Most Comprehensive Research Paper Writing Guide for Post-Graduate Students

Research Paper Writing Guide

Writing a research paper is an honor, a distinction, and an important requirement for graduation in many disciplines. It marks the stage where you are expected to move from being a student who consumes knowledge to one who creates it. Even if you have been successful in your coursework, and have performed well on exams, writing a research paper may still be a daunting task. This guide is designed to help you through the process of writing a research paper, from finding a good topic and conducting research, to writing and revising your paper.

What is a Research Paper?

Before you begin writing, it is important to understand what a research paper is and what it is not. A research paper is not a report, an essay, or a literature review. It is a specific type of academic writing that requires you to research a particular topic and then use it to support your own argument or thesis.

Your paper will be graded on both the quality of your research and the strength of your argument. Therefore, it is important to choose a topic that you are interested in and have some knowledge about, but that also allows you to explore new ideas and viewpoints. It is also important to make sure that your topic is neither too broad nor too narrow.

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The Research Process

Once you have selected a topic, the next step is to begin your research. Depending on your discipline, this may involve reading scholarly articles, books, or primary sources such as letters, diaries, or government documents. It is important to critically assess the information you find and to use only reputable sources.

You will also need to consider how you are going to conduct your research. It depends on the type of research paper you have to write.

Types of Research Papers

There are two main types of research papers: empirical and theoretical. Empirical papers are those that present original data or research, while theoretical papers develop new or existing ideas.

Empirical Papers

Empirical papers rely on data from experiments, surveys, or other forms of direct observation. These papers require you to collect, analyze, and interpret data to answer a research question. Empirical papers are often used to test hypotheses or theories, and they can be either quantitative or qualitative.

Quantitative papers rely on numerical data, while qualitative papers focus on non-numerical data such as interviews, observations, or textual analysis.

Theoretical Papers

Theoretical papers develop new or existing ideas. These papers do not require you to collect or analyze data, but they do require you to use evidence to support your argument. Theoretical papers can be either deductive or inductive.

Deductive papers begin with a thesis or hypothesis and then use that hypothesis to make predictions about other data. Inductive papers begin with data or observations and then use that data to develop a thesis or hypothesis.

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Outline

Once you have done your research, it is time to start writing. The first step is to create an outline of your paper. This will help you to organize your thoughts and to ensure that your paper flows logically from one point to the next.

Your outline should include:

• The research question or thesis statement
• An overview of the main points you will be making
• A list of the evidence you will be using to support your argument

Once you have created an outline, you can begin writing your paper.

A Basic Research Paper Structure or Template You May Use

A research paper has a specific structure and requires students to follow a clear set of rules when writing. This article provides a basic template for a research paper outline:

Title 

The title should be concise and clearly state what the paper is about. It should be no more than 10-12 words long.

Abstract

The abstract is a brief summary of the paper. It should be no more than 250 words long and should be written in the third person.

Introduction 

The introduction should briefly describe the research question or thesis statement and provide an overview of the main points you will be making in the paper. It should also introduce the evidence you will be using to support your argument.

If you are writing a dissertation, the introduction can be up to 10% of the total word count. In a thesis, the introduction can be up to 20% of the total word count.

Methods

The methods section should describe the research design and methodology you used to collect and analyze data. It should include:

• The research design (e.g. experimental, observational, or survey)
• The research methods (e.g. interviews, questionnaires, or content analysis)
• The participants or subjects of the study
• The data collection procedures

While writing the methodology, you should keep in mind that you are writing for an academic audience. This means that you should use clear and concise language, and you should avoid jargon.

Results 

The results section should present the data you collected in an organized and clear manner. It should include:

• A description of the data
• Tables or figures to present the data
• An analysis of the data

While writing this section, you should avoid interpretation and opinion.

Discussion 

The discussion section should interpret the data you presented in the results section and discuss the implications of your findings. It should also discuss any limitations of your study and make recommendations for future research.

For example, if you are writing a paper on the effect of teacher stress on student achievement, you might discuss the implications of your findings for teachers and schools.

Conclusion 

The conclusion should summarize the main points of your paper and provide a final assessment of your argument. While writing the conclusion section of a research paper, you should avoid opinion and inference.

References 

The references section should list all the sources you used in your paper. This includes books, journal articles, websites, and any other sources you have used. Different academic writing and citation styles have different requirements for the references section, so it is important to check which style you are using before you start writing.

Appendices 

The appendices should include any additional material that is relevant to your paper but is not essential to your argument. This might include:

• Data or other information that is not essential to the main body of the paper but might be of interest to the reader
• Detailed descriptions of research methods or procedures
• Calculations, equations, or other technical information

Including an appendix in your research paper is a great way to add more information without interrupting the flow of the main argument. However, you should only include an appendix if it is relevant to your paper and if it will add value for the reader.

The structure of a research paper may vary depending on the type of paper you are writing. In some cases, you may need to include a literature review or background information section.

Writing Your Paper

Some tips to write a research paper:

• Use clear and concise language: The language of a research paper must be clear and concise. Avoid using jargon, slang, or contractions. Also, the active voice makes your writing more understandable and less confusing for the reader. While writing research papers, one must always use the third-person point of view. This means avoiding the use of first-person pronouns like “I” or “we”.
• Be objective: A research paper should be objective and unbiased. This means that you should avoid expressing your opinion on the topic. Instead, you should present the data and let the reader come to their own conclusions. When making claims or assertions in a research paper, you must always back them up with evidence. This might include data from your research, quotes from experts in the field, or statistics.
• Cite your sources: You must always include citations for your sources. This shows the reader that you have done your research and it also helps to prevent plagiarism. Different citation styles have different requirements for citing sources, so it is important to check which style you are using before you start writing. Check the requirements for the citation style you are using.
• Make sure your paper is well-organized and flows logically from one point to the next: A research paper should be well-organized and easy to follow. The best way to do this is to create an outline of your paper before you start writing. This will help you to keep track of your ideas and make sure that your paper flows logically from one point to the next.
• Avoid opinion and inference in the results and discussion sections: The results and discussion sections of a research paper should be based on facts and data. You should avoid expressing your opinion or making inferences in these sections. Let the data speak for itself.
• Include an appendix if it is relevant to your paper and will add value for the reader: The appendices should include any additional material that is relevant to your paper but is not essential to your argument. This might include data or other information that is not essential to the main body of the paper but might be of interest to the reader.
• Proofread and edit: After you have finished writing your paper, it is important to proofread and edit it. This will help to ensure that there are no grammatical errors or typos in your paper. It is also a good idea to have someone else read your paper to give you feedback.

If you are having trouble getting started or if you are not sure how to structure your paper, ask your instructor for help.

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