For those who don’t have time for reading the entire article or better several articles on this topic, we have prepared a simple, short, and student-friendly cheat note describing the research paper structure. Even if you read this article till the end, with all tips and explanations, we recommend to save this list for the further usage.
- Finding the problem — what to study.
- Theme — how to call it.
- Relevance — why this problem needs to be studied.
- The purpose of the study — the expected results.
- Hypothesis — something not obvious about the object of the research.
- Novelty — what’s new was discovered during the research.
- The research tasks — what to do (theoretically and experimentally).
- Literary review (bibliography) — what is already known regarding this issue.
- The method of research — what and how was investigated.
- The results of the study — our own data.
- Conclusions — brief answers to the tasks.
- Significance — how the results affect practice.
This list is enough to remember how to structure your research paper and what should be written in every part. However, it might be useful for you to go through our more detailed guide revealing the secrets of every point.
Guide on Research Paper Structure
The structure of the research work is standard, and standards should not be abandoned. In the development with which the study begins, two main parts are singled out: methodological and procedural. First, it is necessary to isolate what needs to be studied – the problem.
The problem should be feasible, its solution should bring real benefits to the participants of the study. Then you should choose the topic to name it. The topic should be original, with an element of surprise, somewhat unusual.
Then it is necessary to decide why this problem should be studied at the moment — to define its topicality (actuality).
You should state a goal — the result which is expected to be obtained, which, in general terms, can be foreseen before it is received. Usually the goal is to study certain phenomena.
Identifying the hypothesis and the defended positions of the study is important. The hypothesis is the foresight of events; this is a probable knowledge that has not yet been proven. Initially, the hypothesis is not true or false — it is simply not proven
You should claim the tasks of the research. The goal is single, but there can be several tasks for one research. Make sure all tasks you mention correspond with the major goal.
You should add the literature review or bibliography, which is a brief description of what is known about the phenomenon investigated, in which direction the studies of other authors are taking place. In the review, you should show that you are familiar with the field of research on several sources, that you are setting a new task, and do not do what has long been done before you.
Then the methodology is described. Its detailed description should be present in the text of the work. This is a description of what and how the author of the study proved the validity of the hypothesis.
You should present the results of your study. Make sure to provide readers with the relevant data, and if necessary, put some tables and other graphic information to the annexes. It is important to compare the received results with those described in the literature review. It makes your research more profound, valid and reliable. The ability to compare and contrast the results will sure help you impress your professor or committee.
Make sure to underline the novelty of your research. Give the detailed description of the results obtained for the first time, elaborate on their theoretical or/and practical significance.
Finally, provide your audience with the conclusions. This part should summarize the entire research paper and present your research as valid and accurately finished. If there are still questions left, note them in the conclusions as the possibilities for the further research.
Following this research paper structure will surely help you to deal with this assignment on time and right the way your professor expects you to. Save it to your bookmarks and use any time you receive this or similar task. Otherwise, you can get online research paper writing assistance from experts.