Steps for Writing a Research Paper

Overview of a Research Paper

Time to write a research paper?

What exactly is the writing process?

Research papers are some of the most common assessment tools in college and university.

Research paper writing is sometimes considered a challenging endeavor by many scholars.

This is partly due to the ambiguity that surrounds the genre as well as the writing process.

Therefore, to start with, it is important to understand what a research paper entails.

Table of Contents

Definition of a Research Paper

A research paper can be defined as:

The culmination and final product deriving from the process of research, critical thinking, evaluation of sources, organization, and composition.

Based of the above definition and with the right approach, writing a research paper could be interesting and enlightening.

This requires an in-depth understanding of all steps for writing a research paper.

Nature of Research Paper Writing

Research paper writing requires two main things:

The right skills and
Resources for writing a research paper.

While resources relate to sources of data, skills for writing a research paper look at your ability to successfully stitch arguments together.

Markedly, research papers usually vary in requirements and complexity.

Although the research paper format could be standardized, instructions and guidelines are bound to change from one individual institution and instructor to another.

Note that writing a research paper is a systematic process.

For it to be within acceptable standards, it is has to assume the appropriate research paper structure.

This structure can be realized by adhering to the different steps h for writing a research paper.

There are however numerous challenges in adhering to this systematic process.

These challenges are as discussed below.

Dilemmas faced when Writing a Research Paper

Writing a research paper presents scholars with numerous challenges.

Without the relevant knowledge and skills, the writing process can be tedious and frustrating.

Notably, the various challenges you are likely to face when writing research papers include:

1. Coming up with an appropriate topic

This is a major challenge for scholars. There is usually a dilemma on the scope of the topic; how wide, how focused, and how specific.

Notably, how specific the topic is determines the length of the research paper.

2. Developing an appropriate thesis statement

The thesis statement is extremely instrumental when writing a good research paper.

In some cases, you could face a challenge in choosing a thesis statement that suits a specific line of argument.

3. Relating the key ideas to the thesis statement

This is a major challenge for scholars when writing research papers.

It encompasses the ability to connect the main points in the research paper to the overall idea in the paper.

4. Developing an appropriate format and structure

This entails challenges associated with such elements as citation and referencing, division of the paper into respective headings and subheadings, as well as paragraph structure.

As a scholar, it is important to device means to overcome these challenges.

One basic approach entails observing the features that make a research paper distinctive.

Such features constitute the basics of a research paper and are as explained below.

Features of a Good Research Paper

A good research paper is defined by various features that make the paper acceptable among academicians.

Different scholars may emphasize more on different features than others.

Nonetheless, common features may include:

1. It should be rigorous

This entails the ability of the researcher to effectively control key elements likely to influence research results.

Such elements include validity and reliability.

2. It should have an appropriate thesis statement

In this, the thesis statement should be adequate enough to support effective research.

3. It should be accurate

This entails ensuring that all steps in the research process are conducted appropriately to ensure information gathered will produce correct results.

4. It should have a good organization

This requires the student to arrange the pertaining ideas in a logical and coherent manner.

5. It should be clear and concise

The research paper should avoid ambiguity and encompass information only relevant to the research thesis.

6. It should be original and verifiable

The research work should encompass a noble idea that can be supported using existing body of knowledge.

Understanding these features would be instrumental in helping adhere to the respective steps for writing a research paper.

These steps are as expounded on below.

As earlier mentioned, the research paper writing process should be systematic.

To help achieve this, some institutions choose to develop a characteristic college research paper outline or a research paper template for students.

Where there are no such guidelines, you can rely on proven steps for writing a research paper.

These steps are as highlighted below.

Step 1: Defining the Assignment and Task

This is the first and one the most important steps for writing a research paper.

The process of defining the task requires you to clearly comprehend the expectations of the research paper.

If something needs clarification, you should consult with your instructor.

When defining the assignment, you should ask yourself the below questions.

What should be the length of the research paper?
What type and number of sources should be used?
What citation style should be used?
What are other entailed citation requirements?
What are the deadlines? Are you required to submit a draft first?
What should be the schedule for the research paper? What are the required tasks? What is the final deadline?

By defining the task, you can effectively determine the appropriate scope of the task.

Step 2: Choosing a Topic

This another of the critical steps for writing a research paper. In this step, it is important to ensure that your topic exhibits two main characteristics, including:

It is interesting to you.
There is adequate information about it.

Markedly, there are numerous approaches that could employed when coming up with an appropriate topic.

It is important to ensure that you adopt the most suitable approach to enhance the quality of your research paper.

After choosing the topic, you should read through books, magazines, journal articles, and web sources to evaluate its appropriateness.

The availability of adequate resources for writing a research paper is a positive indicator.

When reviewing potential sources, you can go ahead and develop a preliminary ‘References/Reference List/Works Cited’.

This is imperative in helping you to go back with ease when need for clarification arises.

In this step, you should also develop a thesis statement for your research paper.

Developing a good thesis statement puts your skills for writing a research paper into a serious test.

Herein, you have to make sure that the thesis statement is clear and precise.

Step 3: Conducting Research

This is also another of the most important steps for writing a research paper.

The first action in this step is to locate potential sources.

Resources for writing a research paper could include books, online databases, websites, journal articles, and magazines and newspapers.

It is essential to note that you could alter your topic or focus based on the information you come along when conducting the research.

During this step, you can fine-tune the research question to effectively suit the available information.

At the core of the steps for writing a research paper, conducting research embodies critical and advanced skills set.

Accordingly, when conducting research, you should observe the below rules:

Look for different types of sources
Allocate research adequate time
Maintain a record of sources with information obtained-source title, publication date, author, and page the information was obtained from
Use your own words
Write down conclusions drawn from each source
Highlight details supporting your thesis

Step 4: Assessing the Sources

Assessing the sources is equally another of the important steps for writing a research paper.

This step entails examining the suitability of potential sources.

Rightly, all resources for writing a research paper have to be evaluated for relevancy, accuracy, and credibility.

Credibility issues are usually common with online sources. In this case, you should look at the below guidelines as a benchmark for credible sources.

The credentials of the author should be solid-the author should be an authority in the area the source focuses on
The source should be current. The source should be up to date
The source should be published by a reliable entity-particularly organizations or government institutions and agencies
The source should be consistent with other conventional sources

Step 5: Identifying Sources to Use and Refining the Thesis Statement

This is one of the most critical steps for writing a research paper.

It defines the content and direction of the entire research paper.

Identifying the sources to use entails determining the information to use and evidence to adduce in the research paper.

You should incorporate only information from sources that have been assessed and found credible.

At this point, you should expunge unworthy sources from the preliminary reference list.

Further, using the identified sources, you should refine the thesis statement to ensure that the available information fully covers the argument advanced by the thesis statement.

The thesis statement should be specific, arguable, and engaging.

Step 6: Generating an Outline

A college research paper outline acts as a map for the ideas and arguments you seek to advance.

Developing the outline is certainly one of the key steps for writing a research paper.

Notably, the outline should be shaped by the conclusion you want to arrive at.

Importantly, a good college research paper outline is a reflection of a clear organization of your thoughts.

Generating the outline requires you to group notes with similar arguments and combine information aligned to each other.

The outline is a skeleton of the research paper structure and should be as illustrated below.

1. Introduction

Background
Thesis statement

2. Body

Main idea 1

Supporting evidence 1
Supporting evidence 2
Supporting evidence 3

Main idea 2

Supporting evidence 1
Supporting evidence 2
Supporting evidence 3

3. Conclusion

Step 7: Writing the Research Paper

This step entails coming up with the first draft.

Being equally one of the important steps for writing a research paper, it should focus on piecing together main ideas and arguments.

For this reason, it lies within the category of some of the most elemental skills for writing a research paper.

You must be able to put ideas together in a logical manner.

As such, written communication skills are quite vital.

Such communication skills look at grammar, syntax, and structure.

Note that while paying attention to communication, you should ensure that you adhere to the appropriate research paper structure.

Generally, some of the rules you should observe when writing include:

Use your own words.
Remain organized.
Cite your sources whenever used.
Go through your ideas.

Step 8: Editing and Formatting

This step entails coming up with the final draft.

As part of the elemental steps for writing a research paper, it seeks to ensure that the research paper is devoid of errors, is clearly organized, and has the correct research paper format.

The final draft should be characteristic of the below features.

Should have a cover page with appropriate details.
Should have a revised draft with the right research paper format-citations, page numbers, and footnotes.
Should have a reference list page with all sources used and their bibliographical information.

Research Paper Outline

Note with the right skills and tools, writing a research paper could be extremely rewarding.

One such tool is a good outline template.

Accordingly, a good research paper outline template is a primary tool for professionals and scholars.

So, what is a research paper outline?

A general definition of a research paper outline could be:

“A formal system applied in the development of a framework used to deliberate on the organization and the subsequent contents of a research paper”.

Such a framework is used to predict the overall structure and flow of the research paper.

For this reason, when it comes to the respective steps for writing a research paper, developing the research paper outline is considered a principal step.

This is because the research paper outline typically acts as the skeleton of your work.

That noted, a college research paper outline template should play a number of roles, including:

Facilitating the organization of thoughts
Creating a good understanding of relationships between ideas
Enhancing the inclusion of all relevant arguments

Note that your instructor could sometimes ask for an outline before allowing you to embark on the actual research paper writing.

In this case, the structure of a research paper outline used could help the instructor to advise appropriately you on how to streamline your research work.

Steps on how to Write a Research Paper Outline

Developing a college research paper outline could be summarized in a number of steps.

Such steps include:

1. Selecting a Topic

This is one of the most important steps when coming up with a suitable research paper outline template.

In this step, you should ensure that the selected topic works to your strengths and advantages.

Some of the factors to consider when selecting your topic area include:

You should look for topics in areas where you possess adequate knowledge in.
You should also ensure that there is enough data for the area you decide to explore.

2. Identifying your Argument

This is usually the second step when modelling your research paper outline template.

After you have decided on the topic to study, now you need to go ahead and identify the argument(s) to include in your college research paper outline.

This step requires you to find out what the topic means to you and others. To do this, you could ask a number of questions that include:

What should be the appropriate thesis statement?
What should be the objectives of this thesis statement?
Can the thesis statement provoke an important discussion on issues in the society?

3. Determining the Ideas to Include

This is another important step on how to write a research paper outline.

It plays an important role in the development of the research paper outline template, and it requires you to ascertain the different ideas to include in your outline.

This step usually entails identifying the various ideas that are related to the argument you want to advance in your research paper.

When doing so, it is important to include ideas from different angles on your main argument.

4. Categorizing the Ideas in Sub-groups

This step is important when laying the structure of a research paper outline.

The step requires you to find points that fit the different sections of the research paper outline template.

It entails grouping the ideas together based on how they relate to each other.

In this, you need to group ideas into core points as well as supporting evidence. You should group the ideas into clusters like:

The main points supporting the argument/thesis statement
The evidence to back the points

5. Ranking the Ideas

After categorizing the ideas, you should now proceed and rank them based on their strength in relation to your argument.

Good skills on how to write a research paper outline requires you to rightly identify the points that are more convincing in the support of the argument.

The ranking of such ideas should be the basis of your research paper outline format.

6. Developing Headings and Subheadings

The headings and subheadings define the structure of a research paper outline template.

It is therefore important to carefully determine the appropriate headings and subheadings to use for your outline.

For that reason, the headings and subheadings in your college research paper outline should be aligned to the ideas or points already identified.

This alignment should factor in the research paper topic and the thesis statement.

7. Formatting the Outline

This is considered the last step when it comes to how to write a research paper outline.

It requires you to number the research paper outline format.

You can use approaches such as alphanumeric, decimal format, or the full sentence format.

Organization in a Research Paper Outline Template

Organization is the basis of a college research paper outline.

Such organization could be derived from an elaborate research paper outline template.

Note that organization is usually confined into 4 major levels that are as discussed below.

1. Level 1

This level encompasses more generalized information. It is the most basic level of a research paper outline template.

At this level, you should begin by numbering key areas that include:

Introduction
All the points to include
Conclusion

As earlier imputed, such numbering may vary depending on the nature of the research paper.

For instance, it could include different epochs for a history research paper, chapters for a literature review, or a results section for a scientific research paper.

A research outline example at this level would be as illustrated below.

Introduction
Main idea 1
Main idea 2
Main idea 3
Conclusion

2. Level 2

This level of organization contains more details on the areas to include in your research paper outline template.

Skills on how to write a research paper outline demands that you include topics that support three key areas, including:

Introduction
Main ideas
Conclusion

It is required that you include a minimum of two supporting points the topics in the outline.

At this level, mains ideas without adequate support should be excluded.

Instead, you could present alternative ideas or embark on research in search for appropriate support.

At this level, a research paper outline template would be as illustrated below.

I. Introduction

a. Background

b. Thesis or hypothesis

II. Main idea

a. Supporting topic

b. Supporting topic

III. Main idea

a. Supporting topic

b. Supporting topic

3. Level 3

This is another important level of organization when it comes to how to write a research paper outline.

The level includes supporting information on the different topics already listed. It relies on research done for support on your ideas.

Research outline example at this level could be as illustrated below.

I. Introduction

A. Background

1. Pertinent history

2. Pertinent history

B. Thesis or hypothesis

1. A clear statement of the thesis or hypothesis

II. Main idea

A. Supporting topic 1

1. A short description of supporting information

2. A short description of supporting information

B. Supporting topic 2

1. A short description of supporting information

2. A short description of supporting information

4. Level 4

This is the last level of organization. It requires the highest level of skills on how to write a research paper outline.

The level contains extensive details about relevant information. Such details could be in the form of:

1. Specific observations

2. References

3. Quotes

4. Data

Information in this level is usually very specific.

A research outline example at this level would be as shown below.

I. Introduction

A. Background

1. Pertinent history

2. Pertinent history

a. Quotes or references from relevant piece of literature

B. Thesis or hypothesis

1. A clear statement of the thesis or hypothesis

a. References or quotes from relevant literature

II. Main idea

A. Supporting topic 1

1. A short description of supporting information

a. References or quotes from relevant literature

b. References or quotes from relevant literature

2. A short description of supporting information

B. Supporting topic 2

1. A short description of supporting information

2. A short description of supporting information

Research Paper Outline Template Example

A good research paper outline example provides specific illustrations on the relationships between respective sections provided by the research paper outline template.

Such illustrations could be as discussed below.

NB: The below research paper outline template is on the relationship between education and health.

The link between educational achievement and health.

I. Introduction

A. Current Problem: Available data indicate a decline in educational attainment rates in the United States is coupled with an increase in healthcare costs.

B. Population or Topic Area of Focus: Adult workers in the unskilled and low-skilled job groups

C. Key Terms: mental health, physical health, well-educated

Thesis Statement: Data indicate income deficits (cite sources) together with broad depression predisposition (cite sources) expose high school dropouts to a higher risk for mental and physical health problems in the life.

II. Background

A. Historical Overview of Employment: In the past decades unskilled workers were members of unions and were able to secure good pay for their labor (cite sources).

B. Historical Overview of Healthcare: In the past decades unskilled workers enjoyed good healthcare schemes and benefits (cite sources).

C. The Link between Education and Employment: Over the past few decades, low-skilled and unskilled jobs have been dominated by poorly educated workers (cite sources).

D. Research Gaps: There is limited information on how the current conditions among low-skilled workers impact on their health.

III. Major Point 1: Employment conditions have an impact on workers’ physical health

A. Minor Point 1: Work environments predominantly characterized by unskilled work highly correlate with high worker injury rates (cite sources).

B. Minor Point 2: Proper healthcare and enough time to recover from injury are rarely factored in in unskilled work (cite sources).

IV. Major Point 2: The workers’ mental health is impacted by conditions of employment

A. Minor Point 1: Higher levels of stress are correlated with work in low-skilled positions (cite sources).

B. Minor Point 2: Stress is greatly correlated with issues of mental health (cite sources).

V. Major Point 2…..

A….

B….

VI. Major Point 3…..

A….

B….

VII. Conclusion

A. Restatement of Thesis: High school dropouts are predisposed to higher risks for mental and physical health problems in their lives.

B. Next Steps: The US society requires educational advocates; and educators should be required to familiarize themselves with this situation and appropriately advise students on the health risks associated with school dropout.

Research Paper Outline Template