IMRAD

The Format for Scientific Writing

What is IMRAD?
The IMRaD format is a way of structuring a
scientific article. It is often used in health care and
the natural sciences. Unlike theses in the social
sciences, the IMRaD format does not include a
separate theory chapter.

Theses structured using the IMRaD format are

usually short and concise. The language will be as
plain and as unambiguous as possible. There is no
place in this type of writing for personal views and
fanciful language.
What is IMRAD?
•Title
•Contact info
•Abstract, keywords
•Body of paper:
•Introduction
•Materials and Methods
•Results and
•Discussion
•Acknowledgements
•Literature Cited
WHY IS IT USED?
•Allows experts to rapidly scan
through thousands of journal
articles to find relevant
material.
•Allows readers to quickly find
what interests them.
 Title, Contact info, Abstract, Keywords

• Contact info – of authors

• Abstract – summary of
IMRAD
• Keywords – used for
search engines
Introduction

• Previous studies
• Question, Hypothesis
Materials and Methods

• What was done

• With what
• How
 Results

• Data:
Figures and
tables
• No
interpretation
Discussion

• Reasons for results

• Compare with other
studies
• Future studies
Acknowledgements
Literature Cited
• Funding
• Reviewers

• Primary sources