Even though there are different formats to write papers on different subject areas, there are a few standard sections that apply to all academic research papers that are mentioned below:
Title
It is the most important part of your research article as its ability to capture the reader’s attention will lead to the article’s wide readership. The title should specify major details about the paper. (i.e., The region where a certain study was conducted and the concerned area of study) It should clearly reflect the objective of your paper.
Author’s Detail
Add the author’s name & affiliation just below the article’s title.
Abstract
It gives a brief about your research article preferably within 300 words and reflects the crux of your research. The abstract should include the aim, methods, key results, and relevance of the research. The author should always avoid using reference citations in the abstract.
Keywords
The use of keywords is also important as it ensures the searchability of your paper by search engines, and by extension, readers. The use of basic words leads to a mismatch of keywords and the paper; hence, it is advised to be specific. It should include words and phrases that suggest what the topic is about. For instance, instead of using ‘energy’, write the type of energy mentioned in the paper, like ‘solar energy.
Introduction
It gives some background information to your research and has a thesis statement at the end of it, specifying the purpose of the research article. The introduction section should reflect the updated basic information, the current status of the research subject, the knowledge gap, and the challenges that occurred during the study.
Methodology
It explains the process of your research and how it was conducted. For instance, the setting, timing and the number of people who participated in the study along with the equipment used for the study and it limitations. It should also include the data collection process and the approach used. The method section also needs to clarify the ethical approval of the research conducted.
Result
The result section should address and answer the aim of the study specified earlier. It can begin by specifying the relevant findings of the research followed by other irrelevant results which can pave way for another research project.
Discussion
The discussion should begin with an interpretation of the result, moving to the explanation and general implication of the findings. It can also include a comparison between your findings and other research work in the same field exploring the similarities and differences.
Conclusion
The conclusion of the study is a restatement of the aims of the research and if they were met, the limitation of the study, and if further research is possible.
Acknowledgments
Add acknowledgments in your paper as it allows the readers to familiarize themselves with other people to credit along with the author and also because it adds to the authenticity of your work.
Declaration of Competing Interests
The author must disclose any financial, personal, or professional commitment that might’ve inappropriately influenced (biased) their work.
Ethical Consideration
Provide an ethical approval authority name with the reference number. If not required, provide an ethical exemption letter of not required. The author should upload a scanned pdf copy of the ethical approval/exemption letter during manuscript submission.
In-text Citation
Cite all the scholarly work and data that you refer to. They should be strongly related to your research and preferably at least 50% of the references should be from the past 2 years as it reflects the relevance of the material in present times.
Reference List
The Reference list & citation shall be formatted in a consistent style (either in IEEE style or APA style). The reference list shall include the complete detail of the references. Furthermore, the author shall make sure that all cited references are available in the list and vice-versa (all listed references must be cited within the manuscript).
Supplementary Materials
The author should mention all the secondary supplements used, that is, resources that were relevant but not included in the paper.
Tables and Figures
The use of numbering for the tables and figures used should be consistent throughout. The figure should always be followed by a caption explaining what is it about. Another thing to keep in mind is that these figures will only be relevant when they are referred to in the text of the paper by cross-referencing them with the corresponding number of the table/figure.
