Introduce and discuss your research questions consistently, using the same order across the Introduction, Methods, Results, and Discussion. This makes the paper easier to follow and lets readers quickly map questions to findings and interpretation.
The Discussion section typically sets the order, with the other sections following it.
There are two common approaches:
- From most to least exciting: Present the research questions in the order of the most interesting or impactful findings and conclusions first.
- Sequential/stepwise: If the questions build on one another, start with the simpler or more basic questions, then show how later analyses build on them.
These two approaches can also be mixed.
