# IMRaD Paper Template

## Usage
This template provides the section-by-section skeleton for an empirical research paper following the Introduction-Method-Results-and-Discussion structure.

Replace all `[bracketed text]` with your content. Delete instructional comments after use.

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# [Paper Title in Title Case]

**Author(s):** [Author Name(s)]
**Affiliation(s):** [Department, Institution]
**Corresponding Author:** [Name, Email]
**Date:** [Date]

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## Abstract

[Background: 1-2 sentences establishing context and the problem.]
[Purpose: 1 sentence stating the research objective.]
[Method: 1-2 sentences describing the approach and data.]
[Findings: 2-3 sentences presenting key results with specific details.]
[Implications: 1-2 sentences stating significance.]

**Keywords**: [keyword1], [keyword2], [keyword3], [keyword4], [keyword5]

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## 1. Introduction

### 1.1 Context and Background
[Establish the broader context. What is the landscape? Why does this topic matter?]
[2-3 paragraphs with citations]

### 1.2 Problem Statement
[What specific problem or gap exists? Why is it important to address?]
[1-2 paragraphs with citations]

### 1.3 Research Gap
[What have previous studies missed or not adequately addressed?]
[1 paragraph summarizing the gap based on literature]

### 1.4 Purpose and Research Questions
[State the purpose clearly. List research questions.]

The purpose of this study is to [verb] [object] in [context].

The following research questions guide this study:
1. **RQ1**: [Question 1]?
2. **RQ2**: [Question 2]?
3. **RQ3**: [Question 3]? *(if applicable)*

### 1.5 Significance of the Study
[Why does this research matter? Who benefits?]
[1 paragraph]

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## 2. Literature Review

### 2.1 Theoretical Framework
[What theory/framework underpins this study?]
[1-2 paragraphs with citations]

### 2.2 [Theme 1 Title]
[Review relevant literature on theme 1.]
[2-3 paragraphs with citations]

### 2.3 [Theme 2 Title]
[Review relevant literature on theme 2.]
[2-3 paragraphs with citations]

### 2.4 [Theme 3 Title]
[Review relevant literature on theme 3.]
[2-3 paragraphs with citations]

### 2.5 Summary and Conceptual Framework
[Synthesize the themes. Present conceptual framework if applicable.]
[1-2 paragraphs]

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## 3. Methodology

### 3.1 Research Design
[Describe the overall research design and justify the choice.]
[1 paragraph]

### 3.2 Participants / Sample
[Who/what was studied? How were they selected? Sample size and characteristics.]
[1-2 paragraphs]

### 3.3 Data Collection
[What data were collected? How? When? By whom?]
[1-2 paragraphs]

### 3.4 Instruments / Measures
[What instruments were used? Reliability and validity evidence.]
[1-2 paragraphs]

### 3.5 Data Analysis
[What analytical methods were applied? Software used?]
[1 paragraph]

### 3.6 Validity and Reliability
[How were quality criteria ensured?]
[1 paragraph]

### 3.7 Ethical Considerations
[IRB approval, informed consent, data protection.]
[1 paragraph]

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## 4. Results / Findings

### 4.1 Descriptive Overview
[Present descriptive statistics or overview of data.]
[Include Table 1: Descriptive Statistics if applicable]

### 4.2 [Finding for RQ1]
[Present results addressing RQ1.]
[Include tables/figures as needed]

### 4.3 [Finding for RQ2]
[Present results addressing RQ2.]
[Include tables/figures as needed]

### 4.4 [Finding for RQ3] *(if applicable)*
[Present results addressing RQ3.]

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## 5. Discussion

### 5.1 Summary of Key Findings
[Brief overview of main results.]
[1 paragraph]

### 5.2 Interpretation and Comparison with Literature
[What do the findings mean? How do they compare with prior studies?]
[2-3 paragraphs with citations]

### 5.3 Theoretical Implications
[How do findings advance theory?]
[1-2 paragraphs]

### 5.4 Practical Implications
[How can practitioners, policymakers, or institutions use these findings?]
[1-2 paragraphs]

### 5.5 Limitations
[Be honest about study limitations.]
[1 paragraph, typically 3-5 limitations]

### 5.6 Future Research Directions
[What should future studies investigate?]
[1 paragraph]

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## 6. Conclusion
[Summarize the paper's contribution in 1-2 paragraphs. End with a strong closing statement.]

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## AI Disclosure
[This paper was prepared with the assistance of AI-powered academic writing tools. All content has been reviewed and verified by the author(s).]

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## References

[APA 7th edition format. Hanging indent. Alphabetical order.]

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## Appendices *(if applicable)*

### Appendix A: [Title]
[Supplementary materials]
