PRACTICAL RESEARCH II

Writing the Content

IMRAD Format

VIVIAN S. RAMOS
Subject Teacher
IMRAD FORMAT OF RESEARCH
IMRAD Format-
I-ntroduction,
M-Methods
R -esults and
D-Discussion
Title The title comprises 10 to 15 valuable words
Abstract The abstract contains the description of the
main points of the study, participants,
methodology, results and potential
consequences, and future work. The abstract is
typically between 150-250 words (Purdue
Online Writing Lab, 2019)

Keywords The keywords should consist of five to seven

variables that were used in the study (i.e.,
Competency etc.). Keywords are written
alphabetically and separated by commas
(Subia, 2018).
Title The title comprises 10 to 15 valuable words
Abstract The abstract contains the description of the
main points of the study, participants,
methodology, results and potential
consequences, and future work. The abstract is
typically between 150-250 words (Purdue
Online Writing Lab, 2019)

Keywords The keywords should consist of five to seven

variables that were used in the study (i.e.,
Competency, Job Satisfaction, etc.). Keywords
are written alphabetically and separated by
commas (Subia, 2018).
Introduction
Rationale A rationale should not be more than two pages. The first paragraph should be
strong enough to arouse interest and cause an impact. Through summarizing the
current understanding and pieces of evidence about the subject, the rationale
institutes the scope, context and significance of the subject being studied (USC-
Libraries, 2016). The last paragraph should be convincing enough to justify the
conduct of the study. This can be done by citing how the findings of the study will
contribute to the existing knowledge. (Agustin, 2012).

Literature Review Observe coherence when writing a literature review present it following a certain
structure like from global to local. There must be a smooth transition between the
paragraphs and logical sequencing of the ideas. Do not jump from one topic to
another. Organize the review thematically and develop themes according to the
research variables/questions and their perceived relationship. The review should
culminate with a synthesis (Agustin, 2012).

For thesis, 30 to 35 references (5 to 7 pages) and for dissertation 35 to 40

sources (7 to 9 pages).The sources should be 10 years back.
Theoretical and Theoretical framework can be viewed as a road map that will lead to the
Conceptual accomplishment of research objectives/questions. This also orients the
Framework
readers as to variables included in the study and their perceived
relationship. Theories are general and broad statements of the interplay
among variables that can be too broad to test. In this case, you may draw
your conceptual framework from a theory. This requires your understanding
of the theory as well as your skills in contextualizing it to your present
study. Remember that your conceptual framework is the application of a
theory or a portion thereof in your present study. Guided by a theory, you
Statement of Statement of the problems are questions that Hypotheses (if
should be discussing the different variables in your study and their
the Problem necessary)
perceived relationship (Agustin, 2012)
and
Hypotheses (If
necessary)
Definition of Keywords are defined to promote a better understanding of the variables included
Keywords in the study. As such, it is better if to define these variables conceptually and
operationally. Agustin, 2012
Methodology
Research Design Research design utilized in the paper such as experimental , correlational,
phenomenological, etc. should be conceptually defined and described how it was
used in the study. (Subia, 2012)

Research Locale Discussed in this section are the respondents and where they come from. Also
and Sampling explained are the factors considered in selecting them (e.g. objectives of your
Procedures study, availability of data, and variables to be measured). Moreover, you need to
identify the inclusion and exclusion criteria that stipulate the exact characteristics
that must be met for a participants to be included in your study as well as the
exact characteristics that would exclude a member of the population. (Agustin,
2012).

Scope and This defined the boundaries of the research by identifying what will and will not
Delimitation be covered by your investigation. You should identify the main objective of the
study and cite the main variables included. The period of the conduct of the study
and the respondents included should also be cited.
Research In this part, the researcher will enumerate and explain the different tools
Instrument employed in gathering data (e.g. questionnaire, interview guide, and or
checklist). There are instances that standardized instruments are used. In
this case, the researcher just needs to describe such an instrument, its
contents and its applicability to the study. In most cases, the researcher
needs to develop his/her instrument that will suit the
research/objectives/statement of the problem (Agustin, 2012).

Data Gathering In this subsection, the researcher has to discuss the step-by step procedure
Procedures adopted in gathering the data. From securing a permit from proper authorities to
distribution and retrieval of a questionnaire, interview schedule, and other
procedures employed.

Data Analysis Written in this part are the data analysis tools used in treating the gathered data
per research objective/SOP (e.g. frequency, percentage, mean. Pearson’s r,
Spearman’s rho, t-test etc. for quantitative research designs and content
analysis, thematic analysis, discourse analysis, etc. for qualitative research
designs) Subia, 2018).
Ethical The ethical considerations the researcher must include in the study are the
Considerations following: 1. Informed consent, 2. Privacy and confidentiality, 3. Protection from
(for qualitative harm, 4. Risks and benefits, 5. Data protection, and 6. Deception (Subia, 2018).
research
involving
participants)
Results and
Discussion
Presentation, Present the data. Avoid table reading when presenting data. First writers often
Analysis and commit the mistake of presenting textually all the data in their tables. It should
Interpretation of only highlight the three important figures in your table: top-ranked, least ranked
Data and the overall average.
Analyze the data. Analyze the data because of the results of statistical measures.
Quantitative data are analyzed by (a) identifying patterns or commonalities in
responses (b) categorizing them and 3) drawing out common themes. The
implication or meaning of these values is discussed. Hypotheses are either
accepted or rejected in this section.

Interpret the data. The data should be translated into meaningful information. This
can be done by drawing the interconnections among data. This is lie putting data
together to form a meaningful whole. The researcher should also be able to
provide explanations of findings (e.g. you provide a possible explanation why the
relationship between two variables amounted to significant results).

Discuss the data. Link the present findings with the significant findings of
previous studies. It is in this section that the researcher may compare how/ his
her findings affirm or contradict findings of other studies mentioned in the
literature review (Agustin, 2012).
Conclusions The conclusion does not simply present the summary of findings
and it does not answer the question of what did you find, rather you
Recommendati should be able to answer the question so what if you found that. In
ons answering the so what question, you have to extract the insights,
the wisdom, and the significance or implications of your findings.
Play the so what game. If you feel your conclusion is not saying
anything new or interesting, try answering the so what questions.
If you find that variable Y is not correlated with variable X ask the
question so what and then try to answer it (Writing Center of
University of Carolina, 2012).

In the light of the findings and conclusions of your study,

recommendations are offered. This section is where you can
advance the practical application or utilization of your findings.
Your recommendations should be feasible, workable and
adaptable. They should be written in a suggestive tone.
Suggestion for further research end this question. (Agustin, 2012).
Reference
Materials
Bibliography 10 to 20 for Senior High School research paper, 20 to 30 for
undergraduate thesis
40-50 sources for Master’s Thesis and 50 to 60 sources for
Dissertation. 80% of the sources from journal research
publications (10 to 15% research from the Philippines and 65%
to 70% from other countries) (10 years back) and 20% from
other sources (i.e. Books, thesis magazines, online sources,
etc.)

Appendices Included here are the questionnaire, permission letters,

pictures, and other necessary documents used in data
gathering