Research Paper Writing:

An Overview
 Parts of a Research Paper

• Title page
• Abstract
• Introduction
• Method
• Results
• Discussion
• References
 Conducting Research
Where to start?

4 suggestions for deciding on a research idea/question

 Read textbooks and articles with a critical eye and jot
down points that were unclear to you.
 Observe the behavior of others around you.
 Relax: Sometimes ideas come about spontaneously.
 Feel good about your topic! Be motivated and
enthusiastic about what you plan to research.
 Advantages of a
Literature Search

 Answer may already be known.

 Your own research is improved.
 Connects you with others.
 Shows the history of topics.
 Replicates previous work.
 You reap the benefits.
 Your Research Report

 Research is not a linear process!

 Some helpful hints :
 Write Method section first
 Go back and write the Introduction
 Start experiment
 Analyze data and write Results section
 Write Discussion section, revise Introduction
 Make sure entire research paper tells a story.
 Title

Here are examples of 3 common types of titles

 Question: Can PF Correction Increase Profits?
 Summary: Design and Testing of a Small Power
Company
 2-Part: Power System Operation: How to Survive an
Emergency
 Abstract

 The abstract is a short (about 100-500 word) summary

of the entire paper. It should include: goals and
objectives, results, and conclusions. It is usually one
of the last parts of the paper to be written.
 Introduction

 The introduction also has three main purposes. First,

it provides background and motivation for your topic
(usually includes a review of current literature on the
topic). Second, it describes the focus and purpose of
the paper you are writing. Third, it gives an overview
of what is contained in the paper's various sections.
 Introduction

 State research problem.

 Write lit. review examining this problem.
 State the void in the literature.
 Write about your own research question and how
investigating it would add to the literature.
 State your hypothesis non-directional/directional).
 Cite literature that may support your hypothesis.
 Method Section

 This section describes what you did, how you did it,
gives strategies, sample calculations, diagrams and
circuits, and descriptions of equipment. The goal
here is to give the reader sufficient information to be
able to repeat your work if desired. (Of course some
"standard techniques" can be simply referenced).
 Method Section

 Skeleton for the rest of the paper

 3 Subsections
 Participants
 Materials
 Procedure
 Results Section

 This section is where you prove your point with the

data. Give graphs and tables of costs, profits,
whatever your data is. Also give some description or
guide to help the reader recognize your important
points.
 Results Section

 Write results plainly, clearly and objectively.

 Do not make any arguments about what
you’ve found in this section
 Tables and figures: Don’t use redundant
data--Include them only to add/clarify results.
 Discussion Section

 One of the most difficult sections to write

 “leaves you free to examine, interpret and
qualify the results, as well as to draw
inferences from them” (APA Publication
Manual, p. 26)
 Forces you to step back from your data and
look at the big picture
 include limitations of study
 Conclusion

 Here you state what your learned or proved. What are

the "take home messages" or major accomplishments
of this work? You may also describe interesting
observations, new questions, and future work here.
 Citations & References

 Reference List (for journal articles)

 Please refer to notes on how to cite references in
APA format
 Citations (in-text)
 Walker (2000) compared reaction times.
 In 2000, Walker compared reaction times.
 In a recent study of reaction times, Walker (2000)
described the method...Walker also found
 Writing Tips

 Practice good time management.

 Peaceful writing environment
 Save what you write!
 Drafts and revisions
 Check and edit
 Try to enjoy the process!
CHECKLIST FOR EVALUATING A RESEARCH REPORT

Provided by Dr. Blevins

1. The Title
a. Is it clear and concise?
b. Does it promise no more than the study can provide?

INTRODUCTION

2. The Problem
a. Is it clearly stated?
b. Is it properly defined?
c. Is its significance recognized?
d. Are specific questions raised; hypotheses clearly stated?
e. Are assumptions and limitations stated?
f. Are important terms defined?
3. Review of Related Literature
a. Is it adequately covered?
b. Are important findings noted?
c. Is it well organized?
d. Is an effective summary provided?

METHODOLOGY

4. Procedures Used
a. Is the research design described in detail?
b. Is it adequate?
c. Are the samples described?
d. Are relevant variables recognized?
e. Are appropriate controls provided?
f. Are data-gathering instruments appropriate?
g. Are validity and reliability established?
h. Is the statistical treatment appropriate?
RESULTS

5. Data Analysis
a. Is there appropriate use of tables and figures?
b. Is the textual discussion clear and concise?
c. Is the analysis of data relationships logical and perceptive?
d. Is the statistical analysis accurately interpreted?

DISCUSSION/CONCLUSION

6. Summary and Conclusions

a. Is the problem restated?
b. Are the procedures and findings concisely presented?
c. Is the analysis objective?
d. Are the findings and conclusions justified by the data
presented?
 Exercise
Using your G9 research paper, answer the ff. questions.
 What was your topic about? State your hypotheses.
 In order to test your hypotheses, this researcher will
(describe a suitable way to test your ideas: survey,
experiment, model, interview, etc.) ______________.
 Results : (What happened?)
(List your results. You can attach a table, chart or list
of findings.) ______________________________
____________________________________________
 Exercise

 Conclusion:
What was /were your answer/s to your hypotheses? ____
________________________________________

References:
(List three references which you used in your paper
before. Use APA format.)
 References

 http://www.brooklyn.cuny.edu/web/aca_centers_case
gk12/ProfessionalDevelopmentLessonPlans.pdf
 http://www.ece.k-state.edu/~starret/684/paper.html
 http://jan.ucc.nau.edu/pe/exs514web/How2Evalarticles
.htm