STE Research 2 W2 LAS
STE Research 2 W2 LAS
STE Research 2 W2 LAS
Department of Education
Region III
SCHOOLS DIVISION OF ZAMBALES
Zone 6, Iba, Zambales
Tel./Fax No. (047) 602 1391
E-mail Address: [email protected]
website: www.depedzambales.ph
I. Introduction
IMRaD is a handy-dandy way to remember the names and orders of the
major sections of most academic manuscripts. Those sections are: •
Introduction • Materials and Methods• Results • Discussion and Conclusions
This lesson will familiarize you on the IMRaD format. Are you ready to
dive in! Let’s get started.
III. Objectives:
At the end of this learning activity sheet, you are expected to:
ABSTRACT
An Abstract is a mini-version of the paper (Day 1988). The American
National Standards Institute says ‘‘A well prepared abstract enables readers
to identify the basic content of a document quickly and accurately, to
determine its relevance to their interests, and thus to decide whether they
need to read the document in its entirety’’ (ANSI 1979). Therefore, it is
extremely important that the Abstract be written clearly.
The abstract should be definitive rather than descriptive; i.e., it should
give facts rather than say the paper is ‘‘about’’ something. Since an abstract
will usually be read by an average of 100 times more people than will read the
full paper, it should convey the information itself, not just promise it (Luellen
2001). For example, avoid phrases such as ‘‘… are described’’ or ‘‘… will be
presented’’ in an abstract; instead, describe them, present them (except in
Abstracts for conferences or annual meetings, written several months in
advance of the event). As Ratnoff (1981) stated, ‘‘Reading a scientific article
isn’t the same as reading a detective story.’’
Journals have strict limitations on the length of abstracts, usually in
the range of 150–250 words, and written in one paragraph (multiple
paragraphs for review papers). The Abstract should stand on its own, i.e., be
complete in itself. It starts with a statement of rationale and objectives and
reports the methods used, the main results including any newly observed
facts, and the principal conclusions and their significance. If keywords are
not listed separately, the Abstract should contain the keywords by which the
paper should be indexed. Because the Abstract is a short version of the full
paper, it contains a mixture of tenses representing the tense used in reporting
the respective sections of the paper. Thus, in the Abstract, statements
referring to the rationale and introduction, interpretation of results, and
conclusions are in present tenses, whereas materials and methods and
results are in past tense.
The Abstract should not contain:
• Abbreviations or acronyms unless they are standard or explained
• References to tables or figures in the paper • Literature citations
• Any information or conclusion not in the paper itself
• General statements
• Complex, winding, verbose sentences.
Furthermore, in order to facilitate smooth reading, excessive
quantitative data with statistical details and long strings of plant names
should be avoided in the Abstract. Experienced writers prepare or fine-tune
their title and Abstract after the rest of the paper is written.
A. INTRODUCTION
A good introduction is relatively short. It tells why the reader should
find the paper interesting, explains why the author carried out the research,
and gives the background the reader needs to understand and judge the
paper.
Specifically, the Introduction defines the nature and extent of the
problems studied, relates the research to previous work (usually by a brief
review of the literature clearly relevant to the problem), explains the objectives
of investigation, and defines any specialized terms or abbreviations to be used
in what follows. Remember that the Introduction leads logically to, and clearly
states, the hypothesis or principal theme of the paper.
The Introduction should be relatively brief; most journals recommend
less than 500 words. Avoid repetition: do not repeat the Abstract in the
Introduction (and Introduction in the Discussion). Do not go into an extensive
literature review; two to four most relevant and recent citations should be
adequate to corroborate a statement. Do not repeat well-known facts nor state
the obvious. For example, it is disappointing that even now, i.e., after more
than 30 years of concerted efforts in scientific agroforestry and a large volume
of literature in the subject, some manuscripts—and, interestingly, some
editors—insist on providing a definition of agroforestry in any article on that
subject! The Introduction section also may use different tenses: justification
and motivation of the study is presented in present tense (‘‘Soils store
relatively large amounts of carbon in terrestrial ecosystems.’’), whereas the
review of literature is presented in past tense (‘‘Studies showed that …’’), or in
present perfect tense if it is common knowledge (‘‘Studies have shown that
…’’). The objective is written in past tense (‘‘The objective of the current study
was …’’). Different journals follow different norms and styles. Some want
discussion of literature in the Introduction while some want it in the
Discussion section. Some journals require a brief account of the Materials
and Methods to be included in the Introduction section, and some may want
even the important conclusions presented in the Introduction section,
although that tendency is now disappearing.
D. DISCUSSION
This is the section where the authors explain meanings and
implications of the results. The section pulls everything together and shows
the importance and value of the work and is therefore the most innovative
and difficult part of the paper to write. The authors’ skill in interpreting the
results in the light of known facts and using the results as evidence for
innovative explanations of the observed behavior should push the frontiers of
knowledge and arouse the readers’ enthusiasm. Without such an engaging
discussion, the reader may leave saying ‘‘So what?’’ and move on to other,
more interesting papers.
A good discussion should:
• Not repeat what has already been said in the review of literature
• Relate the results to the questions that were set out in the
Introduction
• Show how the results and interpretations agree, or do not agree,
with current knowledge on the subject, i.e., previously published work
• Explain the theoretical background of the observed results
• Indicate the significance of the results • Suggest future research that
is planned or needed to follow up
• Deal with only the results reported in the study
• Stay away from generalizations and conjectures that are not
substantiated by the results presented • State conclusions with
evidence for each.
The Discussion section is written in both present and past tenses.
Current knowledge (from literature) is stated in present tense, whereas the
work being reported and discussed in the paper (your own work) is presented
in past tense; e.g., ‘‘Treatment A was better than Treatment B, which suggests
that ….’’
Mismatch between stated objectives and discussion/conclusion is a
very common problem in many manuscripts. Analytical insight is what we
should strive for in the Discussion section, but unfortunately, it is difficult to
describe how to accomplish that. Lack of such insight is evident when authors
simply state—often repeat—the results, and make superficial statements
such as ‘‘this work agrees with the work of author X (some unknown author’s
work, published several years earlier)’’ as though the objective of research was
to see if the results agreed with some other author’s (obscure) work published
20 or more years earlier.
Another common problem in Discussion sections is the tendency to
move away from the stated objectives and try to ‘‘solve all problems.’’
Admittedly, agroforestry and natural resource management researchers are
often under pressure from funding agencies and administrators to produce
fast and easy results and technologies for immediate dissemination. Authors
therefore tend to ‘‘please’’ the authorities by indulging in pedantic discussion
and conclusions that do not emanate logically nor are substantiated by the
results presented. For example, if the title suggests that the study is on insect
populations in a mixed-plant system, the paper should focus on that, not on,
say, reporting and discussing yield of crops and 2.8 Discussion 21 elucidating
how adopting such a practice can reduce deforestation. Some amount of
speculative discussion, however, is in order to elicit excitement and motivate
future research. The line between ‘‘optimum’’ and ‘‘excess’’ is often faint; the
scientist has to do some balancing to separate rote from reasoning (Nair
2005).
V. Activities
ACTIVITY 1
Familiarity Blast! Let’s Get To Know IMRaD
(Introduction, Methods, Results and Discussion and Abstract)
Direction: The following are the functions and descriptions of IMRaD format.
Identify what is being describe in the sentences provided below.
1. I describe the study location and design the experiment with number of
replications and sampling procedures used.
Who am I?________________________________________________________________
Let’s see how well do you know me. Give a brief description about me.
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
2. I define the nature and extent of the problem studied, relate the research
to previous work, explain the objectives of investigations and defines any
specialize terms. I lead logically and clearly state the hypothesis.
Who am I?________________________________________________________________
Let’s see how well do you know me. Give a brief description about me.
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
3. I include only tables and figures that are necessary clear and worth
reproducing.
Who am I?________________________________________________________________
Let’s see how well do you know me. Give a brief description about me.
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
4. I start with a statement of rationale and objectives and reports the method
used, the main results including the newly observed facts and the principal
conclusion and their significance.
Who am I?________________________________________________________________
Let’s see how well do you know me. Give a brief description about me.
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
5. I show how the results and interpretations agree or do not agree with
current knowledge on the subject being investigated.
Who am I?________________________________________________________________
Let’s see how well do you know me. Give a brief description about me.
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
ACTIVITY 2
IMRaD Outline:
Put me where I belong!
DIRECTION: Below are the descriptions and the outline of the different
function of the IMRaD format. Identify each function and write it in the box
containing the parts of IMRaD.
IMRAD OUTLINE
INTRODUCTION METHODS RESULTS DISCUSSION
ACTIVITY 3
The Sentences Sound Familiar!
TITLE:
INTRODUCTION
METHODS
Activity 5
Re-writing my Research Paper ( Continuation)
Direction: Now its your turn. Format your previous research paper on your
Research 1 using IMRaD.
TITLE:
_______1. Tables and figures are an integral part of a well-written scientific paper
and they appear in the discussion section.
_______2. Results presents the new knowledge; therefore it is the core of the
paper.
_______3. In methods every steps is explained including the number of
replications.
_______4. Introduction defines any specialized terms and abbreviations to be
used.
_______5. The discussion section states the specific objectives of the work.
_______6. In methods , it reviews relevant literature, including properly
formatted citations.
_______7. Discussion state conclusion with evidence of each.
_______8. A good discussion relate the results to the questions that were set out
in the introduction.
_______9. In writing the result, avoid verbose expressions: e.g., instead of saying
“it is clearly shown in Table 2 that the presence of tree canopy reduced light
transmission to ground …” say “ Light transmission to ground was reduced by
the presence of tree canopy ( Table 2)
_______10. Methods followed should be described usually in chronological order
with as much precision and detail as necessary.
B. Multiple choice: Direction: Read the test items carefully and encircle the
letter of the correct answer.
________11. This section should provide all the information needed to allow
another researcher to repeat the experiment.
a. Introduction b. methods c. results d. discussion
________12. The following are found in the writing of methods EXCEPT
a. Location b. design of the experiment c. materials d. problem
________13. All of the following shows a good discussion EXCEPT
a. Suggest future research that is planned or needed to follow up.
b. Deal with other results not reported in the study
c. Show how the results and interpretations agree or do not agree, with the
current knowledge on the subject.
d. Not repeat what has already been said in the review of literature.
_______14. The __________for the report comes at the beginning of the paper, but
you should write it after you have drafted the full report.
a. Introduction b. methods c. abstract d. discussion
_________15. In this section, you summarize your main findings, comment on
those findings and connect them to other research.
b. Introduction b. methods c. results d. discussion
VII. REFLECTION
5 point Rubric
Good 4
Writes fairly clear. Good grammar mechanics.
Good presentation and organization.
Sufficient effort and detail.
Activity 1
1. Methods
2. Introduction
3. Results
4. Abstract
5. Discussion
Activity 2
IMRAD OUTLINE
INTRODUCTION METHODS RESULTS DISCUSSION
Describe your Describe what you Explain the
Provide research methods for found out from your significance of your
question gathering research findings
information
Explain the Develop each point Describe how they
significance of the Explain your thoroughly, as this support your thesis
study sources of is the main section
information, both of your research Discuss limitations
Review of primary and paper of your research
background or secondary
known information
on your topic
Activity 3 ASSESSMENT
PART A: 1. F
A – INTRODUCTION 2. IMRAD
C – RESULTS 3. IMRAD
D – DISCUSSION 4. IMRAD
B – METHODS 5. F
PART B. 6. F
1. INTRODUCTION 7. IMRAD
2. METHODS 8. IMRAD
3. RESULT 9. IMRAD
4. DISCUSSION 10. IMRAD
5. RESULT PART B.
Activity 4 and 5 11.B 12.D 13. B 14. C 15. D
With Rubrics
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