IMRaD Framework

ALVIN A. SARIO, Ph.D.

University of Santo Tomas - Legazpi

Research Target Research Needed Method Tools or Theoretical
Questions Data Type Approach Techniques Frame

3
 Quantitative Qualitative Remarks
Target Data Interview Schedule Documents, Books To be identified after
Questionnaire Journals, Transcripts a working title is
Metadata Notes established
Needed Approach Descriptive Phenomenology Focus can be
Inferential Grounded Theory identified after the
Ethical Inquiry research questions
Critical Social are formulated
Foundational
Ethnography
Philosophical
Method QnDA QlDA Type of research must
be clear
Tools or Techniques Statistical Tools KII, FGD, DocA, SDA, Through the help of
Mapping, Journalizing, Research Adviser
Immersion Consultant, Supervisor

Theoretical Frame Related Literature Marxist, Critical Qn=Lit/Stud

Related Studies Theory, Feminist, Ql=area of expertise
Postmodernist,
Romanticist,
Phenomenological
 PRE-IMRaD
-Record your readings (results)
-Make tables
-Draw graphs
-Keep file to record summaries of results and
any observation however insignificant
-Date the files
-Revise your readings, if needed
-Write ideas whenever they come to you
 INTRODUCTION
Why do you start?
Background
Rationale
Current state of research in the field
Problem in the field
Synthesis of the Art
Research Gap
Objective of the Study (Thesis Statement, Hypothesis)
Theoretical Underpinnings
Conceptual Framework (with Model)
 BACKGROUND
(HISTORY, RELEVANCE, AND SENSE)

-A discussion of circumstances or conditions that

led to the conceptualization of the research

-State the reasons the particular research

problem is selected for investigation
-Cite the general scenario regarding the
Study
 RATIONALE

-Justify the purpose of the study

-Make use of relevant literatures (i.E. Laws,

policies, rules, regulations) AS BASES IN
CONDUCTING THE STUDY
 CURRENT STATE OF RESEARCH IN THE FIELD

What was I studying?

Why was this an important question?
What did I know about this topic before I did
this study?

Avoid lengthy or unfocused reviews of previous

research
 PROBLEM IN THE FIELD
Given the Synthesis of the Art, what is the
general PROBLEM in the field?
 SYNTHESIS OF THE ART
Review the pertinent literature
Cite peer-reviewed scientific literature or
scholarly reviews
Avoid general reference books such as textbooks
 RESEARCH GAP
Discuss the inconsistencies and vagueness of the
findings of the studies previously conducted

Present the difference of the present study

being conducted in terms of the respondents,
areas being studied or the variables of the study,
methodology used, scope and limitations of the
study
 OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY
(THESIS STATEMENT, HYPOTHESIS)

This study will EVALUATE, ASSESS, DETERMINE,

CONSTRUCT, etc. (main problem, stating the
concept of the study)
 THEORY

At least TWO theories

-dependent on the variables

-the third theory may be on the theory on
method or approach of the study
 CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK

-Discuss the theory where the concept of the study

is anchored
-Provide discussions on the contribution of the
theory to the field of specialization being
undertaken
-Discuss also the use or its operationalization
relative to the proposed study
-Focus on the discussion of the theory itself
-Discuss the concept of the study based on the
statement of the problem Discuss the variables
of the study, extent of the study, purpose of the
study, etc.
-Discuss the relationships of the variables
-Discuss the indicators and indices of the
variables
-Discuss the process on how the data on the
different indicators of the variables will be
collected and how this will lead to the
formulation of the strategies, intervention,
model formulation, suggestions, or
recommendations of the study
 METHODS
What do you do?
Research Design

Who? What? When? Where? How? Why?

Materials, Interventions, Outcome Measures,
Statistical Analysis, Sample Size Calculations,
Ethical Considerations

Data Gathering Tools and Techniques

Tools of Analysis
 RESEARCH DESIGN
Describe the research design in detail

QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH?
QUALITATIVE?
MIXED METHODS?
EXPERIMENTAL?
 STATISTICAL ANALYSIS,
SAMPLE SIZE CALCULATIONS
SAMPLING MODEL
 DATA GATHERING
TOOLS AND TECHNIQUES
TOOLS OF ANALYSIS
 ETHICAL CONSIDERATIONS
Consent from Persons, Institutions, Authorities
Confidentiality of Names, Data
Intellectual Honesty
Credibility
 RESULTS
What do you find?

Results of all experiments, surveys, QDA 1st Level

Presentation of Data [Texts, Tables, Figures]
Interpretation of Data
 RESULTS
-Present the results simply and clearly
-Report only representative data rather than
repetitive data

-Do not report large masses of data

-Repeat in the text only the most important
findings shown in tables and graphs
 INTERPRETATION OF DATA
Avoid verbose expressions
 PRESENTATION OF DATA
-Include the negative data (what was not found)
only if useful for interpreting the results

-Cite in the text every table and figure by

number
-Include only tables and figures that are
necessary, clear, and worth reproducing
 DISCUSSION
What does it all mean?
Recapitulation of major findings
Discussion of findings
Alternative explanations
Strengths and Weaknesses
Analysis

Use of Theory and Approach as part of analysis

Implications of the findings
Unanswered questions

Final Summary
Conclusion
RECAPITULATION OF MAJOR FINDINGS
 DISCUSSION OF FINDINGS
(ALTERNATIVE EXPLANATIONS)

THE HARDEST SECTION TO WRITE

-Should not repeat what has already been said

in the literature review
-Relate the results to research questions
-Show how results and interpretations agree or
do not agree with current knowledge in the field
STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES
ANALYSIS
 USE OF THEORY AND APPROACH
-Explain the theoretical background and
implications of the observed results
-Indicate the significance of results
-Suggest future research that is planned or
needed to follow up
-Deal with only the results reported in the study
 IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS
(UNANSWERED QUESTIONS)
-Stay away from generalizations and conjectures
that are not substantiated by the results
presented
-State conclusions with evidence for each
FINAL SUMMARY
 CONCLUSIONS
Conclusions should, rather than just repeating
results, state well-articulated outcomes of the
study and briefly suggest future lines of research
in the area based on findings reported in the
paper
 ABSTRACT
(THE MINIVERSION OF THE PAPER)
25% Importance of Research Introduction
25% What you did Methods
35% What you found Results
15% Implications of Research Discussion