An Outstanding Research Paper Writing Guide

A research paper is a complex of academic or scientific examples based on some experiment. It is more complicated than a regular high school essay and is crucial for getting a college or university degree. Students are not always ready to face this challenge.

Except for the study materials, one has to involve the data they found in the primary and secondary sources. It is essential to select the most relevant and credible information before writing a research paper.

This detailed guide will provide you with the top guidelines that will help you create a marvelous paper and ease your writing process.  

Types and Objectives of a Research Paper

There are two common types of such a paper for educational institutions: analytical and argumentative. Students first need to realize the difference between them. The structure of these two types of research papers might be the same, but the purpose and the content will be different.

The analytical type of research paper is about observing and analyzing the issue, while an argumentative paper aims to debate by adding valuable arguments. Both types of this task have the same mission: to improve the students' knowledge of the studied subject.

Another goal is to explore a specific research question that matters for the community. The rest of the objectives include the following points: 

• Gaining technical skills;
• Improving research skills;
• Enriching English language vocabulary;
• Strengthening writing skills;
• Expanding the number of topics to cover;
• Improving time management and organization through setting deadlines;
• Stimulating learning process;
• Motivating diligence;
• Developing patience.

Typical Structure of a Research Paper

There is a standard structure of research papers. In general, writing a research paper requires specific components to be included, which are:

1. Cover page;
2. Title page – contains the subject of work, the researcher's data, and date of submission;
3. Abstract;
4. Table of contents – is placed on the second page. It includes the list of headings for all the chapters with the page numbers indication;
5. Introduction – here, you can point out the reasons why you have started writing your paper and represent your thesis as well;
6. Body paragraphs (experiment, description, and methods) – this part reveals the essence of work;
7. Findings (a.k.a. Results);
8. Discussion;
9. Conclusion – implies the interpretation of results received during the research and a brief review of the whole work;
10. Bibliography or a reference list – means the listing of referenced literature and other sources;
11. Appendix – if any attachments were present.

Do not forget about the literature review. It is necessary to summarize the research you have done in your work. So, be sure you know how to create your literature review outline.

Remember that you can always ask our professional writing service for help. Send us your outline and our writers will compose any work accordingly. All you need is to leave the details at our site that writes essays.

How to Write a Research Paper?

There is an explicit algorithm to organize your paper. The first and foremost step is to define the topic of your work. It might be setting a problem, technology of a solution, or description of a particular process.

Nobody is interested in reading or investigating the issue that is not reflected or used in modern life. As soon as you identify your paper topic, it's time to move on to the next step. If you find it difficult, make sure to contact our academic assistance service who can 'write my essay' with no plagiarizm.

In case you need history research paper topics or sociology paper topics, we have got you covered.

Search for Reliable Sources

Before you begin writing, make sure to find sources to use and apply in your research. You need to conduct a study even before you develop the beginning of your paper. Keep in mind that Wikipedia and Quora are not academic sources. Instead, using only credible materials is a must. Use academic databases you can access. There you can search for the information you need. Be creative, try to find excellent books or articles that perfectly fit your topic.

In case you are not assigned with a spesific theme to explore, make sure to check out our blog post on research paper topics.

It is critical to keep in mind that any credible source has all rights reserved. If there is a copyright, you need permission to cite the material before printing your research paper’s final version. Being a student, you might not receive such approval. So you need to reference the sources you use correctly in your text to avoid problems.

While searching for reputable sources, it is essential to leave the relevant and take out the redundant information. Generalize the collected materials and make a plan for your paper. A well-built and clear strategy is the key to successful work. It will help you build the prevailing logic of research and find evidence for your idea.

Develop a Thesis Statement

By now, you should already have a developed topic for your paper and an organized selection of research materials. So it's time to produce a powerful thesis.

What is a thesis statement? The thesis statement (or just thesis) is the essence of any research paper. In general, it is a brief fact or theory. The research paper must answer whether the thesis statement is true or not. It is not that huge and may narrow down into just one sentence.

The main trick is to squeeze every idea that concerns your topic into a thesis so it could make sense. Let us remind you about the primary purposes of a thesis statement:

• The thesis should reflect the actual and relevant problem;
• A strong thesis statement is the basis of a research paper. Every part of it will connect to the thesis.
• The thesis statement is the heart of the introduction and conclusion parts. In the introduction, authors represent the thesis, and in the conclusion part, they provide support or disprove it; 
• The thesis statement introduces the paper to readers, letting them comprehend its focus.

Complete an Outline

Naturally, you have already generated some ideas after conducting a thorough analysis of the sources. It would be wise to organize them for your first draft and the research paper in general. An outline will be of great assistance in this case.

It is the list of main points and arguments you want to include. Usually, it is divided into sections with headings so you could know precisely how your paper will look. 

Include only information related to your headings and subheadings. Otherwise, you will not distinguish when and where to use every piece of data you collected before. If you have an outline of your assignment, it's far more likely that you won't need to revise your first draft that much.

Write a Great Research Paper Body

It's not a secret that many writers struggle to organize the information introduced in the paper. That's the reason why an outline is essential for this purpose. You can use it as a direct guide when you are working on the body of the paper. Still, it's not obligatory to follow that structure if you later realize you can present your arguments in a different order. 

Try not to describe the same things in a couple of paragraphs in a row. It's not forbidden to do so, but remember to use different approaches to your arguments. Otherwise, such a kind of repetition won't do you any good. Instead, it will only bring boredom to your readers, which will result in more scattered attention. 

While writing the research paper body, the critical thing is to stay on the right track and keep your thesis in mind. Remember that the text's body is where you should provide the argumentation to support your main idea.

Proofread Your Research Paper

Whenever you complete a final draft of your paper, it is crucial to proofread and edit it. Below you will find some practical steps of this process to follow:

• Check whether any significant changes to the different pages of your paper are required;
• Assess the word choice in your text;
• Find and fix any grammar, spelling, and punctuation mistakes;
• Perhaps you will need to remove a couple of paragraphs (to follow the word limit);
• Rethink the whole paper from your reader's point of view. Is your writing style and tone consistent? Is it easy to comprehend your arguments?
• Evaluate the logical flow of ideas between paragraphs and pages.

Format Your Paper

Remember to format your research paper according to the instructions you received from your professor. Still, in most cases, the required format may include:

• Headings in the upper corner on every page;
• Times New Roman 12 pt. Font;
• Double-spacing of pages;
• 1-inch margins from all sides;
• Each page should also be numbered. 

It is a great idea to have a good research paper example in front of you to get everything done correctly. You may find our writers' samples useful for this purpose below.

Useful Research Paper Writing Tips

Check out these simple but useful tips to write an excellent research paper:

• Determine the research paper's scope before you start the writing process. Keep in mind the minimum and the maximum number of required pages. If you are beyond the stated range, it is better to narrow wordy parts that do not deliver precise and complete thoughts.

• Keep in mind the perception of your text. If you use long and complex sentences all the time, it will be a draining experience for your reader to comprehend your writing. Keep your reader's focus on the essence of your paper. Please don't make them unpack your complex vocabulary and sentence structure. 

• Remember that a research paper does not imply a clear statement of well-known facts. Thus, add your ideas, thoughts, results, and conclusions to your work. Compare them with already existing ones to reveal and explain the possible contradictions.

Research Paper Format Examples

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How do I find a good research topic for my paper?

Follow these simple bits of advice to identify your perfect topic:

• Research a couple of works on the related subject to get acquainted with different research styles and concepts;
• Make sure to search for a topic that you are passionate about;
• Keep in mind a couple of ideas instead of focusing on one only. Investigating some old materials can also help you come up with an interesting topic; 
• Hold your subject to the point. Make sure that you can describe your topic of choice in one central question of the research paper;
• Consider seeking advice from your professor or our writing experts.

2. What are the criteria of good research?

Research is an in-depth exploration of a specific subject related to one's field of study. The criteria of good research include:

• A logical and consistent investigation that answers the issue at hand;
• Accurate study and a professional presentation of the chosen literature;
• Duly collected relevant data which adds validity to your research;
• A thorough analysis of the collected data to grant your research further replicability features.

3. What are the benefits of writing a research paper?

Completing such kind of assignment can contribute on a substantial scale to a student's career. Check out some benefits listed below:

• You begin to understand the theoretical framework of your research better. 
• You improve your logical and critical thinking while conducting thorough research and intensely studying your subject. 
• You learn to demonstrate what you have investigated. Being able to present in front of the audience is a valuable skill to unlock. 
• A research paper helps to advance your academic pursuits.