Components of academic paper

Abstract	·         No more than 100 words ·         Summarizes arguments ·         Mentions aims/purposes ·         Mentions focus of literature ·         Mentions methods of research ·         Mentions findings ·         Mentions implications
Introduction	·         Provides background information and rationale for the research, and indicates why the topic is useful/interesting/significant ·         Presents research questions ·         Presents research aims
Literature Review	·         Shows the reader that you are familiar with issues and debates in the field ·         Leads the reader through a critical discussion of the field organized into areas you feel are important ·         Discusses theory which is directly relevant to the issues ·         Provides evidence for main points ·         Presents major findings and limitations of the writer’s research
Methodology	·         Presents an understanding of the philosophical framework within which you see your inquiry / epistemology of research (using literature) ·         Justifies the methods of research (using literature) ·         Reveals the boundaries of the research ·         Describes what you did (past tense) for selection of site, participants, data gathering and data analysis ·         May include timeline depicting stages/steps in the research
Results	·         Presents the data and findings ·         Order/analyze data in ways justified earlier (methodology) ·         Past tense is used (usually) ·         Data in tables should be carefully set out and discussed
Discussion	·         Discusses findings ·         Draw out main achievements ·         Explain results ·         Make links between aims and findings (and the literature)
Conclusion	·         Draw all arguments and findings together ·         Leaves the reader with a strong sense that the work you set out to do has been completed ·         Summarizes major findings ·         Presents limitations ·         Presents implications ·         Suggests directions for future research ·         Ends on a strong note