How to create a flow in a research paper?

By on July 25, 2014
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The problem of lack of flow in the research paper occurs mostly while writing the Literature Review. The following guidelines may help you in this regard.

Divide the content into headings and sub-headings

When you start writing, it is important to revise the objectives of the paper and accordingly plan the content. Create a layout which will act as a map while writing and you won’t lose track.

Flow of content

Research in any topic starts by developing the background of the study. Here you will describe the current scenario and offer the latest statistics and why this topic is important for your research. The paper proceeds with defining different concepts against your topic. Describe various models, principles, and theories and state their importance and then conclude by briefing the challenges.

Avoid the use of bullets and numbering for a flow

As it unnecessarily disrupts the flow of content. Also, do not leave any argument in between and must not switch from one sub-heading to another. Writing should be done in a planned manner and enough information should be gathered before you actually start writing it. In addition, every statement and paragraph must be connected to each other.

For example

A passage without a flow:

Hotels fall under the services industry category.  Hence they share the same features as any other organization within a service industry like inseparability, intangibility, inconsistency and perishability.  Further hotels suffer due to various problems like declining occupancy, empty beds, higher fixed costs and operating costs. Thus it is essential for hotels to provide loyalty programs which will help them to not only maintain their revenues but also enhance the same.

As it can be seen the writer started with a briefing about the service features but then suddenly switched over to challenges and without any conclusion switched to recommendations.

Passage with the flow:

Hotels fall under the services industry category.  Hence they share the same features as any other organization in a service industry like inseparability, intangibility, inconsistency and perishability.

Elaborate upon these features now and that how these features act as the basis of the distinction between product and service industry.

Challenges in the hotel industry

Now you may say that hotels suffer due to various problems like declining occupancy, empty beds, higher fixed costs and operating costs. Discuss these challenges as well as others that you can do in the prescribed word limit. Recommendations should come at the end.

Give a proper introduction and closing to every heading in your paper

Literature Review consists of many important points. Each of these points should have a proper introduction and explanation:

  • What the section is going to talk about
  • Why are you discussing this point?
  • How will this point help answer your research questions?

Each heading should have a concluding paragraph:

  • What are your observations in this section?
  • What are you going to discuss in the next section and why?
  • How is the next section related to the preceding section?

If you miss out on any of these points you will not be able to convince your reader because the reader will lose track and may not understand what you are trying to convey.

NOTES

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