Building Blocks of English 2
The structure of a research article can be remembered with IMRaD: Introduction, Method,
Results, and Discussion (+Conclusion)
A research article also includes a title (possibly a subtitle) and an abstract in the beginning.
1. Title
➢ Attract readers
➢ Identify the field of study
➢ Distinguish the paper from others in the field
- Concise yet specific
- Indicates the main topic
- Indicates the scope of the study
- Self-explanatory to readers in the chosen area (not to the general public)
- Contain between 31-40 characters (12 words max)
- A minimum of punctuation
- Key word near beginning
2. Subtitles
➢ Problem; solution
➢ General; specific
➢ Topic; method
➢ Major; minor
3. Abstract
➢ Background information → simple present tense
➢ Purpose/Principal activity → simple past tense
➢ Methodology → simple past tense/ passives
➢ Results → simple past tense
➢ Conclusion/discussion/implication/recommendation → simple present tense /
tentative verbs (it seems, possible, etc.) / modal auxiliaries (can, may)
, 4. Introduction
➢ 5 MOVES
1. Create the setting – simple present tense
2. Literature review / theoretical framework – present perfect for general studies
(studies have researched…), simple past for specific studies (Jones&vanMulen (2019)
researched …)
3. Gap statement – present perfect
4. Purpose of your study – simple past
5. Justification of your research (optional, but required in grant proposals)
By carrying out this research, not only an academic research gap will be filled, gaining further
insights into the topic, however the research also has a high societal relevance.
Citation Styles
1. Information prominent (simple present)
“Characterization of a country as a high or low uncertainty culture applies at the
societal level (Hofstede, 2001).
2. Author prominent
a) Strong author orientation (simple past)
“Hofstede (2001) argued that characterisation of a country as a high or low
uncertainty avoidance culture applies at the societal level.
b) Weak author orientation (present perfect)
Several researchers have argued that characterisation of a country as a high or low
uncertainty avoidance culture applies at the societal level (Hofstede, 2001; Jordan,
2011).
Present perfect for “several studies”, “researchers”, “all of these studies”, “several authors”
etc., even without author citations.
Simple present for general truths/statements/facts.
The structure of a research article can be remembered with IMRaD: Introduction, Method,
Results, and Discussion (+Conclusion)
A research article also includes a title (possibly a subtitle) and an abstract in the beginning.
1. Title
➢ Attract readers
➢ Identify the field of study
➢ Distinguish the paper from others in the field
- Concise yet specific
- Indicates the main topic
- Indicates the scope of the study
- Self-explanatory to readers in the chosen area (not to the general public)
- Contain between 31-40 characters (12 words max)
- A minimum of punctuation
- Key word near beginning
2. Subtitles
➢ Problem; solution
➢ General; specific
➢ Topic; method
➢ Major; minor
3. Abstract
➢ Background information → simple present tense
➢ Purpose/Principal activity → simple past tense
➢ Methodology → simple past tense/ passives
➢ Results → simple past tense
➢ Conclusion/discussion/implication/recommendation → simple present tense /
tentative verbs (it seems, possible, etc.) / modal auxiliaries (can, may)
, 4. Introduction
➢ 5 MOVES
1. Create the setting – simple present tense
2. Literature review / theoretical framework – present perfect for general studies
(studies have researched…), simple past for specific studies (Jones&vanMulen (2019)
researched …)
3. Gap statement – present perfect
4. Purpose of your study – simple past
5. Justification of your research (optional, but required in grant proposals)
By carrying out this research, not only an academic research gap will be filled, gaining further
insights into the topic, however the research also has a high societal relevance.
Citation Styles
1. Information prominent (simple present)
“Characterization of a country as a high or low uncertainty culture applies at the
societal level (Hofstede, 2001).
2. Author prominent
a) Strong author orientation (simple past)
“Hofstede (2001) argued that characterisation of a country as a high or low
uncertainty avoidance culture applies at the societal level.
b) Weak author orientation (present perfect)
Several researchers have argued that characterisation of a country as a high or low
uncertainty avoidance culture applies at the societal level (Hofstede, 2001; Jordan,
2011).
Present perfect for “several studies”, “researchers”, “all of these studies”, “several authors”
etc., even without author citations.
Simple present for general truths/statements/facts.
