The Academic

Texts &
It’s Structure

INSTRUCTOR:
ZESA S. MINO,LPT, PhD
An important feature of academic texts is that
they are organized in a specific way; they have
a clear structure. This structure makes it easier
for the reader to navigate the text and
understand the material better. The structure
of an academic text should be clear throughout
the text and within each section, paragraph
and even sentence. 
The Structure of the Entire Text and
of Each Section
Most academic texts in the sciences adhere
to the model called IMRAD, which is an
acronym for introduction, methods and
materials, results, and discussion. The
model should, however, be complemented
with sections for aims and research
questions, as these make up the very
backbone of an academic text in the
sciences. These often appear towards the
end of the introduction, but sometimes also
after a separate heading.
Aim
The aim determines the entire academic text and
the content found in each section. The aim
captures what you intend to achieve with your
study. One example could be that the aim of the
study was “to investigate how effective rehabilitat
ion interventions are for smoking cessation”. It is
crucial that the aim is consistent with every oth
er section of the text. The title should highlight th
e same aspects of the study that your aim does,
and all the subsequent sections of the text
should respond to the aim. 
Research Questions
The aim is often rather general, and may have to be
narrowed down with research questions. In other words,
research questions are specific questions that enable
you to reach your aim. In the example given, research
questions could be, “What rehabilitation interventions
exist?” and “How many patients are still smoke free after
one year?” Remember that there must be a clear link
between your aim and your research questions, but they
should not be identical. Only ask questions that will help
you fulfil your aim. 
If you have several research questions, you should
consider how to order them. Is there a logical order,
in other words, can some questions only be
understood after having read others? Are some
questions more important than others? Place the
research questions in an order that makes sense to
you and then maintain that order throughout the rest
of your thesis.
Introduction
The introduction of the text must start with something much
more general than your research questions. It is often said
that the introduction should be shaped like a funnel (as it is
in the IMRAD model). This means that you should start in a
broad and general manner and then gradually zoom in on
your own, more specific topic. The text needs to start with
something that your reader can relate to, and that shows
your reader what field your research will contribute to, as
well as how it will do so. 
The introduction should provide everything the reader
needs to know in order to understand your aim as well as
why the aim is important. Convincing your reader that your
aim is important often entails showing that there is
something we do not know, but that we would benefit from
knowing. When you have accounted for the context and
pointed to the importance of new knowledge in the field,
your reader will be well prepared when you present your
aim and research questions towards the end of the
introduction.
Methods and Materials
In the methods section you should show your
reader exactly how you have conducted your
research, that is, what you have done to fulfill your
aim and answer your research questions. First, your
reader should understand how you got the results
you did, and second, after reading this section, they
should be able to duplicate your research. But what
is meant by "exactly" how you conducted your
research?
Keep in mind the significant facts; how you got your
results, and what the reader would need to do to
duplicate them. Disregard irrelevant details: you do
not, for instance, need to tell your reader that you
went to the library or that you talked to the librarian.
Neither do you need to tell your readers about all th
e ideas you had or things you wanted to do but did
not do. Focus on what you did, and account for the
choices you made, when necessary. 
Results
In the results section you should account for your
results in an objective manner, without interpreting
them (interpreting your results is what you do in
the discussion part). If you posed several research
questions, you should account for the results in
the same order that you posed your research
questions; the consistency will help make the tex
t coherent and help your reader understand the
information you are presenting.  
It may help your readers if you use illustrations such as tables
and charts when presenting your results. The illustrations
should be clearly linked to your text, but you should not
repeat all the information provided in the chart. Instead,
account for the most important aspects or trends visible in the
tables or charts; in other words, tell your reader what you want
them to observe. Please note that tables and charts should be
understandable without reading the body text, so it is
important that you include captions that indicate what
they illustrate.
Discussion

The discussion section of your text is where you in

terpret your results for your reader. It is the section
of your text that is usually most difficult to write, for
here you are not merely writing about something
that you have already done, you have to write and
analyze at the same time. All parts of your
discussion should analyze your results.
The rest of the discussion should analyze and discuss your
results. It may be helpful to keep the following questions in
mind:
What do your results mean?
How do they relate to previous research? What
are the reasons for potential differences between
your study and previous research? What do
potential similarities indicate?
How may your method have affected your results?
What are the strengths and weaknesses of the
study? How do they affect your results?
How are your results important to future
developments? What are the clinical implications,
for example?
What kind of research is needed in the field in the
future, and why?
Conclusion
In your conclusion you should fulfill your aim and account
for what you have found in your study. When you write your
conclusion you have a golden opportunity to make sure
that all the sections of your thesis are connected and that
the focus is consistent in each section.  
Please remember that the conclusion is not merely a brief
repetition of your results. Focus instead on what your result
s may imply after careful consideration.