The goal of a research paper is to express and contribute knowledge to a particular field. A research paper can be used to share the results of studies and experiments that individuals have done themselves, or to make a new claim about existing research. Check out the tabs on this page to learn more about the possible ways of outlining, structuring, and writing a research paper of your own.
Writing a research paper can seem overwhelming at first. What do I write about? How do I know what to say? Where do the sources come into it?
Even when you're a student, the goal of writing a research paper is to add to the knowledge and understanding of a topic, so the first step is always to learn what people know about it already: read, do research, and get familiar with the topic.
Then, you can figure out an idea of your own to add to the discussion. That is where the writing process starts.
Explore the tabs on this page to learn more about how to write a research paper!
Attribution is provided at the bottom of this page and on some individual tabs where needed.
Note: Abstracts are NOT required for student papers in APA 7th edition. However, if your instructor asks for an abstract, be sure to include it! If you are unsure if an abstract is required for an assignment, check the assignment guidelines or ask your instructor.
Abstract Guidelines and Samples from AIDES National Conference
Guidelines and Sample Abstracts from the University of Wisconsin - Madison
Unlike the abstract, which summarizes the paper, the purpose of the introduction is to tell the reader why your topic/main idea is important and provide enough background information for your readers to understand your thesis statement or hypothesis, which is usually included at the end of the introduction.
After the background, you will include your main idea, either in the form of a thesis statement or a hypothesis. See the next tab for more on this.
If you are writing a paper based on other people’s research, your main idea will take the form of a thesis statement: a claim that can be supported by information from those previous studies.
Example: It is clear that the current forms of diversity and inclusion training used in this sector exhibit significant gaps in their effectiveness with regard to bias reduction, employee safety and satisfaction, and increased diversity in the workforce.
If you are writing a paper based on your own original research (like a study or experiment you did), your main idea will take the form of a hypothesis: an educated guess about how the results of the study will turn out.
Research papers can follow different structures. While you should follow whatever format and requirements you have been given by your instructor, a general example for papers based on original research (e.g., a study or experiment that you did yourself) is provided below.
Research papers can follow different structures. While you should follow whatever format and requirements you have been given by your instructor, a general example for papers based on previous research (e.g., an argumentative paper, or a paper based just on sources you read) is provided below.
An annotated bibliography is a "list of citations to books, articles, and documents. Each citation is followed by a brief (usually about 150 words) descriptive and evaluative paragraph, the annotation. The purpose of the annotation is to inform the reader of the relevance, accuracy, and quality of the sources cited.”
How to prepare an annotated bibliography: The annotated bibliography. (2022). Cornell University Library. https://guides.library.cornell.edu/annotatedbibliography
To write a good annotated bibliography you need to be:
Concise: Get to the point of what the book/article is about, summarize as briefly and clearly as you can.
Evaluative: Determine the author's identity, expertise/relationship to the topic, and how reliable the information presented is.
Critical: Reflect on the strengths and weaknesses of the work, what is missing, what could be explored further, etc.
Comparative: Describe how the source compares to other similar works.
Keep these in mind while you are writing your annotated bibliography:
Did the author refer to other scholars' research?
Does the source show any intended or accidental bias?
What was the thesis of the research, the opinion of the book, or the conclusion of the study?
Was there a hypothesis, method, and/or conclusion?
Does the source suggest areas for further research?
Finally, how will this source relate to your topic?
Meier, E.S., Lischke, H., Schmatz, D.R., & Zimmermann, N.E. (2012). Climate, competition and connectivity affect future migration and ranges of European trees. Global Ecology & Biogeography, 21(2), 164-178. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1466-8238.2011.00669.x
Plant species have adapted to altering climate conditions, but it remains unclear if species will be able to keep pace with recent and future climate change. The goal of the study is to assess the influence of changing macroclimate, competition and habitat connectivity on the migration rates of 14 tree species. To predict future species ranges from the models, researchers applied three migration scenarios: no migration, unlimited migration and realistic migration. The study concludes that Migration rates depend on species traits, competition, spatial habitat configuration and climatic conditions. As a result, re-adjustments of species ranges to climate and land-use change are complex and very individualistic, yet still quite predictable.
Bergeron, Yves et al. "Response of Northeastern North American Forests to Climate Change: Will Soil Conditions Constrain Tree Species Migration?" Environmental Reviews 18.1 (2010): 279-289.
At the continental scale, climate plays a major role in determining plant distribution, while at the local and regional scales vegetation patterns are more strongly related to edaphic and topographic factors. Considering the broad tolerance of most tree species to variations in soil factors, soils should not represent a major constraint for the northward shift of tree species. Locally or regionally, soil properties may constrain species migration.
Check out these resources for more information on how to write an annotated bibliography:
How to Create an Annotated Bibliography
Please note this PDF does not have an updated APA citation.
How to Prepare an Annotated Bibliography (Cornell University Libraries)
Very easy-to-follow explanation on how to create an annotated bibliography.
Purdue OWL: Annotated Bibliographies
An excellent site that explains the ins and outs of annotated bibliographies.
The content of this guide was modeled after a guide originally created by the University of Connecticut Library and was adapted for the NWP Learning Commons in September 2020. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons 4.0 International License.
Check out this video by Writing Support Specialist Teevin Fournier (2023) for tips to help make reading journal articles for research less overwhelming.
0:00 Intro
0:20 Know your reason
1:22 Active reading
3:15 Common sections
3:40 How to approach or read
9:40 Keep track of sources
11:17 Further resources and wrap up
For more tips on reading and note taking, visit our Study Skills LibGuide.
✓ Follow the specific guidelines from your instructor. The content and structure of research papers can vary a lot based on the assignment instructions. Be sure to always carefully read and understand the instructions you have been given before starting to plan and write your research paper.
✓ Create an outline to stay organized. If you know what type of sections you need in the paper, you can create an outline using headings for each section, then fill in that outline as you go. This is a great way to keep your writing organized and make sure you meet all the requirements for your research paper. For more on outlines, visit our Organizing Ideas page.
✓ Start with the research. Research papers are usually based around original research that you have done, as well as support from related sources. Be sure the “research” part of the research paper has been done thoroughly, and that the points in your paper are well supported by your sources and what you have learned during researching.
✓ There is no set number of paragraphs. While five-paragraph essays require only three body paragraphs, a research paper can be much longer, and have any number of body paragraphs based on what you need to explain. Unless your instructor is specifically asking for a five-paragraph essay, do not limit yourself to just five paragraphs.
This webpage breaks down the research essay writing process, from narrowing your topics to revising.
This sample research paper provides a visual example of what a research essay might look like. Note that the use of graphs or images and citation style vary depending on the course of the essay is for. Always consult with your instructor if you have specific questions regarding the assignment.
This webpage provides some tips on the writing process and an outline suggestion for a research paper.
This handout provides some tips for writing and formatting a research paper.
Our research guide provides tips on the research process, including how to tell if a source is credible, academic integrity, and more.
Attribution
Unless otherwise stated, the materials in the "Writing a Research Paper" guide were developed and compiled by Claire Pienaar for the NWP Learning Commons in 2021.
All icons on these pages are from The Noun Project. See individual icons for creator attribution.