The framework of a research article primarily refers to its standard organizational structure, which serves as a clear roadmap for presenting a research study. This structure typically includes sections like the introduction, methods, results, and discussion. However, the term "framework" can also refer to the underlying conceptual or theoretical basis that guided the research itself, as defined in the provided reference.
The Standard Structure of a Research Article
A widely accepted framework for research articles, particularly in scientific and academic fields, is the IMRaD format. This structure helps authors present their work logically and allows readers to quickly find specific information.
Here are the common sections within this framework:
- Introduction: Sets the context for the research. It introduces the background information, states the problem or research question being addressed, explains the significance of the study, and often includes a literature review to show how the research fits into existing knowledge. The conceptual or theoretical framework guiding the study is often introduced here.
- Methods: Describes exactly how the research was conducted. This includes the research design, participants or subjects, data collection procedures, and data analysis techniques. Enough detail should be provided for others to replicate the study.
- Results: Presents the findings of the study objectively, often using text, tables, and figures. This section reports what was found without interpreting the meaning of the results.
- Discussion: Interprets the results in relation to the research question and compares them to previous findings from the literature. It discusses the implications of the results, acknowledges limitations of the study, and may suggest areas for future research.
- Conclusion: Summarizes the main findings and their significance, often reiterating the answer to the research question.
- References: Lists all sources cited within the article, following a specific citation style.
- Appendices (Optional): Includes supplementary materials such as raw data, questionnaires, detailed protocols, etc.
The Research Framework: Guiding the Study
Beyond the article's structural framework, a research framework also refers to the conceptual foundation that underpins the entire study. As the reference states:
A research framework refers to the overall structure, approach, and theoretical underpinnings that guide a research study. It is a systematic way of organizing and conceptualizing the research process, including the research question, data collection methods, analysis techniques, and interpretation of findings.
This conceptual framework is crucial because it informs the choices made throughout the research process, from formulating the research question to interpreting the results. It might be based on existing theories, models, or a researcher's own conceptualization of the relationships between variables or concepts being studied.
Connecting the Two Frameworks
The conceptual framework of the study is presented within the structural framework of the article. Details about the theoretical basis and overall approach that guided the research are typically discussed in the Introduction (explaining the theoretical lens or background) and the Methods section (justifying the chosen approach based on the conceptual framework). Thus, the article's structure provides the organized format for communicating the research study, including its guiding conceptual framework.
