Experts’ Guide on How to Write a Research Paper
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What is the definition of a Research Paper?
A research paper is a form of academic writing entailing a detailed study, assessment, or analysis of a particular topic on the basis of empirical observation. Research papers are comparable to analytical essays, but research papers involve the use of previous research and observational facts, as well as stringent citation codes. Research papers are the most effective means to transmit information over a large network and are a cornerstone of modern research.
Research papers are more detailed studies, lengthier, and are contrived to assess writing skills and efficiency in scholarly research. To write a research paper you are required to exhibit a strong knowledge of your assignment, engage with various sources of information, and forge an original contribution to the study. PenMyPaper suggests that you go through a research paper introduction example prior to start writing.
Sometimes, students are confused between a research paper and a research proposal. Keep in mind that a research proposal is written for obtaining approval from authorities or committees and also for securing funding for conducting the research proposed. This article elaborately explains a step-by-step procedure on how to write a research paper successfully and effectively.
Research Paper Outline Template
Research papers, more than formal essays, require a systematical and methodical structure to ensure that all concerns are addressed, which is why outlines are so crucial. A research paper outline is like a format that shows how you are going to incorporate the key points in the form of sections with headings so that you have a sketchy outline of what your paper will look like.
The following format acts as a research paper outline example:
- Abstract
- In the research paper abstract, a detailed summary of the study is provided.
- It includes a concise overview of the entire research paper, research question, the importance of the study, methods of research, and findings.
- Introduction
- Provide a concise overview of the topic you are studying and analyzing
- Briefly explain the significance of your research
- Explain the objective- what you aim to achieve through this
- End with the thesis statement
- Research Question
- Give a background information
- Explain the impact of the issue
- State the causes contributing to such issues
- Feasible solutions to be examined
- Literature Review
a. Concepts and theories (newspaper articles, books and relevant publications)
- Discuss related theories and explain the issue and propose a solution
- Discuss the significance of main theories to describe the issue
b. Empirical literature (journals)
- Synopsis of related empirical studies conducted so far
- Methodology summary
- Main findings of the study
- Limitations in the research
c. Your roadmap based on what you have found in the literature review
- Whose concept(s) and definition(s) you are going to replicate or use in your research
- Explain distinct aspects of the problem you will be analyzing
- What methods are best suitable for your research?
- Research Methodology
- Specify the philosophy behind the study, the approach, the research strategy
- Specify the nature of the study and research methods and materials
- State the analysis methods
- Explain why you chose the particular methods
- Results And Discussion
- Discuss the major findings of your study
- Explain with the help of tables, charts and graphical representation
- Compare with previous research findings
- Did you come up with something new? Did you find anything that supports previous finding(s)?
- Discuss the main limitation you faced
- Conclusion And Recommendation
- A synopsis of the issue analyzed, methodologies, and major finding(s)
- Briefly restate the goal of this study and what you have accomplished through the research
- Explain how researchers can further study and expand your work in the future
Research Paper Components
- Abstract: A research paper abstract is a summary of a research paper. It is a short paragraph entailing the gist of your paper. It contains the background context, general and specific topic of your research, central questions, the purpose and significance of your study and a summary of your research methodology. You also give a brief idea on the findings of your study. Basically, an abstract is the gist of your whole research paper. Keep in mind that even though the abstract appears before every other section, it is written only after you have completed the entire paper.
- Introduction: In the research paper introduction, you introduce your topic to the readers and give them a concise overview of the issue you are examining. In the introduction paragraph, you include your thesis statement which shows the purpose of your paper. You have to include a rationale for your study and explains why it is significant. Introduction directs the flow of your research paper.
- Literature Review: You have to mention the current published works related to the topic and evaluate what other researchers and authors have already covered. Include the sources you have studied and these should be credible and valid. Provide a general background of the topic that will help the readers to know about the past and prevalent scenario.
- Research Methodology: The research methodology should contain how you have conducted your research, what was the approach, strategy, and methods for data collection and analysis. The methodology you have employed for the research must be explained explicitly in this section.
- Data Analysis: All of the components of a research paper are important, but this part is perhaps the most significant section in terms of practicality. Here, you analyze the data you have gathered during the course of your investigation. You are not required to interpret them as you have to do that in later part.
- Results: Here, you examine the data you have obtained in the course of the research. It should emphasize any potential implications indicated by the analysis that might be pertinent to other sphere of study. You must also mention any inadequacies in your approach that could help you improve the outcomes.
- Conclusion & Recommendation: To wrap up your research paper, briefly reinstate your thesis. Briefly go over your entire research paper. And finally, the very last component of your research paper is the reference section where you have to include all the sources you have consulted and used. You must cite all the references in the format instructed by your professor or university.
