In short: IMRaD — Introduction, Methods, Results and Discussion — is the standard structure for original research papers. Each section answers a specific question, which makes your work easier to write, review and read.
What is IMRaD?
IMRaD is the four-part structure used for most empirical research articles. Together with a title, abstract, and reference list, it gives readers a predictable path through your work. It applies to original research; other article types such as reviews or case reports follow different conventions.
Why IMRaD works
The structure mirrors the logic of the scientific method and answers four questions in order: Why did you do it? What did you do? What did you find? What does it mean? Because reviewers and readers know exactly where to look, IMRaD makes papers faster to evaluate and easier to trust.
The four sections
Introduction — why the study was done
Set the context, summarise what is already known, identify the gap or problem, and state your specific objective or hypothesis. Move from the broad field to your precise question. Keep it focused — the Introduction is not a full literature review.
Methods — what you did
Describe your study design, setting, participants or materials, procedures, and analysis in enough detail that another researcher could reproduce the work. State ethics approval and consent, the reporting guideline you followed (such as CONSORT, PRISMA or STROBE), and how you handled the data. Write it in the past tense.
Results — what you found
Present your findings clearly and objectively, using tables and figures for data and the text to highlight the key points. Report the actual numbers for your primary outcome. Do not interpret here — save that for the Discussion.
Discussion — what it means
Interpret your results: what do they mean, and how do they compare with previous work? State the limitations honestly, note the implications for practice or research, and end with a short, measured conclusion. Avoid claiming more than your data support.
Around the IMRaD core
- Title — concise and specific (see our author guidelines).
- Abstract — a structured summary of the whole paper.
- References — cite sources in the journal's required style; include DOIs where available and never cite retracted work as valid.
- Declarations — funding, competing interests, data availability and author contributions.
Practical tips
- Write Methods and Results first — they are the most factual — then the Introduction and Discussion.
- Use descriptive subheadings within sections for readability.
- Keep Results and Discussion strictly separate.
- Match each Discussion point back to a Result; don't introduce new findings in the Discussion.
Key takeaways
- IMRaD = Introduction, Methods, Results, Discussion — the standard for original research.
- Each section answers one question, in a logical order.
- Report results without interpretation; interpret them in the Discussion.
- Check your journal's guidelines and your article type's specific requirements.