How-to-Write-a-Research-Paper--2020-Step-by-Step-Guide

How to Write a Research Paper | A Step-by-Step Guide 

If you’re in your graduation years, there is one document that is a pre-requisite to becoming a scholar – Research paper. While in college, someday or the other, you shall have to write a document that adds to the assessment grades that you get on the completion of your degree. But, since many students are naive to this term, knowing how to write a good research paper is crucial. Being a vast document, writing a research paper takes in a lot of your time and effort. But, what is the use of beating about the bush when you can get the right procedures to follow for writing it? This guide on how to write a research paper will show you the most effective academic writing process to get along with it and score an A+ grade.  

 

Writing a scholarship essay is an important skill for seeking admission in a college. If you need guidance with it, you can also read our blog:-

 

How to Write a Winning Scholarship Essay

 

What is a Research Paper?

The research paper is an important academic document that demonstrates the student’s knowledge of a subject. While writing a research paper, the students jot down the analysis and their opinions on a research topic. But, you must not confuse a research paper with a research proposal. While writing a research paper is summing up the product description, the research proposal refers to a proposal to convince the reader how genuine the product is. So, knowing how to write a research proposal is at an equal platform with how to write a research paper as well. Read on to know more about the writing techniques of both. 

How to Write a Research Proposal: 6 Easy Steps

The research proposal is a document that gives a highlight of what you’ll investigate, why, and how you’ll research for the same. To write a perfect research proposal, you must follow these easy steps to write an engaging research proposal. 

 

Step 1# Know the Purpose of Your Research Proposal

Look into points such as the relevance, context, approach, and feasibility of it.

 

Step 2# Write the Title Page

The title page must include the proposed title of the project, your name, supervisor’s name, and institution’s name.

 

Step 3# Give a Convincing Introduction

Introduce your topic, give a background context of it, and outline problem statement and research questions.

Step 4# Mention the Research Methodology 

Give an outline of the theoretical resources, research approach, and methods.

 

Step 5# Include the Plan of Work and Time Schedule 

Consider including the various stages and timelines for the development and implementation of the research.

 

Step 6# Write the Bibliography

Mention a list of references to works that you used in the research paper and other sources

 

Content for an APA Research Paper

A typical APA research paper that you’ll have to write during your grad years contains a content section with the following sections in a proper hierarchy:-

 

  • Title page
  • Abstract
  • Introduction
  • Method
  • Results
  • Discussion
  • References

 

Steps to Write an APA Research Paper: Guidelines to Follow 

Now that you know how to invite the readers to give your research paper a read, you must know how to write a good one. To help you meet all the academic guidelines that you must follow while writing your paper, here are all of them laid in an easy order. Follow these steps to write an APA research paper that can hook the reader and made them read through the entire copy with interest. 

 

If you got an annotated bibliography to write in APA format, also read:-

How to Write Annotated Bibliography in APA Style

 

1# Title Page

  • The title should be between 10-12 words
  • It must contain the title, your name, and the college name (all double-spaced with no extra spaces)

 

2# Abstract 

  • Should be labeled, centered, and not bold
  • No more than 120 words in a paragraph with no double-space
  • Provide an overview of the method, results, and the discussion

 

3# Introduction

While writing a research paper, the frontline is to get the introduction sorted. Why? – you say. To keep a reader engaged and conclude your research paper, it is necessary to look into certain characteristics to make it worth a read. For a fine introduction, you should do your part to:-

  • Summarize the whole information
  • Integrate the Crucial Points
  • Evaluate the multiple points of views in your research paper 

 

4# Method

The method in an APA-style research paper requires a lot more precision as this section marks the details of what is there in your study. While writing the method, keep in mind the following measures:-

  • It should be labeled, centered, and bold. 
  • Mention participants (if it is group research paper), materials used, apparatus used, and procedure section

 

5# Results

After writing the complete body of the research paper, the result section includes the analysis of your research work. Analyzing includes a section for descriptive statistics, types of analysis, and test for each hypothesis, and some derivations that you produced out of it. 

 

6# Discussion 

Next up in knowing how to write a research paper is to learn to discuss. In this section, you involve with a discussion on your findings that you quote in the results section. Consider research writing like a funnel; you ought to narrow down your writing as you move on. 

 

So, this is the downpour of the funnel, wherein you derive whether or not the findings match with the hypothesis or not? Plus, it would help if you found out what is the theoretical and practical implications of your findings. In the last paragraph, sum up what you intend to convey throughout the research paper. As an introduction, the conclusion is crucial as well; the reader will make the final assessment. So, for good grades sakes, put extra emphasis on this section. 

 

7# References 

Lastly, provide an alphabetical listing of all the references for your research paper. This section provides the reader with an insight into your research extend and determine how you went with it. 

 

An example of referencing:-

Ebner-Priemer, U. W., & Trull, T. J. (2009). Ecological momentary assessment of mood disorders and mood dysregulation. Psychological Assessment, 21, 463-475. DOI:10.1037/a0017075

 

Following these steps in writing your research paper will help you follow the academic guidelines and secure good grades. If you need professionals to help you write it for you, get the best ones at Homework Minutes. Our experts do extensive research to write an effective research paper for you. Know more about our research paper service and get instant help.