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Imrad Format

The document outlines the Institutional Research Format (IRF) for thesis and dissertation at the University of St. La Salle, introducing the IMRaDC structure: Introduction, Methods, Results, and Discussion, along with Conclusions. This format aims to provide a distinct yet standardized approach for Lasallian researchers, facilitating easier conversion of research into journal articles and presentations. It details the components required in each section, emphasizing the importance of a clear structure in scientific writing.

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113 views5 pages

Imrad Format

The document outlines the Institutional Research Format (IRF) for thesis and dissertation at the University of St. La Salle, introducing the IMRaDC structure: Introduction, Methods, Results, and Discussion, along with Conclusions. This format aims to provide a distinct yet standardized approach for Lasallian researchers, facilitating easier conversion of research into journal articles and presentations. It details the components required in each section, emphasizing the importance of a clear structure in scientific writing.

Uploaded by

giaraesantos
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

UNIVERSITY RESEARCH CENTER

UNIVERSITY OF ST. LA SALLE

INSTITUTIONAL RESEARCH FORMAT (IRF)


for Thesis/Dissertation
(Effective AY 2016-2017)

Presented by:
Annabelle A. Chavez, PhD
Research Professor, USLS

What is the new or modified format? Why?

What? IMRaDC

 Introduction
 Methods/Materials and Methods
 Results
 and
 Discussion
 Conclusions

Why?
- So that USLS will have an Institutional Research Format (IRF) that is distinct for the
university but common to all Lasallian researchers (Tatak Lasalle)
- Because the IRF is patterned after international conventions for writing scientific paper
(IMRaD), it will make research inputs at least easier to convert into journal articles and
ready for presentation in local, national and international conferences as well as in
publication

IMRaD Format
- introduced in 1965 by Sir Bradford Hill, a British statistician
- a way of structuring a scientific article, although the main headings are standard for
many scientific fields, details may vary depending on the discipline
- more defined version of the IBC (Introduction, Body, Conclusion) used in academic
writing
IMRaDC: What goes into each section?

INTRODUCTION
(Why did you start?)

Background of the Study


 Provide a background/scenario which leads to the present investigation
 Cite existing literature that require, support, or promote importance of the topic.
 Mention some related studies and briefly discuss their findings. Be sure these findings
help build a ground for your study.
 Discuss how this existing problem has been addressed
 Express the desire to have a deeper and clearer understanding of a situation,
circumstance, or phenomenon
 Link all this to the aim of the study

Statement of the Problem


 State the main goal of your study
 List down the specific objectives/specific problems

Hypothesis
 Include this if you want to test for significant relationship or difference between or among
variables

Theoretical Framework (TF)


 Create a brief introductory paragraph that leads to the mention of the theory
 State and discuss the theory. Mention the proponent(s)

Conceptual Framework (CF)


 Discuss the system of concepts, assumptions, expectations, and beliefs that support your
study
 Discuss your CF in a diagram or illustration by identifying the key factors, concepts or
variables of the study

Scope and Limitations


 State the locale of the study, the population from which the respondents/data will be
selected/collected and the period of the study
 Discuss the limitations or constraints of the study

Significance of the Study


 Discuss the relevance of the study. Of what use is it? What practical values does it have?
 Discuss how your paper could best benefit related groups of people in the organization
and other sectors of society, e. g. school administration, instructor, students, etc.
Definition of Terms
 Identify the salient terms in your study
 Provide both the conceptual meaning (with cited reference) and the operational meaning
for each term

Review of Related Literature


 Provide related concepts and studies and discuss their findings
 Employ the THEMATIC APPROACH

METHODS/ MATERIALS AND METHODS


(What did you do?)

Research Design
 State the research design used in the study
 Briefly discuss the characteristics and applicability of the research design (cite references)
 Explain what methods you have employed in using this design

Participants/Subjects of the Study


 Identify the population, sample size, and sampling technique
 Mention the groupings that you need to categorize your respondents as needed, e.g. sex
(male/female), course, etc.
 State the time/period during which they were involved in the study and the place where
the study was conducted

Instrument
 Describe the instrument(s) that you used (adopted or researcher-made?)
 Explain what the instrument includes and how it was used to gather data
 Discuss how you tested the instrument for validity and reliability. State the statistical tool
used to test for reliability, if there was any
 Discuss how the data from the administered instrument was analyzed (scoring guide,
scale) and interpreted

Data gathering Procedures


 State the steps that you underwent in gathering your data until the time you came up
with the findings (discuss in narrative form what you did in each step)

Statistical Tools
 State what statistical method(s) you used in treating each problem
 State what statistical software was used in processing the data
RESULTS
(What did you find?)

 Present your key results without interpretation, in an orderly and logical sequence using
both text and illustrative materials (Tables and Figures)
 Do not reiterate each value from a Figure or Table – only the key result or trends that
each conveys
 Do not present the same data in both Table and Figure- this is considered redundant and
a waste of space and energy

DISCUSSION
(What does it mean?)

 Interpret your results in the light of what was already known about the subject of the
investigation
 Fundamental questions to answer:
* Do your results provide answers to your hypotheses? If so, how do you
interpret your findings?
* Do your findings agree with what others have shown? If not, do they suggest
an alternative explanation or perhaps design flaw in your experiment (or theirs).

CONCLUSIONS
(May include conclusions, implications and recommendations.)

(Conclusion)
 Formulate your own statements on the basis of the problems, hypothesis stated and the
findings gathered from the study.
 Support these statements by citing specific findings of your study.

(Implications)
 Explain what the findings imply (what it means).
 Discuss how the findings can affect the immediate sectors of the institution or community
 Suggest future studies that can be done in the light of the findings gathered from the
study.

(Recommendations)
 Enumerate what suggestions you can give based in the findings.
THESIS/DISSERTATION OUTLINE

Title Page
(One Page)

Abstract
(One Page)

INTRODUCTION

Background of the Study


Statement of the Problem
Hypothesis/Hypotheses
Theoretical/Conceptual Framework (if applicable)
Scope and Limitations
Significance of the Study
Definition of Terms
Review of Related Literature

METHODS/MATERIALS AND METHODS


Research Design
Participants/ Subjects of the Study
Instrument
Data Gathering Procedure
Statistical Tools
*Other components/variations c/o discipline

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

CONCLUSIONS
(Conclusions)
(Implications)
(recommendations)
*Variations c/o discipline

REFERENCES

APPENDICES

Common questions

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The choice of research design directly affects how findings are interpreted, as each design carries inherent assumptions and limitations. For instance, a quantitative design allows for statistical analysis which might prioritize validity over context, while qualitative designs provide depth and context but may limit generalizability. These implications require careful consideration to accurately represent the study’s results .

The conclusions section can outline implications by interpreting the study’s findings in terms of their potential impact on policy, practice, or furthering academic inquiry. Recommendations can suggest actions based on these implications, such as changes in practice or topics for future study. This synthesis demonstrates the practical relevance of research outcomes .

The 'Significance of the Study' section explains the practical value of the research and its potential impact on related groups. It should discuss how the findings can be beneficial to sectors such as academia, industry, or specific communities. Structuring this section involves linking research outcomes to broader societal or academic needs, demonstrating the study's relevance and potential applications .

The IMRaDC format, modeled after the IMRaD structure, provides a standardized way of presenting research, facilitating the conversion of research studies into publishable articles and conference presentations. By aligning with international conventions, it creates consistency across research outputs, allowing for easier interpretation and adaptation across different disciplines and audiences .

The Statement of the Problem section should clearly articulate the main goal of the study and list the specific objectives or problems it aims to address. These components are crucial as they establish the direction and focus of the research, ensuring that all subsequent methodologies and discussions are aligned with these objectives .

The theoretical framework contributes to a study's credibility by providing a structured lens through which the research problem is examined. It contextualizes the research within existing theories, enhancing academic rigor and allowing researchers to draw upon a broader base of knowledge. This depth offers a more nuanced understanding of the study's findings .

Using a thematic approach in the literature review organizes the content into coherent themes rather than listing studies chronologically. This method highlights relationships and trends across the literature, facilitating a more insightful synthesis that can better inform the research problem and framework, thereby enhancing the paper's overall coherence and relevance .

Providing both conceptual and operational definitions ensures clarity and prevents ambiguity in understanding the study's terms. Conceptual definitions give a theoretical understanding, while operational definitions explain how terms are specifically measured or employed within the research context. This dual definition approach enhances the study's replicability and understanding across different audiences .

The discussion section should interpret new findings in light of existing literature, comparing results to those of prior studies. This interaction helps validate the study’s conclusions, situate findings within the broader scientific context, and identify areas of agreement or divergence. Such analysis is critical for demonstrating the study's contribution to the field and suggesting future research directions .

Discussing a study's scope and limitations clarifies the research's boundaries concerning its applicability and potential constraints. It helps set realistic expectations for readers about what the study can achieve and the contexts within which its findings are valid, thus enhancing the study’s transparency and the reader's understanding of its applicability .

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