IMRAD Research Format Overview

IMRAD Research Format

• IMRAD is an acronym for Introduction, Methods, Results, and Discussion.
• Appendices typically include references (using APA style), communications, questionnaires, modules, interview guides, and informed consent forms.

Introduction

• Background of the Study: Includes the problem, focus, or issue being studied; a rationale for the topic; and supporting quotes from literature. A background without citations is merely an opinion essay.
• Objectives: Define the study's focus and what will be achieved—closely related to the problem statement.
• Review of Related Literature: Includes literature, research, and articles relevant to the topic. Should include at least 4 sources. Relevance to the study is crucial.
• Framework of the Study (Conceptual or Theoretical Framework): This is the core of the research. Choose between a concept or a theory. Concepts are abstract ideas while theories are long-standing philosophies or principles from experts. Show a paradigm for quantitative research and a schematic diagram for qualitative research.
• Statement of the Problem/Research Questions: Quantitative studies use a statement of the problem, highlighting variables. Qualitative studies use open-ended research questions. Both should relate to the research objectives.
• Significance of the Study: Identifies the beneficiaries (people or organizations) and the benefits they will receive, ranked from greatest to least benefit.
• Definition of Terms: Defines key terms used in the study, including operational definitions ("how" the term is used). May combine both lexical and operational definitions.

Methods

• Research Design: Describe the overall design used (quantitative, qualitative, or mixed methods). Detail the major approach and specify the design in the study (e.g., correlational for quantitative, phenomenological for qualitative).
• Research Locale: Describe the location of the study. Explain why that locale was selected for the study (optional). Include a location map if desired.
• Research Respondents/Participants: Identify the participants or respondents (who will answer questionnaires/questions) and the rationale for selecting them. Specify the sampling technique used. Quantitative research uses respondents; qualitative research uses participants.
• Data Collection Procedure: Describe the data collection process. Mention any protocols or permissions needed from authorities.
• Research Instruments: Describe the specific instruments used (questionnaires or interview guides). State whether they are researcher-made or standardized.
• Statistical Tools/Data Analysis: For quantitative research, specify the statistical tools used to analyze data. For qualitative research, explain the analysis methods used (content analysis is a frequent choice).
• Ethical Considerations: Qualitative research should address ethical concerns, including obtaining letter of endorsement from authorities. Participants must be informed and provided with confidentiality/anonymity. Researchers must give feedback about results.

Results and Discussion

• Results: Present the results based on gathered data. Use graphs and tables to visually present data, if appropriate.
• Discussion: Analyze results in relation to other research findings and theoretical frameworks. Draw conclusions and implications.
• Recommendations: Offer insightful recommendations based on identified lapses/areas for improvement found in the results of the study.