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Writing Research PaperWriting Research PaperMiss. Nishu Kanwar BhatiMiss. Nishu Kanwar Bhati

Ph.D ScholarPh.D ScholarDept. HECMDept. HECM

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Contents• What is a research paper• Goals in writing a research paper• Steps in writing a research paper• Structure of a research paper

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Goals…To disseminate one’s research and findings competently to a wider audience.To contribute to the body of knowledge in a particular field.To exchange information, facts and ideas, current and important in the specialization/discipline.To earn recognition from peers and experts in the field for one’s scientific acumen.To derive personal satisfaction.It is a stimulus towards mastery in a specific areas of specialization.It places the research finding in a permanent record.To fulfill mandatory requirements in one’s professional life.

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Steps in writing a research paper

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Criteria for journal selection• Referring system• Citation scores• Circulation• Journal type• Time lag• Reputation of editors• Professional vs. commercial ownership• Quality of production

Structure of a Research Paper While academic disciplines vary on the exact format and style of journal articles in their field, most articles contain similar content and are divided in parts that typically follow the same logical flow.  Following is a list of the parts commonly found in research articles.  

TitleAbstractIntroductionLiterature ReviewMethodsResultsDiscussion/ConclusionReferences/Bibliography

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TitleThe title should be specific and indicate the problem the research project addresses using keywords that will be helpful in literature reviews in the future.

•Clear and explanatory title•Brief and concise

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Abstract• The abstract is used by readers to quickly review

the overall content of the paper.• Purpose of the study - hypothesis, overall

question, objective• Results, including specific data - if the results are

quantitative in nature, report quantitative data; results of any statistical analysis shoud be reported

• Important conclusions or questions that follow from the experiment(s)

Style• Single paragraph, and concise• As a summary of work done, it is always written in past

tense• An abstract should stand on its own, and not refer to any

other part of the paper such as a figure or table• Focus on summarizing results - limit background information

to a sentence or two, if absolutely necessary• What you report in an abstract must be consistent with

what you reported in the paper• Correct spelling, clarity of sentences and phrases, and

proper reporting of quantities (proper units, significant figures) are just as important in an abstract as they are anywhere else

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Introduction The introduction begins by introducing the broad overall topic and providing basic background information.  It then narrows down to the specific research question relating to this topic.

• Describe the importance (significance) of the study

• Provide a rationale. State your specific hypothesis (es) or objective(s), and describe the reasoning that led you to select them.

• Very briefly describe the experimental design and how it accomplished the stated objectives.

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Style:Use past tense except when referring to established facts. After all, the paper will be submitted after all of the work is completed.Organize your ideas, making one major point with each paragraph. If you make the four points listed above, you will need a minimum of four paragraphs.Present background information only as needed in order support a position. The reader does not want to read everything you know about a subject.State the hypothesis/objective precisely - do not oversimplify.As always, pay attention to spelling, clarity and appropriateness of sentences and phrases.

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Literature review• Establishes context of the study by

providing a brief and balanced review of pertinent published literature available on subject.

• General to specific• Name-date citations

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Method• Study design• Participants and their characteristics• When and where study conducted• Sampling method and size• Variables measured• Method of collecting data• How data analyzed: Statistical procedures

used

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Results• Objective presentation of key findings

without interpretation

• Orderly, logical sequence using text and illustrations (figures/tables)

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Tips in writing results• Do not reiterate each value or finding from the

table – only mention salient points• Do not present the same data in table and figure:

this is redundant• Do not report raw data values when they can be

summarized as means, percent, etc.• Statistical test and value should be mentioned• Always mention appropriate units with data• Only present percentages to one decimal point

Figures and tables• Either place figures and tables within the text of the

result, or include them in the back of the report (following Literature Cited) - do one or the other

• If you place figures and tables at the end of the report, make sure they are clearly distinguished from any attached appendix materials, such as raw data

• Regardless of placement, each figure must be numbered consecutively and complete with caption (caption goes under the figure)

• Regardless of placement, each table must be titled, numbered consecutively and complete with heading (title with description goes above the table)

• Each figure and table must be sufficiently complete that it could stand on its own, separate from text

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Tables

Grade Number of Viewing Hours Reading Level

First Grade 5 - 10 hours 2.8

Second Grade 16 - 20 hours 2.6

Third Grade 11 - 15 hours 4.2

Note. Reading level refers to average reading level for students in that year and month of school.

Table 2 Reading Level for First Through Third Graders Children

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Figures

Figure 2. Pie chart of total sales

Computing Systems 42%

Imaging and Printing Systems 41%

IT Services 14%

Other 3%

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Discussion• Answers questions posed in introduction• Interprets results in comparison to what is

already known on the subject.• Explains new understanding of the subject

based on present results• It tells the readers how present study

moved from what was known to what is new• Outlines limitations of the study• Discusses ideas for future research

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Conclusion• Summary

• Recommendations

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References• Complete citations for research cited

• References are listed in alphabetical order by the first author’s last name

• Citations according to style manual, e.g., APA, MLA, Chicago, etc.

Author!!!

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Thanks for your patience