How to Write a Research Paper
Research papers are often considered the albatross that hangs above students heads until the end of semester time. Largely regarded as nothing but sources of stress and fear, research papers become interesting diversions from average everyday assignments of educational tedium when time is organized and logical steps are followed.
Start research paper assignments with the most basic of steps.
Choose the subject.
Brainstorm a list of possible topics within the assignment guidelines. Choose a subject that interests you and it will be self motivating. Even if you have little interest in assigned subjects, look for an interesting viewpoint or subtopic that piques your interest.
Brainstorm and outline.
Brainstorm your topic informally. List every aspect of the research topic that might be relevant. From there, pick out the major topics and questions you’ll seek to answer in your research paper. Draft a very basic outline that organizes the major points and supporting subjects.
Research.
Research is, of course, the basis of the research paper.
If the research paper is based on lab experiments or case studies, start by organizing data, clarifying experiments, explaining methods, and outcomes. Research supporting texts and published papers that back up your experiments and findings.
Sometimes research projects rely solely on your interpretation of researched materials. These projects rely heavily on finding enough published, recognized data that can be used in support of your thesis.
Search through all available media. Plan time at the library. Research your topic in books, periodicals (magazines and newspapers), the internet, and if appropriate, personal interviews with experts.
Take thorough notes from researched data, finding as much supporting information as possible. The time for weeding through and consolidating is later.
Organize your research.
Consolidate research notes into manageable pieces. It might help to note one thought or major research topic on one note card, and line cards in sequential order to get an idea of how cohesively your thoughts and supporting text flows.
Go back to your basic outline and fill in with your research. Break down major topics into smaller parts. Create subheadings. Discuss your interpretations and support everything with research data. The credibility of a research paper is found in the support of its claims and theories.
Write the paper.
With research and outlining complete, the only thing left to do is to write the actual research paper. With a solid foundation laid, writing is now much less daunting a task.
Write a first draft. Turn basic thoughts into coherent sentences and paragraphs. Connect research topics, translating the meaning of data as you go along. Elaborate on the research data you uncovered. Explain the relevance and impact of the data on your conclusion.
Culminate everything with the research paper’s conclusion. This is where it all comes together, where you show that ‘x’ happened because of ‘y’, and argue against opposing views to show that yours is the most accurate conclusion.
The basic format elements to include in the research paper are as follows:
-Title Page
State the title of the research paper, author‘s name, and date (include address and contact information where appropriate).
-Abstract (Summary)
Summarize the research paper with an at-a-glance view of the theme, contents, and conclusions reached in two hundred words or less (an average paragraph or two).
-Introduction
Beginning with your thesis, introduce your research topic to the reader. Explain why the subject is important and what conclusions will be explained. Describe how you came to your hypothesis; if your thesis changed after researching, explain how you came to your new conclusion. Hook your reader into continuing the read.
-Body
The body is the meat of the research paper where your coherently organized data and information belong. Follow a logical sequence of time or topical themes, thoroughly supported to prove your arguments.
-Conclusion
Wrap-up the research paper and draw your research to a proven, logical end. Work back towards your summarized theories, and explain briefly why yours is the proper conclusion.
-Supporting Works
End notes and bibliographies, anything that merits citing should be found in these two separate crediting pages. Use end notes to further explain specific passages. Draft bibliographies as proof of real sources. Readers look to this section for further study to find out where to learn more or check your documentation and testing of concluded theories. Additionally, it is legally required to give credit to your sources.
Plan enough time to let the first draft sit for a few days. Return to the draft when it is less fresh in your mind for editing and corrections. A typical paper needs to sit for a minimum of twenty-four hours before you as the author will be able to spot problematic flow and errors.
Writing a research paper is much more manageable when the job is broken into smaller tasks with time allotted for every step. Follow these basic guidelines, take interest in the assignment, and write the best research paper you can with minimal stress.