Academic Writing Guide – Research Paper
The more you proceed with the education, the more various assignments and challenges you face. Tasks become more complicated, and their accomplishment demands more developed skills than before. The problem is that you can get stuck even in the initial execution phase because you have never handled them and don’t know all their specifics to get the job done appropriately and in time.
A research paper is one of the studying exercises that can astonish students with its requirements. They base on the fact that this school task is actually a simplified version of the professional scientific written work. Its essence is kept to familiarize young executors with the techniques and standards. They should adhere to them to complete the assignment that will be positively evaluated.
What is a research paper?
Academic writing labeled research basically is a report of the conducted examination of the one or several particular matters. Its implementation process implies two consistent fundamental multistep stages:
1. Study holding
The depth and the methods of the research depending on the paper type, subject and stipulated requirements. The procedure can consist of the review and analysis of information sources, field actions like experiments, tests, focus group quizzes, etc. Its algorithm can be previously specified or should be thought through by the student.
2. Paper composing
This written work has a defined by the standards structure. Its features can differ, but the basics remain the same. Review the most common framework below:
- Topic. It represents an investigated matter and optionally a writer’s angle.
- Introduction. The preamble elucidates the chosen subject and gives a glimpse of the following content.
- Main Body. The statement reflects the exploration process, provides affirmations based on it and issue solutions.
- Conclusion. This part has the form of a paper summary accompanied by the evaluation of research outcomes and their perspectives.
- References. A list of the literature and scientific works the materials of which have been involved in the writing process.
The paper attributes also include formal language style, toning, the particular formatting, the certain uniqueness percentage, etc. They significantly affect the grade the completed assignment can qualify for.
Such tasks allow students discovering the unknown world sides and gaining or proceeding with the development of attainments like research, analytical and representation skills, critical and out-of-box thinking, the abilities to persuade and motivate, etc. All of them young adults will require for the future employment and living overall.
The main types of research papers
There are several kinds of this academic writing that define its primary objective. Review the most popular variations of the assignment with the short descriptions to explore its scope.
- Analytical. An analysis of factual circumstances and appearances and their studies accomplished till the present time.
- Argumentative. A controversial issue investigation with the presentation of writers’ and other opinions on the matter.
- Cause-and-effect. An examination of process origins and aftermaths in quest of logical connections.
- Compare-and-contrast. A detailed comparison of somehow related subjects that are counterposed to each other.
- Interpretive. A writer’s interpretation of artistic creations mostly like prose, poetry, paintings, music, etc.
- Report. A strictly focused representation of the survey which framework is founded on its key elements.
Each research paper type comes with a kit of instruments a writer should employ to achieve the established goal. It can contain rhetorical strategies, narration consistency, basis and evidence specifics, etc. All writing kinds can have some components of the others, but they shouldn’t surpass in the significance the ultimate aim.
Top-5 tips for writing a research paper
This assignment usually appears for students as tedious and overly complex, so they entirely forget about its utility. They leave its accomplishment on the bottom of their task list, and this way almost automatically decrease their potential academic performance. What they don’t realize that all they need is a few guidelines and some assiduity and persistence to turn a boring reading-writing process into an adventure through the infinite space of knowledge. If you’re one of those, attempt to change your attitude towards the undertaking. If you succeed this alteration in combination with five successive tips will bring your work to another level.
1. Create an outline
In the initial stage, you should go through numerous materials. To keep in mind such a tremendous piece of information is impossible. That’s why to take notes during browsing and add bookmarks to the pages with the parts you would like to quote. The results will become a fundament for your paper outline.
A writing plan is an itemized structure of the work in each clause of which you should briefly specify descriptions of the content that you desire to present there. You can also precise the sources where you can find facts and evidence for the statements. This step will allow you not losing the logical thread of narration and represent the research outcomes in a favorable light.
2. Employ trustworthy sources
To be taken seriously, your work should be founded on the credible sources of information. Even the slightest uncertainty can ruin the basis of your thesis and make readers doubt your competence. That’s why better take in consideration materials recommended by a curriculum, scientific publications, respected magazines, research institution websites, etc.
The fact that you’ll list them in the last section of the paper underlines even more that you should thoroughly think it through. This enumeration will allow evaluating the quality of your examination, its depth, seriousness, the approach and the attitude you’ve obtained for the task execution. As the whole paper, it’s a reflection of its writer.
3. Stay focused and disciplined
Academic writing can’t stay unsupported statements and prevarications. Each sentence, section, and chapter should serve the topic investigation and discussion and the work purpose.
Get familiar with the full list of requirements for this assignment and this paper kind overall and stick to them. This clause is a not-alternative step to the paper admission for the evaluation.
In progress, you’ll face various challenges and ambiguities that will extend the fulfillment period. That’s why ascertain that you’ve planned enough time for the process. Consider that you might achieve better results if you execute it gradually.
4. Adhere to the objective
A writing type aim and a topic in combination with your viewpoint are guidelines that you should follow rigorously. It should be reflected in the content, its delivery and eventually in the assessment results like grades, comments and further actions for the matter study or resolution.
5. Proofread and revise
With the demanded length of such papers and the required time for their execution, it’s hard to avoid gaps and mistakes. That’s why always read through the complete work and employ various methods like grammar and plagiarism checkers, friends’ help, etc. to ensure the quality of all its aspects.
If you can’t overcome difficulties with research paper writing, ask for assistance. You can appeal to your professors, relatives, bodies as well as private teachers, blogs, online tutoring and essay writing services. It’s not a disgraceful step that you’ve admitted the defeat. It’s another remedy that will help you to stay motivated and efficient.