Genre Analysis: IMRD
Structure of a Report of Research Findings
You have been examining and comparing the features of scholarly introductions (and perhaps other sections) in the research articles of several disciplines. Now it’s time to begin formalizing what you have found and to prepare to write a report of your research findings using the IMRD structure (introduction, method, results, and discussion) outlined, briefly, below.
Introduction To position yourself as a researcher and provide a frame for your analysis, you could cite and summarize Giltrow et al. (on genre), Hyland and/or others (Existing Knowledge) on the predictions of genre theory about writing in the disciplines. Explain the purpose of your inquiry (don’t forget about the student writer: Knowledge-Deficit) and define the feature(s) you have chosen to examine.
Method Describe your method of examination: Where did your data come from (i.e., What was your research site?) How did you collect, analyze, and interpret it?
Results Present the results of your research – the patterns of similarity and difference you have observed. While you will likely typify many of your observations (possible in Tables), you will also need to provide verbatim examples from your research site.
Discussion Explain the significance of your findings: keep in mind the function of the feature(s) you have examined — specifically and in relation to their location in the RA. What do they suggest to you about the values and practices of particular disciplines? Use your Existing Knowledge and other sources to comment on your findings.
Conclusion Identify the clearest conclusions you have reached. Acknowledge the limits of your own research and suggest what forms of future research might resolve these uncertainties. What are the implications of your findings for the student writer in the research institution?
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