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Description of the Research Subject

Faculties: SW

The description of the research subject is a central part of any scientific paper. What are you investigating in your work? Describe the phenomenon, intervention, or behavior that is the focus of your analysis.

Info: Here you can find an overview of the overall structure of a Social Science paper.

As a rule, you already briefly introduce your research subject in the introduction. However, it is often common to explain your research subject in detail and precisely in the following chapter.

Example

Due to the moderate effectiveness and side effects of antidepressants, it is worthwhile to look for alternative treatment options. A relatively new intervention in the field of depression is jogging. Jogging is understood as slow running, comparable to the pace of fast walking (Newrezella 2009, p. 74). Occasionally it is also referred to as aerobic running, since the energy for the muscles is produced from muscle sugars and fats using oxygen, which is obtained, among other ways, through breathing (Bartmann 2005, p. 21). One study was able to prove that jogging has an antidepressant effect for all age groups and both genders, with women benefiting even more from the sport than men (Reule and Bartmann 2009, p. 19). Although the effect of jogging on depression is still a relatively unexplored area, positive factors have already been proven, which are explained in more detail below.

Source: Slightly modified from a student paper in the module “Academic Work, Methods and Learning Strategies” (anonymous)

The description of the research subject is an obligatory part of the structure of an academic paper.

Frequently asked questions

How detailed should I describe my research subject?

This is difficult to answer generally. It depends, among other things, on the overall length of your paper and how complex your research subject is. Pay attention to a balanced distribution of content: If your paper, for example, has five sections or chapters, the individual parts should be of similar length – although the introduction and conclusion may be shorter.

How do I know if I have described my research subject well?

Use test readers, because we often become blind to our own text while writing. Ask your fellow students to read parts of your paper and get their feedback.

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Explaining Terms

Info: Here you can find an overview of the overall structure of a Social Science paper. It is often useful to illustrate the different usage of terms or definitions and to justify your own choice. Refer to the scientific literature when doing so. Less important terms might only be explained in parentheses, a footnote, or …

Faculties: SW

Contributors: Carola Gröhlich, Susanne Heidenreich, Maria Noll, Erika von Rautenfeld, Schreibzentrum, Dzifa Vode, Wolfgang Wahl

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Theorien und Modelle für deine Forschung nutzen

Beziehe dich auf bestehende Theorien oder Modelle. Im Vordergrund steht die kritische Reflexion der herangezogenen Theorien in Bezug auf deine Fragestellung – und nicht eine Beschreibung der Theorien oder Modelle, ohne sie in den Zusammenhang deiner Arbeit einzuordnen.

Faculties: SW

Contributors: Carola Gröhlich, Susanne Heidenreich, Maria Noll, Erika von Rautenfeld, Schreibzentrum, Dzifa Vode, Wolfgang Wahl

This article was published in August 2025 and last updated in April 2025.

Faculties: SW

Contributors: Carola Gröhlich, Susanne Heidenreich, Maria Noll, Erika von Rautenfeld, Schreibzentrum, Dzifa Vode, Wolfgang Wahl

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