UW-Madison "Writing Process & Structure"

Introduction: Should be brief. Approximately 250-600 words in length though is flexible.

1. Why is your research important?   
2. What is known about your topic?
3. What are your hypothesies? (Or hypothesis--singular)
4. What are your objectives?

Materials and Methods: Meticulous and time consuming task requiring extreme accuracy, descriptive, and clarity. This section's purpose is to allow other readers to evaluate and reproduce your methods--step by step.

1. What materials did you use?
2. Who were the subjects of your study?
3. What was the design on your study?
4. What procedures did you follow?
5. How was the data taken?  Consistant throught out experiment?

Results:  Objectively present your key findings in an orderly and logical sequence. Tables & figures should be present in this section.  Create a well -researched and comprehensive case/

1. What are the most significant results?
2. What are your supporting resulst?

Discussion and Conclusions: (These can be separate sections within your paper)  The Discussion section should place your findings in the research context and "to explain the meaning of the findings and why they are important, without appearing arrogant, condescending or patronizing."

1. What are the studies major findings?
2. What is the significance or implciations of the results?

Kallestinova, ED. How to write your first research paper. Yale Journalof Biology and Medicine. 84(2011), 181-190.

If you will be presenting a poster for a research fair or conference, look in the "StudentNet" to locate School of Nursing Poster templates.