| A research paper is one of the most important and | | | | so, just like thesis writing, one can get lost along the |
| common requirements in high school and college. | | | | process of doing a research paper. In order to |
| Students will definitely experience writing a research | | | | narrow your research, it is important to refine your |
| paper at one point in their lives. | | | | topic and define your thesis statement or research |
| A research paper is a formal written report which | | | | question. The thesis statement or research question |
| makes use of the scientific method. This sets it apart | | | | will define the ultimate objective of your research |
| from other academic paper requirements such as | | | | paper and will guide the whole research process and |
| essays and book reviews. Basically, a research paper | | | | the actual writing of the draft. Keep in mind however |
| presents information in support of a certain view or | | | | that your research question or thesis statement |
| idea on a specific issue or topic. | | | | could still change along the research process. |
| There are two main types of a research paper: | | | | After choosing your topic and defining your thesis |
| analytical and argumentative papers. | | | | statement or research question, the next step in |
| Doing research papers can be quite fun and not that | | | | doing your research paper is to do a review of |
| hard if you follow the basic steps and helpful tips in | | | | literature. The review of literature basically means |
| writing one. The first step in writing a research paper | | | | gathering all the significant studies and paper on your |
| will have to be choosing your topic. Some professors | | | | topic. |
| or teachers give their students the freedom to | | | | Next step would have to be data gathering. Primary |
| choose their own particular topics to pursue within a | | | | and secondary sources can be used. Tools such as |
| general topic or theme. As much as possible, try to | | | | interviews, surveys, focus group discussions, direct |
| choose a topic which is closest to your interests. In | | | | observation, textual analysis etc. can be employed in |
| this way, researching will not be such a drag and will | | | | order to collect the necessary information for the |
| in fact be very exciting and interesting for you | | | | research paper. After, these data are analyzed to |
| because you will learn something new. | | | | answer the research question or to support or |
| In addition to pursuing a topic of interest to you, | | | | disprove the thesis statement. |
| make sure your research topic is also 'do-able' so to | | | | The last part of the research paper would have to |
| speak. You should take into consideration your | | | | be the presentation of the findings followed by the |
| limitations before deciding so you not only finish your | | | | limitation of the study and recommendations for |
| research paper but arrive at significant results as well. | | | | future studies on the topic. |
| Although a research paper is way simpler than a | | | | Again, one has to face the reality that sooner or |
| dissertation or thesis, it is more or less like a | | | | later, you will be forced to write a research paper. So |
| mini-thesis. Think of your research paper writing | | | | getting acquainted with the format and steps of |
| experience as a prelude to your thesis writing. And | | | | writing one will prove beneficial. |