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How to Write a Research Paper | A Beginner's Guide
A research paper is a piece of academic writing that provides analysis, interpretation, and argument based on in-depth independent research.
Research papers are similar to academic essays , but they are usually longer and more detailed assignments, designed to assess not only your writing skills but also your skills in scholarly research. Writing a research paper requires you to demonstrate a strong knowledge of your topic, engage with a variety of sources, and make an original contribution to the debate.
This step-by-step guide takes you through the entire writing process, from understanding your assignment to proofreading your final draft.
Table of contents
Understand the assignment, choose a research paper topic, conduct preliminary research, develop a thesis statement, create a research paper outline, write a first draft of the research paper, write the introduction, write a compelling body of text, write the conclusion, the second draft, the revision process, research paper checklist, free lecture slides.
Completing a research paper successfully means accomplishing the specific tasks set out for you. Before you start, make sure you thoroughly understanding the assignment task sheet:
- Read it carefully, looking for anything confusing you might need to clarify with your professor.
- Identify the assignment goal, deadline, length specifications, formatting, and submission method.
- Make a bulleted list of the key points, then go back and cross completed items off as you’re writing.
Carefully consider your timeframe and word limit: be realistic, and plan enough time to research, write, and edit.
There are many ways to generate an idea for a research paper, from brainstorming with pen and paper to talking it through with a fellow student or professor.
You can try free writing, which involves taking a broad topic and writing continuously for two or three minutes to identify absolutely anything relevant that could be interesting.
You can also gain inspiration from other research. The discussion or recommendations sections of research papers often include ideas for other specific topics that require further examination.
Once you have a broad subject area, narrow it down to choose a topic that interests you, m eets the criteria of your assignment, and i s possible to research. Aim for ideas that are both original and specific:
- A paper following the chronology of World War II would not be original or specific enough.
- A paper on the experience of Danish citizens living close to the German border during World War II would be specific and could be original enough.
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Note any discussions that seem important to the topic, and try to find an issue that you can focus your paper around. Use a variety of sources , including journals, books, and reliable websites, to ensure you do not miss anything glaring.
Do not only verify the ideas you have in mind, but look for sources that contradict your point of view.
- Is there anything people seem to overlook in the sources you research?
- Are there any heated debates you can address?
- Do you have a unique take on your topic?
- Have there been some recent developments that build on the extant research?
In this stage, you might find it helpful to formulate some research questions to help guide you. To write research questions, try to finish the following sentence: “I want to know how/what/why…”
A thesis statement is a statement of your central argument — it establishes the purpose and position of your paper. If you started with a research question, the thesis statement should answer it. It should also show what evidence and reasoning you’ll use to support that answer.
The thesis statement should be concise, contentious, and coherent. That means it should briefly summarize your argument in a sentence or two, make a claim that requires further evidence or analysis, and make a coherent point that relates to every part of the paper.
You will probably revise and refine the thesis statement as you do more research, but it can serve as a guide throughout the writing process. Every paragraph should aim to support and develop this central claim.
A research paper outline is essentially a list of the key topics, arguments, and evidence you want to include, divided into sections with headings so that you know roughly what the paper will look like before you start writing.
A structure outline can help make the writing process much more efficient, so it’s worth dedicating some time to create one.
Your first draft won’t be perfect — you can polish later on. Your priorities at this stage are as follows:
- Maintaining forward momentum — write now, perfect later.
- Paying attention to clear organization and logical ordering of paragraphs and sentences, which will help when you come to the second draft.
- Expressing your ideas as clearly as possible, so you know what you were trying to say when you come back to the text.
You do not need to start by writing the introduction. Begin where it feels most natural for you — some prefer to finish the most difficult sections first, while others choose to start with the easiest part. If you created an outline, use it as a map while you work.
Do not delete large sections of text. If you begin to dislike something you have written or find it doesn’t quite fit, move it to a different document, but don’t lose it completely — you never know if it might come in useful later.
Paragraph structure
Paragraphs are the basic building blocks of research papers. Each one should focus on a single claim or idea that helps to establish the overall argument or purpose of the paper.
Example paragraph
George Orwell’s 1946 essay “Politics and the English Language” has had an enduring impact on thought about the relationship between politics and language. This impact is particularly obvious in light of the various critical review articles that have recently referenced the essay. For example, consider Mark Falcoff’s 2009 article in The National Review Online, “The Perversion of Language; or, Orwell Revisited,” in which he analyzes several common words (“activist,” “civil-rights leader,” “diversity,” and more). Falcoff’s close analysis of the ambiguity built into political language intentionally mirrors Orwell’s own point-by-point analysis of the political language of his day. Even 63 years after its publication, Orwell’s essay is emulated by contemporary thinkers.
Citing sources
It’s also important to keep track of citations at this stage to avoid accidental plagiarism . Each time you use a source, make sure to take note of where the information came from.
You can use our free citation generators to automatically create citations and save your reference list as you go.
APA Citation Generator MLA Citation Generator
The research paper introduction should address three questions: What, why, and how? After finishing the introduction, the reader should know what the paper is about, why it is worth reading, and how you’ll build your arguments.
What? Be specific about the topic of the paper, introduce the background, and define key terms or concepts.
Why? This is the most important, but also the most difficult, part of the introduction. Try to provide brief answers to the following questions: What new material or insight are you offering? What important issues does your essay help define or answer?
How? To let the reader know what to expect from the rest of the paper, the introduction should include a “map” of what will be discussed, briefly presenting the key elements of the paper in chronological order.
The major struggle faced by most writers is how to organize the information presented in the paper, which is one reason an outline is so useful. However, remember that the outline is only a guide and, when writing, you can be flexible with the order in which the information and arguments are presented.
One way to stay on track is to use your thesis statement and topic sentences . Check:
- topic sentences against the thesis statement;
- topic sentences against each other, for similarities and logical ordering;
- and each sentence against the topic sentence of that paragraph.
Be aware of paragraphs that seem to cover the same things. If two paragraphs discuss something similar, they must approach that topic in different ways. Aim to create smooth transitions between sentences, paragraphs, and sections.
The research paper conclusion is designed to help your reader out of the paper’s argument, giving them a sense of finality.
Trace the course of the paper, emphasizing how it all comes together to prove your thesis statement. Give the paper a sense of finality by making sure the reader understands how you’ve settled the issues raised in the introduction.
You might also discuss the more general consequences of the argument, outline what the paper offers to future students of the topic, and suggest any questions the paper’s argument raises but cannot or does not try to answer.
You should not :
- Offer new arguments or essential information
- Take up any more space than necessary
- Begin with stock phrases that signal you are ending the paper (e.g. “In conclusion”)
There are four main considerations when it comes to the second draft.
- Check how your vision of the paper lines up with the first draft and, more importantly, that your paper still answers the assignment.
- Identify any assumptions that might require (more substantial) justification, keeping your reader’s perspective foremost in mind. Remove these points if you cannot substantiate them further.
- Be open to rearranging your ideas. Check whether any sections feel out of place and whether your ideas could be better organized.
- If you find that old ideas do not fit as well as you anticipated, you should cut them out or condense them. You might also find that new and well-suited ideas occurred to you during the writing of the first draft — now is the time to make them part of the paper.
The goal during the revision and proofreading process is to ensure you have completed all the necessary tasks and that the paper is as well-articulated as possible.
Global concerns
- Confirm that your paper completes every task specified in your assignment sheet.
- Check for logical organization and flow of paragraphs.
- Check paragraphs against the introduction and thesis statement.
Fine-grained details
Check the content of each paragraph, making sure that:
- each sentence helps support the topic sentence.
- no unnecessary or irrelevant information is present.
- all technical terms your audience might not know are identified.
Next, think about sentence structure , grammatical errors, and formatting . Check that you have correctly used transition words and phrases to show the connections between your ideas. Look for typos, cut unnecessary words, and check for consistency in aspects such as heading formatting and spellings .
Finally, you need to make sure your paper is correctly formatted according to the rules of the citation style you are using. For example, you might need to include an MLA heading or create an APA title page .
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Checklist: Research paper
I have followed all instructions in the assignment sheet.
My introduction presents my topic in an engaging way and provides necessary background information.
My introduction presents a clear, focused research problem and/or thesis statement .
My paper is logically organized using paragraphs and (if relevant) section headings .
Each paragraph is clearly focused on one central idea, expressed in a clear topic sentence .
Each paragraph is relevant to my research problem or thesis statement.
I have used appropriate transitions to clarify the connections between sections, paragraphs, and sentences.
My conclusion provides a concise answer to the research question or emphasizes how the thesis has been supported.
My conclusion shows how my research has contributed to knowledge or understanding of my topic.
My conclusion does not present any new points or information essential to my argument.
I have provided an in-text citation every time I refer to ideas or information from a source.
I have included a reference list at the end of my paper, consistently formatted according to a specific citation style .
I have thoroughly revised my paper and addressed any feedback from my professor or supervisor.
I have followed all formatting guidelines (page numbers, headers, spacing, etc.).
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The Ultimate Guide to Writing a Research Paper
Few things strike more fear in academics than the accursed research paper , a term synonymous with long hours and hard work. Luckily there’s a secret to help you get through them. As long as you know how to write a research paper properly, you’ll find they’re not so bad . . . or at least less painful.
In this guide we concisely explain how to write an academic research paper step by step. We’ll cover areas like how to start a research paper, how to write a research paper outline, how to use citations and evidence, and how to write a conclusion for a research paper.
But before we get into the details, let’s take a look at what a research paper is and how it’s different from other writing .
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What is a research paper?
A research paper is a type of academic writing that provides an in-depth analysis, evaluation, or interpretation of a single topic, based on empirical evidence. Research papers are similar to analytical essays, except that research papers emphasize the use of statistical data and preexisting research, along with a strict code for citations.
Research papers are a bedrock of modern science and the most effective way to share information across a wide network. However, most people are familiar with research papers from school; college courses often use them to test a student’s knowledge of a particular area or their research skills in general.
Considering their gravity, research papers favor formal, even bland language that strips the writing of any bias. Researchers state their findings plainly and with corresponding evidence so that other researchers can consequently use the paper in their own research.
Keep in mind that writing a research paper is different from writing a research proposal . Essentially, research proposals are to acquire the funding needed to get the data to write a research paper.
How long should a research paper be?
The length of a research paper depends on the topic or assignment. Typically, research papers run around 4,000–6,000 words, but it’s common to see short papers around 2,000 words or long papers over 10,000 words.
If you’re writing a paper for school, the recommended length should be provided in the assignment. Otherwise, let your topic dictate the length: Complicated topics or extensive research will require more explanation.
How to write a research paper in 9 steps
Below is a step-by-step guide to writing a research paper, catered specifically for students rather than professional researchers. While some steps may not apply to your particular assignment, think of this as more of a general guideline to keep you on track.
1 Understand the assignment
For some of you this goes without saying, but you might be surprised at how many students start a research paper without even reading the assignment guidelines.
So your first step should be to review the assignment and carefully read the writing prompt. Specifically, look for technical requirements such as length , formatting requirements (single- vs. double-spacing, indentations, etc.) and citation style . Also pay attention to the particulars, such as whether or not you need to write an abstract or include a cover page.
Once you understand the assignment, the next steps in how to write a research paper follow the usual writing process , more or less. There are some extra steps involved because research papers have extra rules, but the gist of the writing process is the same.
2 Choose your topic
In open-ended assignments, the student must choose their own topic. While it may seem simple enough, choosing a topic is actually the most important decision you’ll make in writing a research paper, since it determines everything that follows.
Your top priority in how to choose a research paper topic is whether it will provide enough content and substance for an entire research paper. You’ll want to choose a topic with enough data and complexity to enable a rich discussion. However, you also want to avoid general topics and instead stick with topics specific enough that you can cover all the relevant information without cutting too much.
Try not to be robotic about choosing your topic, though; it’s still best to pick something that you’re personally interested in. Ideally, you’ll find a topic that satisfies both requirements, something that provides a suitable amount of content and also keeps you engaged.
3 Gather preliminary research
The sooner you start researching, the better—after all, it’s called a research paper for a reason.
To refine your topic and prepare your thesis statement, find out what research is available for your topic as soon as possible. Early research can help dispel any misconceptions you have about the topic and reveal the best paths and approaches to find more material.
Typically, you can find sources either online or in a library. If you’re searching online, make sure you use credible sources like science journals or academic papers. Some search engines—mentioned below in the Tools and resources section—allow you to browse only accredited sources and academic databases.
Keep in mind the difference between primary and secondary sources as you search. Primary sources are firsthand accounts, like published articles or autobiographies; secondary sources are more removed, like critical reviews or secondhand biographies.
When gathering your research, it’s better to skim sources instead of reading each potential source fully. If a source seems useful, set it aside to give it a full read later. Otherwise, you’ll be stuck poring over sources that you ultimately won’t use, and that time could be better spent finding a worthwhile source.
Sometimes you’re required to submit a literature review , which explains your sources and presents them to an authority for confirmation. Even if no literature review is required, it’s still helpful to compile an early list of potential sources—you’ll be glad you did later.
4 Write a thesis statement
Using what you found in your preliminary research, write a thesis statement that succinctly summarizes what your research paper will be about. This is usually the first sentence in your paper, making it your reader’s introduction to the topic.
A thesis statement is the best answer for how to start a research paper. Aside from preparing your reader, the thesis statement also makes it easier for other researchers to assess whether or not your paper is useful to them for their own research. Likewise, you should read the thesis statements of other research papers to decide how useful they are to you.
A good thesis statement mentions all the important parts of the discussion without disclosing too many of the details. If you’re having trouble putting it into words, try to phrase your topic as a question and then answer it .
For example, if your research paper topic is about separating students with ADHD from other students, you’d first ask yourself, “Does separating students with ADHD improve their learning?” The answer—based on your preliminary research—is a good basis for your thesis statement.
5 Determine supporting evidence
At this stage of how to write an academic research paper, it’s time to knuckle down and do the actual research. Here’s when you go through all the sources you collected earlier and find the specific information you’d like to use in your paper.
Normally, you find your supporting evidence by reading each source and taking notes. Isolate only the information that’s directly relevant to your topic; don’t bog down your paper with tangents or unnecessary context, however interesting they may be. And always write down page numbers , not only for you to find the information later, but also because you’ll need them for your citations.
Aside from highlighting text and writing notes, another common tactic is to use bibliography cards . These are simple index cards with a fact or direct quotation on one side and the bibliographical information (source citation, page numbers, subtopic category) on the other. While bibliography cards are not necessary, some students find them useful for staying organized, especially when it’s time to write an outline.
6 Write a research paper outline
A lot of students want to know how to write a research paper outline. More than informal essays, research papers require a methodical and systematic structure to make sure all issues are addressed, and that makes outlines especially important.
First make a list of all the important categories and subtopics you need to cover—an outline for your outline! Consider all the information you gathered when compiling your supporting evidence and ask yourself what the best way to separate and categorize everything is.
Once you have a list of what you want to talk about, consider the best order to present the information. Which subtopics are related and should go next to each other? Are there any subtopics that don’t make sense if they’re presented out of sequence? If your information is fairly straightforward, feel free to take a chronological approach and present the information in the order it happened.
Because research papers can get complicated, consider breaking your outline into paragraphs. For starters, this helps you stay organized if you have a lot of information to cover. Moreover, it gives you greater control over the flow and direction of the research paper. It’s always better to fix structural problems in the outline phase than later after everything’s already been written.
Don’t forget to include your supporting evidence in the outline as well. Chances are you’ll have a lot you want to include, so putting it in your outline helps prevent some things from falling through the cracks.
7 Write the first draft
Once your outline is finished, it’s time to start actually writing your research paper. This is by far the longest and most involved step, but if you’ve properly prepared your sources and written a thorough outline, everything should run smoothly.
If you don’t know how to write an introduction for a research paper, the beginning can be difficult. That’s why writing your thesis statement beforehand is crucial. Open with your thesis statement and then fill out the rest of your introduction with the secondary information—save the details for the body of your research paper, which comes next.
The body contains the bulk of your research paper. Unlike essays , research papers usually divide the body into sections with separate headers to facilitate browsing and scanning. Use the divisions in your outline as a guide.
Follow along your outline and go paragraph by paragraph. Because this is just the first draft, don’t worry about getting each word perfect . Later you’ll be able to revise and fine-tune your writing, but for now focus simply on saying everything that needs to be said. In other words, it’s OK to make mistakes since you’ll go back later to correct them.
One of the most common problems with writing long works like research papers is connecting paragraphs to each other. The longer your writing is, the harder it is to tie everything together smoothly. Use transition sentences to improve the flow of your paper, especially for the first and last sentences in a paragraph.
Even after the body is written, you still need to know how to write a conclusion for a research paper. Just like an essay conclusion , your research paper conclusion should restate your thesis , reiterate your main evidence , and summarize your findings in a way that’s easy to understand.
Don’t add any new information in your conclusion, but feel free to say your own personal perspective or interpretation if it helps the reader understand the big picture.
8 Cite your sources correctly
Citations are part of what sets research papers apart from more casual nonfiction like personal essays . Citing your sources both validates your data and also links your research paper to the greater scientific community. Because of their importance, citations must follow precise formatting rules . . . problem is, there’s more than one set of rules!
You need to check with the assignment to see which formatting style is required. Typically, academic research papers follow one of two formatting styles for citing sources:
- MLA (Modern Language Association)
- APA (American Psychological Association)
The links above explain the specific formatting guidelines for each style, along with an automatic citation generator to help you get started.
In addition to MLA and APA styles, you occasionally see requirements for CMOS (The Chicago Manual of Style), AMA (American Medical Association) and IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers).
Citations may seem confusing at first with all their rules and specific information. However, once you get the hang of them, you’ll be able to properly cite your sources without even thinking about it. Keep in mind that each formatting style has specific guidelines for citing just about any kind of source, including photos , websites , speeches , and YouTube videos .
9 Edit and proofread
Last but not least, you want to go through your research paper to correct all the mistakes by proofreading . We recommend going over it twice: once for structural issues such as adding/deleting parts or rearranging paragraphs and once for word choice, grammatical, and spelling mistakes. Doing two different editing sessions helps you focus on one area at a time instead of doing them both at once.
To help you catch everything, here’s a quick checklist to keep in mind while you edit:
Structural edit:
- Is your thesis statement clear and concise?
- Is your paper well-organized, and does it flow from beginning to end with logical transitions?
- Do your ideas follow a logical sequence in each paragraph?
- Have you used concrete details and facts and avoided generalizations?
- Do your arguments support and prove your thesis?
- Have you avoided repetition?
- Are your sources properly cited?
- Have you checked for accidental plagiarism?
Word choice, grammar, and spelling edit:
- Is your language clear and specific?
- Do your sentences flow smoothly and clearly?
- Have you avoided filler words and phrases ?
- Have you checked for proper grammar, spelling, and punctuation?
Some people find it useful to read their paper out loud to catch problems they might miss when reading in their head. Another solution is to have someone else read your paper and point out areas for improvement and/or technical mistakes.
Revising is a separate skill from writing, and being good at one doesn’t necessarily make you good at the other. If you want to improve your revision skills, read our guide on self-editing , which includes a more complete checklist and advanced tips on improving your revisions.
Technical issues like grammatical mistakes and misspelled words can be handled effortlessly if you use a spellchecker with your word processor, or even better, a digital writing assistant that also suggests improvements for word choice and tone, like Grammarly (we explain more in the Tools and resources section below).
Tools and resources
If you want to know more about how to write a research paper, or if you want some help with each step, take a look at the tools and resources below.
Google Scholar
This is Google’s own search engine, which is dedicated exclusively to academic papers. It’s a great way to find new research and sources. Plus, it’s free to use.
Zotero is a freemium, open-source research manager, a cross between an organizational CMS and a search engine for academic research. With it, you can browse the internet for research sources relevant to your topic and share them easily with colleagues. Also, it automatically generates citations.
FocusWriter
Writing long research papers is always a strain on your attention span. If you have trouble avoiding distractions during those long stretches, FocusWriter might be able to help. FocusWriter is a minimalist word processor that removes all the distracting icons and sticks only to what you type. You’re also free to choose your own customized backgrounds, with other special features like timed alarms, daily goals, and optional typewriter sound effects.
Google Charts
This useful and free tool from Google lets you create simple charts and graphs based on whatever data you input. Charts and graphs are excellent visual aids for expressing numeric data, a perfect complement if you need to explain complicated evidential research.
Grammarly goes way beyond grammar, helping you hone word choice, checking your text for plagiarism, detecting your tone, and more. For foreign-language learners, it can make your English sound more fluent, and even those who speak English as their primary language benefit from Grammarly’s suggestions.
Research paper FAQs
A research paper is a piece of academic writing that analyzes, evaluates, or interprets a single topic with empirical evidence and statistical data.
When will I need to write a research paper in college?
Many college courses use research papers to test a student’s knowledge of a particular topic or their research skills in general. While research papers depend on the course or professor, you can expect to write at least a few before graduation.
How do I determine a topic for my research paper?
If the topic is not assigned, try to find a topic that’s general enough to provide ample evidence but specific enough that you’re able to cover all the basics. If possible, choose a topic you’re personally interested in—it makes the work easier.
Where can I conduct research for my paper?
Today most research is conducted either online or in libraries. Some topics might benefit from old periodicals like newspapers or magazines, as well as visual media like documentaries. Museums, parks, and historical monuments can also be useful.
How do I cite sources for a research paper?
The correct formatting for citations depends on which style you’re using, so check the assignment guidelines. Most school research reports use either MLA or APA styles, although there are others.
This article was originally written by Karen Hertzberg in 2017. It’s been updated to include new information.
How to Write a Research Paper Step by Step
A research paper is one of the most complex tasks assigned to students. It requires a good set of writing skills, excellent research skills, time, and concentration to get right.
Often, working on such assignments, students feel helpless and stuck. Luckily, you don’t have to feel this way, and you won’t, if you use the following guide from our paper writer service .
What Is a Research Paper and How does It Differ from a Research Proposal?
A research paper is based heavily on in-depth research and analysis. It is used to evaluate a student’s research skills, as well as the ability to document information and provide original, useful insights on the research matter. The primary purpose of a research paper is to express your view on the research you found throughout the research process.
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How is a research paper different from a research proposal, you may ask? Students often confuse these two terms, though they are very different. A research proposal is a concise description of your motivation and objectives for a specific topic. It explains why you decided to research a particular matter, and what you want to achieve. It also highlights how your research can contribute to an expansion in its relevant area, and, finally, gives a brief description of how you plan to conduct this research.
A research paper, on the contrary, is a detailed paper that describes your research. It is much longer than a research proposal. Unlike a proposal, it also includes a detailed description of the results of your research.
Compared to a regular essay, writing a research paper requires thinking outside of the box, being open to experiments, and analyzing the results. Here are some of the key features that define a research paper:
- A research paper is usually longer than other written assignments;
- The paper is based on extensive research of a particular problem;
- Your insights should be based on your experiments and thoughts, but you are allowed to use references from literature as well;
- Usually, a writer is supposed to find some novel solution or approach throughout the research process;
- Support the information with evidence (like your experimental studies, samples, and documents). Use these features as a reference point when writing your research paper.
How to Start a Research Paper
When you are assigned to write a research paper, it’s naive to believe that you can immediately begin to start writing. Before you can get started, you need to undertake a few preparatory steps.
You need to get familiar with the assignment in the first place, to ensure that you have a clear idea of what is expected from you. Many students underestimate the importance of this step. Read the instructions carefully, to understand what exactly your professor asks you to do. Also, don’t hesitate to ask for any clarification if necessary. This will help to ensure that you are on the right track!
The next vital step to take is choosing a topic, because your whole research, as well as the scope of work and your results, will depend heavily upon it.
Why the Topic Choice Is Vital
If you pick a topic you are not interested in, you will probably have a hard time finding the motivation for writing your paper. Besides, the enthusiasm and effort you put into your research will often reflect upon the quality of your paper—so, it can influence your grade as well. If a topic is too broad, it can be hard to manage. It is always easier to study and analyze a narrower topic.
The most common topics are relevant social, political, cultural or technological issues. If you want to see more of those, we have a separate research paper topics post.
Finally, the complexity of the chosen subject also matters. It is important to make sure that you have enough knowledge and skills to manage it. Otherwise, you may get stuck and begin to feel unable to complete the assignment.
As you can see, the topic you choose does have a direct impact on your research. Here are a few tips to make the right decision:
- Pick a topic that you are genuinely interested in;
- Narrow down the chosen subject;
- Pick a subject that you can manage;
- Make sure that there are enough resources (information) to work with on that specific topic.
Also, to broaden your horizons, we recommend reading the article on persuasive essay topics .
Research Process
When you have a clear understanding of your assignment and have a great topic in mind, it is the right time to start researching your subject. As a rule, the research process can be divided into several stages:
Get Familiar with Your Topic
Before you can shape your own opinion on a specific topic, you have to study it thoroughly. A good tip to simplify your research is to use general sources like Wikipedia to get your research going. Yes, you won’t be able to use any information from there for your references—as wikipedia is not a credible source. However, it can give you a good starting point and help drive your research further.
Select Sources
To succeed, you will need to find enough material for your work. At this stage it is vital to distinguish different types of sources to find valid information you can rely on. There are two main types of sources:
- Primary Sources – statistical data, interviews, surveys, and historical and legal documents;
- Secondary Sources – books, articles, etc.
It is better to focus on finding as many valid primary sources as possible. A great starting point for this would be your school’s library, and official government websites. Also, you can use academic journals like Google Scholar to your benefit. Just like a library, academic journals will also help you to find reliable primary sources.
Skim and Narrow Down Your List of Sources
As you delve deeper into your research, you will come across a large number of sources and information. It is barely possible to read everything related to your subject in-full. That’s why you should get comfortable with skimming through information, and learn to identify key ideas quickly. After skimming through the sources you have, you can determine which of them are most useful and focus on them.
Document Information
As you research the topic, it is vital to keep track of all the information you find. Some of the best ways to do this are by using Bibliography cards or Note cards.
1. Bibliography Cards
Bibliography cards can help you keep track of your sources. Write your source on them, in MLA format, and number them for reference. Put source numbers on your note cards, so you know which source every note is from.
2. Note Cards
Note Cards can help you keep track of information from your sources. Take a note card and write down relevant information on the front, with the source number on the back. This will help you with organizing your facts and writing your paper later.
Organize Your Research
Finally, you have to group your sources and organize them. One of the best ways to do this is to order them from most to least critical. Also, you can organize sources based on the order of your arguments.
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Writing your Research Paper Outline and Thesis
First of all, you have to form a thesis. A thesis is a brief statement that the researcher puts forward for the readers to describe what the paper will be about. It should emphasize what you are going to prove or explain in your research paper.
To form a clear and relevant thesis, ask yourself: what is my paper about? The answer to this question is exactly what your thesis statement should be.
For example, this is how your answer might sound:
“My paper is about the reasons that pushed both the North, and South, to fight in the Civil War.”
This sentence reveals the main topic of your paper. However, if you make it your thesis statement just as it is, it will be weak, which in turn, will influence your grade. Therefore, you should only consider your answer as a starting point, and then evolve it to make a powerful, definitive statement. A good example of a thesis statement based on the topic mentioned above would be:
“While both sides fought the Civil War over the issue of slavery, the North fought for moral reasons, while the South fought to preserve its own institutions.”
As you can see, a good thesis should be impersonal, definitive, clear, and straight to the point. Also, it should be arguable – meaning that someone could disagree with it. This is the formula for a strong statement. Once you think you have formed a good thesis, don’t hesitate to check in with your professor to get feedback.
Now, let’s move on to the next stage. Writing an outline is what will help you begin to build your research paper and ensure a logical flow of ideas. In a nutshell, the key purpose of an outline is to structure your paper. It should include a detailed plan for each section of your paper. If done right, it will help you to:
- Understand the flow of information and how your ideas are related;
- Organize your thoughts in a logical sequence;
- Ensure that you won’t miss anything while writing.
Here is a good example of how a research paper outline should look:
Topic: Measles and the vaccination debate
I. INTRODUCTION
- Definition of measles
- Rise in cases of recent years in places the disease was previously eliminated or had very low rates of infection
- Figures — the number of cases per year on average, and number in recent years. Relate to immunization
II. DANGERS OF MEASLES
- Symptoms and timeframes of disease
- Risk of fatality, including statistics
- How measles is spread
III. PREVENTATIVE MEASURES AND RECENT DOUBTS
- Immunization procedures in different regions
- The immunization debate, addressing two sides: why immunization is recommended and why groups are questioning its validity
- Different regions, focusing on the arguments from those against immunization
IV. SPECIFIC CASES OF NOTE RELATED TO IMMUNISATION DEBATE
- Outbreaks in USA, Australia, and Thailand
- Immunization figures in affected regions
- High number of cases in non-immunizing regions
V. MEASLES AND OTHER DISEASES
- Dangers presented by measles and its link to other diseases
- Illnesses that can result from the measles virus
- Fatal cases of other illnesses after patients contract measles
VI. CONCLUSION
- Summary of arguments of different groups
- Summary of figures and relationship with recent immunization debate
- Concluding statement based on data gathered
- Which side of the argument appears to be correct?
Writing Process
Finally, you can move on to writing your research paper. An approximate structure for your paper should look as follows:
- Abstract and Keywords
- Introduction
- Previous related works (not mandatory)
- Detailed section of the main topic
- Methodology
- Experimental Results
While writing, it makes sense to form your paper in the same sequence, gradually moving from the abstract all the way to your conclusion section. That’s when following your outline should come in handy. By now, you should already have a detailed plan, so all that is left to do is to add more words to it and fill in the information.
As a rule, in the course of writing, you may face certain pitfalls. One of the most common ones is getting stuck on a specific section, trying to formulate your thoughts appropriately. Here is a tip: at this stage, there is no need to worry about the flawless grammar and word choices. After all, now, you are just writing your first draft. Later, you will have enough time to polish your text and bring it to perfection.
Proofreading and Editing
Many students don’t realize the importance of proofreading and editing. They believe that once they finish writing their research paper, it is all set and ready to be submitted. However, that’s the wrong approach. These two steps are vital for ensuring the overall success of your paper. Thus, they should not be neglected.
One of the most effective methods of proofreading is the following idea. As a rule of thumb, the idea is to re-read your draft every few days to see if it reads naturally. This way, you will have a few days to distract yourself and pull back from the content of your research to look at it with a fresh perspective later on. Consequently, you should be able to notice flaws that were previously invisible to you.
Another good idea is to ask your parents or peers to proofread your paper as well. It never hurts to hear an opinion of someone who wasn’t directly involved in the research paper. Ask them if the paper is exciting and straightforward. Then, use their feedback to polish your paper.
It is recommended to create your first draft as early as possible—yet, not to rush the process. Proofreading and editing can take a lot of time, so you should ensure that you have enough time to do everything before the deadline.
What should you pay attention to when proofreading? The most obvious purpose of this step is to identify any grammatical mistakes in the text. However, there is much more to it than there seems. When proofreading your work, it is vital to check the logical flow of ideas and structure. Readability also matters. You should make sure that your thoughts are presented in a simple and understandable language. Finally, you need to check compliance with the given instructions, analyze the coherence and in-depth examinations in body paragraphs, and ensure that you have a valid conclusion.
To make proofreading and editing a bit faster and easier, you can use tools like Grammarly, Hemingway Editor, etc. Such tools can come in handy when checking the grammar, structure, style of writing, clarity, and prevalence of plagiarism. These tools can speed up the whole process significantly. However, do not rely on such tools completely. After all, a computer is not always as accurate as a real proofreader.
Need a second pair of eyes or someone to write an essay? Leave us a message ' write my research paper for me '.
Research Paper Examples
It can seem quite hard to write a research paper that deserves a good grade. As you will be gradually moving from one section of a paper to another, you will probably come across numerous questions and pitfalls. Overcoming these challenges can be uneasy, especially if this is the first time you are dealing with this type of task. That is why it is always a great idea to keep a high-quality example of a research paper at hand. Below are a few examples of how a top-notch research paper should look. Study the examples to have an idea of how to write yours:
Business ethics refer to the principles that guide the way businesses are carried out. They basically imply the distinction between right and wrong in conducting business (Shaw 2). This, however, begs the question of what can be considered wrong, and what might be the right, ways of doing business. To this effect, business ethics refer to the accepted code of conduct employed by the company, to all, and any, concerned stakeholders.
Recently, youth gang connected attacks have been occurring in an increasing prevalence, with some even causing deaths, such as the killing of a college student at Suburbs East. Such occurrences have made a lot of people to wonder about the origin of those violent actions, with much of the extent of guilt being put on the parents of such adolescents. In any event, one has to question whether the parents should be penalized for the offenses of their kids.
If you have a sociology research paper to write, we recommend that you read the article on ASA format .
Final Checklist
You have finally finished working on your research paper, what’s next? Now, the last thing you should do is to double-check everything to ensure that your paper is ready to be turned in. Our checklist should help you with this:
- Does it meet all the given requirements and instructions?
- Does your paper stick to the chosen topic and disclose it fully?
- Have you chosen credible, logical, and reliable sources of information?
- Is your thesis strong, clear, and arguable?
- Are the sections of your paper (as well as ideas you presented there) well-organized and easy to understand?
- Is your research paper unique?
- Did you proofread and edit your paper?
- Is it formatted properly?
- Are you ready to turn it in?
Reach out for our essay editor service if you want to completely edit or make any edits to the essay.
How to Get a Qualified Writing Help
Studying the chosen topic, selecting sources, organizing information, and writing your research paper can be a real challenge. Hopefully, our guide will help you write a top-notch research paper. However, if you are facing any issues with writing your research paper or need any kind of help, don’t hesitate to buy an essay at EssayPro, our experienced writers will do their best to ensure your academic success.
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What is a Research Paper?
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"Research paper." What image comes into mind as you hear those words: working with stacks of articles and books, hunting the "treasure" of others' thoughts? Whatever image you create, it's a sure bet that you're envisioning sources of information--articles, books, people, artworks. Yet a research paper is more than the sum of your sources, more than a collection of different pieces of information about a topic, and more than a review of the literature in a field. A research paper analyzes a perspective argues a point . Regardless of the type of research paper you are writing, your finished research paper should present your own thinking backed up by others' ideas and information.
To draw a parallel, a lawyer researches and reads about many cases and uses them to support his or her own case. A scientist reads many case studies to support an idea about a scientific principle. In the same way, a history student writing about the Vietnam War might read newspaper articles and books and interview veterans to develop and/or confirm a viewpoint and support it with evidence.
A research paper is an expanded essay that presents your own interpretation or evaluation or argument. When you write an essay, you use everything that you personally know and have thought about a subject. When you write a research paper you build upon what you know about the subject and make a deliberate attempt to find out what experts know. A research paper involves surveying a field of knowledge in order to find the best possible information in that field. And that survey can be orderly and focused, if you know how to approach it. Don't worry--you won't get lost in a sea of sources.
In fact, this guide is designed to help you navigate the research voyage, through developing a research question and thesis, doing the research, writing the paper, and correctly documenting your sources.
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Don't forget: if you would like assistance with this or any other type of writing assignment, learning coaches are available to assist you. Please contact Academic Support by emailing [email protected] .
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Purdue Online Writing Lab College of Liberal Arts
Writing a Research Paper
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The pages in this section provide detailed information about how to write research papers including discussing research papers as a genre, choosing topics, and finding sources.
The Research Paper
There will come a time in most students' careers when they are assigned a research paper. Such an assignment often creates a great deal of unneeded anxiety in the student, which may result in procrastination and a feeling of confusion and inadequacy. This anxiety frequently stems from the fact that many students are unfamiliar and inexperienced with this genre of writing. Never fear—inexperience and unfamiliarity are situations you can change through practice! Writing a research paper is an essential aspect of academics and should not be avoided on account of one's anxiety. In fact, the process of writing a research paper can be one of the more rewarding experiences one may encounter in academics. What is more, many students will continue to do research throughout their careers, which is one of the reasons this topic is so important.
Becoming an experienced researcher and writer in any field or discipline takes a great deal of practice. There are few individuals for whom this process comes naturally. Remember, even the most seasoned academic veterans have had to learn how to write a research paper at some point in their career. Therefore, with diligence, organization, practice, a willingness to learn (and to make mistakes!), and, perhaps most important of all, patience, students will find that they can achieve great things through their research and writing.
The pages in this section cover the following topic areas related to the process of writing a research paper:
- Genre - This section will provide an overview for understanding the difference between an analytical and argumentative research paper.
- Choosing a Topic - This section will guide the student through the process of choosing topics, whether the topic be one that is assigned or one that the student chooses themselves.
- Identifying an Audience - This section will help the student understand the often times confusing topic of audience by offering some basic guidelines for the process.
- Where Do I Begin - This section concludes the handout by offering several links to resources at Purdue, and also provides an overview of the final stages of writing a research paper.
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Learn about the Difference Between Research Paper and Essay
Updated 13 Oct 2022
The purpose of this guide is to help you understand the difference between essay and research paper writing tasks as you encounter them. We shall study the features, see relevant academic definitions, and analyze the key elements that help set them apart. Learning about the differences and similarities, we shall identify the elements required for an essay or research paper. If you require academic writing help and the finest customer service, then the best writing service is a great option for you.
What is an Essay?
When you are a high school learner or a college student, the chances are high that you will encounter both essay writing and conducting your first research paper. That's when you start to think about who can help me write my college essay . The majority of essays that students encounter often have a creative element to them and require the presence of good writing skills. It's a reason why these are often seen as an easier task since research papers require a synthesis of available information and, as the title implies, researching.
Starting with the small essays that you encounter in school to persuasive college writing to help your readers choose a certain point, an essay can be defined as a piece of academic writing where the writer's opinion is presented with the use of at least three pieces of evidence to support these thoughts. They are not as complex as research writing and are usually only up to five paragraphs in length.
Speaking of the key research paper vs essay elements that help to set an essay apart from other types of writing, these are the rules to remember:
- An essay is usually a piece of writing that is up to 1,000 words or shorter.
- Writing an essay usually relates to a particular subject or so-called 'essay prompt'.
- In certain cases, essays are written as a response to a proposition or a question set by the college professor.
- Essays are not complex in terms of headings and sub-headings, which are typical for research papers.
- Essays, however, do require the use of quotes and references for anything that is not your personal opinion.
- The use of a subjective tone is often met for this type of writing.
- The purpose is to analyze and criticize the given topic.
- The use of photographs and multimedia elements is not that frequent in essay writing.
In most cases, an essay’s structure will contain an introduction with a thesis statement, three body paragraphs, and a conclusion part where an author has a right to write one’s thoughts down as a reflection, analysis, or a part of the creative writing task. Unlike a typical research paper where a methodology and samples data must be used, essays do not require these elements. At the same time, writing such a type of paper has its own specifics, and using essay editing services can be your advantage.
What is a Research Paper?
Although it is technically an essay, it has a different purpose and structure when compared to classic essay writing. It's necessary to include information and synthesis based on specific data by turning to external sources that may include books on the topic, scientific articles, interviews, web sources, and first-hand surveys. Exploring the difference between research paper and essay, remember that the main purpose here is to bring a selection of the different academic views on a subject by turning to facts and concepts as you also interpret information to create an accessible, readable framework.
The research paper should always contain the following elements that are not typical for general essay writing:
- Every research paper contains a methodology, which can be either qualitative or quantitative. In certain cases, it can be a mixture of both, depending on your subject.
- There is a conceptual framework with the implementation of a school of thought, theoretical, or model-based writing.
- An introduction part will implement at least one research question.
- A literature review must be included to explain what kind of information you have used.
- Your methods and objectives must be set clear.
- It's necessary to include the results of your findings by talking about what aspects have been achieved and what has proved helpful for your take on things.
- The conclusion part also contains the author's discussion of the outcomes and a list of possible recommendations.
- Unlike an essay, research papers talk about limitations that have been encountered during the process of writing and researching.
- Research papers set the problem and provide certain solutions or assumptions that may be helpful as you address a particular issue or an event.
- The presence of good sources is essential for a successful outcome of any academic research.
In addition, research papers also use references, endnotes and footnotes, appendices for those large chunks of information, acknowledgments, and the author's short biography paragraph for some Master's or Ph.D. works. As a rule, such research papers are quite lengthy and can take up to fifty pages or even more. Since almost every research paper these days is composed independently, it usually sounds challenging for college students when it only requires a different approach and more time to get things done right.
The Key Differences Between Essay and Research Paper
Let’s sum up the key aspects as we explore the difference between essay and paper meant for research. The table below compares things and points out the major differences that will help you understand the purpose of each academic paper type:
- What is the most important difference between a research paper and a simple essay?
Comparing research paper vs essay, the most important difference is the use of a strict methodology and research objectives that no research paper can get through without. An essay can be a personal reflection with no sources per se, yet every research paper should explain a problem and set the methods that help to address and, possibly, solve it efficiently.
Exploring the Similarities
It's only natural to find it hard to differentiate an essay and a research paper, especially if you plan to do some research in either case. So why things are so challenging then? The truth is that both research papers and essays will require the following with a subsequent study of the given grading rubric and will have at least three points that must not be altered in any way. These are:
- Organizational structure . Both types of papers will have an introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion part. While there are certain differences when you are planning to conduct research, there are certain similarities as you have to introduce your subject correctly.
- The presence of a strong thesis statement that poses an opinion, an argument, or an assumption . This part will always remain relevant as your task is to provide a thesis that will be supported by the facts, real-life events, or statistical data. While it may not be obligatory for an essay, the inclusion of this part will help your essay paper sound even more confident.
- At least basic research is still required! This is where things can easily get confusing, yet the major point is the use of external information. While you may get by with an essay by just checking things, starting with a research paper, you must provide more sources to show that you are researching, not just touching upon the subject in a superficial way!
The other essay vs paper research similarities that you will find helpful include the use of a clear and concise formatting system where your grammar skills must be used to deliver the information. Turning to references and summary in the conclusion is another point that makes research paper writing similar to most essay types that are encountered these days. For example, as you learn how to write an autobiography essay , you may not use any external sources or references, which instantly sets it apart. Still, you may have to use additional statistical data or references, which can make it challenging while still remaining a type of an essay, not a research paper!
If you are still confused about the difference between essay and research paper tasks, the general rule is to look into the structure of the homework paper that you have to complete. When you see the words like “ Literature review ”, “ Methodology ” and “ Samples ” in the structural part of your grading rubric and the length goes beyond 1,500 words, it’s most likely a research paper you are dealing with!
Get Your Academic Writing Under Control
As you are striving for the best grades, the most important is to choose your essay or research paper title correctly as it will help you to narrow things down and keep focused on your subject or research problem. Those students that take their time to explore and check things twice always win as they are able to keep their writing structured throughout by wasting no minute of their precious time! Remember to take notes, write down the list of helpful sources, and always check your grading rubric twice to ensure that you address every important point as you write!
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How to Write a Research Paper
When it comes to writing such a work, many students find it hard to even start working on it. But why? Why are research papers so scary to students? Well, the answer is that this type of assignment is much more complicated than a regular high school or college essay, as it implies taking many steps.
A research paper is a widespread type of academic work that many students of various specializations have to do throughout their academic years. The name of the assignment speaks for itself, as the research performed based upon the work of other authors, scientific experiments, or academic examples is the main component of such a work.
In many colleges, such papers are an essential part of the study process. As almost every college student will have to perform such work at least once, it's crucial to know what steps one should take and what elements to work on.
The main challenges that a student might face when starting a research paper might be:
- To find an excellent idea
- To adjust the topic if needed (if the topic is too narrow or too broad to find the proper number of sources and the right information)
- To find and analyze primary and secondary sources
- To organize collected data
- To write and edit the work
These are not the easiest tasks. However, the following guide will help you get through each of them without struggling.
As you probably know, there are a lot of various types of essays that students perform in high school and college. Research papers also vary in forms and purposes. Let's take a look at the most common research papers and their specifics.
There are two major types of such works:
Argumentative/Persuasive research paper – a project which must exhibit the author's position on some debatable topic and provide evidence to support the suggestions and claims. The majority of topics for such a type of paper are phrased in the form of a question with two or more possible (and usually polar) positions the author should pick to base their research on.
Analytical research paper – the main aim is to analyze various facts, points of view, and evidence from different sources to make a personal conclusion. Analytical papers can be written on almost any topic if there is enough information to collect.
Other types:
Definition – describes facts and evidence solely for informative purposes. It doesn't imply analyzing information or expressing opinions.
Cause and effect – its purpose is to analyze a topic and provide answers to the questions “What?” and “Why?” While working on such a paper, it's important to find the relationship between actions and results.
Experimental – aims to perform an experiment (or take an experiment performed by someone else) and analyze the experience, findings, and observations to come up with a conclusion about the nature of the phenomena or its possible impact.
Interpretive – an assignment that implies putting theoretical knowledge into a particular case study providing author's interpretation and critical analysis.
Compare and contrast – a paper based on the analysis of (usually) two objects of the study side by side to find their similarities and differences. For example, you might need to compare two authors or two ideologies to find what their touching points are.
Reports – are based on a specific case study. Their purpose is to provide a summary of the situation, its main issues, and recommendations. Such papers are usually assigned in sociology classes.
Steps of Writing
Every research paper is unique, and the process of its creation varies depending on the topic of the study. However, there is also a general plan which consists of five steps.
Step 1 – Preparation
Every paper begins with defining the topic and the main points that the author is going to cover in the work. This is the step when you have to decide what problem or question you will address in your work and conduct research on it.
Pick the Topic
Make sure to pick a topic that is not too narrow or too broad as it will be difficult for you to find the needed information for your study.
A few research paper topic examples:
- Ethical dilemmas of cosmetic surgeries
- The influence of the body positivity movement on the obesity problem
- Should schools prevent and punish cyber-bullying?
- Should the government legalize marijuana?
- Pros and cons of using pesticides
- The wage gap in the 21st century
- How did technological races change the world?
- The influence of the Black Plague on the economics of Europian countries.
- Microchips: should they be used on people?
- How does social media influence social anxiety?
- Should it be harder to get a divorce?
- The influence of video games on the crime level
Draft Your Thesis Statement
You might draft it now or put it aside until you find more information on your topic – it doesn't really matter. Remember that a good thesis statement sums up your idea into one or two sentences. This is the core – the statement that is supported by the whole study. Everything in your work should agree with your point and provide evidence for it.
“Though the Cold War was a period of conflict and tension, it made dramatic changes in the fields of technology and science such as space mission launches, the invention of the Internet, and the development of nuclear technology.”
Step 2 – Conduct Your Research
Once you decide what topic you want to cover in your study, you can start collecting and analyzing data from various sources. This process takes a lot of time due to tons of information that you should look through and decide if it makes a good fit for your research paper. There are also some general tips that might come in handy:
- Make sure you take information from reliable sources only. There is nothing worse than putting doubtful data into your research, as it will affect your result and will cause questions from your professor. So, make sure to look up the sources of data you are using – academic journals from scholarly databases (JSTOR and EBSCO), books from your library or Google Books, government publications, websites recommended by your learning institution, etc.
- Always write down the source, page number, and the author of the quotes while you are taking notes – this way, you won't have to go back and look for where you took that fact from.
- Eliminate the sources that repeat information – don't waste your time.
When you search for information on your topic, it's crucial to write down everything you find relevant and useful. It might look like a mess at first, but you can organize it later and bring all the pieces together.
Step 3 – Create an Outline
The outline is an important part of any paper. It helps you structure it and makes sure you don't forget anything important to mention. Moreover, by creating an outline (even a rough one) and writing down the main points that you will cover in each part of your paper, you will see if you have enough evidence to prove your point.
A typical research paper consists of the following parts:
Title/Cover Page
The title is the first thing that a reader of your piece sees, and its main purpose is to specify the object of the study and provide other useful information about the author and the research such as, for example, year of submission, co-authors, and the learning institution.
The abstract is a quick explanation of your work that includes information about:
- The specific problem your piece is addressing
- The methods and materials you are using
- The main findings or results of your study
- The conclusion (suggesting ways to solve the problem, stating possible importance of your study, etc.)
Remember, the abstract should be brief and informative. This is not the place for various visuals and detailed explanations or discussions.
Introduction
This is the part that introduces the broader topic, the background of the study, and then narrows it down to the specific object, question, or problem that is addressed in the work. It also describes the purpose of the research and its aims.
The Main Body
The largest part of your work is the main body. It is the chapter where you provide the arguments and evidence that support your thesis statement. Depending on the requirements of your learning institution, the structure of the main body might vary. Generally, the main body consists of the following parts:
- Materials/Literature review – the analysis of previous works, theories, and relevant experiments.
- Methodology – a detailed explanation of what exact steps you took. This is for a reader to be able to replicate your study if needed.
- Results – key findings of the research.
- Discussion – addresses your interpretation of the findings and their importance, and possibly a recommendation for further research.
The conclusion is an essential part of any paper as it summarizes all the work and restates the thesis statement. It also provides a synthesis of the key points and arguments presented through your work.
References/Bibliography
This part lists all the works that you are using in the process of creating your research paper. Depending on the formatting style of your paper, it might be formed differently.
Step 4 – Draft Your Paper
Start with organizing all your resources and notes. This will give you direction and a starting point for your draft. If you find starting with an introduction a bit hard (which is not rare), you can start with the body paragraphs.
When getting to the part where you present your arguments and evidence, start with the strongest one, and then go through the less important or weaker arguments. Remember that each paragraph should follow the common pattern:
- Topic sentence that gives an understanding of the content of the paragraph.
- A supportive sentence. This is the part where you should provide evidence and the explanation of why it is relevant and how it fits your thesis.
- A conclusive and a transition sentence.
Sticking to this structure of your paragraphs helps you make your paper easy to read and keep the logical flow without repeating yourself or jumping from one fact to another without proper analysis.
Step 5 — Revise and Edit Your Draft
Reread your draft carefully. You might have to do this a few times because while revising you need to:
- Check if there are any content or grammar errors.
- Check if the facts and quotes are correct.
- Check the cited sources.
Sometimes the revision might show that you weren't clear enough in your arguments or didn't word them properly. In this case, you will need to fix these mistakes and reword the sentences that aren't strong enough.
If you are not sure about your spelling or punctuation, use grammar checks such as Grammarly that will bring attention to misspelled words or missing commas. However, a professional team of experts can do much more for your piece by editing and polishing it or even writing a research paper from scratch.
Step 6 – Finish and Submit Your Work
After editing, it's good to reread your paper one more time and make sure everything is flawless. If you have some time before the deadline, you can put your work aside and come back to it a few hours later – fresh eyes are very useful when critically looking through your work.
Make sure you fulfill the requirements regarding word count and formatting, print your paper, or submit it via email. These were the best tips on research paper writing for you. Good luck with your assignment.
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Writing a Research Paper
This page lists some of the stages involved in writing a library-based research paper.
Although this list suggests that there is a simple, linear process to writing such a paper, the actual process of writing a research paper is often a messy and recursive one, so please use this outline as a flexible guide.
Discovering, Narrowing, and Focusing a Researchable Topic
- Try to find a topic that truly interests you
- Try writing your way to a topic
- Talk with your course instructor and classmates about your topic
- Pose your topic as a question to be answered or a problem to be solved
Finding, Selecting, and Reading Sources
You will need to look at the following types of sources:
- library catalog, periodical indexes, bibliographies, suggestions from your instructor
- primary vs. secondary sources
- journals, books, other documents
Grouping, Sequencing, and Documenting Information
The following systems will help keep you organized:
- a system for noting sources on bibliography cards
- a system for organizing material according to its relative importance
- a system for taking notes
Writing an Outline and a Prospectus for Yourself
Consider the following questions:
- What is the topic?
- Why is it significant?
- What background material is relevant?
- What is my thesis or purpose statement?
- What organizational plan will best support my purpose?
Writing the Introduction
In the introduction you will need to do the following things:
- present relevant background or contextual material
- define terms or concepts when necessary
- explain the focus of the paper and your specific purpose
- reveal your plan of organization
Writing the Body
- Use your outline and prospectus as flexible guides
- Build your essay around points you want to make (i.e., don’t let your sources organize your paper)
- Integrate your sources into your discussion
- Summarize, analyze, explain, and evaluate published work rather than merely reporting it
- Move up and down the “ladder of abstraction” from generalization to varying levels of detail back to generalization
Writing the Conclusion
- If the argument or point of your paper is complex, you may need to summarize the argument for your reader.
- If prior to your conclusion you have not yet explained the significance of your findings or if you are proceeding inductively, use the end of your paper to add your points up, to explain their significance.
- Move from a detailed to a general level of consideration that returns the topic to the context provided by the introduction.
- Perhaps suggest what about this topic needs further research.
Revising the Final Draft
- Check overall organization : logical flow of introduction, coherence and depth of discussion in body, effectiveness of conclusion.
- Paragraph level concerns : topic sentences, sequence of ideas within paragraphs, use of details to support generalizations, summary sentences where necessary, use of transitions within and between paragraphs.
- Sentence level concerns: sentence structure, word choices, punctuation, spelling.
- Documentation: consistent use of one system, citation of all material not considered common knowledge, appropriate use of endnotes or footnotes, accuracy of list of works cited.
Academic and Professional Writing
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Creating Poster Presentations
Writing an Abstract for Your Research Paper
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Difference Between Research Paper and Essay
07 Feb 2022
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What is an essay, what is a research paper, essay vs research paper: 10 points of difference.
Difference Between Research Paper And Different Types Of Papers
The two most common assignments in both school and college are writing an essay and a research paper, at some point. But over the years students and writers, in general, have struggled to differentiate one from another, creating confusion and even fear of the matter. The essay vs research paper encounter can be easily explained and solved in the following article, in which readers can find very detailed and straight-to-the-point information about each writing type and why they differ from each other. Furthermore, a comparison table can be found at the end with 10 key differences between a research paper and an essay to easily understand when to use each as well as the structure needed thus there are several types of essays and research papers that share some foundations but have a determined shape that must be followed. Below you can find useful information and tips about research papers and articles and how to write an award-winning piece.
The most common assignment in school and college is to write an essay, but what is it really? An essay is a form of writing that allows students to demonstrate their comprehension, cohesion, and critical thinking skills about a certain topic. Usually, at school levels, the requirements for an essay suggest writing a five-paragraph piece that contains an introduction, a body, and a conclusion. College essays are more extensive but have the same structure, although more details and academic performance are required.
There are various types of essays:
- Narrative essay. This type focuses on the plot and allows students to use different writing resources such as flashbacks, flash forward, and other creative additions that add depth to the story.
- Descriptive essay. As the name states, this form of essay focuses on the details of a story, enhancing information to satisfy readers’ emotions and intellectual senses. Writers can use metaphors, connotative languages, and other writing tools.
- Comparison essay. This kind of writing article has two or more central points that are broken down and compared through the extension of the piece. Another variant of this essay is a cause and effect topic in which students can analyze the consequences of certain actions or the possibilities of something happening.
- Academic essay. Perhaps the most known form of an essay is the academic essay, in which students are challenged to show their competitive writing and analyzing skills, along with exceptional use of grammar and proper literature review. Academic essays require scholars to include the right bibliography in the appropriate format (APA, MLA, Harvard, etc.) and are typically asked to be between 3,000 and 5,000 words.
- Argumentative essay. Argumentative essays require students to argue for a certain position and explain why they support it, providing evidence and relevant information that can convince readers they have proper reasons to back up that cause.
- Philosophical essay. This last form of essay writing implies students write about a point and use rational arguments to back up their thoughts and opinion.
Although there are different types of essay articles, all have the same basic structure to which students can later improve and add their own touch to stand out from the rest. For those who are starting with this kind of writing scheme and need some guidance, here’s a useful template students can customize to fit their topic or arguments and deliver an award-winning essay.
- Introduction: Introduce the topic of your essay and why it is relevant to be talked about. Writers can include personal reasons behind the subject chosen as well as the methodology used and a sneak preview of what the article will provide readers.
- Body: The most common form of an essay consists of 5 paragraphs, 1 for the introduction, 1 for the conclusion, and 3 for the main body.
- First paragraph: This part follows the end of the introduction, therefore it is important to write smoothly to start talking about the first point of the essay. Here, students can include background information and relevant issues that will be later talked about in-depth during the article.
- Second paragraph: After introducing relevant points, this second paragraph serves as a backup space in which students should provide clear and official evidence to support their sayings.
- T hird paragraph: This last part is used typically to address counter-claims and arguments relevant to the topic chosen, in which students are required to mention and properly dismiss or explain accordingly, using evidence.
- Conclusion: A summary of the paper, highlighting key points or arguments and is commonly finished by encouraging readers to continue acquiring knowledge on the topic by providing a suggested reading list.
Essays are not as hard to write as many people might think, they do require some “non-negotiable” structure just as the one mentioned above, as well as proper information and evidence. Spending some time drafting an essay will ensure a great outcome and will make a student’s task easier.
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- Page title: Another difference between essay and research paper is this first part of the piece, in which students are required to dedicate a page to address the title chosen for the paper, as well as write their contact details (usually their full name, email address and class they attend).
- Abstract: An abstract works as a summary of the paper, highlighting key points and relevant information explained in the piece.
- Introduction: Introduce the topic and why it is relevant to be talked about. This part should be very entertaining and attention-grabber for readers.
- Background: After the introduction, the writer should include proper background information or the literary review readers can use to know the topic better before diving into the complex details of the research. This part also serves as proof of a student’s knowledge and awareness of the chosen subject.
- Body: The body of a research paper can be divided into as many paragraphs as needed, with the length requirements properly in mind (meaning that if a professor asked for a 5-page research paper students can decide how to structure their piece accordingly). A good thing to consider is writing a different paragraph for every new point or perspective added, such as materials used, discussion, results, etc.
- Conclusion: A summary of the research paper, concluding with the results obtained as well as a literature recommendation for readers to keep investigating the topic explained.
- Acknowledgments: Most research papers have this part to thank people for their support and contribution to the piece written.
- References: In this part, all of the information used should be properly mentioned according to the format required (MLA, Harvard, APA, etc). Most professors will ask this list to be in alphabetical order and others in order of appearance, so students should consult with their tutors to avoid any misunderstandings. Also, our writers can help you with mla style college papers for sale .
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What Is The Difference Between Research Paper And Different Types Of Papers
- Analytical research paper. Used for in-depth analysis of a matter, typically exposing various points of view but equally and by presenting facts and rightful evidence.
- Argumentative research paper. Requires an argument and proper investigation of a subject, as well as a lot of time to compose.
- Informative research paper. Used to provide reader’s information about a determined matter, in a generalized way and delivered in a shorter length compared to the typical research paper.
- Persuasive research paper. As the name states, the main goal of this paper is to persuade the reader into thinking like the writer, who through this writing method can show their incredible writing skills and abilities.
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Generally, both types of assignment require different skills and complexity of research. Essays are shorter and aim at presenting the writer’s opinion with supporting arguments. Research papers are more complex and require a deep study on the matter and presentation of other scientists’ opinions as well as the writer’s conclusion. If you have any struggles with your college assignments, you can buy custom written essays and ask our writing service to help. We work with any type of paper on any subject and provide excellent quality right in time.
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Dr. Karlyna PhD
I am a proficient writer from the United States with over five years of experience in academic writing. I comfortably complete given assignments within stipulated deadlines and at the same time deliver high-quality work, which follows the guidelines provided.
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