Research Paper Structure

Study Notes

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.

Description

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.