Guidelines for Writing a Research Paper

Standards for Research Papers

When researching a topic, students should make certain that they keep an accurate record of their sources of information. Having completed their research, students should then organize their material in such a way that their papers will represent a clear, logical and coherent study of their subject. It is imperative that students have a clear idea of their approach to their subject before they actually begin writing. Essentially, this means that students must first have a thesis or argument, based on their research, which they intend to develop and prove in the course of their presentation. The thesis or argument should be, in effect, a question that the author poses at the beginning of the paper and answers in the research paper. The thesis or argument should be clearly stated in the beginning. It may also be useful in the opening paragraph(s) to outline the general approach to the problem under consideration.

In the body of the research paper, the thesis or argument should be developed and supported by documentary evidence (sources of information drawn from primary and/or secondary sources which are properly cited). By the end of this section the author should have proved or disproved the argument or thesis he or she set out to examine at the beginning of the paper.

The concluding section of the research paper should discuss the implications of the research, drawing certain observations from what has been discovered. These observations should relate to the thesis or argument that the authors set out to prove. No new material should be introduced in the concluding section of the research paper.

If followed, the above approach should give the research paper a logical and coherent structure. If, however, the choice of a topic, organization, or research creates unusual problems, do not hesitate to make an appointment with your instructor. On the other hand, do not do so without having done some reading and thinking about your problem. Students who have not yet begun to consider some of the specific problems and issues around a particular topic cannot expect to gain much from an interview.

Researching and Drafting a Research Paper

There are various approaches to researching and writing a paper, depending on the topic and the preference of the writer. What follows are some suggestions.

For any research paper, there is more than one way to collect and keep track of material. Some people prefer to read the entire relevant part of a book straight through, and then go back to make notes. Others prefer to make notes as they go along. The first method is probably preferable, and no more time-consuming than the second in the long run. But either is satisfactory.

There are many ways of making notes and of collecting material for a research paper. One of the most popular is to take everything down in a notebook, but a more efficient method is to use separate sheets, or half-sheets, of paper with one note, quotation, or piece of information on each sheet or half-sheet. This system permits you to rearrange and to organize the material until it is in the best possible order. Be sure to put the name of the author and book on each sheet, or half-sheet, and also the exact page from which the information was taken. This will be necessary when it comes to documenting your sources.

When you have completed your reading and note-taking, it is time to plan the research paper. Read through your notes and put them in rough order. Draw up an outline of your research paper. At this stage gaps may show up, requiring further research, but it is certainly better to know this sooner than later. You may find at this point that you have too many notes for some areas of your research topic. Do not hesitate to put these excess notes aside.

When your plan is complete and you are reasonably sure of what you want to say, it is time for the first draft. Write this carefully, being sure to keep track of any material for which documentation will be necessary. Re-read the draft carefully. Is your material in the best possible order? Should some of your points be expanded? Are there sections that should be deleted? Have you really done what the title or the question of the research paper requires? Have you included an introduction and conclusion? Did you say exactly what you meant to say? Check your spelling and grammar. Refer to a good dictionary and to a handbook of English usage if necessary.

If you have started in plenty of time, you will be able to put this draft aside for a day or two before revising it. Such a delay is very helpful in permitting you to read your own writing critically.

Prepare your second draft carefully, paying great attention to the organization and style of your research paper. Incorporate your documentation into this draft. All quotations, any ideas which you have adopted but not quoted, and facts not generally known, should be duly documented according to the style specified by your instructor or preferred by your academic discipline.

Make sure that your final draft is as complete and as carefully written as possible, that your introduction really introduces what you have written, that your conclusions really follow from what you have said, and that your spelling, grammar, and documentation style are correct.