These steps will lead you through writing a research paper: One Big Mess Developing a Research Question Developing a Research Thesis Thesis Characteristics Finding Sources Evaluating Sources Taking Notes Working with Quotations Writing Summaries & Paraphrases Building the Essay Draft Documenting Sources Documentation Formats Web · A research paper introduce has key elements to it. These form your research paper’s backbone. You have the hypothesis, your ‘hook’ and your thesis statement. Your Web · Research writing can be a challenge, but with a little practice, it can become an important part of your academic and professional toolkit. The Process The following Web · 3 Contents of Research Paper Introduction An overview of the topic Develop a Problem Statement Draw on prior theoretical and empirical Literature Web · By properly reviewing the literature, you develop a clear understanding between the result of your own studies and those of other researchers. 3. Set Research ... read more
Be aware of paragraphs that seem to cover the same things. If two paragraphs discuss something similar, they must approach that topic in different ways. Aim to create smooth transitions between sentences, paragraphs, and sections. Trace the course of the paper, emphasizing how it all comes together to prove your thesis statement. The goal during the revision and proofreading process is to ensure you have completed all the necessary tasks and that the paper is as well-articulated as possible. Next, think about sentence structure , grammatical errors and formatting.
Check that you have correctly used transition words and phrases to show the connections between your ideas. Look for typos, cut unnecessary words and check for consistency in aspects such as heading formatting and spellings. Finally, you need to make sure your paper is correctly formatted according to the rules of the citation style you are using. For example, you might need to include an MLA heading or create an APA title page. Discover our paper editing service. I have followed all instructions in the assignment sheet. My introduction presents my topic in an engaging way and provides necessary background information.
My paper is logically organized using paragraphs and if relevant section headings. Each paragraph is clearly focused on one central idea, expressed in a clear topic sentence. I have used appropriate transitions to clarify the connections between sections, paragraphs, and sentences. My conclusion provides a concise answer to the research question or emphasizes how the thesis has been supported. I have provided an in-text citation every time I refer to ideas or information from a source. I have included a reference list at the end of my paper, consistently formatted according to a specific citation style. I have thoroughly revised my paper and addressed any feedback from my professor or supervisor.
You've written a great paper. Make sure it's perfect with the help of a Scribbr editor! You can use, download, and modify these lecture slides to teach students about how to write a research paper. Open Google Slides Download PowerPoint. Have a language expert improve your writing. Proofreading Services. Run a free plagiarism check in 10 minutes. Plagiarism Checker. Generate accurate citations for free. Citation Generator. Home Knowledge Base Research paper. How to Write a Research Paper A Beginner's Guide A research paper is a piece of academic writing that provides analysis, interpretation, and argument based on in-depth independent research. Prevent plagiarism, run a free check. Try for free. Each paragraph is relevant to my research problem or thesis statement.
My conclusion shows how my research has contributed to knowledge or understanding of my topic. My conclusion does not present any new points or information essential to my argument. I have followed all formatting guidelines page numbers, headers, spacing, etc. Well done! Learn about our proofreading services Return to checklist. Is this article helpful? Other students also liked. Writing a Research Paper Introduction Step-by-Step Guide The introduction to a research paper presents your topic, provides background, and details your research problem.
Writing a Research Paper Conclusion Step-by-Step Guide The conclusion of a research paper restates the research problem, summarizes your arguments or findings, and discusses the implications. Download free templates to get started. Guide to Organizing Writing a Research Paper Conclusion Step-by-Step Guide Writing a Research Paper Introduction Step-by-Step Guide. What is your plagiarism score? 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. The right number of sections or paragraphs depends on your assignment. In general, shoot for 3 to 5, but check your prompt for your assigned length. Address a counterargument to strengthen your case. After layout out your evidence, mention a contrasting view on the topic. Then explain why that differing perspective is incorrect and why your claim is more plausible.
You could bring up a study that suggested fluoride produced harmful health effects, then explain how its testing methods were flawed. Summarize your argument in the conclusion. Tell them. Tell them what you told them. To make your conclusion more memorable, you could also connect your thesis to a broader topic or theme to make it more relatable to your reader. Part 3. Ensure your paper is well-organized and includes transitions. After finishing your first draft, give it a read and look for big-picture organizational issues. Make sure each sentence and paragraph flow well to the next. You may have to rewrite a paragraph or swap sections around, but taking the time for revisions is important if you want to hand in your best work. That way, you can start editing it with fresh eyes.
Cut out unnecessary words and other fluff. Each word in your paper should do a specific job. Try to avoid including extra words just to fill up blank space on a page or sound fancy. Proofread for spelling, grammatical, and formatting errors. As you read, check for flow as well and, if necessary, tweak any spots that sound awkward. Ask a friend, relative, or teacher to read your work before you submit it. New readers can help you find any mistakes and unclear spots that you may have overlooked. Does making a research paper require me to invent something new or it is just about gathering information?
It can be for the both, whether you invent something new to implement or you gather some sort of data based valuable information and synthesize it. Looking for more fun ways to learn on wikiHow? Learn about yourself with Quizzes or try our brand new Train Your Brain word game. Not Helpful 19 Helpful The introduction should set out what you intend to discuss and prove in the research paper, and outline the approaches per topic or heading section. It is also nice to open the topic and lead into it in an interesting way that helps the reader to want to read on.
Not Helpful 25 Helpful To be honest there is no rule book or a set of formulas which will give you the best or better topic. Once you have a number of topics in hand you need to evaluate as to which topic interests you and your audience more. Not Helpful 16 Helpful Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. By using this service, some information may be shared with YouTube. Remember that your topic and thesis should be as specific as possible. Helpful 3 Not Helpful 0. Researching, outlining, drafting, and revising are all important steps, so do your best to budget your time wisely. Try to avoid waiting until the last minute to write your paper.
Helpful 3 Not Helpful 1. You Might Also Like. How to. More References 6. About This Article. Co-authored by:. Chris Hadley, PhD. Co-authors: Updated: September 6, Categories: Featured Articles Research Papers. Article Summary X To write a research paper, start by researching your topic at the library, online, or using an academic database. In other languages Deutsch: Eine wissenschaftliche Arbeit schreiben. Русский: написать научно—исследовательскую работу. Français: écrire un rapport de recherche. 中文: 写一篇研究论文. Bahasa Indonesia: Menulis Naskah Penelitian. Nederlands: Een onderzoeksverslag schrijven. العربية: كتابة الأوراق البحثية. हिन्दी: एक शोधपत्र Research Paper लिखें. Tiếng Việt: Viết một bài nghiên cứu. 한국어: 리포트 쓰는 방법.
日本語: 研究論文を書く. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 4,, times. Reader Success Stories. Private And Discrete Aug 2, wikiHow helped me a lot. If not for them, I would have spent a few more hours looking for help online and then realizing that those pieces of information are not useful at all. More reader stories Hide reader stories. Did this article help you? Cookies make wikiHow better. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our cookie policy.
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.
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By using our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Cookie Settings. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Learn why people trust wikiHow. Categories Education and Communications College University and Postgraduate Academic Writing Essays Research Papers How to Write a Research Paper. 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.
Web · A research paper introduce has key elements to it. These form your research paper’s backbone. You have the hypothesis, your ‘hook’ and your thesis statement. Your Web · Research writing can be a challenge, but with a little practice, it can become an important part of your academic and professional toolkit. The Process The following Web · By properly reviewing the literature, you develop a clear understanding between the result of your own studies and those of other researchers. 3. Set Research These steps will lead you through writing a research paper: One Big Mess Developing a Research Question Developing a Research Thesis Thesis Characteristics Finding Sources Evaluating Sources Taking Notes Working with Quotations Writing Summaries & Paraphrases Building the Essay Draft Documenting Sources Documentation Formats Web · 3 Contents of Research Paper Introduction An overview of the topic Develop a Problem Statement Draw on prior theoretical and empirical Literature ... read more
Research papers are similar to analytical essays, except that research papers emphasize the use of statistical data and preexisting research, along with a strict code for citations. Another often-overlooked resource is the research librarian. All Categories. A decent research paper introduction will follow a specific structure. wikiHow, Inc. Finally, proofread and revise your content until it's polished and ready to submit.
Wedgewood on Mass Production A. In a more empirical paper, this is the place to review previous research and establish how yours fits in. Guide to Organizing Writing a Research Paper Conclusion Step-by-Step Guide Writing a Research Paper Introduction Step-by-Step Guide. Take time to understand exactly what you are being asked to write and how you will be graded on it. why did we say "ideal? Thus, as a way of summarizing what has been discussed so far, the following bullet point summarises research paper steps a good introduction should achieve. Your teacher will appreciate and respect your preparedness, and it will likely impact your grades positively, research paper steps.