The Research Paper Format

The outline for a research paper is fairly straightforward. You will want the layout of a
research paper such that the parts of it follow this structure.
Title page
Approval Sheet
Dedication
Abstract
Acknowledgements
Table of Contents
Chapter I
Introduction/Background of the Study
Statement of the Problem
Definitions of terms
Significance of the Study
Scope and Delimitation
Conceptual Framework
Research Paradigm
Chapter II
Review of Related Literature
Foreign/Local Studies
Chapter III
RESEARCH methodology
Research Design
Research Subject
Research Instrument and Its Validation
Research Procedure
Statistical Treatment of Data
Chapter IV
Presentation, Analysis and Interpretation of Data
Chapter V
Summary, Conclusion/Recommendation
References/ Bibliography
Appendices (if required)
Letter to the Respondents/ Conduct of the Study
Curriculum Vitae

When creating your outline, start with each of the above sections and write in point-
form the major points you will be covering in each of them. It provides an excellent
description of how to outline a paper. Now, let’s talk about each of these sections in detail.

TITLE PAGE
We have already talked about coming up with a great title. This is where you include that
unique and informative title, as well as a subtitle (if using one), the author’s full name,
submission statement, and the date.

ABSTRACT

An abstract is more than a simple summary of a paper. It should present the most
important data and findings, providing the reader with a solid understanding of the
information presented in the paper. Even though this is where the abstract is placed in
terms of the order of the paper, it is usually written after the paper is finished. When
writing an abstract, keep the following in mind:

It should be a concise paragraph of no more than 250 words.

It should be able to stand alone and provide information about the paper without the
reader having to refer to the paper (abstracts are usually read independently of the
paper), including the methods, primary results, and conclusion.
It should correctly reflect all information reported in the paper.
It is to be written in past-tense.
Do not use acronyms, trade names, symbols, or abbreviations that require explanation, as
there is insufficient room.
It provides a great explanation of what an abstract is and how to write one.

RESEARCH TITLE

It summarizes the main idea of the study. A good title contains the fewest possible words
that adequately describe the contents and/or purpose of the research paper. It is read the
most, and is usually read first. Variables of the quantitative research are usually contained
in the research title. A maximum of 14 words (exclusive of articles) is encouraged in
writing the research title. Research title becomes final after the final defense of the
findings before the panelists. Unless the final defense will be conducted, research title is
still considered working title. It means that any time, research title can be revised any time
to go with the flow of the review of related literature

INTRODUCTION/ BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

This is where you introduce the reader to your paper. It should be a maximum of two
pages in length and you should present your research question and briefly tell the reader
what to expect. In the introduction, you should provide:

The topic of the paper and your purpose for conducting the research Background
information and contextual material for the reader (you can even use a thesis statement
generator for research paper to come up with relevant content) A definition of terms and
concepts if applicable your research plan.

A background of the study includes a review of the topic being researched, current
information surrounding the issue, previous studies on the issue, and relevant history on
the issue. Ideally, the study should effectively set forth the history and background
information on your research problem. It is best used to present contextual or prerequisite
information that is important or essential to understand the main body of your research
paper.

Background of the Study should be written in deductive approach. It should start

from the general knowledge going to the small details of the issue. Explain the main
variables of the study. Connect these variables using review of related literature (RRL).
Do a little touch with the significance of your study?
Last paragraph should be a convincing statement why you need to conduct the study.
Background of the study should be a maximum of 3 pages only
SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

is written as part of the introduction section of the study. It provides details to the readers
on how the study will contribute to the respondents and the community or educational
institution. It will state who will benefit from the findings of the study. It also includes an
explanation of the work’s importance as well as its potential benefits for future researches.

RESEARCH QUESTION

(Statement of the Problem) is the question around which you center your research. It is a
question that a research paper sets out to answer. Specifying the research question is the
first step the researcher has to take when undertaking a research. It helps the
researchers focus their research by providing a path through the research and writing
process.

- is a claim that outlines the problem addressed by a study. A good research problem
should address an existing gap in knowledge in the field and lead further investigation. It
is composed of the general objective and specific objectives of the study (at least 3
specific objectives). General objective of the study determines the research design of the
study. Specific objectives of the study determine the test statistics (statistical tools) to be
used.

SCOPE AND DELIMITATION

The scope of the study explains the extent to which the research area will be explored in
the work and it specifies the parameters within which the study will be operating. The
delimitation of the study is the characteristic that limits the scope and describes the
boundaries of the study. It should explain why specific choices will be made while others
will be excluded and how this might affect the outcome of the research.

DEFINITION OF TERMS

is an important part of a research paper wherein key or important terms such as research
variables, their indicators and other significant terms in the research title are operationally
defined. Operational definition of terms means that definitions are based on how the
terms are used in your study. Definitions should not be taken from dictionary

CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK

is a schematic structure which illustrates the variables and their indicators to be studied It
is a research paradigm which can best explain and represent how the variables might
relate to each other. It is linked with the concepts, empirical researches and important
theories used in promoting and systemizing the knowledge espoused by the researcher. It
serves as a “road map” that will guide the researcher towards realizing the objectives of
the study.

REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

Literature Review or Review of Related Literature (RRL) is a detailed review of existing

writings like scholarly articles, books, journals and other sources related to the topic of
your research. RRL should enumerate, describe, summarize, evaluate and classify
previous research findings relevant to your research problem. Writing the RRL starts from
writing the conceptual framework and background of the study. Research variables are
summarized in the conceptual framework. Research objectives are based from the
conceptual framework of the study. In short, background of the study, conceptual
framework and research questions are based from rigid RRL. Sub-topics of the RRL
should be based from the research variables and their indicators. They should also be
based from the order of the specific objectives of the study. Each paragraph of the RRL
should contain at least one in-text citation which is properly paraphrased. Enumeration is
allowed as long as it should be done in paragraph form. Use American Psychological
Association (APA) style in writing the RRL.

ETHICAL STANDARDS IN WRITING THE LITERATURE REVIEW

Research ethics are standardized rules that guide the design and conduct of research.
The term ethics refers to questions of right or wrong. They provide guidelines for the
responsible conduct of research. In addition, they educate and monitors researchers to
ensure a high ethical standard. They promote the aim of research, such as expanding
knowledge. They support the values required for collaborative work, such as mutual
respect and fairness. In writing the literature review, researchers must follow a set of
ethical standards (guidelines).

Following the guidelines ensure credibility, academic honesty, and integrity among
researchers. As you write the literature review, be aware of the following guidelines:

1. Always acknowledge the source of information, whether it is a primary, secondary or

tertiary source of information. Avoid plagiarism which is the act of using another person’s
words or ideas without proper citation. Plagiarism is also an act of assuming authorship of
another’s work.

2. Recognize the ideas, theories, and original conceptualizations of others. People who
have contributed to your topic or helped you shape your topic should be properly
acknowledged.
3. Be critical in the studies you will include in the literature review. Do not underscore a
study that runs contrary to your problem statement.

4. Avoid the data-fraudulent practices like falsification, alteration, misrepresentation,

concealing of findings, biased or subjective language, labeling people or singling out a
group.

5. Avoid research misconduct which includes fabrication, falsification, or plagiarism.

Research misconduct doesn’t include honest error of differences of opinion. It can erode
trust between researchers and funding agencies, which make it more difficult for
colleagues at the same institution to receive grants

MATERIALS AND METHODOLOGY

Here you will provide readers with adequate information, so they understand the topic and
primary research objectives. Specifically, you will present the type of research design,
research methods you have used (quantitative, qualitative, or mixed), sampling, and
participants.
When it comes to materials used, you will describe in detail all supplies and special
equipment you used during your research. However, it is the methodology that will require
your undivided attention. When learning how to write a methodology, you need to keep in
mind that this is a critical part of your paper.
When considering your methodology, you need to determine whether you will:
Use primary research or secondary research
Conduct qualitative or quantitative research
Use representative or convenience sampling
When presenting your methodology, you will:
Present methods chronologically
Provide detailed descriptions of each method used

RESEARCH DESIGN is the blueprint of the research. It is the set of methods and
procedures used in collecting and analyzing measures of the variables specified in the
research problem. It is a framework that has been created to find answers to research
questions.

Example of the Resign Design of the research proposal entitled “COVID-19 Stress and
Resilience of Nurses of Public and Private Hospitals in the Province of Sultan Kudarat

Research Design

This study will employ a descriptive correlational research design that will
determine the relationship between COVID-19 stress and resilience of nurses. It will also
investigate the influence of demographic profile of nurses to the COVID-19 stress they
experience and their resilience. This research design will underlie three premises in
gathering necessary data.

First, information for the COVID-19 stress and resilience of nurses will be collected,
averaged and synthesized. Second, after determining the weighted mean for each main
variable and its indicators, the level to which the variables and indicators’ scores
using the set criteria for each variable will be determined. Third, inferential statistics will
be utilized to determine if there is a significant difference of COVID-19 stress and
resilience of nurses when grouped according to their demographic profile and finally to
examine the relationship of the COVID-19 stress on the resilience of nurses.

Common Types of Quantitative Research Design

1. Descriptive Research Design

2. Comparative Research Design
3. Correlational Research Design
4. Descriptive Correlational Research Design
5. Comparative Correlational Research Design
6. Experimental Research Design
7. Quasi-Experimental Research Design

RESEARCH DESIGNS and STATISTICAL TOOLS can be determined using the

research objectives or statement of the problem (SOP). If you cannot determine what
statistical tool is applicable in each research objective, that research objective or SOP is
not well constructed.

Research objectives or statement of the problem (SOP) must be SMART.

The two most commonly conducted research for senior high school students are

Descriptive Research and Correlational Research.

DESCRIPTIVE RESEARCH

is used to describe characteristics of a population or phenomenon being studied. It

focuses on answering the “what” question, rather than getting the answers about
how/when/why the characteristics occurred. It is the most widely-used research as
indicated by the theses, dissertations and research reports of educational institutions. Its
common means of obtaining data include the use of questionnaire, personal interviews
with the aid of study guide or interview schedule, and observation, either participatory or
not. Descriptive research has only independent variable/s. It doesn’t have dependent
variable.

RESULTS
This is where you present all of the data you gathered, including all analyses, statistics,
graphs, tables, and figures. Everything should be presented in an objective manner and
will be referred to in the discussion when you present the interpretation of the data. Refer
to the following when you present your results:
Present them in a logical order
Label figures as “Figure 1,” “Figure 2,” etc.
Number all tables
Present all information once
Do not present raw data or intermediate calculations in your paper (this can be included in
the appendices)
Describe each result independently and present the most significant aspects of them, but
do not offer explanations in this section

Keep it SMART (Specific, measurable, attainable, realistic and time-bound)

DISCUSSION
This is where you discuss the results you presented in the previous section. You will want
to support your results and discuss your findings. When writing your discussion,
remember the following:
Present a summary of the work that has been done
Use present tense when referring to facts and principles that are commonly accepted and
past tense when referring to work conducted by other researchers
Be sure to provide sufficient detail when presenting data
Discuss whether or not each hypothesis is supported, rejected, or if you are uncertain
Put your focus on the mechanism in order to explain your observations
Present alternative explanations if there are any
Discuss any potential error in your work and describe any mistakes you made and how
you could have avoided them or corrected for them
CONCLUSION
This is the paragraph with which you wrap things up. Here, you present a summary of
what you presented throughout the paper. No new information should be included in the
conclusion. In your conclusion, do the following:
Repeat your topic/research question
Restate the reason your research is important
Restate your thesis statement/hypothesis
Provide a brief summary of key findings
Explain how your findings can be employed
Present options for further research
When it comes to writing your conclusion, there are also some common errors you should
be aware of and from which you should stay away. These include:
This is not the time to throw in a twist. You want your conclusion to be logical and
predictable. It should reiterate what you have already presented and you should avoid
including new information or changing your argument with regards to your research
question.
Don’t use cliché phrases, such as ‘In conclusion’, ‘To sum it up’ or ‘In summary.’
You aren’t merely providing a summary. You want to put some emphasis on your primary
findings and how these can be used in your field of study.
There is no need to sound apologetic. Act like the expert you are and present your
conclusion with the air of a professional, someone who has done the research and has
come to appropriate conclusions.
BIBLIOGRAPHY/REFERENCES
This where you present a list of sources you used for your paper. When providing your
references, do the following:
Document all sources properly.
Use the required/requested citation style (such as APA, MLA, and Chicago).
Ensure all sources are listed in alphabetical order.
If you did not need to consult other works when writing your paper, then state “No
references were consulted.”
APPENDICES
The inclusion of an appendix is optional, but it can serve as a valuable addition to a
research paper. Essentially, the appendices are where you can include material that will
help the reader visualize your findings and increase their knowledge of the topic. This is
particularly the case when it comes to people working specifically in your field.
Appendices include:
List of tables
List of figures
Raw data, such as surveys, transcripts, and interviews
You can refer to the appendices in the discussion.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
There are always people who help you write your research paper. You might have a
professor, tutor, librarian, grad student, or someone else who was instrumental in helping
you complete your research and write your paper. Be sure to thank each person
individually.