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How to Write a Research Paper

Last updated over 3 years ago
16 questions
Note from the author:
A brief overview of writing a research paper.
Introduction
Writing an essay can be confusing, but with the right guide to follow there is no need to panic. Learn to write a research paper step-by-step with a process that involves determining the research purpose and question in the early stages, finding sources, taking notes, creating an outline, and other final stages.
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Writing an essay can be confusing, but with the right guide to follow there is no need to panic. Learn to write a research paper step-by-step with a process that involves _______ the research _______ and _______ in the early stages, finding sources, taking notes, creating an outline, and other final stages.
What Is a Research Paper?
What is a Research Paper?

The dreaded research paper. Just hearing that phrase sends most students into fits of panic. Where do you begin? How do know if you have a good idea? What if you have no ideas? The good news is, if you have a step-by-step process to follow, these questions will answer themselves. A research paper is just the final product of research, critical thinking, and composition about a specific topic. Usually, a research paper aims to answer a specific question within a more general topic. The rest of this lesson outlines a step-by-step process for creating one.
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A _______ is just the final product of research, critical thinking, and composition about a specific topic. Usually, a research paper aims to answer a _______ within a more general topic. The rest of this lesson outlines a step-by-step process for creating one.
The First Stages
The First Stages

The very first step is to decide on the topic or subject to investigate. Communication, immigration, and terrorism are some examples of general topics you can choose to research. However, keep in mind that in the next step, you'll have to narrow any one of those larger subjects down into a specific research question.

At this point, you also want to determine the purpose, or the reason for writing. Are you informing? Persuading? Offering a unique perspective? Also, who will be reading your paper? Your teacher? Your classmates? Web users? The answers to these questions will influence your writing.

The second step is to create the research question. The research question is the specific focus or controlling idea of the writing project. Again, you can start with a general topic, but before you begin to research, a more precise direction is needed. The research question will give you that direction. Here are some sample research questions for each general topic already mentioned.
  • Communication: How does efficient communication affect the success of a business?
  • Immigration: What are the influences of varying immigration policies across the globe? Why are there differences?
  • Terrorism: How has technology affected the increase in terrorist attacks in the past ten years?
Each of these questions seeks a very specific type of information for each topic. This approach will help narrow down the information you need. Remember, you need to create a specific question before you begin to research.
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The very _______ step is to decide on the topic or subject to investigate. Communication, immigration, and terrorism are some examples of general topics you can choose to research. However, keep in mind that in the next step, you'll have to narrow any one of those larger subjects down into a specific research question.
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At this point, you also want to determine the _______ , or the reason for writing. Are you informing? Persuading? Offering a unique perspective? Also, who will be reading your paper? Your teacher? Your classmates? Web users? The answers to these questions will influence your writing.
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The _______ is to create the research question. The _______ is the specific focus or controlling idea of the writing project. Again, you can start with a general topic, but before you begin to research, a more precise direction is needed. The research question will give you that direction. Here are some _______ for each general topic already mentioned.
  • Communication: How does efficient communication affect the success of a business?
  • Immigration: What are the influences of varying immigration policies across the globe? Why are there differences?
  • Terrorism: How has technology affected the increase in terrorist attacks in the past ten years?
Each of these questions seeks a very specific type of information for each topic. This approach will help narrow down the information you need. Remember, you need to create a specific question before you begin to research.
Sources

Sources

Once you have a topic and a plan, the third step is to find sources, or search for suppliers of reliable information. Encyclopedias, academic journals, newspapers, and magazines are just some examples of information sources. Nowadays, nearly all of these sources can be found online. The web has amazing information, but you must always remember that anyone can post online. Be very careful about what you decide to include. Check the publisher and author to verify that you are using an official source. Use search engines to discover reliable experts in your topic's field.

Noting this background information about your sources lets you begin the bibliography, which is the list of your sources. As soon as you find a source you deem credible, copy down all the information available about it. The title of the source, its publisher, its author, the credentials of the publisher and author, and the date it was written should all be recorded. Use only the most up-to-date, verifiable sources in your project.
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Sources

Once you have a topic and a plan, the _______ is to find_______ , or search for suppliers of reliable information. Encyclopedias, academic journals, newspapers, and magazines are just some examples of information sources. Nowadays, nearly all of these sources can be found online. The web has amazing information, but you must always remember that anyone can post online. Be very _______ about what you decide to include. Check the _______ to verify that you are using an official source. Use search engines to discover _______ in your topic's field.

Noting this background information about your sources lets you begin the _______ , which is the list of your sources. As soon as you find a source you deem _______ , copy down all the information available about it. The title of the source, its publisher, its author, the credentials of the publisher and author, and the date it was written should all be recorded. Use only the most up-to-date, _______ sources in your project.
Notes & an Outline

Notes & an Outline

The fourth step involves taking notes and creating an outline. Use notes to single out the useful pieces of information from your sources. Any information that may help answer your research question might be recorded. Remember, it's easier to cut out details than to return to the research stage to find new information.

After taking notes, move onto the outline step. An outline is a general plan for the order of the research paper. We all know a paper should have an introduction, body, and conclusion, but a proper outline goes a step further. It includes a thesis, or a statement of the main focus of the entire paper. Your whole paper needs to relate to this thesis, so be sure to write a detailed and clear statement. Including a general reference to your supporting ideas is a great idea for writing a strong thesis. Place this thesis near the end of your introductory paragraph.

In addition, decide what information will appear in your introduction. What will appear in each body paragraph? What will be the main idea for each paragraph? What will be stated in the conclusion? Answer these questions as you create an outline for your research paper.
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The _______ step involves taking notes and creating an outline. Use notes to single out the useful pieces of information from your sources. Any information that may help _______ your research question might be recorded. Remember, it's easier to cut out details than to return to the research stage to find new information.
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After taking notes, move onto the outline step. An _______ is a general plan for the order of the research paper. We all know a paper should have an introduction, body, and conclusion, but a proper outline goes a step further. It includes a _______ , or a statement of the main focus of the entire paper. Your whole paper needs to _______ to this thesis, so be sure to write a detailed and clear statement. Including a general reference to your supporting ideas is a great idea for writing a strong thesis. Place this thesis near the end of your introductory paragraph.
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In addition, decide what information will appear in your _______ . What will appear in each _______ paragraph? What will be the _______ for each paragraph? What will be stated in the _______ ? Answer these questions as you create an outline for your research paper.
The Final Stages

The Final Stages

The fifth step consists of writing a rough draft. Once you have an outline, you can begin writing your rough draft, which is the first version of your paper. Follow the ideas in your outline, but don't be afraid if your ideas change. Adjust your plan and adapt your research to fit into your final views about the research question.

The sixth step involves revising and editing your rough draft. Once you have a complete rough draft, move onto this step, which may need to be completed along with step five more than once to get everything into focus. To revise means to rework, or alter, the draft, such as rephrasing a sentence or changing an idea. To edit means to correct grammar, spelling, and other mechanical errors, such as using spell check and inserting punctuation, though don't rely exclusively on spellcheck, which may not catch all grammar errors.

The seventh and final step of the research paper is to publish the paper. Publishing simply means to print for or otherwise issue the writing to the public, which in this case, will likely be your teacher and/or fellow classmates. Basically, if you are in school, the published copy is the one you turn in for your final grade. If you're writing for an academic organization, your paper might be published online or in a journal. The final touches and small adjustments to your format are all done in the publishing stage. This is the time to add title pages, visuals, or subtitles. Do a final check on your format, source page, and the presentation notes at this time too.

If you've made it this far, you have one final thing to do: Be proud of what you've accomplished! You've completed a research paper!
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The _______ step consists of writing a rough draft. Once you have an _______ , you can begin writing your _______ , which is the first version of your paper. Follow the ideas in your outline, but don't be afraid if your ideas change. Adjust your plan and adapt your research to fit into your final views about the research question.

The _______ step involves revising and editing your rough draft. Once you have a complete rough draft, move onto this step, which may need to be completed along with step five more than once to get everything into focus. To _______ means to rework, or alter, the draft, such as rephrasing a sentence or changing an idea. To _______ means to correct grammar, spelling, and other mechanical errors, such as using spell check and inserting punctuation, though don't rely exclusively on spellcheck, which may not catch all grammar errors.

The seventh and final step of the research paper is to publish the paper. _______ simply means to print for or otherwise issue the writing to the public, which in this case, will likely be your teacher and/or fellow classmates. Basically, if you are in school, the published copy is the one you turn in for your final grade. If you're writing for an academic organization, your paper might be published online or in a journal. The final touches and small adjustments to your format are all done in the publishing stage. This is the time to add title pages, visuals, or subtitles. Do a final check on your format, source page, and the presentation notes at this time too.

If you've made it this far, you have one final thing to do: Be proud of what you've accomplished! You've completed a research paper!
Lesson Summary

Lesson Summary

Let's review. A research paper involves research, critical thinking, and composition about a specific topic. This long-term assignment can be intimidating, but if you follow these steps, it might be straightforward and successful.
  1. Decide on the topic.
  2. Create a research question.
  3. Find sources and begin a bibliography.
  4. Take notes and make an outline, including creating a thesis.
  5. Write a rough draft.
  6. Revise and edit the rough draft.
  7. Submit your final paper.
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Lesson Summary

Let's review. A _______ involves research, critical thinking, and composition about a specific topic. This long-term assignment can be intimidating, but if you follow these steps, it might be straightforward and successful.
  1. Decide on the topic.
  2. Create a _______ .
  3. Find sources and begin a _______ .
  4. Take notes and make an _______ , including creating a _______ .
  5. Write a _______ .
  6. _______ and _______ the rough draft.
  7. Submit your final paper.
Video
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What is the proper order of the steps in writing a research paper?

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Which step involves forming a question to help direct your research and to become the controlling idea of the paper?

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Which isn't a piece of information you absolutely need to note about each source you use in a research paper?

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What is the difference between revising and editing?

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In which step do you create a general plan for each paragraph of your paper?