A research paper that describes various findings of research to the public.
Some of them contain original research findings, while others have a piece of just brief information or a detailed review of progress in research to date.
So, we can see there are different research paper formats.
But in general, a research paper indicates in-depth research findings with study methods and reliable data.
So for this, we need prior studies conducted as experiments in science and technology areas. While in social and arts, we need to collect material and data from the population.
Once the data and findings are ready, then we go on to make a research paper.
How to write a research paper.
A research paper has certain basics to be done, like
1) Choosing the topic and collecting the information.
2) Research paper outline
3) The journal one wishes to publish or
4) Want to make a part of the thesis
5) The way to present data
6) The writing style.
If you feel writing is tedious or time-consuming, I recommend you approach professional research paper writers for your help.
Choosing the topic
Any research paper will be given credit based on the topic of research chosen. So, one has to brainstorm good ideas for the right topic. Since there are thousands of research papers on many topics, it will be tough to choose a good one. The topic chosen should be interesting, preferably a current issue, and also problem-solving. Then, such research papers will get a lot of attention.
So, how do you choose a topic for a research paper?
i) Talk to your teachers and friends regarding any ideas they give.
ii) Also, see if any of the topics have been interesting to you for a long.
iii) Search the web for newspapers, magazines, blogs, etc., for any current trending issues.
iv) Go through different publisher sites like Elsevier, Wiley publications, PubMed, WHO, NIH, UN sites, etc.
v) Go through government sites and databases if possible.
From them, make a list of a few topics to choose from. Then, evaluate them with regards to feasibility, current interest, ability to collect information, perform studies, and other conditions.
After evaluation, discuss it with friends, parents, or your teacher to finalize one.
Once the topic is chosen, you will be with a question of how to do a research project in case you need to collect experimental data. If not, then you can go ahead with just writing a research paper by collecting data from available resources.
2) Research paper outline: This part of the paper should be planned well as it will save a lot of time. If not, one has to keep editing again to get the desired shape.
In general, the research paper outline will have
a) Abstract
b) Research introduction
c) Methods
d) Results and data
e) Discussion
f) Conclusion.
Abstract: The abstract of the research paper should be short, like max 300 to 500 words. It can be as a single para describing the whole thing or in parts, keeping it concise. But it should tell what all the research is about and its conclusion.
Introduction: This part of the paper describes the issue, the happenings, and any problems that need to be studied. It also states what and how the paper wishes to accomplish the solution.
Methods: This is the key part of the paper that tells the reliability of the research paper and its content.
The better and more advanced methods we use, the more the value and reliability of the result. So, always choose methods that are well-accepted and standardized before. This part of the method would include the procedure used in the process and any requirements like software, reagents, data, books, charts, etc., used.
Results and data: This part of the paper adds weight. Anyone sees (and even purchases) this part of the paper. So, the results should be neatly mentioned in the form of tables, flow charts, diagrams, etc. They should also be explained clearly.
Discussion: This part of the paper tries to convey what the results indicate. Also, how they are related to the issue. Any new questions and doubts arise out of the problem. And also the cause and solution to the problem for which the study was taken up.
Conclusion: This part of the research paper is precise and short. it is meant to convey the outcome of the whole research in simple terms.
References: This is the part of the paper that describes the sources from where the matter was collected.
Also, any third party or personal findings and studies. This part is important to make the research paper reliable and valid. Every publication or journal has a set style for reference. So one should follow it to comply with them.
3) The journal one wishes to publish
If it is a college research paper, then this step might not be needed. But if you plan to publish it in a journal, then you need to choose the right journal.
This depends on factors like the cost of publication, the technology used in methods, the topic of research, etc.
For example, if the topic is regarding animals, you cannot publish it in a plant-related journal. Also, if the topic is regarding languages or ethnic groups, you can’t publish it in some technological journal. So, choose the journal wisely.
4) To make a part of the thesis
Sometimes, a paper is also written to make it a part of the thesis. This is especially needed for Ph.D., Graduate, and undergraduate students. Here the paper can be as mentioned above.
But since it will be like a chapter in the thesis, it should be in continuation with the rest of the thesis. The abstract may not be required, while the reference can be at the last of the thesis, like the remaining chapters
5) The writing style
The writing style should preferably be a Modern Language Association (MLA) style. For more on MLA writing style. This writing style, in short, is a way to keep away from plagiarism. In this style, one needs to include in-text references to the original works of previous publications or research papers.
If you ask how to do a research paper in one night, then I say it is next to impossible. Because it will not be complete and free from plagiarism. Either you have to copy and paste a lot of the matter from other papers, or you have to take the help of some experts. Plagiarism is unethical and also illegal, so I advise staying away from it.
Why does the writing paper seem hard
Having a published research paper is an accomplishment in a scientific or academic career.
But It may be a bit difficult task to write a research paper for a beginner because
- One finds it difficult to read scientific research papers in one go. So, there is a mental stigma/barrier to the feeling of the tough or uneasy task of writing one.
- Even one may not be familiar with the scientific terminology or style of writing, or even dislike creative writing etc.
- The English language is accepted as a primary scientific language by many journals, so if one is not fluent/familiar with English usage, then it may pose difficulties.
- Unaware of the previous concepts/ happenings of the research topic which one wishes to write.
- Lack of proper understanding of the topic under research and not sure of what to write or what is new to write from a scientific point of view.
Tips for writing papers efficiently.
Talk to your guide or your superior or fellow researcher who guides you in the project work.
He may know a good deal about how to write a research article due to previous experience.
They may even provide a new view of your research work and how it is useful to science.
If there is no new thing out of your research or no new contribution to science from your work, then it is useless to publish that research paper and hence may be rejected by reviewers.
Have recent research papers from the journal for which you want to submit your paper for publication so as to refer to the style of writing for that specific journal. But don’t try to copy, please. Using them as a background structure, try to build your paper in the same fashion with words and sentences related to your research.
Once you write the paper, you may check it with your colleagues for comments and the best way could be to show it to your guide or supervisor.
Steps to writing a research paper:
The process may begin well from the time of starting your project. Because though you don’t have data, you still have an expectation of outcome and hence you may start writing the research paper with the outcome of the result in mind. The steps to writing a research paper are quite common and followed by all.
- Write a lengthy introduction of what you have gone through, what you found interesting and controversial, and your hypothesis and reason for wanting to go for that particular study.
- Write the methods and materials you use, preferably concisely or as expected by the journal guidelines you wish to send the paper.
- Then, if you have the data, write the results again as per the journal guidelines. Because some journals don’t mind the explanation of results in the results section, while others want it in the discussion. Try to clearly mention the outcome of results in all the sections, i.e., between groups or between samples, etc. Be careful about any analytical statistics you use and mention any clearly, including the software name and version if used.
- Coming to the discussion, in the first part, you mention all the study findings. In the coming paragraphs, you try to explain in detail the findings with any adjacent validated supportive references, if any.
- You may end the discussion with a conclusion in the last paragraph.
- Also, mention your gratitude for any funding agencies or companies if your work was sponsored or supported by them and also any individual’s name if they offered you any significant help in the progress of your work.
- References are to be listed as per the guidelines of the journal.
Final checklist to write a research paper
→ Have you selected the right journal to send? This should be based on the topic and subject of research and the impact factor of the journal you intend to send to.
→ Have you formatted the paper and references as per the journal guidelines?
→ Are your images of graphs and tables, if any, fixed size? Many journals recommend sizes above 600 dpi (dots per inch), and some even 1200 dpi for better print quality. If not, you can adjust them by using Adobe photo-shop software.
→ Have the details of all authors, including their contact, given in a complete form as required by the journal.
Some software to write a research paper better:
◊ Graph pad Prism is the best software for making good statistical analysis of your data and also graphs and also to extract them as images to send with the paper after the finalization of the result.
◊ Reference manager software like EndNote to make a citation in the right format both in the body of the paper and also in the reference section of the paper.
◊ Image-making and editing software like Adobe Photoshop and even windows paint can help you make pictures needed to explain your findings or edit the sizes of graphs after the finalization of results.
FAQs
How long does it take?
It takes approximately 2 months to more for one to write a complete paper.
How to stay motivated?
Keep reading the new and latest papers of others. Have a goal o complete your project.
How to write acknowledgements for a research paper
Most people enter the acknowledgments for research at the bottom of the paper after the conclusion but before the bibliography.
It should be short in not more than 2 lines.
It must have the name of the financing body or the name of the supporting person-institute name.
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