How to Write a Research Paper

Generally speaking, when one writes about their research they are making a contribution to the scientific community and disseminating the results of findings in scientific articles. This means that other researchers have access to the research produced and can examine the subjects raised in greater depth to advance scientific knowledge. This paper discusses the format of papers that are strictly academic. The specific structure of the text will be determined by whether it is for a master's dissertation, a doctoral thesis, a chapter of a specialist book or an article for a scientific journal. In the case of qualitative research, it is necessary, when writing the text, to bear in mind a series of processes that will be explained in this handbook, such as: (1) the justification for the research in terms of its social and educational interest, and in theoretical terms; (2) the gathering of information or data; (3) the treatment and organization of the data; (4) the adoption of a theoretical and methodological framework; (5) data analysis; (6) the interpretation of data in an original and/or creative way, and obtaining the findings; (7) setting out a discussion on the relevance of the results; and (8) setting out the conclusions. Differences between a master's dissertation and a thesis are also described. A discussion of differences between articles in scientific journals and chapters of a book are discussed. [A Catalan version of this chapter is also included in the book. The transcription symbols used in this chapter are based on conventions developed by the GREIP group (see Moore & Llompart, this volume) and are included in the annex.