Academic & Research Writing

Academic papers typically consist of three main parts:

1. Introduction: Describes what you're going to do & why. The introduction usually includes:
   • Literature Review
   • Area of study
2. Body: What you did & how you did it
   • Methodology & data collected
3. Conclusions: What it means

Proposals are slightly different because you haven't done the research yet. They typically consist of only two main parts:

1. Introduction: Describeswhat you intend to do & why​. The introduction usually includes:
   • Literature Review​
   • Area of study​
   • Impact of work​
2. Body: Describes how you intend to carry out the work​
   • Methodology & data to be collected​
   • What you need to carry out the work​

In addition to these main parts, there can be lots of other parts, although many of these are optional. These usually fall into two broad categories:​ things that go before the main parts of the paper, sometimes referred to as front matter; and things that go at the end of the paper, or end matter. While most front matter and end matter apply only to long-form writing, like books or theses and dissertations, some apply more generally. Always check with your publisher, teacher, the thesis examiner, or you grant program to find out what's required or expected.

​Front Matter:

• Abstract or summary. This is generally required.
• Title Page
• Author affiliations
• Disclosure of grant funding
• Acknowledgements
• Copyright notice
• Table of contents, list of figures, preface, etc.

End Matter:

• References or bibliography. This is usually required.
• Appendices (raw data, computer code, questionnaires, survey instruments, etc.)\
• Notes

Frameworks for structuring academic and research papers were created to provide a clear, organized, and logical way to present your research findings. They help ensure that your research is communicated effectively, making it easier for your readers to follow your study's purpose, methodology, findings, and conclusions. Different disciplines favor specific frameworks to align with their unique research methodologies and audience expectations. Here are the most common frameworks and the disciplines in which they are typically used:

1. IMRAD (Introduction, Methods, Results, and Discussion). This framework ensures that scientific studies are presented logically, allowing readers to understand the research process and outcomes clearly. It is used mainly in the natural sciences, medical sciences, and engineering. The structure if an IMRAD paper is:
   • Introduction. Introduces the research question and its significance.
   • Methods. Details the procedures and materials used.
   • Results. Reports the findings.
   • Discussion. Interprets the results and discusses their implications.
2. Case Study Structure. This framework is ideal for in-depth analysis of individual cases, providing detailed insights and practical lessons, making it particularly useful in business, law, healthcare, and social sciences.
   • Introduction. Introduces the case.
   • Background. Provides context.
   • Case Presentation. Describes the case in detail.
   • Methodology. Explains how the case was studied.
   • Findings. Presents the findings.
   • Discussion. Discusses implications.
   • Conclusion. Summarizes key points and future directions.
3. Theoretical/Conceptual Paper Structure. This structure emphasizes the theoretical underpinnings of research, providing a framework for developing and discussing concepts. It is most often used for papers in philosophy, sociology, and the more theoretical branches of the sciences.
   • Introduction. Introduces the theory or concept.
   • Literature Review. Reviews relevant theories.
   • Argument/Analysis. Develops the theoretical argument.
   • Discussion. Discusses the implications.
   • Conclusion. Summarizes the main points and suggests future research.

In addition to these frameworks, there's a special framework just for structuring your introductions: Creating a Research Space (CARS).

IMRAD