Research paper
Implementing Hearing Screening Protocols Recommendations /guidelines and efficiency/effectiveness of most common protocols
Writing a Research Report
The research paper/project
· Must have all sections identified and correctly labeled
· Title page /authors affiliation
· Abstract (separate page)
· Introduction/ Background
· Main Body : Varies if its an experimental paper , a clinical case description or a review of a topic
· Discussion/Conclusions
· List of Reference in APA format
Structure of the Research Project
· Initial Page : Title and author/r and affiliation/s
· Abstract/Summary (250 words max)
· Introduction/Background –”Serves the table” Present the topic contextualize, gives the reader necessary background information to understand the main points to be discussed and possible contributions
· Aims, Objectives : What is your research project about ? The objectives of the work should be explicit either at the end of the introduction/background section or in a separate page with subtitle
· Main body–This section varies for each type of RP-see next
· Discussion/conclusion : The final interpretation of the results/topic described in the project , main contributions, possible limitations, and directions for future research Also the final take away message or concluding comments re the topic being reviewed as well as the author/student interpretation
· Reference list in APA format and in text citations (see more details in the corresponding section/slides)
· Must have all sections identified and correctly labeled
· Title page /authors affiliation
· Abstract (separate page)
· Introduction/ Background
· Main Body : Varies if its an experimental paper , a clinical case description or a review of a topic
· Discussion/Conclusions
· List of Reference in APA format
Tips for the Abstract
· Summary (Words 120-150) in a paragraph, block formatted
· Provides an overview of the whole article (it’s a summary :only the essence)
· Use one or two brief sentences with the introduction/ background ,
· Emphasize on the objective or aims of the present project
· Give some important details of the methods and the main results and a brief conclusion or final comments on the contribution
Introduction/Background Section
· General overview of literature ( 2-3 pages) in relation to the RP main topic
· “Serves the table” or creates the context to understand the importance , originality/scientific value of the “research study/studies being reviewed by the student or the clinical case to be discussed/described”
· Includes in text citations (in APA format and style) to fundament the introduction Use the name and year of each publication or study cited and be sure to include the complete reference information in APA format at the end (Reference List)
· Briefly summarize what has been already investigated/the existing evidence on this particular topic and what would be the specific contribution or clarification of the present study
· Finish the introduction with the specific research questions and expectations of the project (study aim/s or objective/s) of the work)
Main Body: Clinical Case
· Describe here all info relevant to the patient history, symptoms and signs , as well as test results /labs –
· Discuss the diagnosis of the patient and the differential diagnosis in reference to related cases or syndromes
· Include intervention treatments received or planned Rehabilitation & Prognosis
· You may use subtitles/headings to separate different sections in the main body of the project and the different aspects to be considered
Experimental Paper
· Abstract
· Introduction
· Methods
· Results
· Discussion
· Conclusions
Reference List
Method Section: HOW?
· Give details (summarized) of the methods in the study or studies reviewed such as sample sizes characterization of participants; research design and procedures used
· If there are several experiments organize accordingly the section (subtitles or headings) to account for each of these
· In case your work is a theoretical analysis you may explain in this section the methodology used for the Literature review, the selection criteria and sources of information, the data bases searched and/or number of papers investigated etc.
Results Section
· Provide a through description of the main findings in the study or studies reviewed by the student which are the focus of your paper
· For a better understanding of the main findings of your research paper use “your own versions of tables and/or figures” to summarize the results-do NOT copy paste fro the published articles reviewed
· Each table or figure must have the sources for the data correctly cited to avoid misrepresentation
· Provide a written description and reference in the text for each table and/or figure (numbered sequentially)
· Words like “ note” or “observe” may be used in the corresponding narrative in the results /methods section to emphasize key points in each of these tables and figures
Results : Tables and figures
· Tables and/or figures should be used by the student to summarize the data of the articles reviewed
· The use of tables &/or figures is strongly recommended in the results section
· Tables and/or figures should be made by the student (Do not copy and paste from the published articles or references materials that you are summarizing)
· The specific findings or results must be directly shown and not only mentioned in the text
· The sources for the information should be cited at the bottom of the table or figure or in each row of a table if it comprises or summarizes several sources.
· Tables and figures should be numbered sequentially in the research paper with a legend under each.
Discussion/Conclusion Section
· Summary of the main findings reviewed by the student with an interpretation of these results
· Compare the findings reported in this project with other related findings/research already published :
· Are your findings in agreement/ support/expand previous research/knowledge in the fields? Which of these findings are original new/novelty
· If there is some discrepancy in the present results with previous findings explain possible reasons (methodological differences, study sample, design)
· Emphasize the specific contributions /originality of this research paper
· You may also indicate what aspects remain for future research and how should they be addressed.
Conclusions (1 paragraph)
· This final section provides the student/s final conclusions of the study/s contribution in the context on what was already evidenced/known for the particular subject investigated
· In what way the study advanced science?, expand previous knowledge?/ replicate findings?
· The conclusion will not enumerate the different results but will integrate /interpret all the results in the context of the body of research already published in this topic
· Use terminology such as this study demonstrates , …provides new evidence on ….expands previous knowledge
· References (APA style) must be cited correctly and consistently (use the same format throughout the text) Include in the references only published research articles/books chapters in the web of science
· Note that there is a specific way (and rules) to cite in the paper and another more detailed in the references list at the end
· The list must include not only the paper/s reviewed by the student which is object of this exercise but also all those that are cited in the introduction & the discussion section (related research in the topic) as well as the instruments or scales (if applicable) in the methods section