12/03/2018
Customary Parts of an Education Research Paper
There is no one right style or manner for writing an education paper. Content aside, the writing style and presentation of papers in different educational fields vary greatly. Nevertheless, certain parts are common to most papers, for example:
I. Title/Cover Page
Contains the paper's title, the author's name, address, phone number, e-mail, and the day's date. Here are three options in creating your title:
Question: Can PF Correction Increase Profits?
Summary: Design and Testing of a Small Power Company
2-Part: Power System Operation: How to Survive an Emergency
II. Abstract
Not a requirement in every education paper but useful in longer, more complex papers.
Often only 100 to 300 words, it is never more than a page.
Provides a broad overview, describes the essence or the main theme of the paper.
It includes the research question posed, its significance, the methodology, and the main results or findings.
Footnotes or cited works are never listed in an abstract.
Take great care in composing the abstract. Never write it hastily or carelessly because it’s the first part of the paper the instructor reads. It must impress with a strong content, good style, and general aesthetic appeal.
III. Introduction
The introduction has three main purposes. First, it provides background and motivation for your topic (usually includes a review of current literature on the topic). Second, it describes the focus and purpose of the paper you are writing. Third, it gives an overview of what is contained in the paper's various sections.
Take note of these questions:
What precisely are you studying and why is it important?
How original is it?
Will it fill a gap in other studies?
Never provide a lengthy justification for your topic before it has been explicitly stated.
IV. Statement of the Problem
Used in research work as a claim that outlines the problem addressed by a study. The statement of the problem briefly addresses the question: What is the problem that the research will address?
V. Limitations of Study
This part indicates what you intend to do, and what you are not going to attempt. Remember to limit the scope of your paper by any number of factors:
time,
personnel,
gender,
age,
geographic location,
nationality,
etc.
VI. Methodology
This section describes what you did, how you did it, gives strategies, sample calculations, diagrams and circuits, and descriptions of equipment. The goal here is to give the reader sufficient information to be able to repeat your work if desired.
The methods section will describe the research design and methodology used to complete to the study. The general rule of thumb is that readers should be provided with enough detail to replicate the study. Take note of these questions:
Did you employ qualitative or quantitative research methods?
Did you administer a questionnaire or interview people?
Any field research conducted?
How did you collect data?
Did you utilize other libraries or archives?
And so on.
VII. Literature Review
The purpose of the literature review is to describe past important research and it relate it specifically to the research problem.
Is a synthesis of the previous literature and the new idea being researched.
Must examine the major theories related to the topic to date and their contributors.
Must include all relevant findings from credible sources, such as academic books and peer-reviewed journal articles.
VIII. Main Body (Argument/Discussion)
This is generally the longest part of the paper.
It's where the author supports the thesis and builds the argument.
It contains most of the citations and analysis.
This section should focus on a rational development of the thesis with clear reasoning and solid argumentation at all points.
IX. Results
This section is where you prove your point with the data. Give graphs and tables of costs, profits, whatever your data is. Also give some description or guide to help the reader recognize your important points.
X. Conclusion
is intended to help the reader understand why your research should matter to them after they have finished reading the paper.
is not merely a summary of the main topics covered or a re-statement of your research problem, but a synthesis of key points and, if applicable, where you recommend new areas for future research.
brings everything together and underscores what it all means.
A stimulating and informative conclusion leaves the reader informed and well-satisfied.
XI. References/Bibliography
The research paper is not complete without the list of references. This section should be an alphabetized list of all the academic sources of information utilized in the paper. The format of the references will match the format and style used in the paper. Common formats include APA, MLA, Harvard and so forth.
XII. Appendices
Education research papers often contain one or more appendices. An appendix contains material that is appropriate for enlarging the reader's understanding, but that does not fit very well into the main body of the paper. It includes:
tables,
charts,
summaries,
questionnaires,
interview questions,
lengthy statistics,
maps,
pictures,
photographs,
lists of terms,
glossaries,
survey instruments,
letters,
copies of historical documents,
and many other types of supplementary material.
A paper may have several appendices. They are usually placed after the main body of the paper but before the bibliography or works cited section. They are usually designated by such headings as Appendix A, Appendix B, and so on.
