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Writing an Educational Research Paper

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Customary Parts of an Education Research Paper
There is no one right style or manner for writing an education paper. Content aside, the writing style and
presentation of papers in different educational fields vary greatly. Nevertheless, certain parts are common
to most papers, for example:
Title/Cover Page
Contains the paper's title, the author's name, address, phone number, e-mail, and the day's date.

Abstract
Not every education paper requires an abstract. However, for longer, more complex papers abstracts are
particularly useful. Often only 100 to 300 words, the abstract generally provides a broad overview and is
never more than a page. It describes the essence, the main theme of the paper. It includes the research
question posed, its significance, the methodology, and the main results or findings. Footnotes or cited
works are never listed in an abstract. Remember to take great care in composing the abstract. It's the first
part of the paper the instructor reads. It must impress with a strong content, good style, and general
aesthetic appeal. Never write it hastily or carelessly.
 
Introduction and Statement of the Problem
A good introduction states the main research problem and thesis argument. What precisely are you
studying and why is it important? How original is it? Will it fill a gap in other studies? Never provide a
lengthy justification for your topic before it has been explicitly stated.
 
Limitations of Study
Indicate as soon as possible what you intend to do, and what you are not going to attempt. You may limit
the scope of your paper by any number of factors, for example, time, personnel, gender, age, geographic
location, nationality, and so on.
 
Methodology
Discuss your research methodology. Did you employ qualitative or quantitative research methods? Did you
administer a questionnaire or interview people? Any field research conducted? How did you collect data?
Did you utilize other libraries or archives? And so on.

Literature Review
The research process uncovers what other writers have written about your topic. Your education paper
should include a discussion or review of what is known about the subject and how that knowledge was
acquired. Once you provide the general and specific context of the existing knowledge, then you yourself
can build on others' research. The guide Writing a Literature Review will be helpful here.
 
Main Body of Paper/Argument
This is generally the longest part of the paper. It's where the author supports the thesis and builds the
argument. It contains most of the citations and analysis. This section should focus on a rational
development of the thesis with clear reasoning and solid argumentation at all points. A clear focus,
avoiding meaningless digressions, provides the essential unity that characterizes a strong education paper.
Conclusion
After spending a great deal of time and energy introducing and arguing the points in the main body of the
paper, the conclusion brings everything together and underscores what it all means. A stimulating and
informative conclusion leaves the reader informed and well-satisfied. A conclusion that makes sense, when
read independently from the rest of the paper, will win praise.
Works Cited/Bibliography
See the Bibliography section.
Appendices
Education research papers often contain one or more appendices. An appendix contains material that is
 appropriate for enlarging the reader's understanding, but that does not fit very well into the main body of
the paper. Such material might include tables, charts, summaries, questionnaires, interview questions,
lengthy statistics, maps, pictures, photographs, lists of terms, glossaries, survey instruments, letters,
copies of historical documents, and many other types of supplementary material. A paper may have
several appendices. They are usually placed after the main body of the paper but before the bibliography
or works cited section. They are usually designated by such headings as Appendix A, Appendix B, and so
on.

 Last Updated: Oct 27, 2020 4:53 PM

 Subjects: Education
 Tags: education, education_paper, education_research_paper

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