IMRAD: Writing

the research paper

 Science fair is not a
competition for the
thickest research papers.

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IMRAD stands for…
✗ I NT R O DU C T I ON
✗ M A T E R I A L S AND ME T H OD S
✗ RESULTS
✗ D I S CU S S I ONS
✗ C O NC L U S I ONS

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1
INTRODUCTION
First part of the Research Paper
 INTRODUCTION
- Many of the projects sent by the country to the Intel
ISEF have written this part in two to four short
paragraphs with no subsections
- It must present the (1) background of the study, (2)
hypothesis and statement of the problem, (3)
objectives, (4) significance and (5) limitations of the
study.

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2
MATERIALS & METHODS
Blueprint of your study
 Materials & methods
- Subsections can be used (usually 1 short
paragraph per subsection.
It should provide enough details so that
others can repeat the experiments following
the methods written in the research paper;
however, conciseness should be maintained.

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 Materials & methods
- It should include the significant steps such
as gathering of materials, preparing of set-
ups, tests and experimentations, data
analysis , etc.; the materials used for each
step must also be included

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 Materials & methods
- Official title of international/established
procedures or tests used in the experiments can
be written instead of describing its detailed steps
(eg. Retting Process, Resazzurin Test, ASTM #);
however, modifications for these
international/established procedures or tests
must be indicated

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 Materials & methods
- Tests and procedures conducted by a regulated
research institution do not need to be described in
detail; however, details should be elaborated in
tests and procedures personally designed and
performed by the students
- Include photographs, lay-outs, schematic diagrams
or drawings especially for inventions and new
products

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3
RESULTS
What your study found out?
 RESULTS
- It includes all data gathered from the
experiments which can be presented
through tables, graphs, figures, etc.
- Appropriate data presentation must be
observed. (eg. table vs. graph, bar graph
vs. line graph)
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 RESULTS
- Tables, graphs, figures, etc. should EACH
have their respective captions. A good caption
must have a Table/Graph/Figure Number and
a short description.
- Captions for tables must be placed on top of
the table. While those for figures, graphs,
diagrams, etc should be placed under them.
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 RESULTS
- Each table, graph, figure, etc may be
accompanied with short descriptions on the
trends derived from data analysis conducted.
- Subsections may be used especially if
multiple distinct tests were conducted (eg.
Results from Test No. 1, Results from Test
No.2).
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 RESULTS
- This part of the research paper may begin with:
This study determined the ____________ as
presented with the following tables, graphs
and figures.
- No discussions should be presented in this part
of the research paper; more than 90% of this
part shows only tables, graphs, figures, etc.

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4
DISCUSSIONS
Wider understanding of your Results
 DISCUSSIONS
- This part of the research paper should
be treated as the “soul” of the research
paper and not just as an accessory part
- Most of the related literatures are
integrated in this part and not in the
Introduction
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 DISCUSSIONS
- Subsections can also be used especially
if multiple distinct tests were conducted
(eg. discussion for results in Test No.1,
discussion for results in Test No. 2).

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 DISCUSSIONS
This part of the research paper usually answers the following
questions:
»What are the implications of the results and trends derived
from data analysis conducted?
»What are and how did these factors cause such results and
trends?
»What are the other related research that agree with such
results and trends? (If any, indicate how these research varied
from the research conducted especially in terms of materials
and methods used)

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 DISCUSSIONS
»What are established scientific knowledge (eg. science laws,
basic facts) that can explain or justify such results and trends?
»What are other related research and/or scientific knowledge
that contradict such results and trends? And what are the
possible causes of these contradictions?
»What are and how did these possible errors (eg. unwanted
factors) affect such results and trends?

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5
conclusions
An overall result of your study
 conclusions
- It summarizes the results of the research
- Usually two to three sentences with no subsections
- It should not generalize and should present only
conclusion based on the results and trends discussed.
Eventually, it should answer the objectives presented in
the introduction.
- It should mention a practical application.

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 RECOMMENDATIONS
- It presents what else can be done to improve
the research, to widen the knowledge about this
research topic, and other variables that can be
tested in relation to the research (other
researchers of the same interest will usually read
this part to conceptualize their own research
topic)
- Usually a short paragraph with no subsections
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 REFERENCES
- It includes all books, journals, credible websites
and all other resources that were used as
reference
- Citation style must be consistent; usual citation
formats include APA Style, MLA Style,
Chicago Manual of Style.
APA Style 7th Edition
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 RESEARCH PAPER
Margin: 1 inch to all sides
FORMAT
Main Headings: Capitalized, Bold
Subheadings (for subsections):
Regular Capitalization, Bold
Font Style: Times New Roman
Font Size: 11

Deadline of IMRaD: April 19, 2024

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THAT’S ALL
Any questions?
You can contact me at:
email: mamnolizel@gmail.com
phone: 09202634158

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