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Unit 3. If you have any questions, do not hesitate to ask your classmates and your teachers
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The Structure of Scientific Articles

This unit basically delivers the knowledge of how to structures scientific articles started from
abstract to references.

a. Abstract

This part is normally written at the end after the research was finished, but initially
put at the first part of essay structure. The intention of it is to present a general idea
of the whole essay, so that readers can have a brainstorming idea of how an essay
will be about. Therefore, this part normally requires authors to summarize the essay
in short words at about 250. It usually contains the background of the research
followed by methodology in terms of research method, research design, and setting,
general result (finding and discussion), and conclusion.

b. Introduction

As the purpose of articles is to address readers to read, considering whether an

introduction part has been properly delivered is also essential. The first paragraph
routinely discusses general aspects of a topic and narrow it to be more specific.
consider an introduction as the core of a scientific article since it will determine how
the research will be conducted by applying qualitative or quantitative. Apart from
the methodological terminologies, this section can possibly contribute readers’
knowledge to have a limitation on topic being discussed. In addition, as stated in the
unit, adding some references from previous research is also necessary to anneal our
own idea. On the other hand, my question, is it necessary to “review related study”
in introduction part? As my previous research required me to do so. However, I am
keen to know to what extend this must be taken into account.

c. Theoretical background/state of the art

All scientific article will have this section to not only support researchers’ idea but
also give some ideas that same or similar research was already done. To the best of
 my knowledge, not all theoretical information found and comprised in an essay must
support researchers’ idea. Surprisingly, research result usually finds the opposite of
what was once found. Therefore, this can be both supporting some ideas, and reject
it depending on circumstances.

d. Materials and Methods (Methodology)

This part basically was written to tell of how the data were collected and analysed. It is
started from research method whether to use qualitative or quantitative, followed by
research designed, and this should be based on what research method was applied. In
addition, it will also tell about the research setting, participants, instrument, data collection
procedure and data analysis.

e. Result and Discussion

After the data analysis is finalized, this part is the place to show what have been obtained.
As the unit has stated that the result can be expressed through words or tables/figures. All
the results must be original without adding intervention from researchers’ point of view.
Moreover, in this part, our interpretation skill is demanded so that the data of the research
can be effectively transformed to readers especially if the results are in form/table figures.
on the other hand, discussion part is the right moment to not only interpret data obtained,
but also proven by other theory. This can be whether the hypothesis is accepted or rejected
if it is quantitative method. For the qualitative method, the discussion can explain about the
result or argue it as well.

f. Conclusion

Eventually, this part is demonstrated to give overall result of the topic.