Research Paper Structure

Research Concepts

• Plagiarism is the appropriation of another person's ideas, processes, results, or words without giving appropriate credit.
• A reference list contains the details of all sources cited in the text.
• A summary of findings describes the problem, research design, and the findings.

Research Methods

• Quantitative research produces numerical data, which is analyzed using mathematical and statistical methods.
• Qualitative research involves words, language, pictures, or photographs, and seeks to answer questions about why and how people behave in a certain way.

Technical Writing

• Technical writing often contains words used in specific ways in different disciplines.
• Technical definition is the process of assigning a precise meaning to a term.

Definition Types

• Operational definition uses a specific meaning of a word or phrase given to it by a group of people who use the word in their specific context.
• Parenthetical definition defines a word by showing a synonym or alternative phrase in parentheses.
• Defining phrase uses a term as it is used by the profession.
• Formal sentence definition starts with the word or phrase, states the class, and the distinguishing characteristics that make it different from other members of its class.
• Extended definition is the longest, offering the freedom to provide insight into the origin of the term, additional meanings, synonyms, and antonyms, and more.

Definition Components

• Denotation is the most basic meaning of a term, usually the first meaning in a dictionary entry.
• Connotation is the most familiar meaning of a term to a user.
• Synonym is another word or phrase that has the same or almost the same meaning.
• Antonym is another word or phrase that has the opposite meaning.
• Description is a longer, more detailed description than is provided by a single formal sentence.
• Contrast is a discussion of the term as it compares to a term that has a different meaning.

Research Components

• An abstract summarizes all sections and helps readers decide whether or not to read the entire report.
• An introduction presents background information, scope, and focus of the research paper.
• Data is factual information used as a basis for reasoning, discussion, or calculation.
• Theory is a general explanation about a specific behavior or set of events that is based on known principles and serves to organize related events in a meaningful way.
• Conclusion provides the summary of the research and answers to the general and specific sub-problems.
• Discussion evaluates the results of the study or research.
• Literature review provides a review of what others have written or researched on concerning the topic.
• Conceptual framework offers a logical structure of connected concepts that help provide a picture or visual display of how ideas in a study relate to one another within the theoretical framework.
• Research design is the game plan or method for finding out what you want to know.
• Methodology is a systematic approach to the conduct of an operation or process, including steps of procedure, application of techniques, systems of reasoning or analysis, and the modes of inquiry employed by a discipline.

Test your knowledge of the essential components of a research paper, including the abstract, introduction, and data sections. Learn how to effectively communicate research findings and persuade readers.