Elements of the Academic Paper

You will analyze, evaluate, and select evidence to develop a logical, well-reasoned argument and
conclusion in an academic paper of approximately 4,0005,000 words that addresses the research
question/project goal and conveys your perspective.
You must avoid plagiarism by acknowledging, attributing, and/or citing sources throughout the paper and
by including a bibliography.
Your Academic Paper must contain the required elements described below:
Introduction: Provides background and contextualizes the research question/project goal and your initial
assumptions and/or hypotheses. Introduces and reviews previous work in the field, synthesizing
information and a range of perspectives related to the research question/project goal. Identifies the gap in
the current field of knowledge to be addressed.
Method, Process, or Approach: Explains and provides justification for the chosen method, process, or
approach.
Results, Product, or Findings: Presents the findings, evidence, results, or product.
Discussion, Analysis, and/or Evaluation: Interprets the significance of the results, product, or findings;
explores connections to original research question/project goal. Discusses the implications and limitations
of the research.
Conclusion and Future Directions: Reflects on the process and how this project could impact the field.
Discusses possible next steps.
Bibliography: Provides a complete list of sources cited and consulted in the appropriate disciplinary
style.
Now lets talk about methods
Here is some of the syllabus information from College Board that is relevant to method alignment:
EK 1.1D1: Scholars explore, explain, and create.
EK 1.4B1: Methods for data collection, analysis, innovation, and/or interpretation should be
aligned with the research question/project goal.
EK 1.4B2: Methods of inquiry may include research methods (e.g., qualitative , quantitative , or
mixed) or artistic processes (e.g., generating, conceptualizing, testing, and then refining aesthetic
approaches).
EK 1.4B3: Throughout the process of determining scope and feasibility, the scholar may, where
appropriate, adjust the course of inquiry and/or develop different tools, methods, and processes.
EK 1.4B5: Based on the research question or project goal, methods of data or information
collection may be qualitative (e.g., open-ended survey questions, interviews, observational notes,
interpretation of texts); may be quantitative (e.g., precise measurements, modeling, using structured
and validated data collection instruments and procedures); or could include a combination of both
qualitative and quantitative (mixed).
EK 1.4B6: Scholars analyze data or information in a variety of ways appropriate to the inquiry.

 EK 1.4B7: Scholars identify reasons for choosing a sample of information, a population, or

artifacts and understand the limits of the inferences or conclusions made based on the sample chosen.
EK 1.4B9: Scholars often organize and categorize (or code ) data/information to identify patterns
or themes.
EK 1.4B10: Scholars can combine qualitative and quantitative data/information to triangulate and
corroborate trends, patterns, correlations, and/or themes.
Study Design and Method Alignment
1. You will need to describe whether your approach is to explore something, explain something, or create
something (solution or theory).
Explore a phenomenon/event/thing and look for themes, variables, and trends
Explain connections between and patterns within phenomena, events, variables
Create or design a solution to a problem
2. You will also need to describe whether the design of your study is experimental or non-experimental.
Whichever design you choose, the design must be explicit and clear so as to be reproducible.
3. You will need to be able to describe the type of data that you were trying to find.
Primary sources? Secondary Sources?
Quantitative Data? Qualitative Data? Mixture of both?

Primary Research
Advantages

Researcher can
focus on both
qualitative and
quantitative
issues
Addresses specific
research issues

Disadvantages

Can be very
expensive in
preparing and
carrying out the
research
Requires the
development and
execution of a
research plan

Researcher
It takes longer to
controls the
undertake
design to fit their primary research
needs
than to acquire
secondary data

Secondary Research
Advantages

Disadvantages

Somebody has
done all the
legwork for you

Establishing
credibility may be
an issue

Others may have Is it up to date?

more resources at
their disposal
than you
There is usually
Is it a fair
greater variety to representation?
choose from

Greater control of Low response rate It is usually

issues such as size has to be
quicker to find
of project, time
expected
frame, and goal

It might not be an
exact fit for your
purpose

Quantitative

Open and flexible data

categories emerge through the
process.

Focus is on objectivity
Explanatory

Qualitative
Focus is on interpretation
Descriptive/Exploratory

Data is counted/measured (i.e. Data is descriptive often textual.

uses numbers). It tends to
It tends to focus on a specific
come from lots of people.
case or cases.
Pre-organised data categories

Focus on facts and the

Focus on meanings
relationship between one set of
facts and another
Aims to find generalizable
Aims to find insights into
conclusions
particular contexts
*Quantitative research is empirical research where the data are in the form of numbers. Qualitative
research is empirical research where the data are not in the form of numbers. (Punch, K; 1998)

4. You will also need to be able to describe the method that you are using to collect and analyze this data.
You will need to defend why it is well-aligned for your approach and purpose. The literature review in
your paper will highlight that there is a gap in the current knowledge about your topic. The type of gap
you are identifying should help you determine which method of data collection and analysis will help you
fill that gap. You will discuss the limitations of your selected method at the end of your paper when you
are analyzing your data and filling the gap. You will also discuss how what you have found through your
research compares to the previous scholarship in the field. You can suggest the need for further research
and discuss how your research will affect the field going forward.
The next few pages have some charts that you have seen in different PowerPoints and posts, but I wanted
to include them on this handout.

Inquiry
Process

Approach

Design

Method

Case Study
research

Explore/Explain/ Exp/non-exp Qnt., Qlt., Mxd.

Explore
NonQualitative
Create
Experimental

Causalcomparative
research

Explain

Primary/
Secondary
Data
1, 2, both
Usually 1

NonQuantitative or
Experimental Mixed

both

Explore
Correlational Explore/Explain

Non-Experimental

research

NonExperimental

both
both

Descriptive Explore
research

NonQualitative
Experimental

both

Ethnographic Explore

Non-Experimental

Qualitative
Experimental Quantitative or
Mixed

Usually 1
Usually 1

Grounded
Explore/Explain
Hermeneutic
Theory
Explore

Non-Experimental

Historical
research

Explore

NonQualitative
Experimental

both
Usually 2,
sometimes
both
Usually 2,

Metaanalysis
research
Narrative

Explore/Explain

Content analysis

Experimental
research

Explain

research

Explore

research
Phenomenology

Qualitative
Qualitative

NonQualitative/
Experimental Quantitative/
Mixed
NonQualitative

sometimes
both
Usually 2
Usually 1

Experimental
Explore
Explore/Explain

Quasiexperiment
True
al
Explain
Experimental
research

NonExperimental

Qualitative
Quantitative

Non-Experimental

Qualitative
Experimental Quantitative/
Mixed

Usually 1
Usually 1

Experimental Quantitative

Usually 1