1. Abstract and Introduction

We will go through the sections of a research article in order: Abstract, Introduction, Methods, Results, Discussion, and Conclusion. This guide is written in an outline format; subtopics under the main topics are further indented to the right. Important research terms are in bold.

Abstract

• Summary of the article containing the most important findings
• Structured in a similar way as the full article: introduction, methods, results, conclusion

Introduction

• Background information on the topic studied
• Mentions previous research studies on the topic
• Explains why this study extends previous research
• Includes this study’s questions and goals
• Usually at the end of the Introduction is the hypothesis, which is the idea the researchers are testing in this study
  • Null hypothesis (H₀): the default explanation that there is no difference
  • Alternate hypothesis (H₁): a new explanation that there is some sort of difference
  • If the study finds enough evidence against the null hypothesis, then the researchers will reject it in favor of the alternate hypothesis
  • Statistical testing is used to determine whether the null hypothesis should be rejected (see “Results” section)

Next page: Methods