Structure in the social sciences tends to vary depending on the type of content and information being presented but is largely based on logical organization. Quantitative studies, for instance, often follow the IMRaD format, which stands for Introduction, Methods, Results, and Discussion. This format provides a clear and systematic way to present research findings. The introduction outlines the research problem, objectives, and context, while the methods section explains how the study was conducted. Results detail the findings, often supported by tables or graphs, and the discussion interprets these findings in relation to broader implications or theories. Beyond IMRaD, other structural conventions commonly include elements such as conclusions, titles, abstracts, acknowledgments, references, and appendices, each of which serves a specific purpose in making the work more accessible and informative to the reader.

Language conventions in the social sciences refer to how language is used to communicate ideas effectively, often adapting to different audiences and genres. Active and passive voice are used strategically depending on the focus of the sentence. For example, active voice is typically preferred for clarity and directness (“The researchers conducted the survey”), while passive voice might be used to emphasize results or processes (“The survey was conducted”). Hedging is another important language convention, allowing authors to express uncertainty or caution in their claims. Phrases like “suggests that” or “may indicate” are commonly used to reflect the complexity and provisional nature of social science research.

Reference conventions are critical in social sciences for acknowledging sources and maintaining academic integrity. Most fields rely on the APA (Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association) style for consistency in citations. Reference practices include in-text documentation, which directly cites sources within the text, and techniques like summarizing and paraphrasing. While both involve rephrasing source material, summarizing condenses the main ideas, whereas paraphrasing rewrites the content in detail while maintaining the original meaning. These conventions ensure clarity, credibility, and the ability for readers to trace the origins of ideas or data.