2.7 Sections of a Research Paper

Between the Introduction and the Conclusion, the main body of a research paper normally consists of these three sections:

Methods and Materials

􀂃 In this section the researcher cites all the specifics of the work done. Every detail needs to be included. The reason that this section must be completely documented is so that other researchers can duplicate the studies and hopefully duplicate the findings. Variables matter and need to be detailed. The failure to list pertinent particulars will throw all of the research and conclusions into question.
􀂃 Methods and Materials answers the following questions:

Results
􀂃 This section follows Methods and Materials.
􀂃 In this section you present the precise data and findings from the research, often using visuals to provide the information.
􀂃 Data may be effectively presented in charts, tables, graphs, diagrams and photographs. These should be accompanied by explanatory text to highlight and interpret significant facts. See Section 2.8 Describing Tables and Graphs for examples of appropriate language to use.

Discussion
􀂃 This section follows Results.
􀂃 In this section you write about your interpretation of your findings and your evaluation of the research.
􀂃 In particular, you give your opinion as to whether the work supported and proved your hypothesis, or whether it did not.
􀂃 You can also explore
* the success or failure of various research methods
* how the studies might have been done differently to investigate the problem better

Questions to be answered in the Discussion section

2.8 Describing Tables and Graphs

Probably the most important thing to keep in mind when describing graphs and tables is how to convey the information properly and accurately. Surprisingly, relatively few key words or grammar elements are needed when describing trends or movements. The following vocabulary items can be used:

2.9 Referencing

Not everything in your writing need be documented. Facts and ideas that are 'common knowledge' (and not from a quotation), as well as your own thoughts, opinions and conclusions do not need to be documented. But whenever you rely on an idea or the writing of someone else in support of your own thesis, this must be credited. If you fail to do this, you will be guilty of plagiarism. (See Section 2.10 Plagiarism)

Types of references

As well as referring to another work within your text (see Section 4.8 Quoting), you have to give more details about your sources in one or more of these places:
􀂃 Footnote
* provides details about the source of an in-text citation
* placed at the bottom of the page where the citation appears
􀂃 Endnote
* provides details about the source of an in-text citation
* placed at the end of the article or paper, on a separate sheet of paper
􀂃 Bibliography
* complete list of reference books, articles and other source materials cited in your work, in alphabetical order by author
* placed at the end of the article or paper, on a separate sheet of paper

Style sheets

Every publisher and discipline has its own requirements and provides style sheets on how references should be laid out, even though they all require the same basic information. These style sheets are readily available, and provide style standards for writing in most fields, sciences and disciplines. As a professional writer, you are responsible for knowing and following the standard of your particular discipline.

Format of references

The basic guidelines below apply to how you lay out the details about a source in a footnote, an endnote or a bibliography. For how you actually cite a source in your text see Section 4.8 Quoting.
The examples given follow APA style, as governed by The Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association. Check whether this style actually applies to your own discipline.

􀂃 Reference to a book. Information to include:
* names of the author(s): surname first, with initials for given names
* year of publication, in parentheses
* title of the book, underlined; only the first word needs to have a capital letter
* city where published
* name of the publisher
 Notes:
* when there are more than three authors, generally only one is listed, followed by a comma and et al.

* in your bibliography, if there are two or more works by the same author, they should be listed chronologically. If there are two by the same author in the same year, the date is followed by a, b, etc.

􀂃 Reference to an article from a journal. Information to include:
* name of the author(s)
* year of publication, in parentheses
* title of the article, without quotation marks or underlining, with only the first word capitalised
* name of the journal underlined, with all major words having a capital letter
* volume number, underlined
* inclusive page numbers, not preceded by p or pp.

􀂃 Reference to material from electronic media and the Internet. Information to include:
* names of the author(s), if known
* title of the extract
* title of the complete work (if known), underlined
* if CD-ROM, then: name of CD-ROM producer + publication date
* if Internet, then: name of producer of online website
* Internet address of the quoted material
* date that the site was accessed online