RES701 Research Methodology Lecture6_Devaprakasam

DEVAPRAKASAM DEIVASAGAYAM
Professor of Mechanical Engineering
Room:11, LW, 2nd Floor
School of Mechanical and Building Sciences
Email: devaprakasam.d@vit.ac.in, dr.devaprakasam@gmail.com
RES701: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY (3:0:0:3)
Devaprakasam D, Email: devaprakasam.d@vit.ac.in, Ph: +91 9786553933

Parts of a Scientific paper
The Title
The Abstract
The Introduction
Methods
Results(tables and figures)
the Discussion
Acknowledgement
References

The IMRAD Structure
Introduction answers “why’’
Methods answers “when, where, how, how much?’’
Results answers “what?’’
And
Discussion answers “so what?”

The Title
Title should catch the imaginations of the readers.
A good title is defined as the fewest possible words
that describe the contents of the paper.
An improperly titled paper will get lost and will never
be read.
Informative and specific
Concise
Understandable

How to Prepare the Title
Make a list of the most important keywords
Think of a title that contains these words
The title could state the conclusion of the paper

Title Page
The following information needs to be on the title
page:
The title of your research paper
First name and surname of the author(s)
Affiliations, Addresses
Corresponding author(s) email(s)

Abstract
Abstract reflects the essence of the entire research
work presented in the article.
An abstract presents a brief summary of your
research.
The aim of the abstract is to briefly provide the
reader with the most important information from the
entire text.

Abstract
It should be written in clear and simple words, as it
is the first and sometimes the only part of the
manuscript read.
It should provide a complete and selective summary
of the most significant ideas and information
Describe the methods used
Summarize the results, and
State the principal conclusions

Criteria of the Abstract
It should not exceed 250 words
It should be written in one paragraph.
Long words should be followed by its abbreviation
which would be used through out the abstract and
paper.
It should never give any information or conclusion
that is not stated in the paper

Introduction
 Background, Known Information
Knowledge gap, Unknown Information
Hypothesis, Questions, Purpose Statement
Approach, Plan, Proposed solution.

Introduction
The first part of your research paper is your
introduction.
This is where you provide an introduction to the
topic of your research: you give the context in terms
of content of the research work.

Introduction
The introduction should answer the following
questions:
What was I studying?
Why was this an important question?
What did I know about this topic before I did this
study?
What model was I testing? and
What approach did I take in this study?

AREA OF FOCUS
The significance of the study will mainly focus on
the question “Who will benefit from the study?”.
This section will state the contribution of your study
and the usefulness of your study in the society.

Related Literature
In this part you must get your data and information from any books,
magazines, and news papers. You must label your published material
with local or foreign.
• 1. Must be also organized to cover specific problems.
• 2. Must take all the evidences about the problem with the author’s
experiences.
• 3. As much as possible, get the latest published materials. Avoid old
published materials.
• 4. It must be related to your topic. If not, do not get it.
• 5. On the last part of this part you must have a statement how this
old published material helps the researcher in their current study and
relate it to your study.

Research Questions
The problem must be reflected to your title or the
readers must know your problem by just simply
reading your topic.
The problem must not be answerable by yes or no
and must be arranged in the flow of your
documentation or study.

Methods
• Be precise, complete and concise.
• Include only relevant information-no unnecessary
details, anecdotes, excuses or confessions.
• Detailed experimental procedures
• Questions such as “how” or “how much” must be
answered and not left to be puzzled over
• Explains analytical techniques used

Data Analysis And Interpretation
Data may be analyzed quantitatively or qualitatively
depending on the level of measurement and the
number of dimensions and variables of the study.
Analyze in depth to give meaning to the data
presented in the data presented in the table. Avoid
table reading.
State statistical descriptions in declarative
sentences, e.g. in the studies involving:

Interpretation of Data
Establish interconnection between and among data
Check for indicators whether hypothesis/es is/are
supported or not by findings.
Link the present findings with the previous
literature.
Use parallel observations with contemporary events
to give credence presented in the introduction.

Result (tables and figures)
It is the core or heart of the paper
It needs to be clearly and simply stated since it
constitutes the new knowledge contributed to the
world
Summarize and illustrate the findings in an orderly
and logical sequence, without interpretation
 Should guide the reader through the findings,
stressing the major points

Tables and Figures
Tables and Figures are the foundation of your story
Figures and tables should stand alone and tell a
complete story
The reader should not need to refer back to the
main text

Tips on Tables and Figures
Use the fewest figures and tables needed to tell the
story.
Do not present the same data in both a figure and a
table

Discussion
It is the hardest section to write.
Its primary purpose is to show the relationships
among observed facts
It should end with a short summary or conclusion
regarding the significance of the work.
State your conclusions as clearly as possible
Summarize your evidence for each conclusion

Discussion
Answer The Questions Asked
Support Your Conclusion (Your Data, Other’s Data)
Defend Your Conclusion
Give The Big Picture “take Home Message’’

Recommendations
They should be based on the findings and
conclusion of the study.
Recommendations may be specific or general or
both. They may include suggestions for further
studies.
They should be in non-technical language.
They should be feasible, workable, flexible, doable,
adaptable.

References
What is referencing?
Referencing is a standardized way of acknowledging
the sources of information and ideas that you have
used in your document.
A list of ALL the references used in the text must be
written.

Reference List
• Any papers not cited in the text should not be
included.
• Reference lists allow readers to investigate the
subject in greater depth.
• A reference list contains only the books, articles,
and web pages etc that are cited in the text of the
document.

RES701 Research Methodology Lecture6_Devaprakasam

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RES701 Research Methodology Lecture6_Devaprakasam