THE IMRAD FORMAT

Section Purpose Verb Tense Elements

Abstract Mini version of the Simple past – refers  Main objective
paper to work done  Methods used
 Major results
 Main conclusions
Introduction Provides the Present tense –  Nature and scope of the problem
rationale of the refers to established  Review of relevant literature
study knowledge in the  Approach used and justification of
literature using this approach
 Principal results
 Main conclusions
Methods and Describes what was Simple past – refers  Description of materials used
Materials done – model, to work done  Description of procedure in a
analysis used etc. logical order
 Sufficient detail so that procedure
can be produced
Results Presents the data, Simple past – refers  Your results
the facts – what to what was found,  Your observations
you found, observed  Results of analysis
discovered and
observed
Discussion Shows the Present – emphasis Trends, relationships,
relationships on established generalizations shown by the
among the facts knowledge, present results.
results How your results agree / disagree
Puts your results in with previous studies and why.
context of previous
researches

Conclusion Summarizes your Present – emphasis o Conclusions should relate back to

principal findings on what should not the introduction
be accepted as o Summary of evidence supporting
established each conclusion
knowledge o Implications, the significance of
your findings or any practical
applications.