RESEARCH PAPER STRUCTURE

12-minute guide

JANUARY 1, 2019
BY CLEVERSON TABAJARA VIANNA
Ifsc.tabaajara@gmail com or Tabajara@ifsc.edu.br
 RESEARCH PAPER STRUCTURE – 12-minute guide
By Cleverson Tabajara Vianna (ifsc.tabajara@gmail.com or tabajara@ifsc.edu.br)

This is a just fast track for you. It’s a simple and general compiling for a twelve-minute guide. Please
refer to complete studies. But… When writing a paper consider doing this:

1. PAPER TITLE Nature, Objectives, Approach,

a. This is a very important and significative
issue. The title should represent the
research theme itself.
b. As told by experts the name/title must
not exceed 13 words.
2. ABSTRACT
a. When searching for research papers,
after Title and Authors, Abstract is the
first thing to be read. A clearly and
concise abstract is an excellent invite to
reading the full paper.
b. Consider mentioning in 200-300 words :
i. The problem and context.
ii. Methodology (how, when you
get there)
iii. Core Findings and central
Conclusion.
3. INTRODUCTION (500-800 words)
a. desirable content:
i. The context of the problem.
Usually coming from large to
narrow topics. Earlier important
researchers reviews are
welcome.
ii. The research questions. What
are you looking for? Expected
outcomes.
iii. Purpose and structure of the
paper. The central point to be
exploited.
iv. Why is this important?
Originality (it is a new
boundary, few studies in the
area); Relevance (how people,
community, science, theories
are affected).
v. Short methodology description
(locus, when, intervention,
actors involved) and
classification (relative to
Procedures).
Boundaries and limitations.
vi. Main results.
vii. Tell us about the paper
structure if not evident.
b. desirable citations from now:
i. Some citations are
recommended at this point.
ii. Pay attention to seminal
authors and new theories and
scientific articles of best
journals.
iii. At least ¾ of citations in whole
papers must be from the last 4
years.
4. LITERATURE REVIEW
a. Use citations as seem above (item 3.b)
b. Theoretical background
c. Previous experiments and findings.
d. Witch are the concepts and definitions
adopted in this article.
5. METHODOLOGY (200-400 words)
a. Process of data collection
i. Techniques and tools.
ii. How do you get there?
iii. Boundaries and limitations.
b. Formal aspects
i. Methodology Classification
(relative to Nature of research,
Objectives, Approach,
Procedures).
ii. Short methodology description
(locus, when – lack of time,
intervention, actors involved,
longitudinal, transversal)
6. RESULTS & DISCUSSION
a. Review and compare findings and
outcomes as referenced in the
INTRODUCTION.

Page 1 How to cite this paper: VIANNA, Cleverson Tabajara. (2019). RESEARCH PAPER STRUCTURE – 12-
minute guide. 2p. Retrieved from: internet address DOI
 RESEARCH PAPER STRUCTURE – 12-minute guide
By Cleverson Tabajara Vianna
b. What does they mean? What they
explain or describe?
c. Which are your statements? Compare
with literature or previous researches.
d. Which aspects are cleared now?
e. Analyze and explain.
f. Which are this study limitations? What
remains not explained?
7. FINAL CONSIDERATIONS OR CONCLUSION
(250-500 words)
a. Of course, this is the most important
part. Impressive and convincing.
b. It’s not enough you enumerate the
evidences founded – you must go
beyond.
c. Enumerate the main evidences in linked
paragraphs. This must be clearly
presented during RESULT &
DISCUSSION.
d. You must remember the reader: what’s
new in this paper.
e. Which are the statements by your own.
Highlight new ideas.
f. Going from general to specific, is a good
way.
g. Review paper purpose.
h. Which are the contributions. What’s
next?
i. You must be “great”: Persuasive,
Analytical, Narrative and
Argumentative… (not easy, but
possible)
Page 2 How to cite this paper: VIANNA, Cleverson Tabajara. (2019). RESEARCH PAPER STRUCTURE – 12-
minute guide. 2p. Retrieved from: internet address DOI
(ifsc.tabajara@gmail.com or tabajara@ifsc.edu.br)
j. As a rule, Quantitative research has
conclusion (generalization). Qualitative
use final considerations.
8. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
a. Industry collaboration and Funding
agencies
b. Supervisor, labs and research group’s
contributions
c. Family, colleagues, students and staff;
REMEMBER
• During all parts consider write and review the
first paragraph several times– it must be
impeccable, because it is always read. An error
in first paragraph can be considered a disaster
of all chapter.
• When reviewing the paper put in mind the
focus of each paragraph and make clear the link
of this paragraph with previous and next one
paragraphs.
• Prefer non personal language (positivism),
rather personal communication. So, prefer “it
was done” as “we’ve done”, because first
option usually has no objection. Of course, it
must be adequate to the journal editorial line
and language – e.g. in social research we have,
positivism, postmodernism, and critical realism.
• Using high impact journals is the right way.
Observe the most cited authors in the journal
you want to submit.
• Consider citing the authors’ journal you intend
to submit the paper.