Research papers are organised into different sections. Each section of the research paper must be organised as per the academic guidelines. It does not matter whether you are writing a paper at the bachelors or Masters level you will have to organise your paper accordingly. The organisation of the research paper gives a proper structure and consistency to the entire paper. If you are confused about how to structure your research paper, then you have come to the right place because we will guide you on how to structure it properly.
What are the different components of a research paper?
The structure of a research paper encompasses the following sections:
- Title Page
- Abstract
- Introduction
- Research Methods
- Results
- Discussion
- References
Title Page
The title page of a research paper is the first page which informs the reader about the topic and who wrote it. It provides information about the author(s), such as full name and organisational associations (if any). The title of your topic must be concise yet comprehensive enough to inform the reader broadly about your research. It should not be too brief or too broad because otherwise, it will fail to capture the reader’s attention. So, writing a catchy title that conveys the gist of your research to the readers and compels them to read further is imperative.
Abstract
Abstract in a research paper provides the synopsis of your research to the reader. An abstract is a concise summary of your research that provides the key information to the reader. It includes the research problem, aims and objectives, a brief overview of the research methodology, findings, and recommendations. However, it is imperative to write a precise abstract because it must not exceed 300 words. An abstract is usually between 250-300 words. The abstract is like a trailer which provides an overview of the key parts of the research so that the reader can determine whether it is relatable and worth reading. It is preferable to write the abstract once you are done with your research because then you will have a clear idea about the key contents of your research. However, as per the research paper structure, it comes right after the title page.
Introduction
The introduction of the research paper comes right after the abstract page. The introduction section sets the tone and direction of the research. It informs the readers about the topic by providing them with background information, research problem, questions, aims and objectives, significance, and scope of the research. The introduction section must be written in a manner that seeks to capture the reader’s attention. It must provide background information to develop the context of the research. Research problem follows the background information and informs the reader about the central idea of your research.
A research problem is basically the gap you identified in the literature, and it informs the reader what were the gaps, why discussing the problem is important and how your research will fill those gaps. A research problem must be strong and coherent; it should not be vague because otherwise, it gives an impression to the readers that you are not sure of what you are doing. Afterwards, you shift towards writing the research questions, which are short, precise, and straightforward interrogative statements. These research questions basically seek to address the research problem through data collection and analysis. Therefore, the research questions must be a logical extension of the research problem.
Once you are done with writing the research questions, you must write down the aims and objectives of the research. The research aims and objectives inform the readers about the steps you will take to address the research problem. Afterwards, you must inform the reader about the significance and scope of the research. You must justify the rationale of the research in an articulate manner and identify the research limitations. A thorough introduction that touches on key aspects of the research is essential for writing an impressive research paper. Ensure that you include the key ideas in the introduction because later on, you will expand the key points in the main body.
Research Methods
Research methods section in the research paper is the main pillar of the research structure. It informs the readers about the research design, underlying research philosophy and overall steps and measures you took to collect and analyse data. Research methods section includes information about the research type; qualitative or quantitative. It also informs the readers about the sampling strategies and why they were employed. Moreover, you must inform the readers about the sample size, data collection and analysis tools. The important thing to remember is you just do not have to describe the methods; instead, you must justify the choice of research methods. You must justify the significance of the chosen research method in light of previous studies. Also, it is imperative to explain how your research method differs or is similar to the previous studies in your field.
Results
In the results section, you must write down the results of your study. Results section in a research paper informs the readers about the results acquired through data collection. It does not entail analysis but an objective account of the research results. However, if the research results are lengthy, which is usually the case in longer research papers, you can only provide information about the important results, and the remaining can be included in the appendix section.
Discussion
Discussion section entails analysis and justifying the significance of your findings within the broader literature and how the results filled the existing gaps. You must compare and contrast your findings with those of previous studies and provide a balanced account. It is imperative to provide counterarguments and highlight the significance of your research findings and their ability to fill the existing gaps. Though writing a discussion entail applying reasoning skills and developing coherent arguments to defend your position, if you need any help writing an analytical discussion chapter, you can always take help from expert writers at Research Proposal Help.
References
The references section of a research paper entails the list of references of sources which you used in the research. It must provide the list of all references in alphabetical order and as per the academic guidelines.
Conclusion
Research paper structure entails logically organising each section to maintain consistency throughout the research. You can refer to the above-mentioned guidelines for building a strong structure for your research.
