Parts of a Research Paper

IMRAD Format

1
 ACTIVITY 1: 4 PICS, 1 WORD

Using 4 pictures, guess

the word being described
 We must accept finite disappointment, but we
must never lose infinite hope.

I L
 We must accept finite disappointment, but we
must never lose infinite hope.

T I T L E
 We must accept finite disappointment, but we
must never lose infinite hope.

P B M
 We must accept finite disappointment, but we
must never lose infinite hope.

P R O B L E M
 We must accept finite disappointment, but we
must never lose infinite hope.

O C S
 We must accept finite disappointment, but we
must never lose infinite hope.

C O N C L U S I O N
 We must accept finite disappointment, but we
must never lose infinite hope.

M D O G Y
 We must accept finite disappointment, but we
must never lose infinite hope.

M E T H O D O L O G Y
 We must accept finite disappointment, but we
must never lose infinite hope.

B G R P H Y
 We must accept finite disappointment, but we
must never lose infinite hope.

B I B L I O G R A P H Y
The format of the Scientific paper is current use is
that of IMRaD
I- Introduction
M- Methodology
R- Results
a- and
D- Discussion
 DIFFERENT PARTS OF RESEARCH PAPER
Title page
Abstract
Introduction
Materials & Methods
Results and
Discussion
Structure: Acknowledgements
References
I Figures
M
R Figure Legends
A Tables
D
 Title
What’s it about?
(Brief, informative, and readily searchable by a person)
•The title is a complete, concise, and accurate
description of the content of the research work
•It contains words that can be used for easy and
accurate indexing. It should focus on the major
variables to be studied and their relationships
•The title should be limited to 15 words or fewer
 Abstract
The statements of the abstract follow this order
➢ Introducing the topic which may include a statement about the
literature gap,
➢ Giving the specific questions or objectives that the study answered
➢ Listing the main techniques or procedures (including materials and
methods)
➢ Describing results
➢ Describing main conclusion
➢ Sometimes a recommendation is included
I

Introduction

An introduction familiarizes the reader with

the background of the study, statement of the
research problem investigated, why the study was
conducted, who will benefit from the study, and how
these target groups will benefit from the study.

M II
BAB
R III
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BABA IV
DV
BAB
Introduction Tips
Tell the reader:

• Why your research was needed

• Why does it matter to doctors, patients,
policymakers, or researchers
• Were there any controversies you were trying to
address?
• What did you do that was new or innovative?

without giving away any results or conclusions

I
Introduction: BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

• Include purpose and reason behind the conduct

of the study.
• the origin of the problem is defined
• It is where you describe the events which led to your
research
M II
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R III
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BABA IV
DV
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I
Introduction: STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

• Points the important question need to answer.

• It also leads to defining the data that must
be obtained
• The problem is divided into main and sub-problems
HYPOTHESES- tested in experiment are mentioned in this subpart of
introduction.
Can be stated in interrogative or declarative form.
M II
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R III
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BABA IV
DV
BAB
I
Introduction: SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

• Why conduct the study?

• You have to identify who will benefit from the research and how
they will be benefited. This should match with the
recommendation.
• The findings of the study could address a certain need or make
a significant contribution to a new knowledge
• Result can help improve the quality of living.

M II
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R III
BAB
BABA IV
DV
BAB
 I
Introduction: ASSUMPTION OF THE STUDY

• The expected outcome of the research

M II
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R III
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BABA IV
DV
BAB
I
Introduction: SCOPE AND LIMITATIONS

• Define samples in the study and the treatments the

samples are subjected to
• Determines the coverage of the study and all the things it
will not cover to be specific.
• It must be clarified that in this part any existing limitations of
the samples known at the time of investigation, and
limitation of data-gathering devices and methods.
M II
BAB
R III
BAB
BABA IV
DV
BAB
 I
Introduction: DEFINITION OF TERMS

• DEFINES TECHNICAL terms based on how they are used in

the study, specifically in the title.
• This aims to provide the readers of future researchers with
the basic terminologies that are important to understand
the paper.

M II
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R III
BAB
BABA IV
DV
BAB
I M

Materials and Methods

• Describe in sufficient detail the

raw or processed materials
utilized in the study

R
A
D
Methods
• Crucial in the triage process
• Extremely common for editors to reject a paper
because authors used the wrong method to
answer their question
• Give enough detail so that a qualified reader
could repeat the study
• If your methods section is “thin on details”
editors worry that you are hiding something
Methods: Quantitative Studies
The editor will focus on 6 things:

•Design
•Sample
•Intervention
•Outcomes Measures
•Data Analysis
•Ethics: informed consent & IRB
approval
Walk the editor through by dividing the Methods section
with 6 subheads
Outcome Measures
• Which outcomes did you decide to
measure when you designed your
study?
• Specify your primary and secondary
outcomes.
• Did you use a validated tool to
measure these?
• What steps did you use to reduce bias
in the recording of outcomes?
Data Analysis

What statistical methods did you use to

analyze your data?
Figures and Tables
• Each figure or table should have one stand-
alone message
• Don’t overload figures or tables with numbers or
text
• Figures and tables should be entirely
understandable on their own, without reference
to the whole paper or need to read Methods or
Results
• Do not discuss what your findings mean in figure
legends
I M R

Result of Study:

• is said to be the “heart” of a research paper

because it contains the data and findings of
the study.
• Presents all the data gathered using the
questionnaire by tabulating all the gathered
information.

A
D
I M R

Summary of Findings

• Summarize the interpretation of data

• It should directly answer your statement of
the problem

A
D
I M R

Conclusions

• Out of your findings, your conclusion are

based.
• This provides the answers for every statement
of the problem.
• This is where you will prove your hypotheses
and assumptions.

A
D
I M R

Recommendations

• Should be directly based on SOS

• Includes recommended actions that should
be done after the conduct of study such as
further assessment of the subject, focus on
other factors

A
D
Discussion
• Don’t write an expansive essay that
extrapolates widely from what you
found

• Start the discussion with a single

sentence that states your main findings

• Discuss both strengths and weaknesses

Discussion: In Depth
Relate your study to what has been already found
• How do your results fit in with what is already known?
• What are the strengths and weaknesses of your study compared to
previous studies?
• Why does your paper offer a different conclusion?

Discuss what your study means

• Don’t overstate the importance of your findings; readers will
probably come to their own conclusions on this issue

Unanswered questions
• What did your research not address? Avoid using the cliché more
research is needed.
I M R A D

EXTRAS

TITLE PAGE – CONSIST OF THE RESEARCH TITLE,

NAME OF THE RESEARCHERS AND NAME OF
YOUR SUBJECT TEACHER
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT – A PERSONAL PAGE
WHERE THE RESEARCHER ARE GIVEN THE
PRIVELEDGE TO EXTEND GRATITUDE TO ALL
PEOPLE WHO HELP IN ACCOMPLISHING THE
RESEARCH.
TABLE OF CONTENTS – CONTAINS THE ACCURATE
PAGING OF EACH PART OF THE RESEARCH PAPER
I M R A D

EXTRAS

LIST OF TABLES/FIGURES – CONTAINS THE

ACCURATE PAGING OF THE TABLES /
FIGURES USED IN THE STUDY.
BIBLIOGRAPHY – PRESENT THE SOURCE
USING MLA / APA FORMAT
APPENDIX – ATTATCHMENTS
(QUESTIONNAIRES)
 Activity 2-B
Read the following text and
identify the parts of
scientific report corresponds
1. Perception of
to each item. Choose your
answer in the box below. Different Sugars
References
Result
by Blowflies
Abstract
Introduction
Method and Materials
Discussion Title Page
 Activity 2-B 2. To feed on materials that are healthy for
Read the following text and them, flies (order Diptera) use taste receptors
identify the parts of on their tarsi to find sugars to ingest. We
scientific report corresponds examined the ability of blowflies to taste
to each item. Choose your
monosaccharide and disaccharide sugars as
well as saccharin. To do this, we attached flies
answer in the box below. to the ends of sticks and lowered their feet into
solutions with different concentrations of
References these sugars. We counted a positive response
when they lowered their proboscis to feed. The
Result flies responded to sucrose at a lower
Abstract concentration than they did of glucose, and
they didn’t respond to saccharin at all. Our
Introduction results show that they taste larger sugar
molecules more readily than they do smaller
Method and Materials ones. They didn’t feed on saccharin because
the saccharin we use is actually the sodium salt
Discussion Title Page of saccharin, and they reject salt solutions.
Overall, our results show that flies are able to
taste and choose foods that are good for them.
Activity 2-B 3. All animals rely on senses of taste and smell to find
Read the following text and acceptable food for survival. Chemoreceptors are found in
the taste buds on the tongue in humans (Campbell, 2008),
identify the parts of for example, for tasting food. Studies of sensory
scientific report corresponds physiology have often used insects as experimental
to each item. Choose your subjects because insects can be manipulated with ease
and because their sensory-response system is relatively
answer in the box below. simple (E. Williams, personal communication). Flies are
able to taste food by walking on it (Dethier, 1963). Hollow
References hairs around the proboscis and tarsi contain receptor
neurons that can distinguish among water, salts, and
Result sugars, and flies can distinguish among different sugars
(Dethier, 1976). These traits enable them to find necessary
Abstract nutrition.
Introduction
In this experiment we tested the ability of the blowfly
Method and Materials Sarcophaga bullata to taste different sugars and a sugar
substitute, saccharin. Because sucrose is so sweet to
Discussion Title Page people, I expected the flies to taste lower concentrations
of sucrose than they would of maltose and glucose, sugars
that are less sweet to people. Because saccharin is also
sweet tasting to people, I expected the flies to respond
positively and feed on it as well.
Activity 2-B 4. We stuck flies to popsicle sticks by pushing
their wings into a sticky wax we rubbed on the
Read the following text and
identify the parts of sticks. Then we made a dilution series of
glucose, maltose, and sucrose in one-half log
scientific report corresponds
molar steps (0.003M, 0.01M, 0.03M, 0.1M,
to each item. Choose your
0.3M, and 1M) from the 1M concentrations of
answer in the box below.
the sugars we were given. We tested the flies’
References sensory perception by giving each fly the
chance to feed from each sugar, starting with
Result the lowest concentration and working up. We
Abstract rinsed the flies between tests by swishing their
feet in distilled water. We counted a positive
Introduction response whenever a fly lowered its proboscis.
Method and Materials To ensure that positive responses were to
sugars and not to water, we let them drink
Discussion Title Page distilled water before each test. See the lab
handout Taste Reception in Flies (Biology
Department, 2000) for details.
Activity 2-B 5. Flies responded to high concentrations (1M)
of sugar by lowering their probosces and
Read the following text and
identify the parts of feeding. The threshold concentration required
to elicit a positive response from at least 50%
scientific report corresponds
of the flies was lowest for sucrose, while the
to each item. Choose your
threshold concentration was highest for
answer in the box below.
glucose. Hardly any flies responded to
References saccharin. Based on the results from all the lab
groups together, there was a major difference
Result in the response of flies to the sugars and to
Abstract saccharin (Table 1). When all the sugars were
considered together, this difference was
Introduction significant (t = 10.46, df = 8, p < .05). Also, the
Method and Materials response of two flies to saccharin was not
statistically different from zero (t = 1.12, df = 8,
Discussion Title Page n.s.).
Activity 2-B 6. The results supported my first hypothesis that
sucrose would be the most easily detectable sugar
Read the following text and
identify the parts of by the flies. Flies show a selectivity of response to
sugars based on molecular size and structure.
scientific report corresponds
Glucose, the smallest of the three sugars, is a
to each item. Choose your
monosaccharide. The threshold value of glucose
answer in the box below.
was the highest in this experiment because a
higher concentration of this small sugar was
References needed to elicit a positive response. Maltose and
Result sucrose are both disaccharides but not with the
same molecular weight or composition. It has
Abstract been shown that flies respond better to alpha-
glucosidase derivatives than to beta-glucosidase
Introduction derivatives (Dethier 1975). Because sucrose is an
Method and Materials alpha glucosidase derivative, it makes sense that
the threshold value for sucrose occurs at a lower
Discussion Title Page concentration than that for maltose. This might
also be the reason why sucrose tastes so sweet to
people.
My other hypothesis was not supported, however, because the flies did not respond
positively to saccharin. The sweetener people use is the sodium salt of saccharic acid
(Budavari, 1989). Even though it tastes 300 to 500 times as sweet as sucrose to people
(Budavari, 1989), flies taste the sodium and so reject saccharin as a salt. Two flies did
respond positively to saccharin, but the response of only two flies is not significant, and
the lab group that got the positive responses to saccharin may not have rinsed the flies off
properly before the test.
Flies taste food with specific cells on their tarsal hairs. Each hair has, in addition to a
mechanoreceptor, five distinct cells – alcohol, oil, water, salt, and sugar – that determine
its acceptance or rejection of the food (Dethier, 1975). The membranes located on the
tarsi are the actual functional receptors since it is their depolarization that propagates the
stimulus to the fly (Dethier, 1975). Of the five cells, stimulation of the water and sugar cells
induce feeding, while stimulation of the salt, alcohol, and oil receptors inhibit feeding.
More specifically, a fly will reject food if the substrate fails to stimulate the sugar or water
receptors, stimulates a salt receptor, or causes a different message from normal (e.g., salt
and sugar receptors stimulated concurrently) (Dethier 1963). Flies accept sugars and reject
salts as well as unpalatable compounds like alkaloids (Dethier & Bowdan, 1989). This
selectivity is a valuable asset to a fly because it helps the fly recognize potentially toxic
substances as well as valuable nutrients (H. Cramer, personal communication). Substances
such as alcohols and salts could dehydrate the fly and have other harmful effects on its
homeostasis (Dethier, 1976). Thus, flies are well adapted to finding food for their own
survival.
Activity 2-B 7.
Read the following text and Campbell, N.A., & J.B. Reece. 2008. Biology, 8th
identify the parts of ed. Pearson Benjamin Cummings, San Francisco.
scientific report corresponds Budavari, S., et al. 1989. The Merck Index. Merck
to each item. Choose your & Co., Rahway, NJ.
answer in the box below.

References Dethier, V.G. 1963. The Physiology of Insect

Senses. Methuen & Co., London. Dethier, V.G.
Result 1976. The Hungry Fly. Harvard University Press,
Cambridge.
Abstract
Introduction Dethier, V.G., & E. Bowdan. 1989. The effect of
Method and Materials alkaloids on sugar receptors and the feeding
behaviour of the blowfly. Physiological
Discussion Title Page Entomology 14:127-136.
Activity 2-B
1. Title Page
2. Abstarct
3. Introduction
4. Method and Materials
5. Result
6. Discussion
7. References
 ·QUIZ TIME·
Identify which part of the paper
are the statement below.
The choices are:
A. Introduction
B. Methodology
C. Results and
Discussion/Conclusion
You may write the letter only.
 QUIZ 1. The purpose of
Identify which part of the this experiment is to
paper are the statement
below. identify what effect
The choices are: context has on
A. Introduction
B. Methodology interior scrambled
C. Results and
Discussion/Conclusion
text recognition.
You may write the letter
only.
 QUIZ 2. Twenty-five
Identify which part of the
participants were
paper are the statement
below.
given two sets of 24
The choices are:
stimuli to distinguish
A. Introduction as either interior
B. Methodology scrambled word or
C. Results and
Discussion/Conclusion nonword in a lexical
You may write the letter decision experiment.
only.
 3. In one set the twenty-
QUIZ four stimuli were each
Identify which part of the presented in isolation, and
paper are the statement in the other set the stimuli
below. were each presented in the
The choices are: context of a sentence,
A. Introduction which was completely
B. Methodology
interiorly scrambled. Each
C. Results and
stimulus was shown via
Discussion/Conclusion
PowerPoint on a slide for 4
You may write the letter
seconds.
only.
 QUIZ 4. The mean
Identify which part of the difference was 3.88.
paper are the statement
below. Using a single-tailed
The choices are: T-test a p of
A. Introduction
B. Methodology 5.34X10^-10 was
C. Results and
Discussion/Conclusion
obtained.
You may write the letter
only.
 5. This means the null
QUIZ hypothesis can be
Identify which part of the reasonably rejected in
paper are the statement favor of the alternative
below. hypothesis, that context
The choices are: aids word recognition. In
A. Introduction addition, the data contests
B. Methodology
the idea that the ability to
C. Results and
read interior scrambled
Discussion/Conclusion
text implies that people
You may write the letter
read words independent of
only.
letter order.
 QUIZ 1. The purpose of
Identify which part of the this experiment is to
paper are the statement
below. identify what effect
The choices are: context has on
A. Introduction
B. Methodology interior scrambled
C. Results and
Discussion/Conclusion
text recognition.
You may write the letter
only.
 QUIZ 2. Twenty-five
Identify which part of the
participants were
paper are the statement
below.
given two sets of 24
The choices are:
stimuli to distinguish
A. Introduction as either interior
B. Methodology scrambled word or
C. Results and
Discussion/Conclusion nonword in a lexical
You may write the letter decision experiment.
only.
 3. In one set the twenty-
QUIZ four stimuli were each
Identify which part of the presented in isolation, and
paper are the statement in the other set the stimuli
below. were each presented in the
The choices are: context of a sentence,
A. Introduction which was completely
B. Methodology
interiorly scrambled. Each
C. Results and
stimulus was shown via
Discussion/Conclusion
PowerPoint on a slide for 4
You may write the letter
seconds.
only.
 QUIZ 4. The mean
Identify which part of the difference was 3.88.
paper are the statement
below. Using a single-tailed
The choices are: T-test a p of
A. Introduction
B. Methodology 5.34X10^-10 was
C. Results and
Discussion/Conclusion
obtained.
You may write the letter
only.
 5. This means the null
QUIZ hypothesis can be
Identify which part of the reasonably rejected in
paper are the statement favor of the alternative
below. hypothesis, that context
The choices are: aids word recognition. In
A. Introduction addition, the data contests
B. Methodology
the idea that the ability to
C. Results and
read interior scrambled
Discussion/Conclusion
text implies that people
You may write the letter
read words independent of
only.
letter order.
 Hypothesis Experimental design

1. Scope and
Limitation
Methodology

Complete, concise, Quantitative data Research design

and accurate Statement of the

problem
Title

description of the Significance of

the Study
Analysis

content of the Bibliography Results and

Conclusion
research work Review of Related Recommendations
Studies and
Literature
Thank
you!
 Hypothesis Experimental design

2. Scope and
Limitation
Methodology

Statement about an Quantitative data Research design

area of concern, a Statement of the

problem
Title

condition to be Significance of
the Study
Analysis

improved, a difficulty Bibliography Results and

Conclusion
to be eliminated Review of Related Recommendations
Studies and
Literature
 Hypothesis Experimental design

3. Scope and
Limitation
Methodology

Quantitative data Research design

A prediction based on Statement of the Title

a body of knowledge, problem

Significance of Analysis
scientific theory, the Study
Bibliography Results and
observations Conclusion

Review of Related Recommendations

Studies and
Literature
 Hypothesis Experimental design
4.
Scope and Methodology

States the importance Limitation

Quantitative data Research design
of the research. It
provides details on how
Statement of the Title
problem

the study will contribute Significance of

the Study
Analysis

such as what the study Bibliography Results and

will contribute and who Conclusion

will benefit from it. Review of Related

Studies and
Recommendations

Literature
 5. Hypothesis Experimental design

Explains the extent to which Scope and

Limitation
Methodology

area will be explored in the Quantitative data Research design

work and specifies the Statement of the Title

parameters within which the problem

Significance of Analysis
study will be operating the Study

characteristics that limit the

Bibliography Results and
Conclusion

scope and describe the Review of Related Recommendations

boundaries of study Studies and

Literature
 Hypothesis Experimental design

6. Scope and
Limitation
Methodology

Composed of Quantitative data Research design

discussions of facts Statement of the

problem
Title

and principles to Significance of

the Study
Analysis

which the present Bibliography Results and

Conclusion
study is related Review of Related Recommendations
Studies and
Literature
 Hypothesis Experimental design

7. Scope and
Limitation
Methodology

A complete sequence of Quantitative data Research design

steps and procedures Statement of the Title

that needs to be problem

Significance of Analysis
followed when obtaining the Study

the needed data during

Bibliography Results and
Conclusion

an investigation Review of Related Recommendations

Studies and
Literature
 Hypothesis Experimental design
8.
Scope and Methodology
Limitation
Tells how the study was Quantitative data Research design

conducted, what Statement of the Title

equipment and problem

Significance of Analysis
techniques were used the Study

and what procedures

Bibliography Results and
Conclusion

were followed. Review of Related Recommendations

Studies and
Literature
 Hypothesis Experimental design

9. Scope and
Limitation
Methodology

Quantitative data Research design

Heart of research Statement of the Title

paper because it problem

Significance of Analysis
contains the data and the Study
Bibliography Results and
findings of the study Conclusion

Review of Related Recommendations

Studies and
Literature
 Hypothesis Experimental design
10.
Scope and Methodology
Limitation
Quantitative data Research design

Statement of the Title

Areas for further problem

Significance of Analysis
research the Study
Bibliography Results and
Conclusion

Review of Related Recommendations

Studies and
Literature
 Hypothesis Experimental design
11.
Scope and Methodology
Limitation

Alphabetical list of all Quantitative data Research design

authors and Statement of the

problem
Title

published information Significance of

the Study
Analysis

referred to anywhere Bibliography Results and

Conclusion
in the text of paper Review of Related Recommendations
Studies and
Literature