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.

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. 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. The length of a research paper depends on the topic or assignment. Otherwise, let your topic dictate the length: Complicated topics or extensive research will require more explanation. 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. 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.

In open-ended assignments, the student must choose their own topic. 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. 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. 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. 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. If a source seems useful, set it aside to give it a full read later. Using what you found in your preliminary research, write a thesis statement that succinctly summarizes what your research paper will be about. 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. 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:. 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:. Learn more. 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. In this stage, you might find it helpful to formulate some research questions to help guide you. 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. 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.

Your priorities at this stage are as follows:. 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. 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. Here is an example of a well-structured paragraph.

Last Updated: September 6, References Approved. This article was co-authored by Chris Hadley, PhD. Chris Hadley, PhD is part of the wikiHow team and works on content strategy and data and analytics. Chris Hadley earned his PhD in Cognitive Psychology from UCLA in Chris' academic research has been published in numerous scientific journals. There are 15 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. This article has been viewed 4,, times. Research your topic, find reliable sources, and come up with a working thesis. Then create an outline and start drafting your paper. Be sure to leave plenty of time to make revisions, as editing is essential if you want to hand in your best work!

Tip: If you need to analyze a piece of literature, your task is to pull the work apart into literary elements and explain how the author uses those parts to make their point. Tip: Some people prefer to write the introduction first and use it to structure the rest of the paper. However, others like to write the body, then fill in the introduction. Do whichever seems natural to you. Tip: Try to give yourself at least 2 or 3 days to revise your paper. It may be tempting to simply give your paper a quick read and use the spell-checker to make edits. However, revising your paper properly is more in-depth. To write a research paper, start by researching your topic at the library, online, or using an academic database.

As you conduct your research and take notes, zero in on a specific topic that you want to write about and create a sentence thesis to state the focus of your paper. Then, create an outline that includes an introduction, 3 to 5 body paragraphs to present your arguments, and a conclusion to sum up your main points. Once you have your paper's structure organized, draft your paragraphs, focusing on 1 argument per paragraph. Use the information you found through your research to back up your claims and prove your thesis statement. Finally, proofread and revise your content until it's polished and ready to submit.

For more information on researching and citing sources, read on! Did this summary help you? Yes No. Log in Social login does not work in incognito and private browsers. Please log in with your username or email to continue. wikiHow Account. No account yet? Create an account. Courses Tech Help Pro About Us Random Article. Quizzes Contribute Train Your Brain Game Improve Your English. Popular Categories. Arts and Entertainment Artwork Books Movies. Computers and Electronics Computers Phone Skills Technology Hacks. Health Men's Health Mental Health Women's Health. Relationships Dating Love Relationship Issues. Hobbies and Crafts Crafts Drawing Games. Personal Care and Style Fashion Hair Care Personal Hygiene. Youth Personal Care School Stuff Dating. All Categories. Arts and Entertainment Finance and Business Home and Garden Relationship Quizzes.

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Download Article Explore this Article parts. Tips and Warnings. Related Articles. Article Summary. Co-authored by Chris Hadley, PhD Last Updated: September 6, References Approved. Sample Scientific Research Paper. Support wikiHow and unlock all samples. Sample Environmental Research Paper. Sample Research Paper Outline. Part 1. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U. and international copyright laws. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc. Focus your research on a narrow topic.

Then, as you read, you home in on transferware and pottery. Ultimately, you focus on 1 potter in the s who invented a way to mass-produce patterned tableware. Search for credible sources online and at a library. Additionally, check your sources' dates, and make sure the information you gather is up to date. Evaluate how other scholars have approached your topic. Identify authoritative sources or works that are accepted as the most important accounts of the subject matter. Additionally, look for debates among scholars, and ask yourself who presents the strongest evidence for their case. List your sources, format them according to your assigned style guide such as MLA or Chicago , and write 2 or 3 summary sentences below each one.

Come up with a preliminary thesis. As you learn more about your topic, develop a working thesis, or a concise statement that presents an argument. Part 2. Use Roman numerals I. Then sketch out the body paragraphs and conclusion. For easy reference, include your sources where they fit into your outline, like this: III. Spode vs. Wedgewood on Mass Production A. Spode: Perfected chemical formula with aims for fast production and distribution Travis, , 43 B. Wedgewood: Courted high-priced luxury market; lower emphasis on mass production Himmelweit, , 71 C. Therefore: Wedgewood, unlike Spode, delayed the expansion of the pottery market. Present your thesis and argument in the introduction. Start with an attention-grabbing sentence to draw in your audience and introduce the topic.

Build your argument in the body paragraphs. First, set the context for your readers, especially if the topic is obscure. Then, in around 3 to 5 body paragraphs, focus on a specific element or piece of evidence that supports your thesis. Each idea should flow to the next so the reader can easily follow your logic. Next, discuss how targeting middle class consumers increased demand and expanded the pottery industry globally. Then, you could explain how Spode differed from competitors like Wedgewood, who continued to court aristocratic consumers instead of expanding the market to the middle class.

Thank you for posting it. In the end, children rarely report child abuse; most often it is an adult who makes a report based on suspicion e. Support wikiHow and unlock all samples. Each time you use a source, make sure to take note of where the information came from. Nova A. Now that you've gathered a wide array of sources, it's time to evaluate them. Research Paper Research Paper Example Research Paper Outline Research Paper Topics Research Proposal History Research Paper Topics How to Start a Research Paper How to Write an Abstract How to Write a Literature Review Qualitative Research Sociology Research Topics Types Of Qualitative Research Qualitative VS Quantitative Research Psychology Research Topics How To Write A Hypothesis Types Of Research Quantitative Research How To Cite A Research Paper How to Write a Research Methodology.

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