Outlining the Average Journal Article:

1. Outlining the Average Journal Article: A Quick Look at the Sections Taken from Cantor A Guide to Academic Writing with additions Jennifer L. Bowie

2. The Title & Abstract • The Title: • Make it concise and applicable • See Huff & our earlier title discussions for more details • The Abstract: • Be clear, concise, and provide the type of abstract they want • Length is typically around 150 word but can vary • Use to sell the paper • See our earlier abstract discussion & slides for more details

3. Introduction • Describe why the focus of your article is important • Introduce readers to the problem area • Use the literature as support • Answer the “so what” question • Provide the significance of the problem • Present the need for your work • Tie to your field/area • Keep this short, a few paragraphs probably

4. Purpose of Study Only needed if study & this may fall into another section • Provide the rationale for your particular study • Often starts with “The purpose of this study is to…” • Presents the problem statement (declarative, not as a question) • Keep it brief, a few paragraphs at most • May provide an overview of your hypotheses, research questions, and methodology • May include limitations and definitions

5. Literature Review • Discuss related research • Demonstrate how the related research supports your work • Show the void your work will fill • Discuss previous work that agrees/disagree with your findings and work • Present a variety of opinions • Organize the reviews so it flows

6. Method/Methodology In some areas this will be combined with the purpose of study section. The purpose section will start this section. • Discuss how the research was conducted • Defend the methodology • Discuss issues like rigor and biases • Make it clear how your methods, methodology, and research questions relate • Make sure you include the three subsections…

7. Method/Methodology: Subsections • Population & Sample: • Discuss the subjects, including basic demographic information (as needed), numbers of sample and total population, & selection process • Materials: • Detail any needed materials, facilities, and apparatus • Procedure: • Discuss how the study was done, step by step • If applicable provide information on the pilot study • Validate your measures and instruments • Support as needed with literature

8. Results • Provide and describe the findings from your study • Include raw data and enough details for it to make sense • Include all findings, even if they do not support your hypothesis • Explain any problems, inconsistencies, or discrepancies with the results • Compare findings to your predictions and past studies • Use visuals to display data • Include and explain stats used (if used)

9. Discussion/Conclusion These sections may be separate or combined • Discussion: • Evaluate and interpret your results • Qualify findings as needed • Draw inferences • Related the findings to your literature • Discuss how findings related to hypothesis • Examine unconfirmed areas • Present 1-2 or a few general conclusions from the findings • Discuss any issues or problems with the research including problems that occurred while doing the research • Explore any limitations • Discuss the theoretical and practical implications of your findings • Conclusion: • If it is separate from the discussion it will probably be short, a few paragraphs • Summarize the whole article • Step back and provide a more universal and general discussion of the study and implications • Present further areas of study • Answer the questions of “now what?” • Reiterate the “so what” answers

10. Don’t forget the Reference list! • Use whatever formatting is require by the journal

11. The End Questions?