Assignment 05 PS490 Research Studies Be sure to save an electronic copy of your answer before submitting it to Ashworth College for grading. Unless otherwise stated, answer in complete sentences, and be sure to use correct English, spelling, and grammar. Sources must be cited in APA format. Your response should be double‐spaced; refer to the “Format Requirementsʺ page for specific format requirements. Submit the First Draft of your research paper. At a minimum it should include:
The first draft of a research paper should include several key components that are essential to the overall structure and content of the paper. These components provide the foundation upon which the final paper will be built, allowing for the development and exploration of the research topic in a logical and coherent manner. In this section, I will discuss the elements that should be included in the first draft of a research paper.
1. Introduction: The introduction serves to lay the groundwork for the research paper. It should provide a clear and concise statement of the research problem, as well as a rationale for the study. In this section, the researcher should outline the objectives and goals of the research, and explain how the study will contribute to the current body of knowledge in the field.
2. Literature review: The literature review is a critical component of any research paper. It involves a comprehensive review and analysis of existing scholarly works and published articles related to the research topic. The purpose of the literature review is to identify the gaps in current knowledge and to provide a theoretical framework for the study. In this section, the researcher should highlight relevant theories, concepts, and methodologies that have been used in previous studies, and explain how these will inform the current research.
3. Methodology: The methodology section outlines the research design and methods that will be used to collect and analyze data. This section should include a detailed description of the research approach (e.g., quantitative, qualitative, mixed-methods), the sample size and selection, data collection methods, and data analysis techniques. The researcher should also justify the chosen methodology and explain its suitability for addressing the research questions.
4. Results: The results section presents the findings of the study in a clear and systematic manner. The researcher should report the data collected and provide a comprehensive analysis of the results. This may include statistical analyses, graphs, tables, and other visual representations that help illustrate the key findings. The results should be presented objectively and should not include any interpretation or discussion at this stage.
5. Discussion: The discussion section allows the researcher to interpret and critically analyze the results of the study in relation to the research objectives and the existing literature. In this section, the researcher should explain the significance of the findings, identify any limitations or shortcomings of the study, and propose areas for future research. The discussion section should also highlight the practical implications and potential applications of the research.
6. Conclusion: The conclusion provides a summary of the main findings of the study and restates the research objectives. It should reiterate the significance of the research and its contribution to the field. The researcher should also reflect on the limitations of the study and suggest directions for future research.
Additionally, the first draft of a research paper should include a title page, an abstract, and a reference list. The title page should include the title of the paper, the author’s name, and the institutional affiliation. The abstract provides a brief overview of the study, including the research problem, methodology, and key findings. The reference list should include all the sources cited in the paper, following the APA format guidelines.
In conclusion, the first draft of a research paper should include an introduction, literature review, methodology, results, discussion, and conclusion sections. It should also have a title page, abstract, and reference list. These components provide the structure and content necessary for the development and exploration of the research topic. The first draft serves as the starting point for refining and revising the research paper, ensuring that it meets the requirements of a well-organized and coherent scholarly work.
