Research paper definition
A research paper is a common assignment in college or university that involves a detailed analysis of a problem, its interpretation, and discussion with the reference to supportive arguments.
Many students face substantial difficulties when they get down to writing a research paper because they have the wrong understanding of the task. If you are not ready to study the peculiarities of completing this task, buy research papers online and do not worry about the outcome. Otherwise, you have to learn the issue to complete a top-quality paper.
When you write a research paper, you do not have to describe a subject only. Your task is to focus on a particular subject but with the intention to investigate the issue and present the findings. Thus, a study is not an extensive discussion only. Check what a research project is to get a better vision of how to write a research paper.
It is not only a summary of the major ideas related to the topic.
The task of a student involved in completing this assignment is not just to gather the information regarding the problem and summarize the sources but also to use sources as support to the declared thesis statement.
The task should not be regarded as a list of direct quotes from reputable sources.
It is admissible to use direct quotes, and it is even preferable to refer to the source directly in cases when the point is too essential to reword it. However, one does not have to use direct quotes excessively. The aim of the task is a personal judgment of the problem with the use of the source as support.
It is not an attempt to justify a prejudiced position
It is not a good idea to start writing a research paper with a particular position regarding the issue in focus. The task is to study the problem and develop an opinion on the basis of the selected material, not vice versa.
A research paper is not a list of ideas from others
Even if a research paper has to cover the opinions of other scholars regarding a specific problem, these ideas must be properly presented and used to support students’ personal judgments and considerations.
A research paper is similar to an essay. It does not only discuss the viewpoints but also presents interpretations and opinions supported by strong arguments and evidence. The main purpose of the task is to focus on the analysis of the problem, study it, find related information, analyze and interpret the findings, and write down the results.
A Step-by-Step Guide for writing a research paper
The recommendations arranged in a step-by-step guide will help you write a project fast. This guide has been developed for your specific consideration and may help your write your first draft.
Choose a topic
The beginning is always the most complicated stage. In the majority of cases, many students do not know what to start with. Research paper writing ought to start with the topic development. It may not be easy because the topic has to reflect an urgent problem and be interesting. If the topic does not cover personal interests, a student may not deepen into the problem, and research may be superficial.
The topic development is another part as you cannot simply choose “IT technologies in the contemporary world” as your topic for discussion. Even if there is an impression that the topic is narrowed by the “contemporary world” phrase, this is not. The best way to develop a good research topic is to try to answer the questions what, when, where, why, and how, if applicable.
The Internet is full of ideas. We strongly recommend that you avoid copying the topic from the web but be inspired by the ideas and develop your topic. Original themes can always make some contributions to your final grade.
Develop a research question
You need to have a clear vision of what you are going to study before you get down to research. Your task is to ask a question. What are you going to study? This question needs to reflect the purpose and objectives of your analysis. Mind that you will have to focus on this issue; therefore, you need to predict whether you will manage to find evidence to reason your discussion.
Consider that you may revise and refine your question in the flow of research because the evidence you may find might not support your initial claim. Thus, be open to amendments and further consideration of the study question.
Write an outline
Never start writing any paper without a clear vision of what you are going to discuss. An outline is the best option to structure your writing and ensure that you have omitted none of the ideas. Success comes from the most detailed outlines. Thus, you may use Roman numerals (I., II., III., etc.) for the major sections and then refer to letters or bullet points for a more detailed analysis of the main idea. Add references to the points to make your further writing easier.
Answer the research question
The major problem of the research projects is that they do not answer the set question but summarize the ideas related to it. It is not enough just to gather the information and summarize it. The main idea of this assignment is to collect data and apply it to justify the argument. While writing the paper, it is important to use the sources as support and justification for personal judgment. A student has to answer the research question using additional sources not just to summarize those only. In any case, it is essential to gather recent reliable sources. The evidence-based studies published in peer-reviewed articles are the best choice for your study.
Refer to your notes
When a student studies the problem and reads a great number of sources, it is necessary to make notes. They will help to complete the paper faster. In the process of studying the sources, a student may note the major ideas with the references. Thus, the process of writing will only require following the outline and combining the notes to make a proper argument.
Edit and proofread
The final stage of writing a study is as essential as writing itself. At this stage, a student has to revise the draft to create a final version of the research. Read the paper several times. When reading the paper for the first time, it is important to grasp the major view of the information and find inconsistencies and illogical parts. The second reading requires focusing on the sentences ensuring that they are properly developed and support the logical flow of ideas. The third reading aims to check each word for spelling and grammar mistakes. Make sure to correct each error once you notice it no matter at which stage of editing you are.
Here is a checklist of the major aspects you need to pay attention to while paper editing:
- incomplete sentences;
- tense agreement;
- wordiness;
- spelling errors;
- use of apostrophes and plurals;
- punctuation marks;
- contractions.
Reading the paper several times is the best way to ensure top-quality writing. The more you read the paper, the more mistakes you can notice. At the same time, no need to be too picky and not stop reading the paper trying to achieve superiority. Three-four times reading is enough to see whether the paper is ready for handing it in.
It is a good idea to ask someone to read your paper and comment on it. Allow your friends and relatives to read your research paper and express their concerns regarding grammar, style, and content. Critically assess their comments, but ensure that you check those attentively.
Conclusion
Thus, it is not a problem if you do not know how to write a research paper. The information in the article provides an extensive explanation of how to complete the study, what steps to follow, and how to ensure that the quality is outstanding. Focus on the theme you are interested in, and you will notice that research and writing may be a pleasure. Do not forget about the formatting rules imposed by your educational institution.
