A. Introduction
In this section, you should
Introduce your topic.
Discuss your puzzle. Introduce your research question (Ask a why or how question.)
Discuss the significance of your question. Why is it important or relevant to the field? Why should we care about it? (This addresses the “so what?” question.)
Briefly present your main argument (thesis statement or the answer to the research question), and
Provide a brief roadmap to the paper. How will the paper proceed?
Note: In the Introduction, avoid using jargon. Do not provide overly detailed information. Make it easy for the reader to digest information. (Imagine explaining your research to your family member!)
B. Literature review/Theoretical framework
Discuss existing research/scholarly debate on your research question
What do scholars say about the question?
Group their perspectives/theories by the answer, not by the individual author. You are NOT writing an annotated bibliography. Focus on the concepts, ideas, or perspectives presented.
Critically evaluate what you think is missing in existing studies. Or discuss what you find compelling about someone’s perspective.
C. Hypothesis (assumption)
What do you believe is true about the question you’re asking? Your hypothesis should be clearly linked to the literature review.
D. Methods (C and D can be combined; or sometimes, B-D are placed in one section)
Discuss how you have gathered data if you conduct a quantitative analysis.
If you are doing a case study, discuss why you have chosen the specific case(s).
E. Case study/Analysis
This is an extremely important section. Provide detailed empirical information about your case.
Make sure that the case study is relevant to your research question and contributes to the overall objectives of your study
F. Conclusion
Return to your core question.
Summarize your main argument and findings.
Discuss the broader implications or propose potential future research directions.
Tips for Literature Review
What have scholars said about your research question?
Discuss what kinds of studies scholars have conducted and how they related to your own research.
How does your research project build on or depart from previous studies?
Avoid writing literature review that is organized by author or year. You wouldn’t want your literature review to resemble an annotated bibliography.
Organize your literature review by perspectives or theories.
Discuss the success and/or shortcomings of the previous research
Case study – deep analysis of a phenomenon where events are studied in detail
