The IMRaD structure is a global standard for organising scientific research papers. Widely adopted from the 1970s onwards, the introduction, methods, results, and discussion (IMRaD) structure provides researchers with a repeatable structure that can be used across disciplines to effectively communicate the latest scientific findings.  

But why does the IMRaD structure work? A large part of its authority comes down to the fact that it acts not only as a structure for researchers to follow, but also as a mental roadmap for readers and reviewers. The IMRaD structure – question; method of investigation; what was found; what it means – establishes a logical narrative in a clear format that benefits readers and facilitates peer review. As the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors states, the IMRaD structure ‘is not an arbitrary publication format but a reflection of the process of scientific discovery.’ 

To ensure that your scientific discoveries are effectively communicated, we will now walk through the IMRaD structure, showing how to structure a research paper section by section.

How to the write the introduction

First impressions are important in research; a piece of scientific writing needs to engage and convince. Given it is the first part of the IMRaD structure, the introduction to a research paper should act like a mission statement, outlining what it is you set out to answer in a clear and authoritative way. 

Knowing how to write an introduction to a research paper involves understanding what makes one effective. There is no definitive way to write an introduction, but there are points to focus on to distinguish your writing: 

• Clearly define your purpose and why your research is necessary at this moment in time and within the context of existing research. 

• Provide clear signposting for your reader to prepare them for the contents of the paper. 

• Establish a confident tone that reassures the reader and maintains authority throughout the course of the argument. 

• Be concise; the length of your introduction should be around 10% of your research paper’s total word count. 

These are just the basic tips. See our full post on how to write a good introduction for your academic paper for more information. 

With your question and purpose defined, it is now time to outline your methods.

How to write the methods section 

Reproducibility is the cornerstone of scientific integrity. For other researchers to reproduce and therefore validate your study’s findings, you need to clearly outline the steps taken during the research process. 

This section must concisely but sufficiently describe any methods, materials, and protocols used in the study. Explain why certain methods were chosen over others, if necessary. 

Generally, the methods section should be around 15–20% of your research paper. Because it is describing past actions objectively, it should be written in the past tense using a passive voice and without the inclusion of personal opinions. 

The most important element of the methods section, however, is the structure. The way you structure and therefore provide a narrative for you readers and editors to follow is key. The typical structure of a methods section should include the following subheadings: 

• Study design 

• Participants/subjects 

• Materials and equipment 

• Data collection 

• Data analysis 

For a more detailed explanation of what information these subsections should contain, see our post on how to write a methods section for a scientific paper.  

With your methodology clearly outlined, you will need to describe the results of your study.

How to write the results section (without discussing)  

The results section of a scientific paper is where results are presented clearly and objectively. In this section, authors can highlight any important trends, relationships between variables, and significant findings resulting from the collected data.  

Data and results need to be recorded objectively. This is so they can serve as evidence of scientific phenomena observed under certain experimental conditions, without subjective interpretation.  

To know how to write a results section without discussing, here are some steps to follow: 

• Do not explain or interpret data but do outline any findings that either support or challenge your hypothesis when it comes to writing the discussion section. 

• Logically sequence your findings to protect the objective integrity of your study’s parameters and findings. 

• Use tables and figures to highlight trends, relationships, and statistical significances without explicitly evaluating the data and findings. 

It is important to know that expectations around the results section diverge across disciplines and different study models. Therefore, authors must familiarise themselves with different conventions. 

For more information on these expectations and other section-specific tips, see our post on how to write a results section without discussing.  

After objectively reporting your results, it is now time to guide readers and editors through the meaning and implications of your data and findings.

How to write the discussion section 

The discussion section of a research paper does not simply restate the data or findings from the results section, but it explains what these numbers or findings mean, and why the results are significant in the context of research today.  

What also needs to be made explicit is the contribution that the study has made to your research field, the real-world implications of any data and findings, and any future research directions that may build upon your study. 

Although the discussion section of a scientific paper comes towards the end of the manuscript, the contents of this section should be considered from the start. Why is your original hypothesis necessary in the context of previous studies, the existing literature, and real-world issues? 

When approaching how to write the discussion section, it is useful to break it down into elements to include and elements to avoid. 

Elements to include 

• Explanation of the meaning and importance of findings. 

• Contextualise the findings within existing, relevant literature. 

• Highlight the limitations of the study. 

• Consider alternative explanations of your findings, if appropriate. 

• State the real-world relevance of the findings. 

• Explore future research directions. 

Elements to avoid 

• Overinterpretation of findings. 

• Unwarranted speculation based on findings. 

• Inflation of importance of findings. 

• Erroneous conclusions. 

As these elements show, researchers must avoid making unnecessary claims and inaccurate conclusions. The data you have gathered are the data you are discussing; only make claims based on what the data shows, and even then, treat your findings with caution. If you are drawing a conclusion, make sure the data supports it and that any speculation is within the bounds of what the study has determined.  

For more information on what this subsection should include, see our post on how to write the discussion section for a scientific paper.

Ensuring your research paper is submission-ready 

The IMRaD structure is a standardised structure for reporting scientific findings, so it is essential that you familiarise yourself with its requirements and expectations. See MDPI’s Instructions for Authors for more information on completing research manuscript sections. 

Need more professional, practical help with the overall structure of your research paper? At MDPI Author Services, we specialise in helping researchers prepare their manuscripts for publication. Our Academic Editing Service provides subject-specific expertise and in-depth technical refinement during the manuscript preparation phase, helping to improve the scientific content and structure of the paper as the author is guided from pre- to post-publication.  

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