Writing an Education Research Paper : Research Paper Sections

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.