Citation Management

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Research Paper Sections

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Choosing a Topic                                                                       Research Paper Sections                       
Find Books                                                                       Find Articles (and more)                                   
Dissertations                                                                       Material Not at BC                                         
APA Style                                                                       Citation Tools                                                         
Final Tips                                                                       Plagiarism                                                               
Types of Journals                                              
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:

Title/Cover Page
Contains the paper's title, the author's name, address, phone number, e-mail, and the
day's date.

Abstract
Not every education paper requires an abstract. However, for longer, more complex
papers abstracts are particularly useful. Often only 100 to 300 words, the abstract
generally provides a broad overview and is never more than a page. It describes the
essence, 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. Remember to take great care in composing the
abstract. It's the first part of the paper the instructor reads. It must impress with a
strong content, good style, and general aesthetic appeal. Never write it hastily or
carelessly.
 
Introduction and Statement of the Problem
A good introduction states the main research problem and thesis argument. 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.
 
Limitations of Study
Indicate as soon as possible what you intend to do, and what you are not going to
attempt. You may limit the scope of your paper by any number of factors, for example,
time, personnel, gender, age, geographic location, nationality, and so on.
 
Methodology
Discuss your research methodology. 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.

Literature Review
The research process uncovers what other writers have written about your topic. Your
education paper should include a discussion or review of what is known about the
subject and how that knowledge was acquired. Once you provide the general and
specific context of the existing knowledge, then you yourself can build on others'
research. The guide Writing a Literature Review will be helpful here.
 
Main Body of Paper/Argument
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. A clear focus, avoiding meaningless digressions, provides
the essential unity that characterizes a strong education paper.
Conclusion

After spending a great deal of time and energy introducing and arguing the points in
the main body of the paper, the conclusion brings everything together and
underscores what it all means. A stimulating and informative conclusion leaves the
reader informed and well-satisfied. A conclusion that makes sense, when read
independently from the rest of the paper, will win praise.

Works Cited/Bibliography
See the Bibliography section.
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. Such material might include
tables, charts, summaries, questionnaires, interview questions, lengthy statistics, maps,
pictures, photographs, lists of terms, glossaries, survey instruments, letters, copies of
historical documents, and