I use the steps in this presentation to: (i) test research ideas for research papers, (ii) shape research papers, and (iii) help draft the Introduction section of a research paper. For each step I draft one or two concise paragraphs. I then present and share these with co-authors, collaborators and colleagues to test the ideas and get feedback on how interesting and valid they are. I consider and work through these steps several times during the life of a research paper framed.

1. SEVEN STEPS FOR FRAMING AND
TESTING A RESEARCH PAPER
Professor Ian P. McCarthy
Email: ian_mccarthy@sfu.ca
Twitter: @Toffemen68
Blog: http://itdependsblog.blogspot.com/

2. INTRODUCTION
• I use the steps in this presentation to:
– test research ideas for research papers,
– shape research papers, and
– help draft the Introduction section of a
research paper.
• For each step I draft one or two concise
paragraphs.
• I then present and share these with co-
authors, collaborators and colleagues to test
the ideas and get feedback on how interesting
and valid they are.
• I consider and work through these steps
several times during the life of a research
paper framed.

3. 1. What is your X?
4. What are your research
questions about X?
The ‘X’ is the phenomenon,
issue or problem you aim to
advance understanding about.

4. STEP 1: WHAT IS YOUR X?
• Introduce the phenomenon, issue or
problem (the 'X') you aim to advance
understanding about.
• Concisely and precisely define it and
illustrate it (i.e., provide a prototypical
example of the X in practice).
– Provide a statement about the actual
reality, not just what researchers and
their research say about the reality.
• Explain why the X is interesting, important
and worthy of study?
– Who cares about it? Who will care about
the new insights you hope to publish?

5. STEP 2: WHAT DO WE KNOW ABOUT X?
• What has prior research on X focused on?
• What questions have been examined?
• How were the questions examined?
• What are the findings and what are the
implications?
• What has prior research called for in terms of
future studies on X?

6. STEP 3: WHAT DON’T WE KNOW ABOUT X?
• What are the gaps in our understanding of X?
• Are there inconsistencies, problems or puzzles
about X that really should be examined?
• If yes, why do they need to be examined?
• Who will care? How might the insights change
reality?

7. STEP 4: WHAT SPECIFIC QUESTIONS ABOUT X DO
YOU INVESTIGATE?
• State your research question. Make sure it is arguable.
• Make sure you care about it.
• Make sure others will care about it.
• Is it a “why”, “what” or a “how” question?
• Is it researchable within the given time frame and resources?

8. STEP 5: HOW WILL THE QUESTIONS BE TACKLED?
• How will you theoretically address the
questions?
– Why?
• How will you methodologically address
the questions?
– Why?
• What is the data and context for
addressing the questions?
– Why?
• Give the readers a sense of what it
would be like to a participant or object
in your study.

9. STEP 6: WHAT NEW INSIGHTS ARISE?
• What new insights (theoretical and practical)
does your study generate? How do you
advance understanding of X?
• Don’t just restate the findings. Explain their
significance.
• How exactly are they interesting? For
example, from Davis (1971):
– What seems to be a disorganized
phenomenon now seems to be an
organized phenomenon, or vice versa.
– What seems to be assorted
heterogeneous phenomena now seems
to be really composed of a single
element, or vice versa.
Davis, M.S., 1971. That's interesting! Towards a phenomenology of sociology and a sociology of phenomenology.
Philosophy of the social sciences, 1(2), pp.309-344.

10. STEP 7: WHAT ARE THE LIMITATIONS OF THE STUDY?
• What are the boundary conditions and
limitations of your study?
• What are the future research
directions?
– What questions remain answered?
– What new questions arise from your
study?
– Explain why they are really worth
pursuing.

11. WHOM
• As you go through the seven steps consider the audience for your
paper. For most research papers:
– Primary audience = the reviewers who review your paper and the
other researchers you hope will read and learn from your paper.
• Identify actual people. Have photos of them on the first page
of the paper. Write for them.
– Secondary audience = the members of society who will use your
research to improve society.
• List the reasons for:
– Why these audiences will like and approve of your research.
Deliver on these reasons.
– Why they will ignore or reject your research. Address these
reasons.

12. SUMMARY
• Using these seven steps will help
to ensure that your paper will:
– Be framed around a problem
or puzzle in the world, not
just a gap in the literature
– Contributes to theory and
practice.
– Appeals to a discernible
audience.
– Be published.
• Good luck!
Professor, Technology and
Operations Management
Beedie School of Business
Simon Fraser University
Email: ian_mccarthy@sfu.ca
Twitter: @Toffemen68
Blog: http://itdependsblog.blogspot.com/