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Elements of A Research Paper

The document outlines the key elements of a research paper including an introduction stating the problem and topic, a literature review, developing hypotheses, describing methods, presenting findings, discussing results, and concluding. It provides guidance on each section and recommends documenting all facts, being careful of generalizations, and striving for value-free inquiry.

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Rizalde Bala Rivera
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47 views2 pages

Elements of A Research Paper

The document outlines the key elements of a research paper including an introduction stating the problem and topic, a literature review, developing hypotheses, describing methods, presenting findings, discussing results, and concluding. It provides guidance on each section and recommends documenting all facts, being careful of generalizations, and striving for value-free inquiry.

Uploaded by

Rizalde Bala Rivera
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Elements of a Research Paper

Set the stage; state the problem (introduction)


 Topic:
generally describe the topic and how it fits into your field of study
 Introduce and describe the problem
Describe what you intend to show/argue and why
What is its significance?
Illustrate the problem with an interesting example
(Remember you are writing for an audience and want to capture their interest)
 Begin to define terms, concepts, vocabulary
If possible, use one authoritative source or combine definitions and footnote your sources
Later in the development of your paper, be conscious of using new terms and their
definitions
 Since tasks begun well, likely have good finishes (Sophocles)
Review the topic, scene, and problem with your teacher or supervisor to verify if you are on
the right path

Review the Literature


What research is relevant?
How is it organized?

Develop your Hypotheses


Your hypothesis is your proposed explanation that you will test to determine whether it is true or
false
It will contain measurable variables (those that change or can be manipulated)
with results that can be compared with each other.
Avoid over-generalizing, and reference the research findings of others to support why you think
this will work.

Methods
Give enough information so that others can follow your procedure,
and can replicate it (and hopefully come up with the same findings and conclusions as you did!)
 Describe your procedure as completely as possible so that someone can duplicate it
completely
 Define your sample and its characteristics
These should be consistent throughout the test
 List the variables used
These are what change, or that you manipulate, throughout the test
 Try to anticipate criticism that affects either your internal or external validity
These might be considered "flaws"
Findings
This is descriptive and numeric data

Discussion
Develop your argument based upon your findings.
While the data may read for itself, you will need to interpret
 how it validates your hypothesis
 what falls outside of validity
 how it impacts the literature you cited
 where further research is needed

Conclusion
Restate and summarize your findings and discussion either in order to simply complexity or to
provide a summary for those who skip to it!

Recommendations:
A research paper is not an essay, an editorial, or a story.
All assertions of fact must be documented.
Be careful of any generalizations that you make.
Strive to be value-free in your inquiry.

References
Verify with your teacher the proper format

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