IMRAD is a format of writing that follows a scientific structure. It is usually used for scientific papers, but it is an excellent format to follow when writing any type of research paper, whether qualitative or quantitative.

Let’s take a look at what IMRAD means

• Introduction
• Materials and Methods (or Methodology)
• Results
• Analysis
• Discussion

Introduction

This replaces the Chapter 1 of a traditional format of research paper. These are what you need to include in Introduction section:

• Warm up paragraph(s). Describe your topic. What is it about? This is mainly the Background of the Study when compared to a traditional format.
• Explain the current state of the topic. What do we already know? This is equivalent to the Review of Related Literature. Remember to observe proper citation. It is also good to make a synthesis of your reviews. At the end of this subsection, do not forget to explain the gap of knowledge. What do we not know? Tell the readers what is missing that could be a good starting point for the research.
• After explaining the what we do not know, it is time to present your research problem and specific questions.
• Explain the Significance of the Study. Who will benefit your research?
  

Materials and Methods/ Methodology

Include the following subsections in this section:

• Describe the research design. Is it qualitative or quantitative? Is it descriptive, experimental?
• Introduce your sample. Who will be your respondents? How many respondents will be involved? Who will be your validators or experts? What are the qualifications? There is no need to specify their names. But it is good to explain their characteristics that qualified them to be your respondents or validators.
• Explain your instruments. Are you going to design a new instrument or adapt an existing one? Did you get a permission from the original authors? It will be good to combine the subsections for instruments and sample to achieve a smooth flow of discussion of how you create and improved your materials
• How will you collect your data? What will be your means of conducting the study? Will you sen them an electronic copy of your survey? Will you go to the locality? Will you call them by phone?

Results

What does your research say?

Use charts, table, diagrams, graphs, images or interview quotes, whichever is applicable, to show the results of your research. However, avoid explaining the same things as you did in Methods. This section is only dedicated for WHAT is the result of your studies. be clear, detailed and straight to the point.

Analysis

Now, what do we do with the data you collected? What can you learn from the research? What can others learn from your research?

Explain how you will analyze the data. This section is sometimes combined with the Discussion section.

Discussion

What is the essence of your paper? Did you gather results that agree with the existing theoretical results? If not, describe the factors that could have affected your results. You may also discuss the possible errors that you made, or that happened accidentally while you were gathering your data.

Write a conclusion and a recommendation for future researchers.

References

This is not included in the IMRAD acronym, but this is an essential part of your paper. What are your sources? Follow the prescribed format when citing works and when writing the references.

Appendices

Attach the necessary materials or instruments. Examples of these are the survey questions, interview questions, permit, letters and other attachments.

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