In my opinion, "methodology" is the most important part of a research paper because it provides the information by which validity of a study is judged.
In my opinion, the most important section of a research paper is the methodology. This part provide us the real value or magnitude of the article and the results and conclusions depends directly of this part. To obtain good and real conclusions you have to do an excellent methodology.
Each and every part of a research paper is equally important but to make a research paper more effective, Title and Abstract should be well-written expressing the main contents of your paper clearly. Of course, your idea matters a lot.
Research question and findings. However, you should not devalue the other parts, they are also very important, method, review of literature and of course references.
Title, Abstract, Introduction (Statement of problem, Scope, Literature/Previous work) Method of study, Results, Analysis/Interpretation of Results, Conclusion then References.
Of all these, the most important part of a research paper is the Results for that is the major contribution of the author to knowledge.
But the others are important also on equal status because the Result will be meaningless without Method of study.
Pirated works are discovered when the original work is not referred to in the References, for instance.
In a research article every section important methodology ,results and discussion main important conclusion is more important because next problem will start that point so thats why
Research Paper comes out with deep study & with his understanding for which he has planned for his research . With this important of research I have also express my views in this regard about an year back with i submit herewith for your kind perusal
Research for any individual is the resulting time of his thinking phase of his mind for the research in any area for his contemplation & than come out with the outcome of his thinking may subsequently a become part of his action .For this also he requires to keep his mind in his study for the books of expert author so that he may take his thinking phase for his improving stage .
With this he keep in his mind his research paper not for himself only but for the usefulness for which it has been prepared for the interested viewers . In this line involvement of research paper is very wide neat & as such it is very likely that research paper is very important .
The most important part of any researc paper is the first phrase of the second paragraph, usually starting from "but", "however" etc., where you indicate the research gap you intend to close.
As everyone knows that all the parts are quite important, but to start your research, the most important thing is Literature, once you go through it, then next the important thing is obvious your results and methods.
Every section of the paper is important, because it provides guideline to other who in future will follow your methodology, how to compile results and support results. But the most important section i think is materials and methods/protocols.