Structure of an Empirical Research Paper

— Research Title
— Abstract
- Purpose/ Objective
- Research Methodology/ Research design
- Research Findings
- Research Conclusion
Optional:
- Implications / Limitation of Research
- Originality of Research
1
1. Introduction :
- Background of research
- Short explanation in selecting the sector
- Research gap
- Research question
- Research motivation
- Research findings
- Research contribution
- Structure of the paper
2
2. Literature Review and Hypothesis Development
- What is literature review?
- to find out research gap
- to develop the hypothesis
- to match the result with the findings
- How to develop the hypothesis?
based on
— Theory, (agency theory)
— prior research, and
— organizational context/country setting)
- Summary Table
- Papers reference in the text
3
— 3. Research Methodology
- Sample Selection
- Research Model
- Variable definition
- Sources of Data

4
4. Findings/Empirical Results
- Descriptive Statistics
- Correlation Matrix
- Multivariate Analysis / Regression Analysis

5
5. Additional Analysis
- Time/ Year dummy
- Industry Dummy
- Lag Model
- Interaction Effect
- Alternative model

6
6. Conclusion
- Summary of Findings
- Recommendation
- Limitations
- Area of future Research

7
— Reference
- alphabetical order
- uniformity
- Accounting Review / APA/ Harvard /