Research Paper Structure

Structure for Research Papers

1. Title, Abstract, and Keywords

Title: Precise, specific, informative; should reflect the main variables, text, or phenomenon studied.

Abstract (150–250 words): Briefly cover:

Background/Context

Gap/Problem

Method

Key Findings

Contribution/Implications

Keywords (5–8): Core concepts, theories, authors, or linguistic/analytical categories.

2. Introduction (Context → Focus → Gap)

• Start broad: significance of the phenomenon/text/domain.
• Narrow down: specific text, dataset, issue, or linguistic feature.
• Establish what is known so far.
• Identify the gap: what remains unexplored, unclear, contradictory, or underexamined.
• Conclude with a smooth transition into research aims.

3. Research Goals: RQs, Objectives, and Significance

Research Questions (RQs): The precise questions the paper answers.

Objectives: What the study does to answer the RQs (examine, categorize, compare, interpret).

Significance: Why the study matters—its value to the field (e.g., Translation Studies, Stylistics, Quranic linguistics, Pragmatics).

4. Literature Review (Conceptual & Theoretical Foundation)

• Organize thematically (not source-by-source).
• Identify major streams of scholarship relevant to your study.
• Summarize and synthesize—not describe—existing research.
• Introduce the theories/models/frameworks the study uses.
• Highlight exactly how the literature leads to the gap.

5. Methodology (Transparent, Replicable, Precise)

Research Design: Qualitative, quantitative, descriptive, comparative, justify the choice.

Data Source: Text, corpus, participants, edition, translator, justify selection.

Analytical Procedure:

Coding/classification steps

Analytical categories

Tools, frameworks, theoretical lenses

Step-by-step explanation

Validity / Reliability / Trustworthiness: Triangulation, inter-coder checks, theory-grounded categories, systematic documentation.

6. Data Analysis and Findings (Empirical Evidence)

• Organize by analytical categories (e.g., metaphor, cohesive devices, syntactic shifts).
• Present examples/data excerpts first.
• Provide a concise explanation of what the data show.
• Avoid long theoretical interpretations here; save them for Discussion.

7. Discussion and Interpretation (Connecting Data to Theory)

• Explain how the findings answer each RQ.
• Interpret patterns, strategies, stylistic/linguistic choices, or translation approaches.
• Connect findings to the theoretical framework introduced earlier.
• Compare results with previous studies (agreement, departure, advancement).
• Explain the implications for the field.

8. Limitations and Delimitations

Limitations:

Practical or methodological constraints

Things beyond your control (e.g., single translation, access limits)

Delimitations:

Intentional boundaries

What you chose not to include and why (e.g., only one surah, qualitative-only).

9. Conclusion and Future Research

Briefly restate:

Purpose

Key findings

Contribution to knowledge

State concrete recommendations for future research:

Comparative studies

Larger corpora

Reader reception

Phonological analysis

Cross-linguistic perspectives

10. References and Appendices

References: Complete list of all cited works (APA, MLA, or required style).

Appendices: Extended tables, full texts, coding schemes, analytical checklists, transcription rules.