Research Paper
Posted on 27th Jul 2023 09:59:27 in General
Research Paper
What is a Research Paper?
A research paper is a formal academic document written after conducting a research study on a given topic. You gather information from the study, analyze and interpret it in order to contribute new knowledge to the field. Research papers are common in fields such as science, business, humanities and social sciences. Here is a general template for a research paper which you can adapt to meet the specific requirements of your institution:
Research Paper Template
- Title Page
- Write the title of the research paper
- Name of the author
- Institution affiliation
- Date
- Abstract
- This is a summary of the whole paper. It should be about 150-250 words.
- Write the objective, methods used, main findings and the conclusion arrived at.
- Introduction
- Provide background information of the study.
- State the problem statement and the research objective
- Justification
- Overview of the research paper’s structure
- Literature Review
- Review previous research on the topic and relevant literature
- Summarize key concepts, theories and findings.
- Identify gaps in existing literature
- Methodology
- Discuss the research approach and design
- Describe the study sample (or population)
- Provide the data collection methods and procedures
- Where applicable, give the ethical considerations
- Provide the data analysis techniques
- Results
- Present your findings
- Use tables, graphs or figures depending on the study, to illustrate the data collected.
- Discussion
- Interpret and analyze the results
- Compare your findings to those of previous research
- Explain contradictory results
- Discuss limitations and biases
- Discuss implications of the research and its significance
- Give suggestions for future research.
- Conclusion
- Give a summary of key findings
- Restate the research objective (or question)
- Give your final thoughts on the impact and contribution of your research.
- References
- List all sources you cited in your research paper. Format the references as per the guidelines provided.
- Appendices
- Give additional data, information or materials that are relevant to the research.
Elements of a research paper include a research objective, literature review, methodology, data analysis, results, discussion, a conclusion and references. These elements should be well structured in a clear and logical order. You should ensure that you adhere to the format guidelines provided by your institution. Write the paper in a formal and concise manner using clear language to convey your arguments. Make sure to avoid plagiarism by citing and adding references to all the sources you used in the paper.