Basic Format of a Journal Article
1. Simple
Abstract -Intro, purpose, relationship between variables, conclusion about variables
1. Definition
Abstract Definition - An abstract is a summary of the entire journal article which generally appears at the beginning of the article. Although it normally provides the following information, the abstract is usually 5 or 6 sentences.
1. Parts
Abstract a - Statement of purpose or objective of study. b - A description of the individuals who served as participants. c - A brief explanation of what the participants did during the study. d - A summary of the important results.
Extra Section
Conclusion a - Similar to Discussion. Analyze data in relation to hypothesis. May be unneeded and may be combined with discussion.
3b.
Design a - In most research studies the researcher attempts to acquire or confirm information about a particular question by making comparisons among two or more groups. The term experimental design is used to describe the way in which the groups are arranged before the analysis of the data.
5. Parts
Discussion - how results turn out a - Author explains results in relation to the central purpose of study b - The purpose implies a research question and the discussion should provide a direct answer to that question c - Why authors think the results turned out the way they did d - Possible reasons why the results failed e - Suggest ideas for further research
2. Simple
Introduction -Background and Purpose
2. Parts
Introduction (could be long or short) a - Review of literature - discusses previous literature b - Statements of purpose - rational for studying
3c.
Materials a - Concept of reliability - will the instrument measure the same trait consistently upon repeated measurement? b - Validity - deals with whether the instrument is truly measuring the specific trait that it is suppose to measure.
3. Definition
Methods Definition - The author explains in detail how he conducts his study. His explanation should contain enough information so that a reader could duplicate the study. To accomplish this goal the author addresses himself to 4 questions
3. Parts
Methods a - Subjects - who participated in the study b - Design c - Materials - description of materials d - Procedure - how was the study conducted; where, when, and how many times
3d.
Procedure a - how was the study conducted; where, when, and how many times
6. Parts
References a - Author b - Date c - Title of journal (bound) d - Title of article (actual paper) e - Issue f - Volume g - Page numbers
4. Parts
Results - there are three main ways to present the results of the statistical data: a - Description b - Summarize c - Graph (figure)
2a.
Review of literature a - An author by doing this is making an attempt to demonstrate how his project is related to previous projects. b - The review also provides background information.
2b.
Statements of Purpose a - This is one of the most important parts since it explains the authors destination.
3a.
Subjects a - Indicates how many were used b - Who they were c - How they were selected (were they selected randomly?)