Writing Your Research

Bill Reimer and Frances ShaverConcordia University

Three types of manuscripts Hypothesis-testing Articles Descriptive Articles Client-Oriented Reports

Hypothesis-testing Articles

Introduction Theoretical framework Research design Research results Interpretations Conclusions and Implications

Introduction What is the problem? What is the central research

question? Why is it important?

Hypothesis-Testing

Theoretical Framework How have others framed the problem? How have others answered the

question? Strengths and weaknesses of how it

has been treated How will you improve on it? What is your central proposition?

Hypothesis-Testing

Research design How does it flow from the previous

discussion? Define key theoretical concepts Research design description and

justification Operationalizations Hypotheses examined

Hypothesis-Testing

Research results Describe adjustments made to ideal

design Describe research context Describe results Describe qualifications

Hypothesis-Testing

Interpretations What are the implications of the

results for the original research problem and question?

How do you now answer the question?

Hypothesis-Testing

Conclusions and Implications Summarize problem, question, and

results Identify qualifications What new questions or issues are

generated? What research suggestions do you

have?

Hypothesis-Testing

Descriptive Articles Introduction (the problem) Theoretical framework Major issues to be addressed How did you do it? Results and Interpretations Summary and Conclusions

Similar to Hypothesis-testing – except: Less focus on central proposition(s) Several issues often included Modifications to framework(s)

become prominent

Descriptive

Client-Oriented Reports Introduction (the problem as

formulated by client) (Re)Conceptualizing the problem Research approach Results and Interpretations Overall conclusions Recommendations Executive Summary

Introduction State the problem as the client sees

it (often pragmatic)Reconceptualization Justify modifications to the client’s

formulation Prepare rationale for the research

approach

Client-Oriented

Research Approach Justify Leave technical details to appendix Describe what you did

Client-Oriented

Results and Interpretations Present it from the client’s

perspective Use charts and graphs over tables Put qualifications in footnotes and

appendices Be clear (non-jargon) and short

Client-Oriented

Overall Conclusions From client’s original questions Use bullets and points

Client-Oriented

Recommendations Brief setting of context Point form series of

recommendations Brief justification of each with

respect to original problem

Client-Oriented

Executive summary 1 to 2 pages

Problem Approach taken Results Conclusions Recommendations

Minimal qualifications

Client-Oriented

Style and Grammar Paragraph and sentence structure Transitions Multiple drafts

Content/organizational editing Copyediting Fact checking Proofreading

The reader over your shoulder