A. Introduction
In this section, you should
-
- Introduce your topic.
- Discuss your puzzle. Introduce your research question (Ask a why or how question.)
- Discuss the significance of your question. Why is it important or relevant to the field? Why should we care about it? (This addresses the “so what?” question.)
- Briefly present your main argument (thesis statement or the answer to the research question), and
- Provide a brief roadmap to the paper. How will the paper proceed?
Note: In the Introduction, avoid using jargon. Do not provide overly detailed information. Make it easy for the reader to digest information. (Imagine explaining your research to your family member!)
B. Literature review/Theoretical framework
- Discuss existing research/scholarly debate on your research question
- What do scholars say about the question?
- Group their perspectives/theories by the answer, not by the individual author. You are NOT writing an annotated bibliography. Focus on the concepts, ideas, or perspectives presented.
- Critically evaluate what you think is missing in existing studies. Or discuss what you find compelling about someone’s perspective.
C. Hypothesis (assumption)
- What do you believe is true about the question you’re asking? Your hypothesis should be clearly linked to the literature review.
D. Methods (C and D can be combined; or sometimes, B-D are placed in one section)
- Discuss how you have gathered data if you conduct a quantitative analysis.
- If you are doing a case study, discuss why you have chosen the specific case(s).
E. Case study/Analysis
- This is an extremely important section. Provide detailed empirical information about your case.
- Make sure that the case study is relevant to your research question and contributes to the overall objectives of your study
F. Conclusion
- Return to your core question.
- Summarize your main argument and findings.
- Discuss the broader implications or propose potential future research directions.