Sections of the Master’s Paper
Organizing your Master’s Paper
Creating an Outline
Sections of the Master’s Paper
Title Page Results
Abstract Discussion
Introduction Conclusion
Purpose Statement References
Literature Review Appendices
Methods
Another Writing Resource
Public Health Student Online Writing Tutorial
The presentations (including this one) describe
various sections of your Master’s Paper
However . . .
You do NOT have to organize your paper in this
fashion
You don’t need to use the section titles as listed
Use section titles that work for YOUR paper
Samples for various sections are provided
These are not perfect, but they’re good examples written
by previous students
Helps you organize your thoughts and your paper
Use as a planning tool
Required to submit with each section of paper
Do not need to submit with final draft
Organize using section titles
Generic sample/explanation provided on next slide
Further information provided in second writing
tutorial presentation, The Pre-Writing Stage
http://www.mcw.edu/FileLibrary/Groups/MPHProgram/Writing_Presentation2.pdf
I. Introduction / Background
A. State topic
B. Importance of topic
i. Scope of problem
C. Review literature (if appropriate)
D. Purpose statement / research question(s)
II. Methods
A. Data Collection
B. Analysis
III. Results
Organize into sub-sections as appropriate
Title Page
Abstract
Introduction / Background
Purpose Statement / Research Question(s)
Literature Review
Methods
Results
Discussion
Conclusion
References
Appendices
Follow template
Available on Capstone Project Master’s Paper webpage
http://www.mcw.edu/mphprogram/CulminatingExperiences/CapstoneProject/MastersPaper.htm
Direct link to PDF
http://www.mcw.edu/FileLibrary/Groups/MPHProgram/Capstone/Sample/TitlePage.pdf
Include/modify pertinent information
Title of Project
Subtitle, if applicable
Your Name
Faculty Advisor’s Name
Date Submitted
Summarizes the entire paper
Should be written after the rest of the paper
Required as part of the third submission
Should be written in same organizational scheme as
the rest of the paper
Can be written as in sections of paper – introduction,
methods, results, discussion, conclusion
Length should not exceed 300 words
Sample abstract available as PDF
http://www.mcw.edu/FileLibrary/Groups/MPHProgram/Writing_Sample_Abstract.pdf
Introduction / Background
What is the topic, and why is it important?
What other research has been conducted on this topic?
What do we already know?
Purpose Statement / Research Question(s)
What is the purpose of this paper?
What question are you trying to answer?
Be brief - If more than 1 purpose/question,
limit to 1 short paragraph on each
Sample introduction (inc. purpose
statement) available as PDF
http://www.mcw.edu/FileLibrary/Groups/MPHProgram/Writing_Sample_Intro.pdf
Literature Review
All papers must include lit review
Could be included in various sections
Introduction/Background
Literature Review (as separate section)
Results (if performing lit review as project)
Choose the most appropriate section for your paper
Should provide basis for paper
Synthesize & discuss reviewed literature
What have previous studies shown?
What are the strengths, weaknesses, trends, & opportunities?
Must cite numerous reputable sources
Ex – journal articles, books, technical reports, etc.
What methodology did you use?
How did you do your study?
Possible methodologies to discuss:
Design Sampling
Setting Measurement
Participants Data collection
Intervention Analysis of data
Outcome measures
What were the results? What did you find?
What did the study/project demonstrate
or accomplish?
Be detailed and specific
Consider organizing into sub-sections
Display information in various formats
Use bulleted lists, tables, charts, graphs, etc.
Sample results section available as PDF
http://www.mcw.edu/FileLibrary/Groups/MPHProgram/Writing_Sample_Results.pdf
Discuss results in detail
What do the results mean?
How do they affect the field of public health?
Put into context of existing base of knowledge
How do these results fit into data presented in lit review?
Do they support/contradict previous findings?
Discuss limitations
What were the limitations of this study?
Did you encounter any difficulties or barriers in the
implementation of this project?
Sample discussion section available as PDF
http://www.mcw.edu/FileLibrary/Groups/MPHProgram/Writing_Sample_Discussion.pdf
Discrete conclusions supported by evidence
Summarize findings
Give equal attention to positive and negative
conclusions
Implications of your project
Given the results, why is it important?
Further study/effort implied by conclusions
What further research/programs are needed?
What do you recommend?
You MUST cite your sources
Cite sources in body of paper (not just at end)
May use any reputable reference format
APA, MLA, CBE Citation-Sequence System,
scientific journal, or other
Be consistent
RefWorks available from MCW
libraries
Web-based bibliographic software
Link to RefWorks
http://www.mcw.edu/mcwlibraries/
RefWorks-Info.htm
Additional info / support materials
Examples
Letters of support / IRB letters
Survey/interview instruments
Data analysis coding sheet
Others
Public Health Student Online Writing Tutorial
Available under Resources tab of MPH website
http://www.mcw.edu/mphprogram/CurrentStudents/Resources.htm
Provides tools useful for writing public health papers
Consists of 3 presentations
Writing 101
Grammar resources, spelling, plagiarism,
MPH student code of ethics
The Pre-Writing Stage
Initial steps of writing, creating a timeline and outline
General Components of a Paper
Referencing systems & each section of a paper
Contact:
Kim Contardi, MPH
kcontardi@mcw.edu
414-955-4806
