Contextual

The Outer Frame

Figure 1: A research paper — the outer frame

The Inner Frame

Figure 2: A research paper — the inner frame

Hot Spots

Figure 3: A research paper — hot spots

Sketch an Outline

This section follows from the intangible mode, where we discussed context and content. In those parts we considered to whom we’re communicating and what our take-home message is. Here, we move onto the next step by thinking of an outline for a research paper.

It’s easy to get lost in the details, but you’ll need to frame your research by thinking about the big picture. This means that, after you’ve identified your key take-home message, you need to put it into a broader framework.

Write a complete sentence that answers each of the following questions. If you have a hard time writing a complete sentence, just begin with some key words. You can fill in the blanks afterwards.

Remember, the details will come later. At this point you just need to have a broad overview.

Exercises

  1. State-of-knowledge
  • What is the key background, i.e. the state-of-knowledge in which you are conducting your research?
  1. Lack-of-knowledge
  • Given this background, what is the central question, i.e. the lack-of-knowledge that you are attempting to address?
  1. Primay Method
  • What is the primary method you’ve used to address this lack-of-knowledge?
  1. Key result
  • What is the key result that you obtained from this method?
  1. Advance-in-knowledge
  • What is your main contribution to the research community? i.e. What is your advance-in-knowledge? This is your interpretation of the results and should match the key take-home message above.

  1. Key interests.

  • Write a sentence addressing the key interests of your target audience. This refers to the first step, above, and may include possible applications of your research in a wider context. e.g. product or drug development, informing policy decisions, laying the theoretical foundations for further applied research.