was the most consistently accomplished move, with students explicitly stating the purpose of the study, research questions, and named the structure of the thesis.

In conclusion, the study shows that Kurdish postgraduate students predominantly operate in line with the CARS model in composing introductions to theses. However, their use of some steps clearly denotes vestiges of local scholarly practice with regard to aspects of research writing conventions that differ internationally, and differences related to their degree of awareness of international research writing importance.

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