Papers written for publication, for class, for research
reports or for MA theses should all have
a similar structure that follows the below outline. Analysis should be based on an appropriately
formulated hypothesis drawn from relevant readings in professional social science journals
in the library. The readings should be based on a thorough search, using both computer search
procedures and following the path of citations in published works. Data sould be presented
from an original analysis in an appropriate format and interpreted in relation to the hypothesis.
The paper should be typed in double-spaced format, and will include an introduction, method
section, presentation of data and explication, and discussion section. Each mss. should be
written in a concise way (no wasted words) and usually not longer than 25 pages in length.
The structure is as follows:
a. An introduction that presents a brief statement of the problem and
a more comprehensive literature review. This section should include general
research questions in light of what one wishes to accomplish. This statement should specifically
link the hypotheses to research that other people have published, and will establish a clear
trail of logic leading to the hypotheses to be tested. Finally, this section should be based on an
exhaustive list of published sources
b. A method section that describes the source of the data (e.g., a random-digit-dial
sample survey of adults taken in San Diego during spring, 2000, with a response rate of
approximately 50 percent), aspects of the "setting" for the units of analysis (e.g., persons)
and situations relevant to research questions and hypotheses surrounding the data originate,
the specific measures used in the study (e.g., exact wording of questions and response
distributions for each measure), and reasons why the measures are reliable and valid.
c. A findings section that includes a restatement of the hypotheses, presentation of
the data, and explication of the data in terms of the hypotheses. An additional variable should
be introduced as a control variable, the analysis replicated, and results re-interpreted. In
general, the section should be organized hypothesis by hypothesis. This section may be divided
into two sections: 1) Initial tests of hypotheses and discussions; and 2) multivariate tests
of hypotheses. If long enough, the section can be split into two sections.
d. A discussion that briefly summarizes what has been done, the logic of the study,
the results, and a statement of where further research will be fruitful. The section must
link hypothesis test results to the research questions posed in the initial section and
answer the "so what" question. How does this research expand knowledge and what use is it
to us?
e. A reference section that includes all cited literature in a professionally
appropriate format--use any of the major styles, but use whichever one is selected consistently
and correctly.