Research Paper

Research Paper Example

Before we get started, it is better to check out some samples for research paper writing as they can guide you better on the structure and format. 

Check them out here: Research Paper Samples

How To Write A Research Paper

Let’s look at a step-by-step guide that shows how to write a research paper.

Step 1: Understand The Assignment

Before you begin researching or writing, take a moment to fully understand what your instructor expects from you. Many students jump straight into writing, only to realise halfway through that they misunderstood the task. Here is what you should look for:

• Required word count
• Formatting style (APA, MLA, Chicago)
• Type of research paper (argumentative, analytical, review)
• Submission date
• Whether you need original data or just literature-based research

If anything reels unclear, ask your instructor for clarification. It is better to take two minutes asking a question now than rewriting your entire paper later.

Step 2: Choose A Strong Research Topic

Your topic is the heart of your research paper. If your topic is too broad, you will drown in information. If it is too narrow, you will not find enough material to write about. 

A focused topic makes your research clearer and your paper stronger. A simple way to choose a workable topic includes:

1. Start broad (e.g., mental health, climate change, artificial intelligence).
2. Narrow it down (e.g., teenage mental health, climate change in UK, AI in healthcare).
3. Narrow again until it feels specific enough to explore in-depth.

Step 3: Conduct Background Research

Once you have a topic, start gathering the basic information you need to understand it better. You do not need to read every book or article in the universe. Your goal here is simply to build a strong foundation. 

This early research helps you see what is already known about your topic and what you can explore in your own paper. You can start with:

• Google Scholar
• Online library databases
• Academic books
• Research journals
• Credible websites
• Government or professional reports

As you read, do not forget to take notes, short, simple notes you can refer back to later. You should write down:

• Important ideas
• Useful definitions
• Key arguments
• Contradictions or gaps in the research
• Any sources you might want to cite

Step 4: Create A Clear Research Question Or Thesis Statement

Now that you understand your topic a bit better, it is time to decide what exactly your research paper will focus on. Your thesis or research question will guide your entire paper. Everything you write should connect back to this central idea. You can do this in two ways:

Option 1: Write a Research Question

A research question is simply the question your paper will answer.

Option 2: Write a Thesis Statement

A thesis is a clear statement that explains your main argument or position.

Step 5: Develop A Research Paper Outline

An outline is your roadmap. Without one, your paper can easily become messy and confusing. With one, writing becomes much easier. Here’s a beginner-friendly outline structure to help you get started:

For longer papers, add more headings like Literature Review, Methodology, Results, and Discussion (depending on your academic level). Your outline does not need to be perfect. It is just a guide so you do not lose your direction.

Step 6: Write The Literature Review

Since you have already performed background research, it is better to write your literature review first. If your assignment requires a literature review, this is where you summarise what other researchers have said about your topic. 

• Group similar studies together
• Highlight agreements and disagreements
• Point out gaps or limitations
• Keep your writing simple and clear

Step 7: Start Writing The Introduction

Many students struggle with introductions because they try to make them too perfect. A good introduction simply does three things:

1. Hooks the reader
2. Gives some background
3. Presents your thesis clearly

Step 8: Explain Your Research Methodology

If your research paper involves collecting data, you will need to explain how you did that. This section answers the question: “How did you conduct your research?” Write in a way that someone else could repeat your study just by reading your method. 

If your paper is purely based on existing literature (no surveys or experiments), your methodology might simply state how you searched for sources. In this part, you might include:

• Whether you used qualitative or quantitative methods
• How you selected participants
• Data collection tools (surveys, interviews, experiments)
• Steps you took to ensure accuracy

Step 9: Present Your Findings / Results

If you carried out a study, this section is all about presenting your results, not interpreting them. Keep it straightforward and objective. You can present your findings as:

• Tables
• Graphs
• Charts
• Themes (for qualitative research)
• Summarised data

Keep the language clean and free of opinion. You’ll explain what it means in the next section.

Step 10: Write The Discussion

This is where you connect your findings to your research question or thesis. In the discussion section, you explain why your results matter. Here’s how to break it down:

• What did you find?
• Why is it important?
• How does it relate to other research?
• Were there any surprises?
• What are the limitations of your work?
• What could future research explore?

Step 11: Write The Conclusion

A good conclusion does not just repeat everything. Instead, it wraps up your paper in a meaningful way. This is what you should include:

• Summarise the main points
• Restate the thesis in a fresh way
• Explain the overall significance of your findings
• Leave the reader with something to think about

Step 12: Edit & Proofread 

Once you are done writing, do not rush to submit your paper. Great writing happens in the editing stage. Read your paper out loud. It is one of the best ways to catch awkward sentences. 

You can also use writing tools like Grammarly, AI assistants, and citation generators, but do not rely on them entirely. Always double-check your citations and facts yourself. Here is a simple editing checklist:

• Is your thesis clear?
• Does each paragraph support your main idea?
• Are your sentences easy to read?
• Did you avoid repetition?
• Are your references correctly formatted?
• Did you remove unnecessary jargon?
• Have you checked spelling and grammar?

Step 13: Check Formatting

Different universities and journals have different formatting styles. The three most common are:

• APA (common in social sciences)
• MLA (common in humanities)
• Chicago (various fields)

The formatting of the paper includes:

• Title page
• Font size and spacing
• In-text citations
• Reference list
• Page numbers
• Headers and subheadings

What Is The Ideal Length Of A Research Paper

If you are a student who is writing a research paper, then the word count or length will be mentioned in the instructions. However, the length of a research paper can vary from 4000 to 6000 words. In the case of lengthy research papers, it can also exceed 10,000 words.

Moreover, the length of a research paper can depend on the following factors:

• Complexity of topic (e.g., Controversial topics require more arguments and evidence to support the findings).
• Amount of research conducted (such as data and information collected).
• Specific requirements set by the instructor. (Word count or page limit).

Tips For Writing A Research Paper

Here are a few more practical tips to help you write your research paper with confidence:

• Rushing leads to sloppy writing and weak research, so start early
• Write one section at a time instead of trying to finish everything in one sitting.
• Your brain needs rest to produce good work. Therefore, try taking breaks in between.
• Ask a friend, instructor, or writing tutor to review your paper and get feedback. 
• Use simple language. Clarity always beats complexity.
• You can use online AI Summarisers to generate summaries of research papers that are not important. 
• Use cloud storage or email the file to yourself. Don’t risk losing your paper right before the deadline!

Frequently Asked Questions