What Is a Research Paper

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—youve 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 youd like to explore more deeply. Try to choose a research question that interests you. The research process is time-consuming, and youll 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 librarys 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 youve gathered a wide array of sources, its 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 youll 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 youll 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.   Learning Scholarly Conventions:  Writing a research paper is a crash course in the stylistic conventions of scholarly writing. During the research and writing process, youll learn how to document your research, cite sources appropriately, format an academic paper, maintain an academic tone, and more.Organizing Information: In a way, research is nothing more than a massive organizational project. The information available to you is near-infinite, and its 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.Managing Time: Research papers put your time management  skills to the test. Every step of the research and writing process takes time, and its up to you to set aside the time youll 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 th e assignment.  Exploring  Your Chosen Subject:  We couldnt forget the best part of research papers—learning about something that truly excites you. No matter what topic you choose, youre 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!