Research Paper Formats and Components

• Scientific research involves methodical study to prove a hypothesis or answer a question.
• The central goal of any research process is finding an answer.

Comparison of Styles

• Conventional Thesis Format includes:
  • Introduction
  • Review of related literature and studies
  • Methodology
  • Presentation, analysis, and interpretation of data
  • Summary of findings, conclusion, and recommendations.
• IMRaDC Format includes:
  • Introduction
  • Methods
  • Results
  • Discussion
  • Conclusion

Title Page

• A title page includes the following: title, category, researchers' names, research advisor, and date.

Abstract

• An abstract summarizes the entire paper.
• It contains research aims and objectives.
• Includes a short description of the results in simple past tense.
• Should be concise.
• It is not a copied format of the paper parts.
• It should consist of 25% introduction, 25% methods, 35% results, and 15% discussion.
• The abstract has a maximum of 250 words.
• Can have a maximum of 15 keywords at the bottom.
• An abstract example included the use of Stevia leaves for the absorption of heavy metals in water using Superparamagnetic Iron Oxide Nanoparticles (SPIONs).
• Using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Energy Dispersive X-ray (EDX), the characteristics of SPIONs were examined.
• 5g of SPIONs and activated carbon were used in water samples to assess adsorption capacity.
• Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry (AAS) was used to analyze heavy metal concentrations.
• SPIONs adsorbed Nickel, Zinc, and Copper with respective rates of 85.42%, 77.20%, and 73.02%.
• Commercial activated carbon adsorbed these metals at respective rates of 50.24%, 45.38%, and 46.77%.

Introduction

• Outlines the aims and objectives of the study.
• Should explain what problem was researched
• Should convince why the research study is necessary.
• Should include a brief description of how the project addresses an issue, concern, or problem.
• Other parts or elements can be included as subtitles/subheadings to organize the section of the introduction.
• The elements of introduction are:
  • Statement of the problem (SOP)/Objective of the Study
  • Hypothesis
  • Theoretical Framework of the Study
  • Conceptual Framework of the Variables
  • Significance of the Study
  • Scope and Limitations

Statement of the Problem

• A study examined the effect of green synthesized SPIONs from Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni leaves for the nanoremediation of heavy metals such as nickel, zinc, and copper in water.
• The study addressed the following questions:
  • What are the characteristics of SPIONs synthesized from Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni leaves in terms of size, shape, and elemental composition?
  • How many percent of the metal were adsorbed using SPIONs synthesized from Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni leaves and commercial activated carbon?
  • Is there a significant difference between the mean value of the pre-test and post-test results of the tested water samples before and after using the SPIONs synthesized fromStevia rebaudiana Bertoni leaves and commercial activated carbon?

Hypothesis

• A hypothesis is a proposition or an assumption stating what is to be resolved.
• The types of hypotheses are:
  • Null (Ho): Stated in the negative form.
  • Alternative (Ha): Stated in the affirmative form.
• In the recent format, only the NULL HYPOTHESIS is included in the paper.
• An example of a Null hypothesis is: There is no significant difference between the mean value of the pre-test and post-test results of the tested water samples before and after using the SPIONs synthesized from Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni leaves and commercial activated carbon in terms of the content of heavy metals.
  • The analyzed heavy metals include Nickel, Zinc, and Copper.

Framework

• A theoretical framework is like the building materials and tools used to bring your blueprint to life.
• Involves specific theories, models, and research methods to analyze and interpret data.
• A conceptual framework is the blueprint or the big picture idea that guides your whole project.
• A conceptual framework involves understanding general concepts and ideas you are exploring.

Conceptual Framework Variables

• Independent variable: What you change or manipulate in your study (e.g., studying time).
• Dependent variable: What you measure or observe (e.g., exam scores).
• Moderating variable: A third variable that affects the relationship between the first two (e.g., learning style).
• Moderating variables do the following:
  • Strengthen or weaken the relationship by making the connection between the independent and dependent variables stronger or weaker.
  • Change the direction of the relationship by flipping the direction of the relationship. For example, if stress is a moderator, the relationship between studying and getting high exam scores can be altered so that more studying leads to lower exam scores.
• Independent variable (IV): The variable you manipulate or change in the study.
• Mediating variable (MV): The variable that explains the "why" or "how" of the relationship between the IV and the dependent variable (DV).
  • This is pathway or mechanism that connects them.
• Dependent variable (DV): The variable you measure or observe to see the effect of the IV.
• An example of mediatiing variables includes:
  • IV: Exercise (more exercise)
  • MV: Increased energy levels
  • DV: Improved academic performance
  • Exercise leads to increased energy levels (IV -> MV).
  • Increased energy levels lead to better focus and motivation in school (MV -> DV).
  • Thus, exercise indirectly affects academic performance through the mediating variable of energy levels.
• An example framework illustrates the conceptual framework of the study where SPIONs synthesized from Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni serves as the independent variable.
• The heavy metal content of the synthetic water sample serves as the dependent variable.
• The IV affects the DV by reducing Nickel, Zinc, and Copper by using synthesized SPIONs.

Significance of the Study

• Explains why your study matters and how it contributes to existing knowledge or field.
• A study is beneficial as it relates to the following:
  • Aquatic Ecosystem by aiding heavy metals contamination, and maintaining overall health.
  • Health because the exposure to heavy metals can bring detrimental effects on health ranging from acute to long-term problems.

Scope and Limitations

• Defines the boundaries of your study, specifying what you will and will not investigate.
• Helps readers interpret your findings with caution and understand their applicability beyond your specific study.
• A study focused on the capacity of SPIONs synthesized from Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni leaves to adsorb heavy metals such as nickel, zinc, and copper simulated in a synthetic water sample.
• For the production of SPIONS, only Stevia plant was used for synthesis
• The volume of contaminated water used was fixed at 150 mL and commercial activated carbon was used as the control group.
• Only a laboratory set-up is performed, and not a field test.

Literature Review

• The purpose is to determine what has been already written about a study.
• Throughout the entire research paper, the published researches of other researchers are cited to avoid plagiarism.

Methods

• This is the HEART of the research paper.
• Documents how the research was carried out and the materials that were used.
• First state the research design.
• Use a narrative structure and avoid a recipe style.
• It can be made up of many subheadings.
• Should be arranged in a flow chart or schematic diagram in chronological order.
• Each part of the flow chart can be the title for each subheading.
• Should be written in PAST TENSE.
• Use PASSIVE VOICE of the verb. ("The plants were watered by the researchers." instead of "The researchers watered the plants").
• Each procedure should be supported by literature citations.
• State comprehensively the experimental procedures with samples involved, number of replicates and trials.
• Include materials used with exact technical specifications, quantities, their sources and methods of preparation.

Flow Chart

• A flow chart is a visual way of describing the methodology used in a study.
• An example includes using A. cathartica flower petals to produce a Bio-wax.

Results

• The data is presented and the findings of the research is reported.
• Describe what the researcher found out in the study.
• Present the results simply and clearly in PAST TENSE.
• The number of answers or results should be tallied with the number of the previously formulated specific problems.
• Tables and figures should only be used to illustrate the findings if they are necessary.
• All tables and figures are labelled and numbered separately, with captions above tables and beneath figures.

Discussion

• Only deal with the results reported in the study.
• Evaluate the results and summarize the main findings.
• Indicate the significance of the result.
• Connect these findings to other researches and evaluate whether they support or contradict.
• Literature citation is a MUST.
• Table 2 demonstrates the pre-test results for heavy metal concentration in the water samples. Nickel (Ni) measured to 8.3 mg/L, Zinc (Zn) measured to 9.3 mg/L, and Copper (Cu) measured to 19.2 mg/L.
• Table 3 indicates the heavy metal concentrations in water samples after treatment with both SPIONs and commercial activated carbon.
• The concentration of Nickel after SPION treatment measures to 1.21 mg/L, while commercial activated carbon measures to 4.13 mg/L.
• The concentration of Zinc measures to 2.12 mg/L with SPIONS and 5.08 mg/L with commercial activated carbon.
• The concentration of Copper showed a SPION treatment of 5.18 mg/L, and commercial activated carbon of 10.22 mg/L.
• SPIONs synthesized from Stevia leaves can more effectively reduce and adsorb heavy metal concentrations than commercial activated carbon.

Conclusion

• Briefly recap the main points of your research, reminding the reader of your core contributions.
• Do not repeat everything
• Focus on the most impactful results and insights.
• The conclusion is not just a summary.
• Superparamagnetic Iron Oxide Nanoparticles (SPIONs) can be synthesized from Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni leaves.
• SPIONs from Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni leaves can be synthesized through green synthesis method.
• SPIONs derived from Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni leaves offer a sustainable and effective alternative to commercial activated carbon.
• SPIONs can adsorb significant amount of heavy metals, such as Nickel, Zinc, and Copper, as evidenced by the post-test results of the water samples.
• SPIONs can be used as a heavy metal adsorbent material in treating contaminated water.

Limitation

• To include LIMITATION ON THE RESEARCH DESIGN AND MATERIAL as another subheading to the CONCLUSION part.
• Discuss the flaws of the study.
• Use these flaws as reasons to suggest future research.
• Some recommendations based on the conclusions are:
  • Explore alternative plant or biomass sources for SPIONS synthesis.
  • Expand the range of methods used for the synthesis of SPIONS.
  • Apply SPIONs for remediating heavy metal-contaminated soil.
  • Assess the capability of SPIONs to adsorb diverse heavy metals, dyes, and oil.
  • Increase the number of replicates to enhance the validity and reliability of the results.
  • Utilize SPIONS synthesized from Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni leaves in water purification processes.
  • Identify the potential of the other parts of the Stevia plant for the synthesis of SPIONS.
  • Investigate if the temperature affects the size and shape of the synthesized SPIONS.

Other Parts

• Acknowledge individuals, groups of people, funding agencies, laboratories, and institutions who have helped in the research study.
• Use APA format in bibliographic documentation for references.
• Appendices may include: Certifications, laboratory analysis reports, receipts, images in the experiments, Gantt charts, statistical analyses, liquidation of expenses and curriculum vitae of the researchers.