BASIC PARTS OF A RESEARCH PAPER

In writing a research paper, take careful

note of its parts. The basic principle to
consider in writing research paper is that
you should first consider and familiarize
yourself with the “works” of others and
then try to compare them with your ideas.
1. TITLE PAGE

Oftentimes referred to as the ‘cover page,’

this section is where you indicate the title
of your research, your name, institutional
information and a few other relevant
information prescribed by your instructor.
2. INTRODUCTION

Introduce to your reader the “problem” by

providing a brief background of your research.
Include the basic reasons how and why you
came-up with the problem, and the probable
solutions that you can offer. In general, the
introduction summarizes the purpose of the
research paper.
REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE
This section is where you will be providing all the relevant
readings from previous works. Provide brief summaries or
descriptions of the works of other authors. Make sure that your
research materials are from credible sources such as academic
books and peer-reviewed journals. Also, make sure that your
reading materials are directly relevant to the topic of your
research paper. The literature review typically includes the
names of the authors, the titles of their works and the year of the
publication of these works.
METHODOLOGY

This section is where you will be providing the

methods that you will be using in your research.
Typical methodologies include laboratory
experiments, statistical or mathematical
calculations/computations, and comparison of
existing literature.
ANALYSIS OF DATA
This section is where you will be analyzing the data that
you have obtained from the methodological operation
that you have chosen. Depending on the type of your
research paper, data analysis instruments and operations
may vary. Common data analysis methods include but
are not limited to SWOT Analysis (Strengths, Weakness,
Opportunities and Threats) which is a form of a
qualitative data analysis.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Results / Findings / Presentation of Data

This section is where you will be presenting
the actual results of the analysis that you have
made based on your chosen methodology.
DISCUSSION
This is where you will be discussing more of the results
of your research, its implications on other fields as well
as the possible improvements that can be made in order
to further develop the concerns of your research. This is
also the section where you need to present the
importance of your study and how it will be able to
contribute to the field.
CONCLUSION

 Provide the conclusion to your research paper.

While it is important to restate your general thesis
in this section, it is also important to include a brief
restatement of the other parts of the research paper
such as the methodology, data analysis and results.
REFERENCE PAGE / BIBLIOGRAPHY

This section is where you list down all the

academic materials you have used as sources of
information in your research paper. Typical
reference formats/styles include but are not limited
to APA 5th, Harvard, MLA and Chicago/Turabian.
APPENDICES

This is the last few pages that support your analysis (especially
repetitive or lengthy information), validates your conclusions or
pursues a related point should be placed in an appendix (plural
appendices). Sometimes excerpts from this supporting
information (i.e. part of the data set) will be placed in the body
of the report but the complete set of information ( i.e. all of the
data set) will be included in the appendix.
Examples of information that could be included in an
appendix include figures/tables/charts/graphs of results,
statistics, questionnaires, transcripts of interviews, pictures,
lengthy derivations of equations, maps, drawings, letters,
specification or data sheets, computer program information.