What Is A Research Paper

What is a Research Paper
Research paper is a written report which contains the results of original scientific research
(primary research article) or the review of published scientific papers on one or several science
topics (review article). In primary research articles, the authors give vital information about
the research that allows other members of the scientific community to evaluate it, reproduce
science experiments, and also to assess the reasoning and conclusions drawn from them.
Review articles are designed to analyze, evaluate, summarize or synthesize research already
conducted in primary academic sources. Quite often, a science article combines these two types
of scientific text, including the overview and original parts.
By
Olivia Valdes
A research paper is a common form of academic writing. Research papers require

students and academics to locate information about a topic (that is, to
conduct research), take a stand on that topic, and provide support (or evidence) for
that position in an organized report.
The term research paper may also refer to a scholarly article that contains the
results of original research or an evaluation of research conducted by others. Most
scholarly articles must undergo a process of peer review before they can be
accepted for publication in an academic journal.
Define Your Research Question

The first step in writing a research paper is defining your research question. Has
your instructor assigned a specific topic? If so, great—you've got this step covered.
If not, review the guidelines of the assignment. Your instructor has likely provided
several general subjects for your consideration. Your research paper should focus
on a specific angle on one of these subjects. Spend some time mulling over your
options before deciding which one you'd like to explore more deeply.
Try to choose a research question that interests you. The research process is time-
consuming, and you'll be significantly more motivated if you have a genuine desire
to learn more about the topic. You should also consider whether you have access to
all of the resources necessary to conduct thorough research on your topic, such
as primary and secondary sources.
Create a Research Strategy

Approach the research process systematically by creating a research strategy. First,
review your library's website. What resources are available? Where will you find
them? Do any resources require a special process to gain access? Start gathering
those resources—especially those that may be difficult to access—as soon as
possible.
Second, make an appointment with a reference librarian. A reference librarian is

nothing short of a research superhero. He or she will listen to your research
question, offer suggestions for how to focus your research, and direct you toward
valuable sources that directly relate to your topic.
Evaluate Sources
Now that you've gathered a wide array of sources, it's time to evaluate them. First,
consider the reliability of the information. Where is the information coming from?
What is the origin of the source? Second, assess the relevance of the information.
How does this information relate to your research question? Does it support, refute,
or add context to your position? How does it relate to the other sources you'll be
using in your paper? Once you have determined that your sources are both reliable
and relevant, you can proceed confidently to the writing phase.
Why Write Research Papers?

The research process is one of the most taxing academic tasks you'll be asked to
complete. Luckily, the value of writing a research paper goes beyond that A+ you
hope to receive. Here are just some of the benefits of research papers.
1. Learning Scholarly Conventions: Writing a research paper is a crash course

in the stylistic conventions of scholarly writing. During the research and
writing process, you'll learn how to document your research, cite sources
appropriately, format an academic paper, maintain an academic tone, and
more.
2. Organizing Information: In a way, research is nothing more than a massive
organizational project. The information available to you is near-infinite, and
it's your job to review that information, narrow it down, categorize it, and
present it in a clear, relevant format. This process requires attention to detail
and major brainpower.
3. Managing Time: Research papers put your time management skills to the
test. Every step of the research and writing process takes time, and it's up to
you to set aside the time you'll need to complete each step of the task.
Maximize your efficiency by creating a research schedule and inserting blocks
of "research time" into your calendar as soon as you receive the assignment.
4. Exploring Your Chosen Subject: We couldn't forget the best part of
research papers—learning about something that truly excites you. No
matter what topic you choose, you're bound to come away from the
research process with new ideas and countless nuggets of fascinating
information.
The best research papers are the result of genuine interest and a thorough
research process. With these ideas in mind, go forth and research. Welcome to
the scholarly conversation!

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What is a Research Paper

A research paper is a common form of academic writing. Research papers require

Define Your Research Question

Create a Research Strategy

Second, make an appointment with a reference librarian. A reference librarian is

Why Write Research Papers?

1. Learning Scholarly Conventions: Writing a research paper is a crash course

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