Writing a research paper isn’t a straightforward process and if you miss out on certain elements, it could impact how the information is received by your audience. It can be especially important to compile a comprehensive yet succinct piece when you are presenting your work to tutors or industry experts, so before you begin writing, you should define exactly what makes an article successful and go from there.
6 crucial elements of focus
When it comes to writing a research article, one of the best assets at your disposal will be planning. Take some time to pinpoint the central message you want to convey, the length of the article should be, the target readership for your piece and how you can present your findings as a stand-alone or supporting principle. The title will need to be impactful, so remember to take your time to ensure it encapsulates the main premise of your article while still commanding attention.
Here are the 6 crucial elements of focus:
1. The abstract
The abstract is the opening paragraph of your piece and should be utilized to summarise the information the reader can expect to find within the article. This needs to be brief, yet cover how the data contained within was selected and examined to bring you to your deductions, a condensed overview of the results found and affirm your objectives.
2. The introduction
Your introduction is where you should state your intention and set the tone and flow for the rest of the article. It will function in much the same way as the title, in that it needs to be interesting and engaging. Remember to rationalize the information you are presenting and explain why it is relevant to your field of expertise.
3. Methods
This section will give your readers the chance to see exactly how your work was carried out and how you reached your conclusions so that they can not only see the sources and relevance of the information but also replicate your methods themselves should they desire to. The main focus is clarity, but you should back this up with logic and a clear outline that is easy to follow.
4. Results
The results section can make or break your paper and will be a great opportunity to detail your results with graphics, charts, tables, etc. This is where your audience will be better able to understand your findings without your personal opinion in mind.
5. The conclusion
Use your conclusion to showcase your findings and relay your interpretations and opinions to show how your research led you to where you are.
6. References
Always add references to the end of your research article so that your readers can see how you conducted your studies, came to your conclusions and encourage them to do their own research to support your ideas.
Key takeaways
All well-written papers will be structured, easy to read and simple to follow while being full of thought-provoking, well-researched information and data to back up its premise. This outline can be followed no matter the nature or complexity of your research article and will work towards its overall success.
