Transcript Arrangement, Delivery, & Gender:

Writing an Academic Paper/
Journal Article:
An Overview of the Sections of
Research-Focused Text
Taken from Cantor A Guide to Academic
Writing and Huff Writing for Publication with
additions
Jennifer L. Bowie
The Title & Abstract
The Title:
Make it concise and applicable
See Huff & our earlier title discussions for more
details
The Abstract:
Be clear, concise, and provide the type of abstract
they want
Length is typically around 150 word but can vary
Use to sell the paper
See our earlier abstract discussion & slides for more
details
Introduction
Describe why the focus of your article is
important
Introduce readers to the problem area
Use the literature as support
Answer the “so what” question
Provide the significance of the problem
Present the need for your work
Tie to your field/area
Keep this short, a few paragraphs probably
Purpose of Study
Only needed if study & this may fall into another
section
Provide the rationale for your particular study
Often starts with “The purpose of this study is
to…”
Presents the problem statement (declarative, not
as a question)
Keep it brief, a few paragraphs at most
May provide an overview of your hypotheses,
research questions, and methodology
May include limitations and definitions
Literature Review
Discuss related research
Demonstrate how the related research
supports your work
Show the void your work will fill
Discuss previous work that
agrees/disagree with your findings and
work
Present a variety of opinions
Organize the reviews so it flows
If it is not a research article:
Discussion/Body sections
Explain theoretical framework/ knowledge claim
Establish need for theory, pedagogy, or topic
Summarize previous theory, pedagogy, topic if
not covered in lit review
Present theory, pedagogy, topic by drawing on
previous work, making key points, supporting
key points
Organize into topic areas (see Selfe & Selfe,
Hawisher and Sullivan, Fernandez & Wilding)
Method/Methodology
In some areas this will be combined with the purpose of study section.
The purpose section will start this section.
Discuss how the research was conducted
Defend the methodology
Discuss issues like rigor and biases
Make it clear how your methods, methodology,
and research questions relate
Make sure you include the three subsections…
Method/Methodology: Subsections
Population & Sample:
Discuss the subjects, including basic demographic
information (as needed), numbers of sample and total
population, & selection process
Materials:
Detail any needed materials, facilities, and apparatus
Procedure:
Discuss how the study was done, step by step
If applicable provide information on the pilot study
Validate your measures and instruments
Support as needed with literature
Results
Provide and describe the findings from your
study
Include raw data and enough details for it to
make sense
Include all findings, even if they do not support
your hypothesis
Explain any problems, inconsistencies, or
discrepancies with the results
Compare findings to your predictions and past
studies
Use visuals to display data
Include and explain stats used (if used)
Discussion/Conclusion
These sections may be separate or combined
Discussion:
Evaluate and interpret your results
Qualify findings as needed
Draw inferences
Related the findings to your literature
Discuss how findings related to hypothesis
Examine unconfirmed areas
Present 1-2 or a few general conclusions from the findings
Discuss any issues or problems with the research including problems that
occurred while doing the research
Explore any limitations
Discuss the theoretical and practical implications of your findings
Conclusion:
If it is separate from the discussion it will probably be short, a few paragraphs
Summarize the whole article
Step back and provide a more universal and general discussion of the study and
implications
Present further areas of study
Answer the questions of “now what?”
Reiterate the “so what” answers
Don’t forget the Reference list!
Use whatever formatting is require by the
journal
The End
Questions?