5 Student-Guided Tips for Writing an Exceptional Research Paper

You cannot go through high school or college without writing at least one research paper. Research papers are crucial in allowing students to delve deeper into a specific topic and showcase their ability to conduct research, gather relevant scholarly sources, interpret the results, and present the findings in a clear and organized manner. However, writing a good research paper can be challenging for beginners, especially those without an idea of where to start.

This article presents simplified tips for beginner-level students and research writers to write high-quality research papers. The article discusses the steps involved, common mistakes to avoid, and tips to ensure the essay is well-written and properly formatted.

1: Choosing a Topic

The first step of writing a great research paper begins with selecting a sound and relevant research topic. Spend some time brainstorming and performing preliminary research to help identify and narrow down a specific area of interest. One way is to identify research gaps in your field. A research gap is often an area that is unexplored by researchers or one that lacks proper understanding. After noting the gap, you can brainstorm ways to help fill these gaps by proposing a topic.

For instance, a research gap in psychology can occur due to rising concerns that adolescents spend too much time on their phones and social media. You can gather research papers on this topic and skim through each to understand the researchers’ conclusions.

Alternatively, start by asking a question such as, “how does social media affect self-esteem in adolescents?”

You must choose a topic relevant to your field of study, which helps ensure that the research paper is meaningful and valuable.

2: Conducting Research

Once you have settled on a topic, gather relevant scholarly sources to boost your knowledge and understanding in the area. Possible sources are divided into primary or secondary sources. Primary sources are the original papers, such as first-hand accounts from affected people and research papers, while secondary sources include textbooks and review articles.

You can obtain scholarly sources from journals, online resources, or books. Use a notebook or computer program like Zotero to track your references because they will appear on the reference page. Take notes of the important findings to help support your ideas or arguments while avoiding plagiarism.

3: Outlining

A great way to keep track of ideas when writing a research paper is writing an outline. Outlining helps break down the content of a research paper by indicating sections and subsections. A research paper typically contains an introduction, literature review, methodology, results, discussion, and conclusion.

An introduction provides an overview of the research paper, the background or context of the research problem, and the research question. A literature review is crucial in providing readers with a summary of previous studies on the topic and highlighting the gap. The methodology describes a study design, participants, data collection materials and processes, and analysis. The results section presents the findings of the study. Discussion is crucial in interpreting the findings and discussing the implications of these results in the real world. A conclusion summarizes the research paper and the findings’ implications and offers direction for future research.

4: Drafting

Once the outline is complete, begin the process of writing your first draft. The outline is a good guide in the writing process because all you have to do is expound on the main points you outlined. Even though it is a draft, use proper grammar, sentence structure, and write clearly and concisely. Cite all the sources and update the reference page using the required format. Ask a colleague or professor to read it and provide feedback where necessary.

5: Revising

You might be exhausted and tempted to submit the research paper after the first draft. However, it is advisable to revise the report, which involves editing it for grammar, punctuation, and spelling errors. The revision also checks the paper for clarity, coherence, and references. Reading the article aloud helps identify awkward phrasing or mistakes. You should take a step back and look at your paper objectively, essential for identifying improvement areas.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

There are several common mistakes that students make when writing research papers. These include:

• Failing to cite sources properly: This is a serious academic offense and can result in plagiarism charges
• Being too vague or general: Your paper should be specific and focused on your topic
• Using improper grammar or sentence structure: This can make your research paper difficult to read and understand
• Failing to proofread: Proofreading is essential to ensure that your essay is error-free

Tips for a Well-written and Properly Formatted Research Paper

Several tips can help ensure that your paper is well-written and properly formatted. These include:

• Using a clear and concise writing style: Your paper should be easy to read and understand
• Using proper grammar and sentence structure: This will make your paper easier to read and understand
• Properly citing sources: This is essential to avoid plagiarism
• Proofreading your paper: This will help ensure that your paper is free of errors
• Following the proper formatting guidelines: Your paper should be formatted according to the guidelines set forth by your instructor or the style guide you are using (e.g., APA, MLA).

Conclusion

Writing an excellent research paper can be an intimidating experience, especially for beginners. However, proper guidance, akin to someone holding your hands, will help you become a great writer. By following the simplified tips presented in this article, you can quickly write a high-quality research paper. Remember to choose a relevant topic, conduct thorough research, outline your document, draft, revise, and proofread it before submitting. Avoid common mistakes and follow the formatting guidelines to ensure your research paper is well-written and properly formatted.