Logical Structure
Structure the document as a logical progression of ideas
While academic publications have many forms, most follow a logical progression something like this:
- a) Introduce topic, importance and context
- b) Review literature, and define concepts and research question
- c) Describe method and research design
- d) Analyze data
- e) Discuss Results
While heading names vary considerably, and different publication types expand, combine, delete or contract sections, every section asks and answers different questions. Presenting ideas in a logical sequence seems common to all formats, e. g. a research in progress paper has no results section, but otherwise the sequence is the same. This general academic "form" helps researchers think forwards rather than backwards, by weaving a subtle path between the world of abstract theory and the world of concrete events (Figure 1. The path usually begins with a practical problem, and then moves to relevant theories from the world of abstract ideas, which analysis gives a research question expressed in abstract terms. From that question an appropriate practical method is chosen, to give concrete data which when analyzed give conclusions that hopefully answer the research question, impact current theory, and aid the practical problem the research began with. Research is "powered" by the abstract, but "grounded" in the concrete.
Example(s)
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