GOVERNMENT COLLEGE

WOMEN UNIVERSITY
FAISALABAD
Program: BS Honors
Course code:ENG-421
Course Title: Technical Writing
Semester :3rd
Session: 2019-2023
Topic: Generic Structure of Research paper /Term paper
Part III
Structure of Research Paper
Structure of Research Paper
Writing research papers does not come naturally
to most of us. The typical research paper is a highly
codified rhetorical form. Knowledge of the rules—
some explicit, others implied—goes a long way
toward writing a paper.
The structure of a research paper might seem
quite stiff, but it serves a purpose: It will help find
information you are looking for easily and also
help structure your thoughts and communication.
Parts or sections of Research Paper
A Research paper frequently follows this structure:
Title Page
Table of contents
Acknowledgment
Abstract
Introduction
Methodology
Results
Discussion
Conclusion
References
Appendix
 Title Page of Research paper
The title page should contain the:
name(s) of the author(s)
name and position of the mentor
name of the program or course in which the
research was completed
department in which the research was conducted
contact information of both author(s) and
mentor(s)
date of completion
 Title of Research Paper
The title is not a section, but it is necessary and
important.
The title should be short and unambiguous, yet be an
adequate description of the work.
 A general rule is that the title should contain the key
words describing the work presented.
Remember that the title becomes the basis for most
on-line computer searches - if your title is insufficient,
few people will find or read your paper.
 Acknowledgement
This section is devoted to thanking any persons or institutions

that made the research possible.

If, in your research, you received any significant help in

carrying out the work, or received materials from someone

who did you a favor by supplying them, you must acknowledge
their assistance and the service or material provided.
Acknowledgments are always brief and never flowery.
 Abstract

An abstract summarizes, in one paragraph (usually),

the major aspects of the entire paper in the
following prescribed sequence:
problem to be investigated
purpose of the study
methods
major results
interpretations and implications of the
results
 Abstract
Style:
The Abstract is ONLY text. Use the active voice when
possible, but much of it may require passive constructions.
Write your Abstract using concise, but complete,
sentences, and get to the point quickly. Use past tense.
Maximum length should be 200-300 words, usually in a
single paragraph.
 Introduction
The introduction should provide the reader with all
the background information needed to understand
the paper.
State why the problem you address is important     
State what is lacking in the current knowledge     
State the objectives of your study or the research
question     
 Introduction
Style:
Use the active voice as much as possible. Some use of
first person is okay, but do not overdo it.
 Introduction
 Function:
The function of the Introduction is to:
Establish the context of the work being reported.
State the purpose of the work in the form of the
hypothesis, question, or problem you investigated;
and,
Briefly explain your rationale, approach and, whenever
possible, the possible outcomes your research can
reveal.
Continued..