Guidelines for Layout, Organization and Citation in Academic Papers - Essay Example

The paper "Guidelines for Layout, Organization, and Citation in Academic Papers" is a brilliant example of an essay on education. According to Brigitte, research papers follow a precise structure concerning its layout, arrangement, and citation. He further states that a research paper communicates some report of a research study conducted (Brigitte, 2012; p. 2). The paper must be clearly organized into paragraphs with grammatically correct sentences. The researcher should observe the use of language avoiding the use of vulgar and opinionated language.

Above all, citations must be provided to avoid plagiarism. Looking at the research paper provided, the paper aims at communicating some report of a research investigation. This is because of its title which states, ‘Educational Validity of Business Gaming Simulation: A Research Methodology Framework’ (Johnson, Stainton & Borodzicz, 2010; p.705) The paragraphs in this research report are clearly organized, well-cited and with grammatically correct sentences, for instance in the paragraph which describes achieving validity and reliability of research instruments.

The researcher uses language that is correct and precise. Spellings and punctuations are correctly used in all paragraphs. Looking at the sources some are well-cited together with the page numbers. Notable examples include Yin (2003, p. 710), Dawson, 2004, Wolfe & Jackson (1989, p. 7) and (Feinstein & Cannon, (2001, p. 706) (Johnson, Stainton & Borodzicz, 2010). However, some of the citations in this research paper are very old yet a research paper should contain current references.

For instance, these references are very old and make the report old and unreliable (Norris, 1986, Alessi, 1988, Herzberg, 1966, Wolfe, 1976.p.707) (Johnson, Stainton & Borodzicz, 2010).This research report fails to follow the correct Harvard referencing style in that, in some references the researcher fails to quote the page numbers as required (Brigitte, 2012; p. 6). In writing a research report each source that has been used by the researcher must be quoted and cited appropriately concurring to the Harvard style.

All sources used in a research report must come from authentic references from academic books, reputable magazines, or papers, symposiums (in a manuscript or in the electronic system). From the research paper, all the sources used are from credible and authentic sources. Therefore, the information was obtained from reliable sources.According to Brigitte (2012; p. 6), research papers must have the following elements in their layouts; abstract or executive summary, declaration or authenticity, table of contents, the bulk of the paper which entails introduction background, literature review, methodology, results, and discussion.

The paper should have conclusions and recommendations. It should have bibliographies and appendices and glossary of terms, list of figures/tables, and acknowledgments. It should be noted that not all these elements are present. Their inclusion depends on the level of research and the supervisor involved. Looking at this research paper, some of these elements are included like the abstract, literature review, and methodology of conducting research, declaration of conflicting interests, the findings, and conclusions on the proposed frameworks (Brigitte, 2012; p. 8). Research papers need to be well prearranged at all stages to direct the reader from beginning to end.

This involves producing an outline, which will cover chapters openly sectioned into sub-sections, which include all basics of a chapter usually the research topic (Brigitte, 2012; p. 8). Paragraphing is important in a research paper outline. Every paragraph should entail a topic sentence and supporting sentences. This research paper was not organized according to the Harvard referencing style through every paragraph has a topic sentence and supporting sentences.The research outline is usually provided at the start of the research, looking at this research, an outline has not been provided at the beginning of this research report (Brigitte, 2012; p. 8). Similarly, it does not have a table of content, which is a conversion of the research outline.

In a research paper, all bibliographies need to be well alphabetized concurring to the last name of the author and every entry placed on a new line (Brigitte, 2012; p. 15). Bibliographies records are not totaled or written in bullets and separated, for instance, one fixed for automated sources, one for publishing sources (Brigitte, 2012; p. 15). In this research paper, the bibliography has been written in alphabetical order and they are not separated (Johnson, Stainton & Borodzicz, 2010; p.719- 722).All diagrams, charts, figures, tables are quoted.

For all diagrams, the name ‘Fig’ is used and a sequential number is assigned (Johnson, Stainton & Borodzicz, 2010). This is directly followed by the ‘Name specified’. Below the graphic, the source is provided. In this research paper, a source is given to the table presented, which is ‘Table 1’- Summary of Research Design and Instruments’. However, a source is not provided at the end of the table.Conclusion The first part of a research paper format is the title page; the subsequent part is the introduction where the theme or subject matter is introduced.

The main body should entail the literature review, research methodology, data presentation and analysis, results, and discussion. Lastly, a research paper layout should also have a conclusion where summaries and recommendations are presented.