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Organizing Your Social Sciences Research Paper

  • The C.A.R.S. Model
  • Purpose of Guide
  • Design Flaws to Avoid
  • Independent and Dependent Variables
  • Glossary of Research Terms
  • Reading Research Effectively
  • Narrowing a Topic Idea
  • Broadening a Topic Idea
  • Extending the Timeliness of a Topic Idea
  • Academic Writing Style
  • Applying Critical Thinking
  • Choosing a Title
  • Making an Outline
  • Paragraph Development
  • Research Process Video Series
  • Executive Summary
  • Background Information
  • The Research Problem/Question
  • Theoretical Framework
  • Citation Tracking
  • Content Alert Services
  • Evaluating Sources
  • Primary Sources
  • Secondary Sources
  • Tiertiary Sources
  • Scholarly vs. Popular Publications
  • Qualitative Methods
  • Quantitative Methods
  • Insiderness
  • Using Non-Textual Elements
  • Limitations of the Study
  • Common Grammar Mistakes
  • Writing Concisely
  • Avoiding Plagiarism
  • Footnotes or Endnotes?
  • Further Readings
  • Generative AI and Writing
  • USC Libraries Tutorials and Other Guides
  • Bibliography

Introduction

The Creating a Research Space [C.A.R.S.] Model was developed by John Swales based upon his analysis of journal articles representing a variety of discipline-based writing practices. His model attempts to explain and describe the organizational pattern of writing the introduction to scholarly research studies. Following the C.A.R.S. Model can be useful approach because it can help you to: 1) begin the writing process [getting started is often the most difficult task]; 2) understand the way in which an introduction sets the stage for the rest of your paper; and, 3) assess how the introduction fits within the larger scope of your study. The model assumes that writers follow a general organizational pattern in response to two types of challenges [“competitions”] relating to establishing a presence within a particular domain of research: 1) the competition to create a rhetorical space and, 2) the competition to attract readers into that space. The model proposes three actions [Swales calls them “moves”], accompanied by specific steps, that reflect the development of an effective introduction for a research paper. These “moves” and steps can be used as a template for writing the introduction to your own social sciences research papers.

"Introductions." The Writing Lab and The OWL. Purdue University; Coffin, Caroline and Rupert Wegerif. “How to Write a Standard Research Article.” Inspiring Academic Practice at the University of Exeter; Kayfetz, Janet. "Academic Writing Workshop." University of California, Santa Barbara, Fall 2009; Pennington, Ken. "The Introduction Section: Creating a Research Space CARS Model." Language Centre, Helsinki University of Technology, 2005; Swales, John and Christine B. Feak. Academic Writing for Graduate Students: Essential Skills and Tasks. 2nd edition. Ann Arbor, MI: University of Michigan Press, 2004.

Creating a Research Space Move 1: Establishing a Territory [the situation] This is generally accomplished in two ways: by demonstrating that a general area of research is important, critical, interesting, problematic, relevant, or otherwise worthy of investigation and by introducing and reviewing key sources of prior research in that area to show where gaps exist or where prior research has been inadequate in addressing the research problem. The steps taken to achieve this would be:

  • Step 1 -- Claiming importance of, and/or  [writing action = describing the research problem and providing evidence to support why the topic is important to study]
  • Step 2 -- Making topic generalizations, and/or  [writing action = providing statements about the current state of knowledge, consensus, practice or description of phenomena]
  • Step 3 -- Reviewing items of previous research  [writing action = synthesize prior research that further supports the need to study the research problem; this is not a literature review but more a reflection of key studies that have touched upon but perhaps not fully addressed the topic]

Move 2: Establishing a Niche [the problem] This action refers to making a clear and cogent argument that your particular piece of research is important and possesses value. This can be done by indicating a specific gap in previous research, by challenging a broadly accepted assumption, by raising a question, a hypothesis, or need, or by extending previous knowledge in some way. The steps taken to achieve this would be:

  • Step 1a -- Counter-claiming, or  [writing action = introduce an opposing viewpoint or perspective or identify a gap in prior research that you believe has weakened or undermined the prevailing argument]
  • Step 1b -- Indicating a gap, or  [writing action = develop the research problem around a gap or understudied area of the literature]
  • Step 1c -- Question-raising, or  [writing action = similar to gap identification, this involves presenting key questions about the consequences of gaps in prior research that will be addressed by your study. For example, one could state, “Despite prior observations of voter behavior in local elections in urban Detroit, it remains unclear why do some single mothers choose to avoid....”]
  • Step 1d -- Continuing a tradition  [writing action = extend prior research to expand upon or clarify a research problem. This is often signaled with logical connecting terminology, such as, “hence,” “therefore,” “consequently,” “thus” or language that indicates a need. For example, one could state, “Consequently, these factors need to examined in more detail....” or “Evidence suggests an interesting correlation, therefore, it is desirable to survey different respondents....”]

Move 3: Occupying the Niche [the solution] The final "move" is to announce the means by which your study will contribute new knowledge or new understanding in contrast to prior research on the topic. This is also where you describe the remaining organizational structure of the paper. The steps taken to achieve this would be:

  • Step 1a -- Outlining purposes, or  [writing action = answering the “So What?” question. Explain in clear language the objectives of your study]
  • Step 1b -- Announcing present research [writing action = describe the purpose of your study in terms of what the research is going to do or accomplish. In the social sciences, the “So What?” question still needs to addressed]
  • Step 2 -- Announcing principle findings  [writing action = present a brief, general summary of key findings written, such as, “The findings indicate a need for...,” or “The research suggests four approaches to....”]
  • Step 3 -- Indicating article structure  [writing action = state how the remainder of your paper is organized]

"Introductions." The Writing Lab and The OWL. Purdue University; Atai, Mahmood Reza. “Exploring Subdisciplinary Variations and Generic Structure of Applied Linguistics Research Article Introductions Using CARS Model.” The Journal of Applied Linguistics 2 (Fall 2009): 26-51; Chanel, Dana. "Research Article Introductions in Cultural Studies: A Genre Analysis Explorationn of Rhetorical Structure." The Journal of Teaching English for Specific and Academic Purposes 2 (2014): 1-20; Coffin, Caroline and Rupert Wegerif. “How to Write a Standard Research Article.” Inspiring Academic Practice at the University of Exeter; Kayfetz, Janet. "Academic Writing Workshop." University of California, Santa Barbara, Fall 2009; Pennington, Ken. "The Introduction Section: Creating a Research Space CARS Model." Language Centre, Helsinki University of Technology, 2005; Swales, John and Christine B. Feak. Academic Writing for Graduate Students: Essential Skills and Tasks . 2nd edition. Ann Arbor, MI: University of Michigan Press, 2004; Swales, John M. Genre Analysis: English in Academic and Research Settings . New York: Cambridge University Press, 1990; Chapter 5: Beginning Work. In Writing for Peer Reviewed Journals: Strategies for Getting Published . Pat Thomson and Barbara Kamler. (New York: Routledge, 2013), pp. 93-96.

Writing Tip

Swales showed that establishing a research niche [move 2] is often signaled by specific terminology that expresses a contrasting viewpoint, a critical evaluation of gaps in the literature, or a perceived weakness in prior research. The purpose of using these words is to draw a clear distinction between perceived deficiencies in previous studies and the research you are presenting that is intended to help resolve these deficiencies. Below is a table of common words used by authors.

albeit

although

but

howbeit

however

nevertheless

notwithstanding

unfortunately

whereas

yet

few

handful

less

little

no

none

not

challenge

deter

disregard

exclude

fail

hinder

ignore

lack

limit

misinterpret

neglect

obviate

omit

overlook

prevent

question

restrict

difficult

dubious

elusive

inadequate

incomplete

inconclusive

inefficacious

ineffective

inefficient

questionable

scarce

uncertain

unclear

unconvincing

unproductive

unreliable

unsatisfactory

NOTE: You may prefer not to adopt a negative stance in your writing when placing it within the context of prior research. In such cases, an alternative approach is to utilize a neutral, contrastive statement that expresses a new perspective without giving the appearance of trying to diminish the validity of other people's research. Examples of how to take a more neutral contrasting stance can be achieved in the following ways, with A representing the findings of prior research, B representing your research problem, and X representing one or more variables that have been investigated.

  • Prior research has focused primarily on A , rather than on B ...
  • Prior research into A can be beneficial but to rectify X , it is important to examine B ...
  • These studies have placed an emphasis in the areas of A as opposed to describing B ...
  • While prior studies have examined A , it may be preferable to contemplate the impact of B ...
  • After consideration of A , it is important to also distinguish B ...
  • The study of A has been thorough, but changing circumstances related to X support a need for examining [or revisiting] B ...
  • Although research has been devoted to A , less attention has been paid to B ...
  • Earlier research offers insights into the need for A , though consideration of B would be particularly helpful to...

In each of these example statements, what follows the ellipsis is the justification for designing a study that approaches the problem in the way that contrasts with prior research but which does not devalue its ongoing contributions to current knowledge and understanding.

Dretske, Fred I. “Contrastive Statements.” The Philosophical Review 81 (October 1972): 411-437; Kayfetz, Janet. "Academic Writing Workshop." University of California, Santa Barbara, Fall 2009; Pennington, Ken. "The Introduction Section: Creating a Research Space CARS Model." Language Centre, Helsinki University of Technology, 2005; Swales, John M. Genre Analysis: English in Academic and Research Settings . New York: Cambridge University Press, 1990

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Writing a model research paper: A roadmap

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  • DOI: 10.4103/jpgm.JPGM_325_17

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Research Method

Home » Research Paper Format – Types, Examples and Templates

Research Paper Format – Types, Examples and Templates

Table of Contents

Research Paper Formats

Research paper format is an essential aspect of academic writing that plays a crucial role in the communication of research findings . The format of a research paper depends on various factors such as the discipline, style guide, and purpose of the research. It includes guidelines for the structure, citation style, referencing , and other elements of the paper that contribute to its overall presentation and coherence. Adhering to the appropriate research paper format is vital for ensuring that the research is accurately and effectively communicated to the intended audience. In this era of information, it is essential to understand the different research paper formats and their guidelines to communicate research effectively, accurately, and with the required level of detail. This post aims to provide an overview of some of the common research paper formats used in academic writing.

Research Paper Formats

Research Paper Formats are as follows:

  • APA (American Psychological Association) format
  • MLA (Modern Language Association) format
  • Chicago/Turabian style
  • IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) format
  • AMA (American Medical Association) style
  • Harvard style
  • Vancouver style
  • ACS (American Chemical Society) style
  • ASA (American Sociological Association) style
  • APSA (American Political Science Association) style

APA (American Psychological Association) Format

Here is a general APA format for a research paper:

  • Title Page: The title page should include the title of your paper, your name, and your institutional affiliation. It should also include a running head, which is a shortened version of the title, and a page number in the upper right-hand corner.
  • Abstract : The abstract is a brief summary of your paper, typically 150-250 words. It should include the purpose of your research, the main findings, and any implications or conclusions that can be drawn.
  • Introduction: The introduction should provide background information on your topic, state the purpose of your research, and present your research question or hypothesis. It should also include a brief literature review that discusses previous research on your topic.
  • Methods: The methods section should describe the procedures you used to collect and analyze your data. It should include information on the participants, the materials and instruments used, and the statistical analyses performed.
  • Results: The results section should present the findings of your research in a clear and concise manner. Use tables and figures to help illustrate your results.
  • Discussion : The discussion section should interpret your results and relate them back to your research question or hypothesis. It should also discuss the implications of your findings and any limitations of your study.
  • References : The references section should include a list of all sources cited in your paper. Follow APA formatting guidelines for your citations and references.

Some additional tips for formatting your APA research paper:

  • Use 12-point Times New Roman font throughout the paper.
  • Double-space all text, including the references.
  • Use 1-inch margins on all sides of the page.
  • Indent the first line of each paragraph by 0.5 inches.
  • Use a hanging indent for the references (the first line should be flush with the left margin, and all subsequent lines should be indented).
  • Number all pages, including the title page and references page, in the upper right-hand corner.

APA Research Paper Format Template

APA Research Paper Format Template is as follows:

Title Page:

  • Title of the paper
  • Author’s name
  • Institutional affiliation
  • A brief summary of the main points of the paper, including the research question, methods, findings, and conclusions. The abstract should be no more than 250 words.

Introduction:

  • Background information on the topic of the research paper
  • Research question or hypothesis
  • Significance of the study
  • Overview of the research methods and design
  • Brief summary of the main findings
  • Participants: description of the sample population, including the number of participants and their characteristics (age, gender, ethnicity, etc.)
  • Materials: description of any materials used in the study (e.g., survey questions, experimental apparatus)
  • Procedure: detailed description of the steps taken to conduct the study
  • Presentation of the findings of the study, including statistical analyses if applicable
  • Tables and figures may be included to illustrate the results

Discussion:

  • Interpretation of the results in light of the research question and hypothesis
  • Implications of the study for the field
  • Limitations of the study
  • Suggestions for future research

References:

  • A list of all sources cited in the paper, in APA format

Formatting guidelines:

  • Double-spaced
  • 12-point font (Times New Roman or Arial)
  • 1-inch margins on all sides
  • Page numbers in the top right corner
  • Headings and subheadings should be used to organize the paper
  • The first line of each paragraph should be indented
  • Quotations of 40 or more words should be set off in a block quote with no quotation marks
  • In-text citations should include the author’s last name and year of publication (e.g., Smith, 2019)

APA Research Paper Format Example

APA Research Paper Format Example is as follows:

The Effects of Social Media on Mental Health

University of XYZ

This study examines the relationship between social media use and mental health among college students. Data was collected through a survey of 500 students at the University of XYZ. Results suggest that social media use is significantly related to symptoms of depression and anxiety, and that the negative effects of social media are greater among frequent users.

Social media has become an increasingly important aspect of modern life, especially among young adults. While social media can have many positive effects, such as connecting people across distances and sharing information, there is growing concern about its impact on mental health. This study aims to examine the relationship between social media use and mental health among college students.

Participants: Participants were 500 college students at the University of XYZ, recruited through online advertisements and flyers posted on campus. Participants ranged in age from 18 to 25, with a mean age of 20.5 years. The sample was 60% female, 40% male, and 5% identified as non-binary or gender non-conforming.

Data was collected through an online survey administered through Qualtrics. The survey consisted of several measures, including the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) for depression symptoms, the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7) for anxiety symptoms, and questions about social media use.

Procedure :

Participants were asked to complete the online survey at their convenience. The survey took approximately 20-30 minutes to complete. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics, correlations, and multiple regression analysis.

Results indicated that social media use was significantly related to symptoms of depression (r = .32, p < .001) and anxiety (r = .29, p < .001). Regression analysis indicated that frequency of social media use was a significant predictor of both depression symptoms (β = .24, p < .001) and anxiety symptoms (β = .20, p < .001), even when controlling for age, gender, and other relevant factors.

The results of this study suggest that social media use is associated with symptoms of depression and anxiety among college students. The negative effects of social media are greater among frequent users. These findings have important implications for mental health professionals and educators, who should consider addressing the potential negative effects of social media use in their work with young adults.

References :

References should be listed in alphabetical order according to the author’s last name. For example:

  • Chou, H. T. G., & Edge, N. (2012). “They are happier and having better lives than I am”: The impact of using Facebook on perceptions of others’ lives. Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking, 15(2), 117-121.
  • Twenge, J. M., Joiner, T. E., Rogers, M. L., & Martin, G. N. (2018). Increases in depressive symptoms, suicide-related outcomes, and suicide rates among U.S. adolescents after 2010 and links to increased new media screen time. Clinical Psychological Science, 6(1), 3-17.

Note: This is just a sample Example do not use this in your assignment.

MLA (Modern Language Association) Format

MLA (Modern Language Association) Format is as follows:

  • Page Layout : Use 8.5 x 11-inch white paper, with 1-inch margins on all sides. The font should be 12-point Times New Roman or a similar serif font.
  • Heading and Title : The first page of your research paper should include a heading and a title. The heading should include your name, your instructor’s name, the course title, and the date. The title should be centered and in title case (capitalizing the first letter of each important word).
  • In-Text Citations : Use parenthetical citations to indicate the source of your information. The citation should include the author’s last name and the page number(s) of the source. For example: (Smith 23).
  • Works Cited Page : At the end of your paper, include a Works Cited page that lists all the sources you used in your research. Each entry should include the author’s name, the title of the work, the publication information, and the medium of publication.
  • Formatting Quotations : Use double quotation marks for short quotations and block quotations for longer quotations. Indent the entire quotation five spaces from the left margin.
  • Formatting the Body : Use a clear and readable font and double-space your text throughout. The first line of each paragraph should be indented one-half inch from the left margin.

MLA Research Paper Template

MLA Research Paper Format Template is as follows:

  • Use 8.5 x 11 inch white paper.
  • Use a 12-point font, such as Times New Roman.
  • Use double-spacing throughout the entire paper, including the title page and works cited page.
  • Set the margins to 1 inch on all sides.
  • Use page numbers in the upper right corner, beginning with the first page of text.
  • Include a centered title for the research paper, using title case (capitalizing the first letter of each important word).
  • Include your name, instructor’s name, course name, and date in the upper left corner, double-spaced.

In-Text Citations

  • When quoting or paraphrasing information from sources, include an in-text citation within the text of your paper.
  • Use the author’s last name and the page number in parentheses at the end of the sentence, before the punctuation mark.
  • If the author’s name is mentioned in the sentence, only include the page number in parentheses.

Works Cited Page

  • List all sources cited in alphabetical order by the author’s last name.
  • Each entry should include the author’s name, title of the work, publication information, and medium of publication.
  • Use italics for book and journal titles, and quotation marks for article and chapter titles.
  • For online sources, include the date of access and the URL.

Here is an example of how the first page of a research paper in MLA format should look:

Headings and Subheadings

  • Use headings and subheadings to organize your paper and make it easier to read.
  • Use numerals to number your headings and subheadings (e.g. 1, 2, 3), and capitalize the first letter of each word.
  • The main heading should be centered and in boldface type, while subheadings should be left-aligned and in italics.
  • Use only one space after each period or punctuation mark.
  • Use quotation marks to indicate direct quotes from a source.
  • If the quote is more than four lines, format it as a block quote, indented one inch from the left margin and without quotation marks.
  • Use ellipses (…) to indicate omitted words from a quote, and brackets ([…]) to indicate added words.

Works Cited Examples

  • Book: Last Name, First Name. Title of Book. Publisher, Publication Year.
  • Journal Article: Last Name, First Name. “Title of Article.” Title of Journal, volume number, issue number, publication date, page numbers.
  • Website: Last Name, First Name. “Title of Webpage.” Title of Website, publication date, URL. Accessed date.

Here is an example of how a works cited entry for a book should look:

Smith, John. The Art of Writing Research Papers. Penguin, 2021.

MLA Research Paper Example

MLA Research Paper Format Example is as follows:

Your Professor’s Name

Course Name and Number

Date (in Day Month Year format)

Word Count (not including title page or Works Cited)

Title: The Impact of Video Games on Aggression Levels

Video games have become a popular form of entertainment among people of all ages. However, the impact of video games on aggression levels has been a subject of debate among scholars and researchers. While some argue that video games promote aggression and violent behavior, others argue that there is no clear link between video games and aggression levels. This research paper aims to explore the impact of video games on aggression levels among young adults.

Background:

The debate on the impact of video games on aggression levels has been ongoing for several years. According to the American Psychological Association, exposure to violent media, including video games, can increase aggression levels in children and adolescents. However, some researchers argue that there is no clear evidence to support this claim. Several studies have been conducted to examine the impact of video games on aggression levels, but the results have been mixed.

Methodology:

This research paper used a quantitative research approach to examine the impact of video games on aggression levels among young adults. A sample of 100 young adults between the ages of 18 and 25 was selected for the study. The participants were asked to complete a questionnaire that measured their aggression levels and their video game habits.

The results of the study showed that there was a significant correlation between video game habits and aggression levels among young adults. The participants who reported playing violent video games for more than 5 hours per week had higher aggression levels than those who played less than 5 hours per week. The study also found that male participants were more likely to play violent video games and had higher aggression levels than female participants.

The findings of this study support the claim that video games can increase aggression levels among young adults. However, it is important to note that the study only examined the impact of video games on aggression levels and did not take into account other factors that may contribute to aggressive behavior. It is also important to note that not all video games promote violence and aggression, and some games may have a positive impact on cognitive and social skills.

Conclusion :

In conclusion, this research paper provides evidence to support the claim that video games can increase aggression levels among young adults. However, it is important to conduct further research to examine the impact of video games on other aspects of behavior and to explore the potential benefits of video games. Parents and educators should be aware of the potential impact of video games on aggression levels and should encourage young adults to engage in a variety of activities that promote cognitive and social skills.

Works Cited:

  • American Psychological Association. (2017). Violent Video Games: Myths, Facts, and Unanswered Questions. Retrieved from https://www.apa.org/news/press/releases/2017/08/violent-video-games
  • Ferguson, C. J. (2015). Do Angry Birds make for angry children? A meta-analysis of video game influences on children’s and adolescents’ aggression, mental health, prosocial behavior, and academic performance. Perspectives on Psychological Science, 10(5), 646-666.
  • Gentile, D. A., Swing, E. L., Lim, C. G., & Khoo, A. (2012). Video game playing, attention problems, and impulsiveness: Evidence of bidirectional causality. Psychology of Popular Media Culture, 1(1), 62-70.
  • Greitemeyer, T. (2014). Effects of prosocial video games on prosocial behavior. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 106(4), 530-548.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Chicago/Turabian Formate is as follows:

  • Margins : Use 1-inch margins on all sides of the paper.
  • Font : Use a readable font such as Times New Roman or Arial, and use a 12-point font size.
  • Page numbering : Number all pages in the upper right-hand corner, beginning with the first page of text. Use Arabic numerals.
  • Title page: Include a title page with the title of the paper, your name, course title and number, instructor’s name, and the date. The title should be centered on the page and in title case (capitalize the first letter of each word).
  • Headings: Use headings to organize your paper. The first level of headings should be centered and in boldface or italics. The second level of headings should be left-aligned and in boldface or italics. Use as many levels of headings as necessary to organize your paper.
  • In-text citations : Use footnotes or endnotes to cite sources within the text of your paper. The first citation for each source should be a full citation, and subsequent citations can be shortened. Use superscript numbers to indicate footnotes or endnotes.
  • Bibliography : Include a bibliography at the end of your paper, listing all sources cited in your paper. The bibliography should be in alphabetical order by the author’s last name, and each entry should include the author’s name, title of the work, publication information, and date of publication.
  • Formatting of quotations: Use block quotations for quotations that are longer than four lines. Indent the entire quotation one inch from the left margin, and do not use quotation marks. Single-space the quotation, and double-space between paragraphs.
  • Tables and figures: Use tables and figures to present data and illustrations. Number each table and figure sequentially, and provide a brief title for each. Place tables and figures as close as possible to the text that refers to them.
  • Spelling and grammar : Use correct spelling and grammar throughout your paper. Proofread carefully for errors.

Chicago/Turabian Research Paper Template

Chicago/Turabian Research Paper Template is as folows:

Title of Paper

Name of Student

Professor’s Name

I. Introduction

A. Background Information

B. Research Question

C. Thesis Statement

II. Literature Review

A. Overview of Existing Literature

B. Analysis of Key Literature

C. Identification of Gaps in Literature

III. Methodology

A. Research Design

B. Data Collection

C. Data Analysis

IV. Results

A. Presentation of Findings

B. Analysis of Findings

C. Discussion of Implications

V. Conclusion

A. Summary of Findings

B. Implications for Future Research

C. Conclusion

VI. References

A. Bibliography

B. In-Text Citations

VII. Appendices (if necessary)

A. Data Tables

C. Additional Supporting Materials

Chicago/Turabian Research Paper Example

Title: The Impact of Social Media on Political Engagement

Name: John Smith

Class: POLS 101

Professor: Dr. Jane Doe

Date: April 8, 2023

I. Introduction:

Social media has become an integral part of our daily lives. People use social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to connect with friends and family, share their opinions, and stay informed about current events. With the rise of social media, there has been a growing interest in understanding its impact on various aspects of society, including political engagement. In this paper, I will examine the relationship between social media use and political engagement, specifically focusing on how social media influences political participation and political attitudes.

II. Literature Review:

There is a growing body of literature on the impact of social media on political engagement. Some scholars argue that social media has a positive effect on political participation by providing new channels for political communication and mobilization (Delli Carpini & Keeter, 1996; Putnam, 2000). Others, however, suggest that social media can have a negative impact on political engagement by creating filter bubbles that reinforce existing beliefs and discourage political dialogue (Pariser, 2011; Sunstein, 2001).

III. Methodology:

To examine the relationship between social media use and political engagement, I conducted a survey of 500 college students. The survey included questions about social media use, political participation, and political attitudes. The data was analyzed using descriptive statistics and regression analysis.

Iv. Results:

The results of the survey indicate that social media use is positively associated with political participation. Specifically, respondents who reported using social media to discuss politics were more likely to have participated in a political campaign, attended a political rally, or contacted a political representative. Additionally, social media use was found to be associated with more positive attitudes towards political engagement, such as increased trust in government and belief in the effectiveness of political action.

V. Conclusion:

The findings of this study suggest that social media has a positive impact on political engagement, by providing new opportunities for political communication and mobilization. However, there is also a need for caution, as social media can also create filter bubbles that reinforce existing beliefs and discourage political dialogue. Future research should continue to explore the complex relationship between social media and political engagement, and develop strategies to harness the potential benefits of social media while mitigating its potential negative effects.

Vii. References:

  • Delli Carpini, M. X., & Keeter, S. (1996). What Americans know about politics and why it matters. Yale University Press.
  • Pariser, E. (2011). The filter bubble: What the Internet is hiding from you. Penguin.
  • Putnam, R. D. (2000). Bowling alone: The collapse and revival of American community. Simon & Schuster.
  • Sunstein, C. R. (2001). Republic.com. Princeton University Press.

IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) Format

IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) Research Paper Format is as follows:

  • Title : A concise and informative title that accurately reflects the content of the paper.
  • Abstract : A brief summary of the paper, typically no more than 250 words, that includes the purpose of the study, the methods used, the key findings, and the main conclusions.
  • Introduction : An overview of the background, context, and motivation for the research, including a clear statement of the problem being addressed and the objectives of the study.
  • Literature review: A critical analysis of the relevant research and scholarship on the topic, including a discussion of any gaps or limitations in the existing literature.
  • Methodology : A detailed description of the methods used to collect and analyze data, including any experiments or simulations, data collection instruments or procedures, and statistical analyses.
  • Results : A clear and concise presentation of the findings, including any relevant tables, graphs, or figures.
  • Discussion : A detailed interpretation of the results, including a comparison of the findings with previous research, a discussion of the implications of the results, and any recommendations for future research.
  • Conclusion : A summary of the key findings and main conclusions of the study.
  • References : A list of all sources cited in the paper, formatted according to IEEE guidelines.

In addition to these elements, an IEEE research paper should also follow certain formatting guidelines, including using 12-point font, double-spaced text, and numbered headings and subheadings. Additionally, any tables, figures, or equations should be clearly labeled and referenced in the text.

AMA (American Medical Association) Style

AMA (American Medical Association) Style Research Paper Format:

  • Title Page: This page includes the title of the paper, the author’s name, institutional affiliation, and any acknowledgments or disclaimers.
  • Abstract: The abstract is a brief summary of the paper that outlines the purpose, methods, results, and conclusions of the study. It is typically limited to 250 words or less.
  • Introduction: The introduction provides a background of the research problem, defines the research question, and outlines the objectives and hypotheses of the study.
  • Methods: The methods section describes the research design, participants, procedures, and instruments used to collect and analyze data.
  • Results: The results section presents the findings of the study in a clear and concise manner, using graphs, tables, and charts where appropriate.
  • Discussion: The discussion section interprets the results, explains their significance, and relates them to previous research in the field.
  • Conclusion: The conclusion summarizes the main points of the paper, discusses the implications of the findings, and suggests future research directions.
  • References: The reference list includes all sources cited in the paper, listed in alphabetical order by author’s last name.

In addition to these sections, the AMA format requires that authors follow specific guidelines for citing sources in the text and formatting their references. The AMA style uses a superscript number system for in-text citations and provides specific formats for different types of sources, such as books, journal articles, and websites.

Harvard Style

Harvard Style Research Paper format is as follows:

  • Title page: This should include the title of your paper, your name, the name of your institution, and the date of submission.
  • Abstract : This is a brief summary of your paper, usually no more than 250 words. It should outline the main points of your research and highlight your findings.
  • Introduction : This section should introduce your research topic, provide background information, and outline your research question or thesis statement.
  • Literature review: This section should review the relevant literature on your topic, including previous research studies, academic articles, and other sources.
  • Methodology : This section should describe the methods you used to conduct your research, including any data collection methods, research instruments, and sampling techniques.
  • Results : This section should present your findings in a clear and concise manner, using tables, graphs, and other visual aids if necessary.
  • Discussion : This section should interpret your findings and relate them to the broader research question or thesis statement. You should also discuss the implications of your research and suggest areas for future study.
  • Conclusion : This section should summarize your main findings and provide a final statement on the significance of your research.
  • References : This is a list of all the sources you cited in your paper, presented in alphabetical order by author name. Each citation should include the author’s name, the title of the source, the publication date, and other relevant information.

In addition to these sections, a Harvard Style research paper may also include a table of contents, appendices, and other supplementary materials as needed. It is important to follow the specific formatting guidelines provided by your instructor or academic institution when preparing your research paper in Harvard Style.

Vancouver Style

Vancouver Style Research Paper format is as follows:

The Vancouver citation style is commonly used in the biomedical sciences and is known for its use of numbered references. Here is a basic format for a research paper using the Vancouver citation style:

  • Title page: Include the title of your paper, your name, the name of your institution, and the date.
  • Abstract : This is a brief summary of your research paper, usually no more than 250 words.
  • Introduction : Provide some background information on your topic and state the purpose of your research.
  • Methods : Describe the methods you used to conduct your research, including the study design, data collection, and statistical analysis.
  • Results : Present your findings in a clear and concise manner, using tables and figures as needed.
  • Discussion : Interpret your results and explain their significance. Also, discuss any limitations of your study and suggest directions for future research.
  • References : List all of the sources you cited in your paper in numerical order. Each reference should include the author’s name, the title of the article or book, the name of the journal or publisher, the year of publication, and the page numbers.

ACS (American Chemical Society) Style

ACS (American Chemical Society) Style Research Paper format is as follows:

The American Chemical Society (ACS) Style is a citation style commonly used in chemistry and related fields. When formatting a research paper in ACS Style, here are some guidelines to follow:

  • Paper Size and Margins : Use standard 8.5″ x 11″ paper with 1-inch margins on all sides.
  • Font: Use a 12-point serif font (such as Times New Roman) for the main text. The title should be in bold and a larger font size.
  • Title Page : The title page should include the title of the paper, the authors’ names and affiliations, and the date of submission. The title should be centered on the page and written in bold font. The authors’ names should be centered below the title, followed by their affiliations and the date.
  • Abstract : The abstract should be a brief summary of the paper, no more than 250 words. It should be on a separate page and include the title of the paper, the authors’ names and affiliations, and the text of the abstract.
  • Main Text : The main text should be organized into sections with headings that clearly indicate the content of each section. The introduction should provide background information and state the research question or hypothesis. The methods section should describe the procedures used in the study. The results section should present the findings of the study, and the discussion section should interpret the results and provide conclusions.
  • References: Use the ACS Style guide to format the references cited in the paper. In-text citations should be numbered sequentially throughout the text and listed in numerical order at the end of the paper.
  • Figures and Tables: Figures and tables should be numbered sequentially and referenced in the text. Each should have a descriptive caption that explains its content. Figures should be submitted in a high-quality electronic format.
  • Supporting Information: Additional information such as data, graphs, and videos may be included as supporting information. This should be included in a separate file and referenced in the main text.
  • Acknowledgments : Acknowledge any funding sources or individuals who contributed to the research.

ASA (American Sociological Association) Style

ASA (American Sociological Association) Style Research Paper format is as follows:

  • Title Page: The title page of an ASA style research paper should include the title of the paper, the author’s name, and the institutional affiliation. The title should be centered and should be in title case (the first letter of each major word should be capitalized).
  • Abstract: An abstract is a brief summary of the paper that should appear on a separate page immediately following the title page. The abstract should be no more than 200 words in length and should summarize the main points of the paper.
  • Main Body: The main body of the paper should begin on a new page following the abstract page. The paper should be double-spaced, with 1-inch margins on all sides, and should be written in 12-point Times New Roman font. The main body of the paper should include an introduction, a literature review, a methodology section, results, and a discussion.
  • References : The reference section should appear on a separate page at the end of the paper. All sources cited in the paper should be listed in alphabetical order by the author’s last name. Each reference should include the author’s name, the title of the work, the publication information, and the date of publication.
  • Appendices : Appendices are optional and should only be included if they contain information that is relevant to the study but too lengthy to be included in the main body of the paper. If you include appendices, each one should be labeled with a letter (e.g., Appendix A, Appendix B, etc.) and should be referenced in the main body of the paper.

APSA (American Political Science Association) Style

APSA (American Political Science Association) Style Research Paper format is as follows:

  • Title Page: The title page should include the title of the paper, the author’s name, the name of the course or instructor, and the date.
  • Abstract : An abstract is typically not required in APSA style papers, but if one is included, it should be brief and summarize the main points of the paper.
  • Introduction : The introduction should provide an overview of the research topic, the research question, and the main argument or thesis of the paper.
  • Literature Review : The literature review should summarize the existing research on the topic and provide a context for the research question.
  • Methods : The methods section should describe the research methods used in the paper, including data collection and analysis.
  • Results : The results section should present the findings of the research.
  • Discussion : The discussion section should interpret the results and connect them back to the research question and argument.
  • Conclusion : The conclusion should summarize the main findings and implications of the research.
  • References : The reference list should include all sources cited in the paper, formatted according to APSA style guidelines.

In-text citations in APSA style use parenthetical citation, which includes the author’s last name, publication year, and page number(s) if applicable. For example, (Smith 2010, 25).

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Research Methods Information : Theoretical Models (Using Theory)

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Selected Books on Theory

model of research paper

Selected Journals on Theory

  • Historical Materialism Historical Materialism is an interdisciplinary journal dedicated to exploring and developing the critical and explanatory potential of Marxist theory.
  • International Journal of Social Research Methodology Focuses on current & emerging methodological debates across a wide range of social science disciplines & substantive interests.
  • Journal of Professional Counseling: Practice, Theory & Research Includes practical & unique applications of counseling techniques in schools & clinical settings, as well as significant quantitative & qualitative research.
  • Journal of Public Administration Research and Theory Peer reviewed coverage of the research and theory of public administration, including reports of empirical work, and both quantitative and qualitative areas of research.
  • Reconceptualizing Educational Research Methodology Reconceptualizing Educational Research Methodology (RERM) is an internationally refereed journal for researchers and practitioners investigating, tracing and theorizing practices, documentations and politics in education.

What is Meant by Theory?

A theory is a well-established principle that has been developed to explain some aspect of the natural world.

Theory of Everything comic by ThadGuy.com and used with permission.

Defining Theory

Theories are formulated to explain, predict, and understand phenomena and, in many cases, to challenge and extend existing knowledge, within the limits of the critical bounding assumptions.

  • The theoretical framework is the structure that can hold or support a theory of a research study.
  • The theoretical framework introduces and describes the theory which explains why the research problem under study exists.

The Importance of Theory

A theoretical framework consists of concepts, together with their definitions, and existing theory/theories that are used for your particular study. The theoretical framework must demonstrate an understanding of theories and concepts that are relevant to the topic of your  research paper and that will relate it to the broader fields of knowledge in the class you are taking.

The theoretical framework is not something that is found readily available in the literature . You must review course readings and pertinent research literature for theories and analytic models that are relevant to the research problem you are investigating. The selection of a theory should depend on its appropriateness, ease of application, and explanatory power.

The theoretical framework strengthens the study in the following ways .

  • An explicit statement of  theoretical assumptions permits the reader to evaluate them critically.
  • The theoretical framework connects the researcher to existing knowledge. Guided by a relevant theory, you are given a basis for your hypotheses and choice of research methods.
  • Articulating the theoretical assumptions of a research study forces you to address questions of why and how. It permits you to move from simply describing a phenomenon observed to generalizing about various aspects of that phenomenon.
  • Having a theory helps you to identify the limits to those generalizations. A theoretical framework specifies which key variables influence a phenomenon of interest. It alerts you to examine how those key variables might differ and under what circumstances.

By virtue of its application nature, good theory in the social sciences is of value precisely because it fulfills one primary purpose: to explain the meaning, nature, and challenges of a phenomenon, often experienced but unexplained in the world in which we live, so that we may use that knowledge and understanding to act in more informed and effective ways.

The Conceptual Framework . College of Education. Alabama State University; Drafting an Argument . Writing@CSU. Colorado State University; Trochim, William M.K. Philosophy of Research . Research Methods Knowledge Base. 2006.

Strategies for Developing the Theoretical Framework

I.  Developing the Framework

Here are some strategies to develop of an effective theoretical framework:

  • Examine your thesis title and research problem . The research problem anchors your entire study and forms the basis from which you construct your theoretical framework.
  • Brainstorm on what you consider to be the key variables in your research . Answer the question, what factors contribute to the presumed effect?
  • Review related literature to find answers to your research question.
  • List  the constructs and variables that might be relevant to your study. Group these variables into independent and dependent categories.
  • Review the key social science theories that are introduced to you in your course readings and choose the theory or theories that can best explain the relationships between the key variables in your study [note the Writing Tip on this page].
  • Discuss the assumptions or propositions of this theory and point out their relevance to your research.

A theoretical framework is used to limit the scope of the relevant data by focusing on specific variables and defining the specific viewpoint (framework) that the researcher will take in analyzing and interpreting the data to be gathered, understanding concepts and variables according to the given definitions, and building knowledge by validating or challenging theoretical assumptions.

II.  Purpose

Think of theories as the conceptual basis for understanding, analyzing, and designing ways to investigate relationships within social systems. To the end, the following roles served by a theory can help guide the development of your framework.*

  • Means by which new research data can be interpreted and coded for future use,
  • Response to new problems that have no previously identified solutions strategy,
  • Means for identifying and defining research problems,
  • Means for prescribing or evaluating solutions to research problems,
  • Way of telling us that certain facts among the accumulated knowledge are important and which facts are not,
  • Means of giving old data new interpretations and new meaning,
  • Means by which to identify important new issues and prescribe the most critical research questions that need to be answered to maximize understanding of the issue,
  • Means of providing members of a professional discipline with a common language and a frame of reference for defining boundaries of their profession, and
  • Means to guide and inform research so that it can, in turn, guide research efforts and improve professional practice.

*Adapted from: Torraco, R. J. “Theory-Building Research Methods.” In Swanson R. A. and E. F. Holton III , editors. Human Resource Development Handbook: Linking Research and Practice . (San Francisco, CA: Berrett-Koehler, 1997): pp. 114-137; Sutton, Robert I. and Barry M. Staw. “What Theory is Not.” Administrative Science Quarterly 40 (September 1995): 371-384.

Incorporating Theory in Your Structure and Writing Style

The theoretical framework may be rooted in a specific theory , in which case, you are expected to test the validity of an existing theory in relation to specific events, issues, or phenomena. Many social science research papers fit into this rubric. For example, Peripheral Realism theory, which categorizes perceived differences between nation-states as those that give orders, those that obey, and those that rebel, could be used as a means for understanding conflicted relationships among countries in Africa.

A test of this theory could be the following: Does Peripheral Realism theory help explain intra-state actions, such as, the growing split between southern and northern Sudan that may likely lead to the creation of two nations?

However, you may not always be asked by your professor to test a specific theory in your paper, but to develop your own framework from which your analysis of the research problem is derived . Given this, it is perhaps easiest to understand the nature and function of a theoretical framework if it is viewed as the answer to two basic questions:

  • What is the research problem/question? [e.g., "How should the individual and the state relate during periods of conflict?"]
  • Why is your approach a feasible solution? [I could choose to test Instrumentalist or Circumstantialists models developed among Ethnic Conflict Theorists that rely upon socio-economic-political factors to explain individual-state relations and to apply this theoretical model to periods of war between nations].

The answers to these questions come from a thorough review of the literature and your course readings [summarized and analyzed in the next section of your paper] and the gaps in the research that emerge from the review process. With this in mind, a complete theoretical framework will likely not emerge until after you have completed a thorough review of the literature .

In writing this part of your research paper, keep in mind the following:

  • Clearly describe the framework, concepts, models, or specific theories that underpin your study . This includes noting who the key theorists are in the field who have conducted research on the problem you are investigating and, when necessary, the historical context that supports the formulation of that theory. This latter element is particularly important if the theory is relatively unknown or it is borrowed from another discipline.
  • Position your theoretical framework within a broader context of related frameworks , concepts, models, or theories . There will likely be several concepts, theories, or models that can be used to help develop a framework for understanding the research problem. Therefore, note why the framework you've chosen is the appropriate one.
  • The present tense is used when writing about theory.
  • You should make your theoretical assumptions as explicit as possible . Later, your discussion of methodology should be linked back to this theoretical framework.
  • Don’t just take what the theory says as a given! Reality is never accurately represented in such a simplistic way; if you imply that it can be, you fundamentally distort a reader's ability to understand the findings that emerge. Given this, always note the limitiations of the theoretical framework you've chosen [i.e., what parts of the research problem require further investigation because the theory does not explain a certain phenomena].

The Conceptual Framework . College of Education. Alabama State University; Conceptual Framework: What Do You Think is Going On? College of Engineering. University of Michigan; Drafting an Argument . Writing@CSU. Colorado State University; Lynham, Susan A. “The General Method of Theory-Building Research in Applied Disciplines.” Advances in Developing Human Resources 4 (August 2002): 221-241; Tavallaei, Mehdi and Mansor Abu Talib. A General Perspective on the Role of Theory in Qualitative Research. Journal of International Social Research 3 (Spring 2010); Trochim, William M.K. Philosophy of Research . Research Methods Knowledge Base. 2006.

Video on Creating a Theoretical Framework

  • Theoretical Framework A short introduction to theoretical frameworks and how to approach constructing one. Presented by Francois J. Desjardins, Associate Professor at University of Ontario Institute of Technology. NOTE: Dr. Desjardins speaks a bit quickly at times but the content of his presentation is very good.

Writing Tip | Borrowing Theoretical Constructs

Borrowing Theoretical Constructs from Elsewhere

A growing and increasingly important trend in the social sciences is to think about and attempt to understand specific research problems from an interdisciplinary perspective. One way to do this is to not rely exclusively on the theories you've read about in a particular class, but to think about how an issue might be informed by theories developed in other disciplines.

For example, if you are a political science student studying the rhetorical strategies used by female incumbants in state legislature campaigns, theories about the use of language could be derived, not only from political science, but linguistics, communication studies, philosophy, psychology, and, in this particular case, feminist studies.

Building theoretical frameworks based on the postulates and hypotheses developed in other disciplinary contexts can be both enlightening and an effective way to be fully engaged in the research topic.

Writing Tip | Don't Undertheorize

Never leave the theory hanging out there in the Introduction never to be mentioned again. Undertheorizing weakens your paper. The theoretical framework you introduce should guide your study throughout the paper.

Be sure to always connect theory to the analysis and to explain in the discussion part of your paper how the theoretical framework you chose fit the research problem, or if appropriate, was inadequate in explaining the phenomenon you were investigating. In that case, don't be afraid to propose your own theory based on your findings.

Writing Tip | Theory vs Hypothesis

What's a Theory? What's a Hypothesis?

The terms theory and hypothesis are often used interchangeably in everyday use. However, the difference between them in scholarly research is important, particularly when using an experimental design. A theory is a well-established principle that has been developed to explain some aspect of the natural world.

Theories arise from repeated observation and testing and incorporates facts, laws, predictions, and tested hypotheses that are widely accepted [e.g., rational choice theory; grounded theory].

A hypothesis is a specific, testable prediction about what you expect to happen in your study. For example, an experiment designed to look at the relationship between study habits and test anxiety might have a hypothesis that states, "We predict that students with better study habits will suffer less test anxiety." Unless your study is exploratory in nature, your hypothesis should always explain what you expect to happen during the course of your research.

The key distinctions are:

  • A theory predicts events in a broad, general context;  a hypothesis makes a specific prediction about a specified set of circumstances.
  • A theory has been extensively tested and is generally accepted among scholars; a hypothesis is a speculative guess that has yet to be tested.

Cherry, Kendra. Introduction to Research Methods: Theory and Hypothesis . About.com Psychology; Gezae, Michael et al. Welcome Presentation on Hypothesis . Slideshare presentation.

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Research process models

How should we conceptualize the processes of doing research? Two models, one productive and one not.

Eleanor C Sayre

Oftentimes in school, we’re taught how to do research (or science labs) in a linear process that passes through discrete stages in a specific order. At the end of the process, you’re supposed to “write it up” in a lab report or scientific paper. However, this stage model of research is a lie. In this article, I articulate two models for doing research, and explore their implications.

Research stage model

model of research paper

Under this model, research passes through discrete stages. The progression of the stages looks a bit like sections of a research paper, and it echoes the scientific method that’s often taught in schools. Each stage in this model has defined tasks. For example, when you’re doing a lit review , you gather papers, read them, and synthesize. Getting data is a separate stage that finishes before any data can be analyzed, and all data must be analyzed to generate your conclusions before you write up your papers.

It’s easy to teach a stage model because it feels simple and linear: the stages are distinct and well-determined, and they progress in an orderly fashion. It feels comforting to plan a project which progresses through these stages, because you can look at your calendar and know when you are ahead or behind. When we’re teaching people about doing research , we often simplify the research process so that it more closely mimics this model. Research-esque activities, like undergraduate labs (including course-based undergraduate research experiences), undergraduate “capstone” courses, and even some masters theses, can take up this model for doing research and use it to determine preliminary and intermediate deadlines: by this day, turn in your draft lit review; by this day, turn in your full data set. As instructors, we often simplify these research-esque projects in order to support this stage model of doing research.

However, the research stage model can create blocking tasks which impede progress on the project as a whole. Blocking tasks are ones where you can’t do them (because you don’t know how, because you are waiting for someone else, because they feel insurmountable, etc), but also you cannot avoid them and do something else. They block all work on the project until they can be resolved.

As research projects get bigger and more complex, there are a lot more opportunities for blocking tasks to emerge. For example, what if you are collecting data at three field sites, and one of them can’t host your visit until three months later? Or – this is super common – you don’t want to start writing until you’ve finished all your analysis, but there’s always one more exciting avenue to pursue?

The blocking tasks problem is especially bad for emerging researchers, because they’re more likely to only be working on one project at a time, and because there are more things they don’t know how to do yet.

Additionally, because the research stages are sequential, if you need to “go back” to a prior stage, that can feel like a failure. Suppose your data analysis doesn’t align well with the lit review you did ahead of time. If you need to read new papers to understand your data or bring in another theory to explain it better, you might feel like your research has a major setback or like you don’t have time to complete your project in the original timeline. This is a problem for emerging researchers because it can negatively impact their self-efficacy as researchers more strongly.

Parallel processes model for research

model of research paper

Under this model, research processes are overlapping and generative. Each analysis that you do suggests new data for you to collect or new literature for you to read. Each paper that you read suggests new analyses to perform or data to collect. All throughout, your research questions are living questions: they grow and change in response to what you’re discovering. Instead of writing up your paper at the end, you engage in generative writing to help you record your results, generate new ideas, and document your work for your papers.

The parallel processes model for research can seem intimidating at first, but it creates fewer blocking tasks than the stage model. Because you’re doing a little bit of each thread at a time, if you’re stuck on one aspect of your project, you can work on another aspect to help unstick you (or to fill your time while you’re waiting for feedback). As you learn more, you can do more. This allows your research progress to grow with you as you learn and develop as a researcher.

Plus, the parallel processes model for research is more honest than the research stage model. This is how research actually gets done in big and complex projects (and small exploratory ones). It’s very common for experienced researchers to need to go back to the literature in the process of doing their analysis, or for inspiration for new data to strike while they’re reading a paper. Generative writing is good practice for research, and while it’s not required to write papers, it’s certainly more productive than the stage model.

Emerging researchers (from undergrads to faculty new to DBER) tend to have one of three major responses when they learn about the parallel processes model:

  • omg, I’ve never heard it explicitly like this and I feel so seen
  • whoa, that’s allowable? mind. blown.
  • hmm, this feels less deterministic and therefore more scary.

If you see yourself in one of these groups, you’re in good company.

Applying the parallel processes model

Something that is both great and terrible about the parallel processes model is that it does not prescribe where to begin the research process. You can start in any of the major strands of research and trust that your work will integrate activities from all strands as necessary and relevant.

If you’re new to research, this feature can be scary.

Where should you start? Here are some options:

  • Read something! When you pick up a research paper or popular press article, ask yourself what’s exciting about their study. The claims? the methods? the theory? the population? Doing a lit review can help you do this in a more structured way.
  • Write something! What are you interested in? Why is it interesting? Engage in some generative writing around a problem you see, or work on a reflective statement of research interests to help structure your thoughts and suggest a new study.
  • Notice something! Oftentimes as scientists, educators, and humans in the world, we see something interesting or unusual or problematic. Allow yourself the curiosity to ask questions of this thing you noticed: why does it do that? what would happen if it were different? The Research Process for Video-based Research article covers a formalized method for noticing and refining our noticing to generate a research project using classroom video.

You might notice that all of these articles push you to do generative writing in order to figure out new ideas and refine them. That’s because generative writing is a major research tool. It can help you improve at doing research, no matter what your skill level is.

Once you’re started, what comes next?

Well, what did your reading, writing, or noticing suggest to you? If your next idea doesn’t flow from your last one, try another one of the first options.

Unlike the stage model, using the parallel processes model isn’t prescriptive. There isn’t a simple script to follow for what comes next.

Research models and research advising

If, as a research advisor or lab instructor, you are strongly committed to the research stages model, you might find yourself simplifying the research-esque projects that your students work on, so that they are less likely to develop blocking tasks or sequencing setbacks. As long as this choice supports your learning goals, that’s probably ok. It works pretty well in instructional labs where the major goal is for students to learn something science-y with equipment. It also works pretty well if your primary interaction with research is reading published papers (e.g. for a journal club), or if the research work you engage in is primarily replication or repetition (e.g. for a CURE).

Alternately, if your students are engaging in original research, you might need to reconceptualize their projects in order to take advantage of the parallel processes model. You need to figure out reasonable timelines for their work and help them integrate each strand in these processes, from collecting pilot data before they’re “done” with a lit review to making space for preliminary analyses early enough to return to the literature. You also need to teach them how to turn to another part of the braid while they wait for your feedback, so that you are not a source of blocking tasks.

You will also need to work to help your students understand why you work this way, instead of in the more familiar stage model. By the time my students come to my lab, they have already engaged in many years of instructional labs (and sometimes also research-esque projects) in which the projects were simplified into fitting the research stages model. Often, they have already internalized feelings of failure when they need to return to literature during their analysis, and they have already experienced the paralysis of blocking tasks.

There are a few articles in this handbook to help you figure out how to mentor research with emerging scholars (singly and in groups) from a parallel processes model, or think more abstractly about how this works. I’m open to new suggestions: what else do you want to see?

Related articles

Planning research projects.

How to develop a timeline for an education research project that makes space for emergence.

Statement of research interests

How to write your statement of research interests

Evaluation and Research

What is the difference between evaluation and research?

This article was first written on June 2, 2018, and last modified on May 30, 2024.

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Original research

Evidence-based practice models and frameworks in the healthcare setting: a scoping review, jarrod dusin.

1 Department of Evidence Based Practice, Children’s Mercy Hospitals and Clinics, Kansas City, Missouri, USA

2 Therapeutic Science, The University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas, USA

Andrea Melanson

Lisa mische-lawson, associated data.

bmjopen-2022-071188supp001.pdf

bmjopen-2022-071188supp002.pdf

No data are available.

The aim of this scoping review was to identify and review current evidence-based practice (EBP) models and frameworks. Specifically, how EBP models and frameworks used in healthcare settings align with the original model of (1) asking the question, (2) acquiring the best evidence, (3) appraising the evidence, (4) applying the findings to clinical practice and (5) evaluating the outcomes of change, along with patient values and preferences and clinical skills.

A Scoping review.

Included sources and articles

Published articles were identified through searches within electronic databases (MEDLINE, EMBASE, Scopus) from January 1990 to April 2022. The English language EBP models and frameworks included in the review all included the five main steps of EBP. Excluded were models and frameworks focused on one domain or strategy (eg, frameworks focused on applying findings).

Of the 20 097 articles found by our search, 19 models and frameworks met our inclusion criteria. The results showed a diverse collection of models and frameworks. Many models and frameworks were well developed and widely used, with supporting validation and updates. Some models and frameworks provided many tools and contextual instruction, while others provided only general process instruction. The models and frameworks reviewed demonstrated that the user must possess EBP expertise and knowledge for the step of assessing evidence. The models and frameworks varied greatly in the level of instruction to assess the evidence. Only seven models and frameworks integrated patient values and preferences into their processes.

Many EBP models and frameworks currently exist that provide diverse instructions on the best way to use EBP. However, the inclusion of patient values and preferences needs to be better integrated into EBP models and frameworks. Also, the issues of EBP expertise and knowledge to assess evidence must be considered when choosing a model or framework.

STRENGTHS AND LIMITATIONS OF THIS STUDY

  • Currently, no comprehensive review exists of evidence-based practice (EBP) models and frameworks.
  • Well-developed models and frameworks may have been excluded for not including all five steps of original model for EBP.
  • This review did not measure the quality of the models and frameworks based on validated studies.

Introduction

Evidence-based practice (EBP) grew from evidence-based medicine (EBM) to provide a process to review, translate and implement research with practice to improve patient care, treatment and outcomes. Guyatt 1 coined the term EBM in the early 1990s. Over the last 25 years, the field of EBM has continued to evolve and is now a cornerstone of healthcare and a core competency for all medical professionals. 2 3 At first, the term EBM was used only in medicine. However, the term EBP now applies to the principles of other health professions. This expansion of the concept of EBM increases its complexity. 4 The term EBP is used for this paper because it is universal across professions.

Early in the development of EBP, Sackett 5 created an innovative five-step model. This foundational medical model provided a concise overview of the process of EBP. The five steps are (1) asking the question, (2) acquiring the best evidence, (3) appraising the evidence, (4) applying the findings to clinical practice and (5) evaluating the outcomes of change. Other critical components of Sackett’s model are considering patient value and preferences and clinical skills with the best available evidence. 5 The influence of this model has led to its integration and adaption into every field of healthcare. Historically, the foundation of EBP has focused on asking the question, acquiring the literature and appraising the evidence but has had difficulty integrating evidence into practice. 6 Although the five steps appear simple, each area includes a vast number of ways to review the literature (eg, Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA), Newcastle-Ottawa Scale) and entire fields of study, such as implementation science, a field dedicated to implementing EBP. 7 8 Implementation science can be traced to the 1960s with Everett Rogers’ Diffusion of Innovation Theory and has grown alongside EBP over the last 25 years. 7 9

One way to manage the complexity of EBP in healthcare is by developing EBP models and frameworks that establish strategies to determine resource needs, identify barriers and facilitators, and guide processes. 10 EBP models and frameworks provide insight into the complexity of transforming evidence into clinical practice. 11 They also allow organisations to determine readiness, willingness and potential outcomes for a hospital system. 12 EBP can differ from implementation science, as EBP models include all five of Sackett’s steps of EBP, while the non-process models of implementation science typically focus on the final two steps. 5 10 There are published scoping reviews of implementation science, 13 however, no comprehensive review of EBP models and frameworks currently exists. Although there is overlap of EBP, implementation science and knowledge translation models and frameworks 10 14 the purpose of the scoping review was to explore how EBP models and frameworks used in healthcare settings align with the original EBP five-step model.

A scoping review synthesises findings across various study types and provides a broad overview of the selected topic. 15 The Arksey and O’Malley method and Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA-ScR) procedures guided this review (see online supplemental PRISMA-ScR checklist ). 15 16 The primary author established the research question and inclusion and exclusion criteria before conducting the review. An a priori protocol was not pre-registered. One research question guided the review: Which EBP models and frameworks align with Sackett’s original model?

Supplementary data

Eligibility criteria.

To be included in the review, English language published EBP models and frameworks needed to include the five main steps of EBP (asking the question, acquiring the best evidence, appraising the evidence, applying the findings to clinical practice and assessing the outcomes of change) based on Sackett’s model. 5 If the models or frameworks involved identifying problems or measured readiness for change, the criteria of ‘asking the question’ was met. Exclusions included models or frameworks focused on one domain or strategy (eg, frameworks focused on applying findings). Also, non-peer-reviewed abstracts, letters, editorials, opinion articles, and dissertations were excluded.

Search and selection

To identify potential studies, a medical librarian searched the databases from January 1990 to April 2022 in MEDLINE, EMBASE and Scopus in collaboration with the primary author. The search was limited to 1990 because the term EBP was coined in the early 90s. The search strategy employed the following keywords: ‘Evidence-Based Practice’ OR ‘evidence based medicine’ OR ‘evidence-based medicine’ OR ‘evidence based nursing’ OR ‘evidence-based nursing’ OR ‘evidence based practice’ OR ‘evidence-based practice’ OR ‘evidence based medicine’ OR ‘evidence-based medicine’ OR ‘evidence based nursing’ OR ‘evidence-based nursing’ OR ‘evidence based practice’ OR ‘evidence-based practice’ AND ‘Hospitals’ OR ‘Hospital Medicine’ OR ‘Nursing’ OR ‘Advanced Practice Nursing’ OR ‘Academic Medical Centers’ OR ‘healthcare’ OR ‘hospital’ OR ‘healthcare’ OR ‘hospital’ AND ‘Models, Organizational’ OR ‘Models, Nursing’ OR ‘framework’ OR ‘theory’ OR ‘theories’ OR ‘model’ OR ‘framework’ OR ‘theory’ OR ‘theories’ OR ‘model’. Additionally, reference lists in publications included for full-text review were screened to identify eligible models and frameworks (see online supplemental appendix A for searches).

Selection of sources of evidence

Two authors (JD and AM) independently screened titles and abstracts and selected studies for potential inclusion in the study, applying the predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria. Both authors then read the full texts of these articles to assess eligibility for final inclusion. Disagreement between the authors regarding eligibility was resolved by consensus between the three authors (JD, AM and LM-L). During the selection process, many models and frameworks were found more than once. Once a model or framework article was identified, the seminal article was reviewed for inclusion. If models or frameworks had been changed or updated since the publication of their seminal article, the most current iteration published was reviewed for inclusion. Once a model or framework was identified and verified for inclusion, all other articles listing the model or framework were excluded. This scoping review intended to identify model or framework aligned with Sackett’s model; therefore, analysing every article that used the included model or framework was unnecessary (see online supplemental appendix B for tracking form).

Data extraction and analysis

Data were collected on the following study characteristics: (1) authors, (2) publication year, (3) model or framework and (4) area(s) of focus in reference to Sackett’s five-step model. After initial selection, models and frameworks were analysed for key features and alignment to the five-step EBP process. A data analysis form was developed to map detailed information (see online supplemental appendix C for full data capture form). Data analysis focused on identifying (1) the general themes of the model or frameworks, and (2) any knowledge gaps. Data extraction and analysis were done by the primary author (JD) and verified by one other author (AM). 15

Patient and public involvement

Patients and/or the public were not involved in the design, or conduct, or reporting, or dissemination plans of this research.

The search identified 6523 potentially relevant references (see figure 1 ). Following a review of the titles and abstracts, the primary author completed a more detailed screening of 37 full papers. From these, 19 models and frameworks were included. Table 1 summarises the 19 models and frameworks. Of the 19 models and frameworks assessed and mapped, 15 had broad target audiences, including healthcare or public health organisations or health systems. Only five models and frameworks included a target audience of individual clinicians (eg, physicians and nurses). 17–22

An external file that holds a picture, illustration, etc.
Object name is bmjopen-2022-071188f01.jpg

Retrieval and selection process.

Models and frameworks organised by integration of patient preferences and values

NameSteps of model or frameworkGeneral themesKnowledge gaps
Patient values incorporated into model
Iowa Model 1. Question development
2. Searches, appraises and synthesises the literature
3. If literature is lacking, conduct research
4.Develop, enact and appraise a pilot solution
5. If successful, implement across organisation
6. If unsuccessful, restart process
Monash Partners Learning Health Systems Framework 1. Stakeholder-driven
2. Engage the people
3. Identify priorities
4. Research evidence
5. Evidence-based information
6. Evidence synthesis
7. Data-derived evidence
8. Data/information systems
9. Benchmarking
10. Implementation evidence
11. Implementation
12. Healthcare improvement
ARCC 1. Assess the healthcare organisation for readiness for change
2. Identify potential and actual barriers and facilitators
3. Identify EBP champions
4. Implement evidence into practice
5. Evaluate EBP outcomes
The Clinical Scholar Model 1. Observation
2. Analysis
3. Synthesis
4. Application/ evaluation
5. Dissemination
JBI 1. Global Health
2. Evidence generation
3. Evidence synthesis
4. Evidence (knowledge) transfer
5. Evidence implementation
CETEP 1. Define the clinical practice question
2. Assess the critical appraisal components
3. Plan the implementation
4. Implement the practice change
5. Evaluate the practice change
Johns Hopkins 1. Practice question: EBP question is identified
2. Evidence: the team searches, appraises, rates the strength of evidence
3. Translation: feasibility, action plan and change implemented and evaluated
Patient values discussed, not incorporated into models/frameworks
Stetler Model 1. Question development includes project context
2. Identify the relevance of evidence sources and quality
3. Summarise evidence
4. Develop a plan
5. Identify/collect data outcomes to evaluate effectiveness of plan
KTA 1. Identify problems and begin searching for evidence
2. Adapt knowledge to local context
3. Identify barriers
4. Select, adapt, and implement
5. Monitor implanted knowledge
6. Evaluate outcomes related to knowledge use
7. Sustain appropriate knowledge use
EBMgt 1. Asking; acquiring; appraising; aggregating; applying; and assessing
2. Predictors; barriers; training organisations; and research institutes
St Luke’s 1. Area of interest
2. Collect the best evidence
3. Critically appraise the evidence
4. Integrate the evidence, clinical skill and patient preferences/values
5. Evaluate the practice change
The I3 Model for Advancing Quality Patient Centred Care 1. Inquiry
2. Improvement
3. Innovation
4. Inquiry encompasses research
5. Improvement includes quality improvement projects
6. Innovation is discovery studies and best evidence projects
Model for Change to Evidence Based Practice 1. Identify need to change practice
2. Approximate problem with outcomes
3. Summarise best scientific evidence
4. Develop plan for changing practice
5. Implement and evaluate change (pilot study)
6. Integrate and maintain change in practice
7. Monitor implementation
Patient values not discussed
Evidence-Based Public Health 1. Community assessment
2. Quantify the issue
3. Develop statement of the issue
4. Determine what is known evidence
5. Develop and prioritise programme and policy options
6. Develop an action plan
7. Evaluate the programme or policy
ACE Star Model 1. Discovery: Searching for new knowledge
2. Evidence Summary: Synthesise the body of research knowledge
3. Translation: Provide clinicians with a practice document
4. Integration: Changed through formal and informal channels
5. Evaluation: EBP outcomes are evaluated
An Evidence Implementation Model for Public Health Systems Not a linear model
1. Circle 1 Evidence implementation target
2. Circle 2 Actors involved in implementation
3. Circle 3 Knowledge transfer
4. Circle 4 Barriers and facilitators
San Diego 8A’s EBP Model 1. Assessing a clinical or practice problem
2. Asking a clinical question in a PICO format
3. Acquiring existing sources of evidence
4. Appraising the levels of evidence
5.Applying the evidence to a practice change
6. Analysing the results of the change
7. Advancing the practice change through dissemination
8. Adopting the practice of sustainability over time
Tyler Collaborative Model for EBP Phase one: unfreezing
1. Building relationships
2. Diagnosing the problem
3. Acquiring resources
Phase two: moving
1. Choosing the solution
2. Gaining acceptance
Phase three: refreezing
1. Stabilisation
The Practice Guidelines Development Cycle 1. Select/frame clinical problem
2. Generate recommendations
3. Ratify recommendations
4. Formulate practice guideline
5. Independent review
6. Negotiate practice policies
7. Adopt guideline policies
8. Scheduled review

EBP, evidence-based practice.

Asking the question

All 19 models and frameworks included a process for asking questions. Most focused on identifying problems that needed to be addressed on an organisational or hospital level. Five used the PICO (population, intervention, comparator, outcome) format to ask specific questions related to patient care. 19–25

Acquiring the evidence

The models and frameworks gave basic instructions on acquiring literature, such as ‘conduct systematic search’ or ‘acquire resource’. 20 Four recommended sources from previously generated evidence, such as guidelines and systematic reviews. 6 21 22 26 Although most models and frameworks did not provide specifics, others suggested this work be done through EBP mentors/experts. 20 21 25 27 Seven models included qualitative evidence in the use of evidence, 6 19 21 24 27–29 while only four models considered the use of patient preference and values as evidence. 21 22 24 27 Six models recommended internal data be used in acquiring information. 17 20–22 24 27

Assessing the evidence

The models and frameworks varied greatly in the level of instruction provided in assessing the best evidence. All provided a general overview in assessing and grading the evidence. Four recommended this work be done by EBP mentors and experts. 20 25 27 30 Seven models developed specific tools to be used to assess the levels of evidence. 6 17 21 22 24 25 27

Applying the evidence

The application of evidence also varied greatly for the different models and frameworks. Seven models recommended pilot programmes to implement change. 6 21–25 31 Five recommended the use of EBP mentors and experts to assist in the implementation of evidence and quality improvement as a strategy of the models and frameworks. 20 24 25 27 Thirteen models and frameworks discussed patient values and preferences, 6 17–19 21–27 31 32 but only seven incorporated this topic into the model or framework, 21–27 and only five included tools and instructions. 21–25 Twelve of the 20 models discussed using clinical skill, but specifics of how this was incorporated was lacking in models and frameworks. 6 17–19 21–27 31

Evaluating the outcomes of change

Evaluation varied among the models and frameworks, but most involved using implementation outcome measures to determine the project’s success. Five models and frameworks provide tools and in-depth instruction for evaluation. 21 22 24–26 Monash Partners Learning Health Systems provided detailed instruction on using internal institutional data to determine success of application. 26 This framework uses internal and external data along with evidence in decision making as a benchmark for successful implementation.

EBP models and frameworks provide a process for transforming evidence into clinical practice and allow organisations to determine readiness and willingness for change in a complex hospital system. 12 The large number of models and frameworks complicates the process by confusing what the best tool is for healthcare organisations. This review examined many models and frameworks and assessed the characteristics and gaps that can better assist healthcare organisations to determine the right tool for themselves. This review identified 19 EBP models and frameworks that included the five main steps of EBP as described by Sackett. 5 The results showed that the themes of the models and frameworks are as diverse as the models and frameworks themselves. Some are well developed and widely used, with supporting validation and updates. 21 22 24 27 One such model, the Iowa EBP model, has received over 3900 requests for permission to use it and has been updated from its initial development and publication. 24 Other models provided tools and contextual instruction such as the Johns Hopkin’s model which includes a large number of supporting tools for developing PICOs, instructions for grading literature and project implementation. 17 21 22 24 27 By contrast, the ACE Star model and the An Evidence Implementation Model for Public Health Systems only provide high level overview and general instructions compared with other models and frameworks. 19 29 33

Gaps in the evidence

A consistent finding in research of clinician experience with EBP is the lack of expertise that is needed to assess the literature. 24 34 35 The models and frameworks reviewed demonstrated that the user must possess the knowledge and related skills for this step in the process. The models and frameworks varied greatly in the level of instruction to assess the evidence. Most provided a general overview in assessing and grading the evidence, though a few recommended that this work be done by EBP mentors and experts. 20 25 27 ARCC, JBI and Johns Hopkins provided robust tools and resources that would require administrative time and financial support. 21 22 27 Some models and frameworks offered vital resources or pointed to other resources for assessing evidence, 24 but most did not. While a few used mentors and experts to assist with assessing the literature, a majority did not address this persistent issue.

Sackett’s five-step model included another important consideration when implementing EBP: patient values and preferences. One criticism of EBP is that it ignores patient values and preferences. 36 Over half of the models and frameworks reported the need to include patient values and preferences, but the tools, instruction or resources for including them were limited. The ARCC model integrates patient preferences and values into the model, but it is up to the EBP mentor to accomplish this task. 37 There are many tools for assessing evidence, but few models and frameworks provide this level of guidance for incorporating patient preference and values. The inclusion of patient and family values and preferences can be misunderstood, insincere, and even tokenistic but without it there is reduced chance of success of implementation of EBP. 38 39

Strengths and limitations

Similar to other well-designed scoping reviews, the strengths of this review include a rigorous search conducted by a skilled librarian, literature evaluation by more than one person, and the utilisation of an established methodological framework (PRISMA-ScR). 14 15 Additionally, utilising the EBP five-step models as a point of alignment allows for a more comprehensive breakdown and established reference points for the reviewed models and frameworks. While scoping reviews have been completed on implementation science and knowledge translation models and framework, to our knowledge, this is the first scoping review of EBP models and frameworks. 13 14 Limitations of the study include that well-developed models and frameworks may have been excluded for not including all five steps. 40 For example, the Promoting Action on Research Implementation in Health Services (PARIHS) framework is a well-developed and validated implementation framework but did not include all five steps of an EBP model. 40 Also, some models and frameworks have been studied and validated over many years. It was beyond the scope of the review to measure the quality of the models and frameworks based on these other validated studies.

Implications and future research

Healthcare organisations can support EBP by choosing a model or framework that best suits their environment and providing clear guidance for implementing the best evidence. Some organisations may find the best fit with the ARCC and the Clinical Scholars Model because of the emphasis on mentors or the Johns Hopkins model for its tools for grading the level of evidence. 21 25 27 In contrast, other organisations may find the Iowa model useful with its feedback loops throughout its process. 24

Another implication of this study is the opportunity to better define and develop robust tools for patient and family values and preferences within EBP models and frameworks. Patient experiences are complex and require thorough exploration, so it is not overlooked, which is often the case. 39 41 The utilisation of EBP models and frameworks provide an opportunity to explore this area and provide the resources and understanding that are often lacking. 38 Though varying, models such as the Iowa Model, JBI and Johns Hopkins developed tools to incorporate patient and family values and preferences, but a majority of the models and frameworks did not. 21 22 24 An opportunity exists to create broad tools that can incorporate patient and family values and preferences into EBP to a similar extent as many of the models and frameworks used for developing tools for literature assessment and implementation. 21–25

Future research should consider appraising the quality and use of the different EBP models and frameworks to determine success. Additionally, greater clarification on what is considered patient and family values and preferences and how they can be integrated into the different models and frameworks is needed.

This scoping review of 19 models and frameworks shows considerable variation regarding how the EBP models and frameworks integrate the five steps of EBP. Most of the included models and frameworks provided a narrow description of the steps needed to assess and implement EBP, while a few provided robust instruction and tools. The reviewed models and frameworks provided diverse instructions on the best way to use EBP. However, the inclusion of patient values and preferences needs to be better integrated into EBP models. Also, the issues of EBP expertise to assess evidence must be considered when selecting a model or framework.

Supplementary Material

Acknowledgments.

We thank Keri Swaggart for completing the database searches and the Medical Writing Center at Children's Mercy Kansas City for editing this manuscript.

Contributors: All authors have read and approved the final manuscript. JD conceptualised the study design, screened the articles for eligibility, extracted data from included studies and contributed to the writing and revision of the manuscript. LM-L conceptualised the study design, provided critical feedback on the manuscript and revised the manuscript. AM screened the articles for eligibility, extracted data from the studies, provided critical feedback on the manuscript and revised the manuscript. JD is the guarantor of this work.

Funding: The article processing charges related to the publication of this article were supported by The University of Kansas (KU) One University Open Access Author Fund sponsored jointly by the KU Provost, KU Vice Chancellor for Research, and KUMC Vice Chancellor for Research and managed jointly by the Libraries at the Medical Center and KU - Lawrence

Disclaimer: No funding agencies had input into the content of this manuscript.

Competing interests: None declared.

Patient and public involvement: Patients and/or the public were not involved in the design, or conduct, or reporting, or dissemination plans of this research.

Provenance and peer review: Not commissioned; externally peer reviewed.

Supplemental material: This content has been supplied by the author(s). It has not been vetted by BMJ Publishing Group Limited (BMJ) and may not have been peer-reviewed. Any opinions or recommendations discussed are solely those of the author(s) and are not endorsed by BMJ. BMJ disclaims all liability and responsibility arising from any reliance placed on the content. Where the content includes any translated material, BMJ does not warrant the accuracy and reliability of the translations (including but not limited to local regulations, clinical guidelines, terminology, drug names and drug dosages), and is not responsible for any error and/or omissions arising from translation and adaptation or otherwise.

Data availability statement

Ethics statements, patient consent for publication.

Not applicable.

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Abstract: Large language models (LLMs) are dramatically influencing AI research, spurring discussions on what has changed so far and how to shape the field's future. To clarify such questions, we analyze a new dataset of 16,979 LLM-related arXiv papers, focusing on recent trends in 2023 vs. 2018-2022. First, we study disciplinary shifts: LLM research increasingly considers societal impacts, evidenced by 20x growth in LLM submissions to the Computers and Society sub-arXiv. An influx of new authors -- half of all first authors in 2023 -- are entering from non-NLP fields of CS, driving disciplinary expansion. Second, we study industry and academic publishing trends. Surprisingly, industry accounts for a smaller publication share in 2023, largely due to reduced output from Google and other Big Tech companies; universities in Asia are publishing more. Third, we study institutional collaboration: while industry-academic collaborations are common, they tend to focus on the same topics that industry focuses on rather than bridging differences. The most prolific institutions are all US- or China-based, but there is very little cross-country collaboration. We discuss implications around (1) how to support the influx of new authors, (2) how industry trends may affect academics, and (3) possible effects of (the lack of) collaboration.
Comments: NAACL 2024. Data & code available at
Subjects: Digital Libraries (cs.DL); Computation and Language (cs.CL); Computers and Society (cs.CY)
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Introducing Apple’s On-Device and Server Foundation Models

At the 2024 Worldwide Developers Conference , we introduced Apple Intelligence, a personal intelligence system integrated deeply into iOS 18, iPadOS 18, and macOS Sequoia.

Apple Intelligence is comprised of multiple highly-capable generative models that are specialized for our users’ everyday tasks, and can adapt on the fly for their current activity. The foundation models built into Apple Intelligence have been fine-tuned for user experiences such as writing and refining text, prioritizing and summarizing notifications, creating playful images for conversations with family and friends, and taking in-app actions to simplify interactions across apps.

In the following overview, we will detail how two of these models — a ~3 billion parameter on-device language model, and a larger server-based language model available with Private Cloud Compute and running on Apple silicon servers — have been built and adapted to perform specialized tasks efficiently, accurately, and responsibly. These two foundation models are part of a larger family of generative models created by Apple to support users and developers; this includes a coding model to build intelligence into Xcode, as well as a diffusion model to help users express themselves visually, for example, in the Messages app. We look forward to sharing more information soon on this broader set of models.

Our Focus on Responsible AI Development

Apple Intelligence is designed with our core values at every step and built on a foundation of groundbreaking privacy innovations.

Additionally, we have created a set of Responsible AI principles to guide how we develop AI tools, as well as the models that underpin them:

  • Empower users with intelligent tools : We identify areas where AI can be used responsibly to create tools for addressing specific user needs. We respect how our users choose to use these tools to accomplish their goals.
  • Represent our users : We build deeply personal products with the goal of representing users around the globe authentically. We work continuously to avoid perpetuating stereotypes and systemic biases across our AI tools and models.
  • Design with care : We take precautions at every stage of our process, including design, model training, feature development, and quality evaluation to identify how our AI tools may be misused or lead to potential harm. We will continuously and proactively improve our AI tools with the help of user feedback.
  • Protect privacy : We protect our users' privacy with powerful on-device processing and groundbreaking infrastructure like Private Cloud Compute. We do not use our users' private personal data or user interactions when training our foundation models.

These principles are reflected throughout the architecture that enables Apple Intelligence, connects features and tools with specialized models, and scans inputs and outputs to provide each feature with the information needed to function responsibly.

In the remainder of this overview, we provide details on decisions such as: how we develop models that are highly capable, fast, and power-efficient; how we approach training these models; how our adapters are fine-tuned for specific user needs; and how we evaluate model performance for both helpfulness and unintended harm.

Modeling overview

Pre-Training

Our foundation models are trained on Apple's AXLearn framework , an open-source project we released in 2023. It builds on top of JAX and XLA, and allows us to train the models with high efficiency and scalability on various training hardware and cloud platforms, including TPUs and both cloud and on-premise GPUs. We used a combination of data parallelism, tensor parallelism, sequence parallelism, and Fully Sharded Data Parallel (FSDP) to scale training along multiple dimensions such as data, model, and sequence length.

We train our foundation models on licensed data, including data selected to enhance specific features, as well as publicly available data collected by our web-crawler, AppleBot. Web publishers have the option to opt out of the use of their web content for Apple Intelligence training with a data usage control.

We never use our users’ private personal data or user interactions when training our foundation models, and we apply filters to remove personally identifiable information like social security and credit card numbers that are publicly available on the Internet. We also filter profanity and other low-quality content to prevent its inclusion in the training corpus. In addition to filtering, we perform data extraction, deduplication, and the application of a model-based classifier to identify high quality documents.

Post-Training

We find that data quality is essential to model success, so we utilize a hybrid data strategy in our training pipeline, incorporating both human-annotated and synthetic data, and conduct thorough data curation and filtering procedures. We have developed two novel algorithms in post-training: (1) a rejection sampling fine-tuning algorithm with teacher committee, and (2) a reinforcement learning from human feedback (RLHF) algorithm with mirror descent policy optimization and a leave-one-out advantage estimator. We find that these two algorithms lead to significant improvement in the model’s instruction-following quality.

Optimization

In addition to ensuring our generative models are highly capable, we have used a range of innovative techniques to optimize them on-device and on our private cloud for speed and efficiency. We have applied an extensive set of optimizations for both first token and extended token inference performance.

Both the on-device and server models use grouped-query-attention. We use shared input and output vocab embedding tables to reduce memory requirements and inference cost. These shared embedding tensors are mapped without duplications. The on-device model uses a vocab size of 49K, while the server model uses a vocab size of 100K, which includes additional language and technical tokens.

For on-device inference, we use low-bit palletization, a critical optimization technique that achieves the necessary memory, power, and performance requirements. To maintain model quality, we developed a new framework using LoRA adapters that incorporates a mixed 2-bit and 4-bit configuration strategy — averaging 3.5 bits-per-weight — to achieve the same accuracy as the uncompressed models.

Additionally, we use an interactive model latency and power analysis tool, Talaria , to better guide the bit rate selection for each operation. We also utilize activation quantization and embedding quantization, and have developed an approach to enable efficient Key-Value (KV) cache update on our neural engines.

With this set of optimizations, on iPhone 15 Pro we are able to reach time-to-first-token latency of about 0.6 millisecond per prompt token, and a generation rate of 30 tokens per second. Notably, this performance is attained before employing token speculation techniques, from which we see further enhancement on the token generation rate.

Model Adaptation

Our foundation models are fine-tuned for users’ everyday activities, and can dynamically specialize themselves on-the-fly for the task at hand. We utilize adapters, small neural network modules that can be plugged into various layers of the pre-trained model, to fine-tune our models for specific tasks. For our models we adapt the attention matrices, the attention projection matrix, and the fully connected layers in the point-wise feedforward networks for a suitable set of the decoding layers of the transformer architecture.

By fine-tuning only the adapter layers, the original parameters of the base pre-trained model remain unchanged, preserving the general knowledge of the model while tailoring the adapter layers to support specific tasks.

We represent the values of the adapter parameters using 16 bits, and for the ~3 billion parameter on-device model, the parameters for a rank 16 adapter typically require 10s of megabytes. The adapter models can be dynamically loaded, temporarily cached in memory, and swapped — giving our foundation model the ability to specialize itself on the fly for the task at hand while efficiently managing memory and guaranteeing the operating system's responsiveness.

To facilitate the training of the adapters, we created an efficient infrastructure that allows us to rapidly retrain, test, and deploy adapters when either the base model or the training data gets updated. The adapter parameters are initialized using the accuracy-recovery adapter introduced in the Optimization section.

Performance and Evaluation

Our focus is on delivering generative models that can enable users to communicate, work, express themselves, and get things done across their Apple products. When benchmarking our models, we focus on human evaluation as we find that these results are highly correlated to user experience in our products. We conducted performance evaluations on both feature-specific adapters and the foundation models.

To illustrate our approach, we look at how we evaluated our adapter for summarization. As product requirements for summaries of emails and notifications differ in subtle but important ways, we fine-tune accuracy-recovery low-rank (LoRA) adapters on top of the palletized model to meet these specific requirements. Our training data is based on synthetic summaries generated from bigger server models, filtered by a rejection sampling strategy that keeps only the high quality summaries.

To evaluate the product-specific summarization, we use a set of 750 responses carefully sampled for each use case. These evaluation datasets emphasize a diverse set of inputs that our product features are likely to face in production, and include a stratified mixture of single and stacked documents of varying content types and lengths. As product features, it was important to evaluate performance against datasets that are representative of real use cases. We find that our models with adapters generate better summaries than a comparable model.

As part of responsible development, we identified and evaluated specific risks inherent to summarization. For example, summaries occasionally remove important nuance or other details in ways that are undesirable. However, we found that the summarization adapter did not amplify sensitive content in over 99% of targeted adversarial examples. We continue to adversarially probe to identify unknown harms and expand our evaluations to help guide further improvements.

In addition to evaluating feature specific performance powered by foundation models and adapters, we evaluate both the on-device and server-based models’ general capabilities. We utilize a comprehensive evaluation set of real-world prompts to test the general model capabilities. These prompts are diverse across different difficulty levels and cover major categories such as brainstorming, classification, closed question answering, coding, extraction, mathematical reasoning, open question answering, rewriting, safety, summarization, and writing.

We compare our models with both open-source models (Phi-3, Gemma, Mistral, DBRX) and commercial models of comparable size (GPT-3.5-Turbo, GPT-4-Turbo) 1 . We find that our models are preferred by human graders over most comparable competitor models. On this benchmark, our on-device model, with ~3B parameters, outperforms larger models including Phi-3-mini, Mistral-7B, and Gemma-7B. Our server model compares favorably to DBRX-Instruct, Mixtral-8x22B, and GPT-3.5-Turbo while being highly efficient.

We use a set of diverse adversarial prompts to test the model performance on harmful content, sensitive topics, and factuality. We measure the violation rates of each model as evaluated by human graders on this evaluation set, with a lower number being desirable. Both the on-device and server models are robust when faced with adversarial prompts, achieving violation rates lower than open-source and commercial models.

Our models are preferred by human graders as safe and helpful over competitor models for these prompts. However, considering the broad capabilities of large language models, we understand the limitation of our safety benchmark. We are actively conducting both manual and automatic red-teaming with internal and external teams to continue evaluating our models' safety.

To further evaluate our models, we use the Instruction-Following Eval (IFEval) benchmark to compare their instruction-following capabilities with models of comparable size. The results suggest that both our on-device and server model follow detailed instructions better than the open-source and commercial models of comparable size.

We evaluate our models’ writing ability on our internal summarization and composition benchmarks, consisting of a variety of writing instructions. These results do not refer to our feature-specific adapter for summarization (seen in Figure 3 ), nor do we have an adapter focused on composition.

The Apple foundation models and adapters introduced at WWDC24 underlie Apple Intelligence, the new personal intelligence system that is integrated deeply into iPhone, iPad, and Mac, and enables powerful capabilities across language, images, actions, and personal context. Our models have been created with the purpose of helping users do everyday activities across their Apple products, and developed responsibly at every stage and guided by Apple’s core values. We look forward to sharing more information soon on our broader family of generative models, including language, diffusion, and coding models.

[1] We compared against the following model versions: gpt-3.5-turbo-0125, gpt-4-0125-preview, Phi-3-mini-4k-instruct, Mistral-7B-Instruct-v0.2, Mixtral-8x22B-Instruct-v0.1, Gemma-1.1-2B, and Gemma-1.1-7B. The open-source and Apple models are evaluated in bfloat16 precision.

Related readings and updates.

Advancing speech accessibility with personal voice.

A voice replicator is a powerful tool for people at risk of losing their ability to speak, including those with a recent diagnosis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) or other conditions that can progressively impact speaking ability. First introduced in May 2023 and made available on iOS 17 in September 2023, Personal Voice is a tool that creates a synthesized voice for such users to speak in FaceTime, phone calls, assistive communication apps, and in-person conversations.

Apple Natural Language Understanding Workshop 2023

Earlier this year, Apple hosted the Natural Language Understanding workshop. This two-day hybrid event brought together Apple and members of the academic research community for talks and discussions on the state of the art in natural language understanding.

In this post, we share highlights from workshop discussions and recordings of select workshop talks.

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Modeling and research on offshore casing cutting of hydraulic internal cutting device.

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1. Introduction

2. mechanical casing cutting device, 2.1. basic structure of mechanical casing cutting device, 2.2. working principle, 3. the theory model of casing cutting, 3.1. the relationship between piston displacement and cutting tool tip radius, 3.2. calculation of cutting torque, 3.3. calculation of wellhead driving torque, 4. the 2d cutting simulation based on abaqus, 4.1. theoretical model of cutting, 4.2. simulation model and boundary conditions based on abaqus, 4.3. simulation analysis and results based on abaqus, 4.3.1. the influence of different tool rotational speeds on cutting simulation, 4.3.2. the impact of different cutting depths on cutting simulation, 4.3.3. the impact of different tool front angles on cutting simulation, 4.3.4. summary of the chapter, 5. analysis of influencing factors on the cutting efficiency of the cutting tool, 5.1. the cutter face angle α, 5.2. the driving force of drilling fluid f 0, 5.3. the cutting depth l and revolution of drill string n, 6. case study and discussion, 6.1. field casing cutting operation condition, 6.2. torque comparison at different rotational speeds, 7. conclusions, author contributions, informed consent statement, data availability statement, conflicts of interest.

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Click here to enlarge figure

A/MPaB/MPaCnm
11507390.0140.261.03
ParametersValueParametersValue
/mm151f3.5
/mm168 32
qm/(Kg/m)122n/(r/min)45
K3 /( )85
ρ/(kg/m )1025L/m850
g/(N/Kg)9.8 313
Sz/mm0.12 340
Z12 298
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Share and Cite

Sun, Q.; Tian, J.; Jin, Y.; Feng, D.; Hou, L. Modeling and Research on Offshore Casing Cutting of Hydraulic Internal Cutting Device. J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2024 , 12 , 1026. https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse12061026

Sun Q, Tian J, Jin Y, Feng D, Hou L. Modeling and Research on Offshore Casing Cutting of Hydraulic Internal Cutting Device. Journal of Marine Science and Engineering . 2024; 12(6):1026. https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse12061026

Sun, Qiaolei, Jie Tian, Yujie Jin, Ding Feng, and Lingxia Hou. 2024. "Modeling and Research on Offshore Casing Cutting of Hydraulic Internal Cutting Device" Journal of Marine Science and Engineering 12, no. 6: 1026. https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse12061026

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Macroeconomic Expectations and Cognitive Noise

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Download PDF (949 KB)

2024-19 | June 21, 2024

This paper examines forecast biases through cognitive noise, moving beyond the conventional view that frictions emerge solely from using external data. By extending Sims’s (2003) imperfect attention model to include imperfect memory, I propose a framework where cognitive constraints impact both external and internal information use. This innovation reveals horizon-dependent forecast sensitivity: short-term forecasts adjust sluggishly while long-term forecasts may overreact. I explore the macroeconomic impact of this behavior, showing how long-term expectations, heavily influenced by current economic conditions, heighten inflation volatility. Moreover, structural estimation indicates that neglecting imperfect memory critically underestimates the informational challenges forecasters encounter.

Suggested citation:

Sung, Yeji. 2024. “Macroeconomic Expectations and Cognitive Noise.” Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco Working Paper 2024-19. https://doi.org/10.24148/wp2024-19

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    Writing a model research paper: A roadmap J Postgrad Med. 2017 Jul-Sep;63(3):143-146. doi: 10.4103/jpgm.JPGM_325_17. Authors M S Tullu 1 , S Karande 1 Affiliation 1 Department of Pediatrics, Seth G.S. Medical College and KEM Hospital, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India. PMID: 28695866 PMCID: PMC5525475 DOI ...

  11. Research Paper Format

    Research paper format is an essential aspect of academic writing that plays a crucial role in the communication of research findings.The format of a research paper depends on various factors such as the discipline, style guide, and purpose of the research. It includes guidelines for the structure, citation style, referencing, and other elements of the paper that contribute to its overall ...

  12. MLA Sample Paper

    MLA Sample Paper. This resource contains a sample MLA paper that adheres to the 2016 updates. To download the MLA sample paper, click this link.

  13. Theories and Models: What They Are, What They Are for, and What They

    What Are Theories. The terms theory and model have been defined in numerous ways, and there are at least as many ideas on how theories and models relate to each other (Bailer-Jones, Citation 2009).I understand theories as bodies of knowledge that are broad in scope and aim to explain robust phenomena.Models, on the other hand, are instantiations of theories, narrower in scope and often more ...

  14. How to Write a Brilliant Research Paper

    What follows is a step-by-step guide on how you can make your research paper a good read and improve the chances of your paper's acceptance: CONTENTS. 1. How to dive into the process of writing. Outline of a research paper. Keep sub-topics and references ready. 2. Getting the title of your research paper right. 3.

  15. Research Methods Information : Theoretical Models (Using Theory)

    In writing this part of your research paper, keep in mind the following: Clearly describe the framework, concepts, models, or specific theories that underpin your study. This includes noting who the key theorists are in the field who have conducted research on the problem you are investigating and, when necessary, the historical context that ...

  16. (PDF) A Model of Research Paper Writin g Instructional Materials for

    A Model of Research Paper Writin g Instructional Materials for Academic Writing Course: Needs & Documents Analysis and Model Design February 2018 DOI: 10.5539/elt.v9n3p1

  17. Research: a Practical Handbook

    Under this model, research passes through discrete stages. The progression of the stages looks a bit like sections of a research paper, and it echoes the scientific method that's often taught in schools. Each stage in this model has defined tasks. For example, when you're doing a lit review, you gather papers, read them, and synthesize.

  18. [2402.06196] Large Language Models: A Survey

    The research area of LLMs, while very recent, is evolving rapidly in many different ways. In this paper, we review some of the most prominent LLMs, including three popular LLM families (GPT, LLaMA, PaLM), and discuss their characteristics, contributions and limitations. We also give an overview of techniques developed to build, and augment LLMs.

  19. Original research: Evidence-based practice models and frameworks in the

    Objectives. The aim of this scoping review was to identify and review current evidence-based practice (EBP) models and frameworks. Specifically, how EBP models and frameworks used in healthcare settings align with the original model of (1) asking the question, (2) acquiring the best evidence, (3) appraising the evidence, (4) applying the findings to clinical practice and (5) evaluating the ...

  20. mathematical modeling Latest Research Papers

    Investigation of Mathematical Modeling Processes of Middle School Students in Model-Eliciting Activities (MEAs): A STEM Approach. Participatory Educational Research . 10.17275/per.22.34.9.2 . 2022 . Vol 9 (2) .

  21. What Is a Research Design

    A research design is a strategy for answering your research question using empirical data. Creating a research design means making decisions about: Your overall research objectives and approach. Whether you'll rely on primary research or secondary research. Your sampling methods or criteria for selecting subjects. Your data collection methods.

  22. Topics, Authors, and Institutions in Large Language Model Research

    Large language models (LLMs) are dramatically influencing AI research, spurring discussions on what has changed so far and how to shape the field's future. To clarify such questions, we analyze a new dataset of 16,979 LLM-related arXiv papers, focusing on recent trends in 2023 vs. 2018-2022. First, we study disciplinary shifts: LLM research increasingly considers societal impacts, evidenced by ...

  23. Sharing new research, models, and datasets from Meta FAIR

    As we shared in our research paper last month, Meta Chameleon is a family of models that can combine text and images as input and output any combination of text and images with a single unified architecture for both encoding and decoding. While most current late-fusion models use diffusion-based learning, Meta Chameleon uses tokenization for text and images.

  24. Introducing Apple's On-Device and Server Foundation Models

    Figure 1: Modeling overview for the Apple foundation models. Pre-Training. Our foundation models are trained on Apple's AXLearn framework, an open-source project we released in 2023.It builds on top of JAX and XLA, and allows us to train the models with high efficiency and scalability on various training hardware and cloud platforms, including TPUs and both cloud and on-premise GPUs.

  25. Epidemic outcomes following government responses to COVID-19 ...

    Multiverse analyses elevate epistemic humility by relaxing the number of subjective choices in the research design process. ... and covariates (with or without). The only subgroup level where the balance shifts away from 50:50 is the model type. Models 1, 3, and 5 range from 60 to 80% in the unhelpful direction, while models 2, 4, and 6 range ...

  26. NVIDIA Research Showcases Visual Generative AI at CVPR

    NVIDIA's research at CVPR includes a text-to-image model that can be easily customized to depict a specific object or character, a new model for object pose estimation, a technique to edit neural radiance fields and a visual language model that can understand memes. Additional papers introduce domain-specific innovations for industries ...

  27. JMSE

    A mechanical model for offshore casing cutting based on the field application of a mechanical cutting device in the South China is presented in this paper. The proposed model includes the calculation of the piston acting on the cutter and the calculation of the cutting torque and wellhead driving torque. The influence of structural parameters on cutting extension distance, cutting torque ...

  28. Macroeconomic Expectations and Cognitive Noise

    This paper examines forecast biases through cognitive noise, moving beyond the conventional view that frictions emerge solely from using external data. By extending Sims's (2003) imperfect attention model to include imperfect memory, I propose a framework where cognitive constraints impact both external and internal information use. This innovation reveals horizon-dependent forecast ...

  29. What is a model?

    In statistics, a model is the collection of one or more independent variables and their predicted interactions that researchers use to try to explain variation in their dependent variable. You can test a model using a statistical test. To compare how well different models fit your data, you can use Akaike's information criterion for model ...

  30. A technique for more effective multipurpose robots

    The research will be presented at the Robotics: Science and Systems Conference. Combining disparate datasets. A robotic policy is a machine-learning model that takes inputs and uses them to perform an action. One way to think about a policy is as a strategy.