Academic Writing: Guide Sections
Important Points to Include in a Research Paper Outline
When a student faces a need to write a research paper, they need to have something to start with. An optimal material, which would be extremely helpful for the researchers, is a research paper outline.
Research paper outline serves as a plan of the work, showing the researcher, which points should be included in it. A research paper is to have a clear structure; therefore, a research paper outline can serve as a guide for the structured paper.
Research paper outline: The required sections
A traditional research paper outline suggests including the following sections in the work:
- Abstract
Abstract serves as a brief description of the paper; it gives a reader a chance to get an idea about the content of the work. This section of a research paper outline cannot be omitted.
- Introduction
In the introduction, the author should give their motivation for the research, showing the gaps and gains of the previous studies.
- Research aims
A research paper outline should always contain the research aims, which have to be expressed by the author in two-three sentences.
- Research questions
Any research paper outline has to demand clear research questions, which determine the content of the work itself.
- Detailed Methodology
The detailed description of methods used in the research is obligatory in any research paper outline.
- Data analysis
The analysis of the data gathered in the flow of the research is the key element of the research, as it is the essence of research itself.
- Results
The next section of a research paper outline is description of results. The best way to present the findings is to give statistics, tables, or diagrams.
- Discussion
The results should be evaluated in the discussion section of a research paper outline.
- Conclusion
The conclusion of a research paper should include the objective assessment of the work’s findings and directions for further research.