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The Structure of Academic Texts

An important feature of academic texts is that they are organised in a specific way; they have a clear structure.

Aim

Research questions

introductions

Results

Discussion

Methods and materials

The discussion section of your text is where you interpret your results for your reader. It is the section of your text that is usually most difficult to write, for here you are not merely writing about something that you have already done, you have to write and analyse at the same time. All parts of your discussion should analyse your results.

In the results section you should account for your results in an objective manner, without interpreting them (interpreting your results is what you do in the discussion part).

In the methods section you should show your reader exactly how you have conducted your research, that is, what you have done to fulfill your aim and answer your research questions.

The introduction should provide everything the reader needs to know in order to understand your aim as well as why the aim is important.

The aim determines the entire academic text and the content found in each section. The aim captures what you intend to achieve with your study.

The aim is often rather general, and may have to be narrowed down with research questions.

Research questions are specific questions that enable you to reach your aim.

If you have several research questions, you should consider how to order them.