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RESEARCH II

Grade 10 – Special Science Program

Quarter 1 Module 3-Week 4
Introductions to Scientific Research
Reports (AIMRaD)
Most Essential Learning Competency:
Understand the different parts of a research paper

Kristopher C. Miranda,Ph.D.
Module Writer
Teacher III, Tayug National High School
Region 1 – SDO Pangasinan II

Revelyn C. Camacho, Ph. D. Mark R. Martinez

Head Teacher VI-Science Department OIC, Office of the Principal

Julie G. De Guzman,Ed.D.
Education Program Supervisor, Science
Reminders in using this module:
1. Use the module with care. Do not put unnecessary mark/s on any part
of the module. Use a separate sheet of paper in answering the exercises.
2. Don’t forget to answer What I Know before moving on to the other
activities included in the module.
3. Read the instructions carefully before doing each task.
4. Check your answers on an activity using the answer key.
5. Observe honesty and integrity in doing the tasks and checking your
answers.
6. Finish the task at hand before proceeding to the next.
7. Submit your answers at the given date and time.
If you encounter any difficulty in answering the tasks in this module, do not
hesitate to consult your teacher or facilitator. Always bear in mind that you
are not alone.

We hope that through this material, you will experience meaningful learning
and gain deep understanding of the relevant competencies. You can do it!
This module was designed and written with you in mind. It is here to help you

What I Need to Know

This module will help you understand the AIMRAD format of a scientific
research paper. The scope of this module permits it to be used in many different
learning situations. The language used recognizes the diverse vocabulary level
of students. The lessons are arranged to follow the standard sequence of the
course.

Week 4 (Module 3)
 Lesson 1 – Parts of an AIMRAD Report
 Lesson 2 - Introductions to Scientific Research Report

After going through this module, you are expected to:

1. Enumerate and describe the different parts of an AIMRAD scientific
research report.
2. Identify the different task the researcher must perform in order to write
a good introduction of the AIMRaD format of scientific research report.
 What I Know
Before you study lessons 1 and 2, answer this to test your existing knowledge.
Direction. Multiple Choice. Write the capital letter of the correct answer on your
answer sheet.
___1. It provides a very short overview of the entire paper, including a sentence or
two about the report’s purpose and importance, a sentence or two about your
methods, a few sentences that present the main findings, and a sentence or
two about the implications of your findings.
A. Method C. Abstract
B. Results D. Introduction

___2. This part of the AIMRaD report tells reader how you conducted your study
and should enable them to duplicate it.
A. Method C. Abstract
B. Results D. Introduction

___3. This part of the AIMRaD format explains why the research is important or
necessary.
A. Introduction C. Abstract
B. Discussion D. Methods

___4. Which of the following is the main task of the researcher in writing the
discussion?
A. Support the trend with data
B. Compare findings to other research
C. Noting any exceptions to the main trends or unexpected outcomes
D. none of the above

___5. Which of the following is should not be included in the method section of
AIMRaD?
A. population C. equipment
B. hypothesis D. sample

___6. In which part of the AIMRaD research report should the researcher write the
hypothesis?
A. Introduction C. Results
B. Methods D. Discussion

___7. In writing the AIMRaD format, all but one are common problems which states
that ___________.
A. the Abstract does not provide a clear statement of the main findings.
B. the Introduction does not communicate clearly why the research is
important.
C. the Methods section is not detailed enough or is disorganized.
D. the Results section simply report results.

___8. Which of the following should the researcher includes in writing the
discussion?
A. tables and figures
B. summary of the findings
C. connections to other research work
D. suggestions to future researches

___9. In writing a good introduction, arrange following steps the researcher must
follow.
1. Discuss the current state of research in the field.
2. Reveal a “gap” or problem in the field.
3. Describe the problem or situation that motivates the research.
4. Explain how the present research is a solution to that problem or gap.

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 A. 1 2 3 4 C. 1 4 3 2
B. 2 3 1 4 D. 4 3 2 1

For questions numbered 10-15. Select from the choices below.

A. Establishing a research territory
B. Establishing a niche
C. Occupying the niche

___10. The statement “Until now, there has been no report of any systematic study
of the microstructures produced by microwave sintering, or their relationship to
the properties of the sintered product.” signifies which move of writing the
introduction?

___11. Which of the choices describes the current state of knowledge and research
on a particular topic?

___12. The statement “This study seeks to obtain data which will help to address
these research gaps” denotes that the researcher is __________.

___13. Which of the shows how your research fills the niche and brings new
perspectives to the field.?

___14. Which of the choices outlines the structure that the research paper will
follow?

___15. This phrase “Evidence suggests that X is among the most important factors
for …” in a statement implies that the researcher is __________.

Parts of an AIMRaD Report

Lesson 1

Did you ever discover you could do a cool new trick? Or, have you ever asked a
friend to double-check your essay for mistakes?
Well, scientists like you love to discover cool new things, write about them, and
then have their peers double-check their work for mistakes, too.
That's the nature of scientific research!
Scientific research is the systematic investigation of scientific theories and
hypotheses and in this lesson, you will learn how to construct an IMRAD report
for your scientific research.

What’s In

What is a Scientific Research?

You have learned in the previous lessons the definition, purposes and
characteristics of research. You have also learned the ethical consideration in
conducting research particularly on scientific researchers. In connection to this,
performed the first activity by filling up consecutively the steps of the research
process.

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Activity 1. The Research Process

1.

7. 2.

6. 3.

5. 4.

What’s New

The quote “Writing is an art. But when it is writing to inform, it comes

close to being a science as well” by Robert Gunning from The Technique of Clear
Writing means that researchers can successfully communicate their scientific
researches through effective writing purposely to inform and augment
knowledge. One way of effectively writing a research report is through an IMRaD
format.

What is It

What is an AIMRaD report?

“IMRaD” format refers to a paper that is structured by five main sections:
Abstract,Introduction, Methods, Results, and Discussion. This format is often
used for lab reports as well as for reporting any planned, systematic research
in the social sciences, natural sciences, or engineering and computer sciences.

Introduction – Make a case for your research

The introduction explains why this research is important or necessary. Begin

by describing the problem or situation that motivates the research. Move to
discussing the current state of research in the field; then reveal a “gap” or
problem in the field. Finally, explain how the present research is a solution to
that problem or gap. If the study has hypotheses, they are presented at the end
of the introduction.

Methods – What did you do?

The methods section tells readers how you conducted your study. It includes
information about your population, sample, methods, and equipment. The “gold
standard” of the methods section is that it should enable readers to duplicate
your study. Methods sections typically use subheadings; they are written in past
tense, and they use a lot of passive voice. This is typically the least read section
of an IMRaD report.

Results – What did you find?

In this section, you present your findings. Typically, the Results section
contains only the findings, not any explanation of or commentary on the
findings (see Table 1). Results sections are usually written in the past tense.

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Make sure all tables and figures are labeled and numbered separately. Captions
go above tables and beneath figures.

Discussion – What does it mean?

In this section, you summarize your main findings, comment on those findings
(see Table 1), and connect them to other research. You also discuss limitations
of your study, and use these limitations as reasons to suggest additional, future
research.

Abstract – Summarize the entire study

The abstract for the report comes at the beginning of the paper, but you should
write it after you have drafted the full report. The abstract provides a very short
overview of the entire paper, including a sentence or two about the report’s
purpose and importance, a sentence or two about your methods, a few
sentences that present the main findings, and a sentence or two about the
implications of your findings. As a general guide, abstract should contain no
more than 250 words.

What is the difference between RESULTS and DISCUSSION?

The following table presents the differences of results and discussion part of the
AIMRaD format.
Table 1. Differences of Results and Discussion

Report 1. Refer to your table or figure and state the main trend
(Results Table 3 shows that Spam Filter A correctly filtered more junk
section) emails than Filter B
2. Support the trend with data
Filter A correctly filtered.... The average difference is....
3. (If needed) Note any additional, secondary trends and
support them with data
In addition.... Figure 1 also shows....
4. (If needed) Note any exceptions to your main trends or
unexpected outcomes.
However....

Comment 1. (If needed) Provide an explanation

(Discussion A feasible explanation is.... This trend can be explained by....
section) 2. (If needed) Compare to other research
X is consistent with X’s finding... In contrast, Y found....
3. (If needed) Evaluate whether the findings support or
contradict a hypothesis
4. State the bottom line: what does the data mean?
These findings overall suggest.... These data indicate....

Important!
In writing the AIMRaD format, there are common problems that you need to
know to avoid them.
1. The Abstract does not provide a clear statement of the main findings.
2. The Introduction does not communicate clearly why the research is
important.
3. The Methods section is not detailed enough or is disorganized.
4. The Results section provides comments and explanations instead of simply
reporting results.

What’s More

Now that you preliminary know the parts of the IMRad format, answer the
following activity

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Activity 2 Read the following statements on writing the AIMRaD report. Write
TRUE if the statement is correct and FALSE if it is not. Write your answers on
a separate answer sheet.
1. Comparing your research results to other research is part of the
introduction.
2. Supporting the trend with your data can be stated in the results.
3. The introduction explains why your research is important or necessary.
4. The result section summarizes your main findings, and connect them to
other research.
5. Methods sections typically use subheadings; they are written in past tense,
and they use a lot of passive voice.
6. Hypotheses can be presented at the beginning of the method section.
7. The abstract for the report comes at the beginning of the paper, and you
should write it before you have drafted the full report
8. Evaluating whether the findings support or contradict a hypothesis can be
found on the discussions.
9. The main standard of the methods section is that it should enable readers
to duplicate your study.
10. The abstract provides a very short overview of the entire paper, including a
sentence or two about the report’s purpose and importance, a sentence or
two about your methods, a few sentences that present the main findings,
and a sentence or two about the implications of your findings.

What I Have Learned

Activity 3 Based from what you have learned, how can you describe the IMRaD
format of writing a scientific research report? Write your answer on a separate
paper.
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________

Introductions to Scientific Research

Lesson 2 Report

While reading lesson 1, you may have realized that IMRaD research
format is a concise way of presenting your research work, your methods of data
gathering and discussion of your relevant results. In this section, you will learn
how to construct your introduction section of your research report.

What’s In

Activity 4 From the previous lesson, you have learned the parts of the IMRaD
format. Enumerate and explain briefly each part on a separate answer sheet.
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________

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_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________

What’s New

You have also learned that the first part of the research report is the
introduction. Why do you think this part is very important? What should be
written and included in the introduction? Write your insights on your notebook.

What is It

How to effectively establish and write the INTRODUCTION?

The goal of the introduction in an AIMRaD report is to give the reader an
overview of the literature in the field, show the motivation for your study, and
share what unique perspective your research adds. To introduce readers to your
material and convince them of the research value, there are some suggestions
to help your introduction meet the expectations of the academic community.
Generally, introductions are broken into three moves. However,
depending on the discipline, journal, or purpose of the paper, they may be used
in different ways. The table below details these three moves.

Table 2. Different Moves and Sample Languages in Writing the Introduction

Move Sub-Moves Sample Language*

Move 1:
Establishing a a) Show that the research a) Evidence suggests that X is
Research area is important, among the most important
Territory problematic, or relevant factors for …
in some way Existing research
Describes the recognizes the critical role
current state of b) Introduce and review played by …
knowledge and previous research in the b) Data from several studies
research on the field suggest that
topic. Extensive research has
shown …

Move 2: One or more of these are

Establishing a included:
Niche a) Smith’s analysis does not
a) Claim something is take into account …
Establishes wrong with the previous b) Previous studies on X have
motivation for the research not dealt with …
study. Usually b) Highlight a gap in the c) Research on the subject
this move is field has been unable to specify
short, and can be c) Raise a question where whether …
addressed in just research in field is d) This study seeks to obtain
one or several unclear data which will help to
sentences. d) Contribute something address these research gaps.
additional to the field

Move 3: One or more of these are

Occupying the included:
Niche a) The purpose of this
a) Outline your purposes investigation is to explore the
Shows how your and state the nature of relationship between…
research fills the your research

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 niche and brings b) State your hypothesis b) We investigate the
new perspectives or research question you following research question:
to the field. seek to answer …
c) Share your findings c) This study provides new
d) Elaborate on the value insights into...
of your research d) The present research
e) Outline the structure explores, for the first time,
that the research paper the effects of …
will follow e) This paper has been
divided into four parts. The
first part deals with …

*Sample language above is taken directly from the University of Manchester’s

Academic Phrasebank:
http://www.phrasebank.manchester.ac.uk/introducing-work/.

Sample introduction
Below is an example of an introduction from a published research article. Study
and notice how the three moves are utilized throughout the introduction.

Electronic cigarettes (also known as vapes, vaporizers, or vape pens) were

introduced into the US market in 2007. They are generally battery-powered
products that heat liquid into an aerosol that is inhaled by the user. These devices
are designed to deliver nicotine and flavors; they also contain chemicals such as
propylene glycol, glycerin, and many other constituents. Use of e-cigarettes has
dramatically increased over the past 4 years, tripling among high school students
from a rate of 4.5% in 2011 to 27.4% in 2014 (CDC, 2015, 2016). Further, 27.4%
of adolescents in the U.S. have ever used e-cigarettes (CDC, 2015), with 30% of
California youth reporting ever using an e-cigarette (California Department of
Public Health, 2015)…
The literature on e-cigarette attitudes thus far has predominantly focused
on harm perceptions and general acceptability of and attitudes towards e-
cigarettes and cigarettes. To our knowledge, there are few studies that have
more comprehensively examined adolescents' specific attitudes towards and
knowledge about e-cigarettes, and/or whether such attitudes differ between
those who have and have not used e-cigarettes or other tobacco...
We thus examined a broad array of adolescents' knowledge and
attitudes regarding e-cigarette ingredients, addictive properties, safety,
cessation, perceived prevalence, accessibility, price, and regulation. We
also examined whether these attitudes differ between adolescents who
have and have not used cigarettes and/or e-cigarettes. Based on the small
body of literature on e-cigarette attitudes, the larger set of literature on
adolescents' attitudes towards cigarettes, and the relationship between
such attitudes and tobacco use (e.g., Halpern-Felsher et al., 2004; Krosnick
et al., 2006; Song et al., 2009; Roditis et al., 2016), we hypothesized that:
(1) adolescents will believe that a greater number of parents, siblings, and
peers are using e-cigarettes compared to cigarettes; (2)...
(adapted from https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0091743516303413 )

Note that the italicized part is establishing the research territory, the
underlined sentences is establishing the niche and the bolded statements is
occupying the niche.

What’s More

Activity 5. Multiple choice. Read each statement and select which move in
writing an introduction is being describe. Write the capital letter of the correct
answer on a separate sheet of paper.

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 A. Establishing a research territory
B. Establishing a niche
C. Occupying the niche
___1. Shows how your research fills the niche and brings new perspectives to
the field.
___2. Describes the current state of knowledge and research on the topic.
___3. Establishes motivation for the study. Usually this move is short, and can
be addressed in just one or several sentences.
___4. Show that the research area is important, problematic, or relevant in
some way.
___5. Raise a question where research in field is unclear.
___6. Outline your purposes and state the nature of your research.
___7. Outline the structure that the research paper will follow.
___8. State your hypothesis or research question you seek to answer.
___9. Claim something is wrong with the previous research.
___10. Introduce and review previous research in the field.

What I Have Learned

Activity 6. Now that you have knowledge on writing a good introduction.

Read the following sample and determine which move each part implies.
Write your answer on your answer sheets
1. Worldwide, many bacteria are showing resistance to antibiotics. This is
becoming a major problem for health care professionals; for example, multiple
strains of a potentially deadly bacteria, Staphylococcus aureas, are already
resistant to all antibiotics except vancomycin. The reports of vancomycin resistant
strains of S. aureas, which appeared from three different areas of the globe last
year, sent shock waves through the medical community (Levy, 1998).

Escherichia coli (E..coli) is another bacteria that is beginning to show signs of

antibiotic resistance. E.coli is a rod shaped bacteria which inhabits the human
colon, living off organic material which would otherwise be eliminated with the
faeces. E. coli and the other intestinal flora may make up 40% of the mass of
faeces and as a result E. coli is used as an indicator species to detect
contamination of lakes and streams by untreated sewage. Under normal
conditions E. coli is harmless but some strains can cause blood poisoning, urinary
tract infections, diarrhoea and kidney failure, illnesses that are more common in
people who have weakened immune systems. 2. In most cases these E. coli
infections can be successfully treated with antibiotics such as ampicillin and
chloramphenicol; however, some of the strains, such as those that cause
urinary tract infections, have been shown to be resistant to certain antibiotics
(Morrell, 1997, Levy, 1998). 3. This experiment aimed to test the sensitivity
of four E. coli strains (EC1, EC2, EC3, EC4), isolated from patients in a
local hospital, to the antibiotics, streptomycin and chloramphenicol. It
was hypothesised that separately both drugs would deter bacteria growth
but that a combination of both drugs would be most effective.

1.___________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
2.___________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
3.___________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________

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 What I Can Do

Do this activity on your paper: Read carefully the following poorly constructed
introduction. Reconstruct it into a well written introduction using the different
moves in writing. Write your answer on a separate sheet of paper.
Rubrics for Writing: Organization of Ideas 10; Moves Properly followed 5
Grammar and Sentence Fluency 5; Total 20 points

Toads and rats are both vertebrates of similar size. Their physiology, however,
is quite different, as toads are ectothermic and rats are endothermic (Campbell
et al., 1997, pg. 487). Toads regulate their body temperature through behaviour.
Rats have a high metabolic rate. They maintain their body temperature at 37
degrees Celsius. In this study, the anatomy of the toad and rat were
investigated.

Assessment

Direction. Multiple Choice. Write the capital letter of the correct answer on your
answer sheet.
___1. This part of the AIMRaD report tells reader how you conducted your study
and should enable them to duplicate it.
A. Method C. Abstract
B. Results D. Introduction

___2. It provides a very short overview of the entire paper, including a sentence
or two about the report’s purpose and importance, a sentence or two about
your methods, a few sentences that present the main findings, and a
sentence or two about the implications of your findings.
A. Method C. Abstract
B. Results D. Introduction

___3. Which of the following is should not be included in the method section of
AIMRaD?
A. population C. equipment
B. hypothesis D. sample

___4. This part of the AIMRaD format explains why the research is important or
necessary.
A. Introduction C. Abstract
B. Discussion D. Methods

___5. Which of the following is the main task of the researcher in writing the
discussion?
A. Support the trend with data
B. Compare findings to other research
C. Noting any exceptions to the main trends or unexpected outcomes
D. none of the above

___6. Which of the following should the researcher includes in writing the
discussion?
A. tables and figures
B. summary of the findings
C. connections to other research work
D. suggestions to future researches

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___7. In writing the AIMRaD format, all but one are common problem which
states ___________.
A. The Abstract does not provide a clear statement of the main findings.
B. The Introduction does not communicate clearly why the research is
important.
C. The Methods section is not detailed enough or is disorganized.
D. The Results section simply report results.

___8. In writing a good introduction, arrange following steps the researcher

must follow.
1. Discuss the current state of research in the field.
2. Reveal a “gap” or problem in the field.
3. Describe the problem or situation that motivates the research.
4. Explain how the present research is a solution to that problem or gap.

A. 1 2 3 4 C. 1 4 3 2
B. 2 3 1 4 D. 4 3 2 1

___9. In which part of the AIMRaD research report should the researcher write
the hypothesis?
A. Introduction C. Results
B. Methods D. Discussion

For questions numbered 10-15. Select from the choices below.

A. Establishing a research territory
B. Establishing a niche
C. Occupying the niche
___10. The statement “It was predicted that microwave sintering would alter the
densification/grain growth relationship. The effects of heating rate and
yttria content were also investigated. It was predicted that yttria content of
ceramics sintered conventionally or by microwave would not differ.”
signifies which move of writing the introduction?

___11. The statement “This study seeks to obtain data which will help to
address these research gaps” denotes that the researcher is __________.

___12. This phrase “Evidence suggests that X is among the most important
factors for …” in a statement implies that the researcher is __________.

___13. Which of the choices outlines the structure that the research paper will
follow?

___14. Which of the choices outlines the nature and purpose of the research
work?

___15. Which of the choices describes the current state of knowledge and
research on a particular topic?

Additional Activities

As an additional activity, you are encouraged to share your biggest learning and
realizations during the module. Write your answer on your paper.

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