Table of Contents
Learning how to write a research paper is an important part of the university experience. As a student, you must write numerous research papers to identify and investigate different issues. Some of these issues can be technical, scientific, or social. If this is your first time writing a research paper, you may find the task intimidating and impossible to complete. However, with a clear mind and good organization, you will discover that writing this is easier than you anticipated.
If this is your first time hearing or writing a research paper, then let us define it. According to RankMyService, a research paper is a type of academic writing that contains information that has been thoroughly researched. This information must be, of course, theoretical and substantial. It could include theories on a thesis and substantial evidence from various credible sources.
A university research paper is quite unlike a typical high school essay. This is because the skills required to complete a university research paper are very different.
For example, research skills are an important part of writing research papers. Research paper writers need to find data and construct an outline for their writing task, whether it’s creative or academic writing. On the other hand, high school essays might not need extensive research.
With creative thinking, effective research, and organizing techniques, you’ll be able to write a research paper that will score excellent marks.
A Research Paper’s Major Sections
A full paper citing experimental research will typically include a title page, abstract, introduction, methods, results, discussion, and references section. They will also contain figures and tables and, for some others, appendices. One trick to writing an A+ research paper is organizing all of these sections so the readers can easily understand the information or results you’re trying to convey.
Tips to Apply When Writing your Next Research Paper
Writing a research paper starts with a thorough understanding of the writing requirement. Once you know why you are writing, what to write in the research paper comes relatively easy.
1. Understand the assignment
This may seem obvious to many people. However, only a few students make efforts to understand the requirements and guidelines accompanying their research paper fully.
It’s unlikely you would score a good mark or even an A if you don’t stick to the rules and guidelines. So, when you receive your assignment, read and understand the objectives. If you still don’t understand after reading, you can ask a friend or your supervisor for explanations.
Finally, pay close attention to specifics like length, formatting, and citation style.
2. Choose a research paper topic
After understanding your writing task and its requirements, you must choose a compelling topic that catches your attention. The topic of your research paper should be able to pique your reader’s interest. It should be a distinctive, genuine, and fresh concept to discuss.
A spectacular research paper always includes an intriguing topic that will immediately stimulate the reader’s interest. Ensure you choose a theme that both challenges and inspires you.
Consider selecting a less broad topic. Try to fine-tune your topic to come up with a more thrilling idea that will inspire both you as a writer and a reader. Also, it’s best to choose a topic that is easy to write about and has a broad scope for research.
3. Execute the research
Your research paper should demonstrate excellent academic writing and analytical skills. The more thorough your research, the more likely you will extract intelligent arguments and solid corroborating evidence.
Always use reliable sources when gathering information for your paper. Some reliable sources are journals, publications, e-papers, field reports, online encyclopedias, newspapers, and periodicals. You can also review your institution’s writing research facility for more reliable sources.
You should take notes on important facts and information and keep track of your sources while conducting research. You’ll need these to create your list of references, bibliography, and quotes/citations.
4. Create a detailed outline
After gathering credible data for your paper, draft a well-detailed outline to structure the content. The research paper outline will assist you in organizing your paper following your school’s standards.
A research paper generally consists of the following sections: introduction, method, results, and discussion. Developing an outline with these components helps you arrange your points properly.
5. Write the first draft
The first draft is not expected to be perfect; mistakes are acceptable and can be corrected later. Simply write a draft version to organize the raw information and give the paper a framework. You can perfect your work in subsequent drafts based on your supervisor’s instructions.
The sections that should be included when writing the first draft of a research paper are listed below.
- A Title Page
- An Abstract
- A Strong Thesis Statement
- An Introduction
- Body Section (Methods, Results, and Discussion)
- A Compelling Conclusion
6. Write the second draft
The focus of the second draft is perfection and proper organization. To make your paper perfect, you must consider every last detail. At this point, your attention is focused on the following:
- Check to see if your first draft adequately addressed your research questions.
- Examine whether the information has a logical flow for the reader to understand.
- Specify any basis or assumptions that can be used to clarify the concept.
- Keep your reader’s point of view in mind and remove any knowledge that develops a conflict of interest.
- Rearrange the concepts and content where necessary.
- Check that the word limit is not exceeded.
- Include a reference list section in which you cite all of the research materials you used in your research.
7. Revise and proofread
The final phase is to revise and proofread. This step ensures that your paper is free of plagiarism and errors and meets your school’s standards.
Some of the major revising and proofreading are to:
- eliminate spelling and grammatical errors,
- confirm that you have completed all of the tasks specified in the instructions,
- ensure that the paragraphs are organized logically and that each sentence supports your thesis statement,
- ensure that you have clearly identified all technical terms, and
- confirm that all sources are properly cited according to the chosen citation style.
Conclusion
You will be able to write a truly impressive academic paper if you use the practical tips listed above. List them before starting your paper, and tick each as you use it.
Remember, even if writing an academic paper appears to be a challenging task at first, you can complete it if you choose the right approach that works. Our tips will no doubt assist you in achieving an A+ paper!