how to do a research paper fast

Tips for Online Students , Tips for Students

How to Write a Research Paper Fast

Updated: June 19, 2024

Published: January 27, 2020

As a student, you knew it was inevitable. The day has come where you have to write a research paper, but you’ve put it off until the last minute. Now the pressure is sinking in to get it done quickly and you want to know how to write a research paper fast.

The good news is that it’s doable. The better news is that there are ways to avoid waiting until the last minute. We will tackle those after we give you everything you need to know to get it done.

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The process.

A research paper is what it sounds like — a paper that requires a thesis (or argument) along with the research to back it up. Research papers involve citing a variety of sources, analyzing arguments, and pulling different academic pieces together to prove a point.

1. Understand the Assignment:

The first thing you have to make sure you do before you get to outlining and writing is to understand the assignment. You will need to organize different pieces of information, from books, essays, interviews, articles and more.

2. Choose a Topic:

Depending on the assignment provided, you will either have a topic in front of you or you will have to decide on one yourself. If your professor did not provide you with a topic, here are some helpful ways to choose one that will work for your needs:

Choose something you understand enough so that you will be able to interpret the research about it
Before you get started, check that there is a lot of content about that topic by performing a simple online search to see what turns up
Write out your topic as a research question that you plan to answer
Research more about your topic and find evidence to back up what you want to answer
Make a list of keywords that you continue to see pop up about the topic
Create your thesis

3. Perform Research:

While performing research is as easy as conducting an online search for sources, the more important element is evaluating the validity of a source. Don’t use Wikipedia as a source, because it is crowdsourced and can be edited by anyone. Instead, rely on digital encyclopedias, scholarly databases, trustworthy publications like TIME magazine and the New York Times, and the like. Since you’re writing this research paper at the last minute, the library may not be a possible option. However, for the next time you write a research paper and plan in advance, definitely utilize books from the library.

4. Write Your Thesis:

A thesis statement is the gist of your entire paper. It is what you will spend your writing proving; therefore, it has to be strong and to the point. A thesis statement appears in the introduction of your research paper, following the strong hook statement that draws your readers in. There is a formulaic way to write a strong thesis statement, and it looks something like this:

“By examining (argument 1), (argument 2), and (argument 3), it is clear that (statement you will prove).”

A thesis statement is typically one sentence and it is clearly written so that the reader knows exactly what they will read about in your paper.

To check that you’ve written a strong thesis statement, ask yourself if it achieves the following:

Is it in the introduction?
Does it answer the question from the prompt?
Can others argue against my thesis?
Is it going to prove a single claim?
Does it answer something meaningful?

5. Outline Your Paper:

Now that you have the main ingredients for your research paper, namely your thesis and supporting research, you can start outlining. Everyone has their own way they like to create an outline for papers. Here’s one good example of how it can be done — this is called a flat outline:

List the topics you will discuss
Under each topic, write your sources
If you are lacking sources, revisit and research more to give more meat to your paper
Move your topics and their information onto your paper in an organized flow
Write your thesis at the top so you can ensure that you are answering/proving your thesis throughout the paper’s argument

6. The Body/Intro and Conclusion:

So, do you start with your introduction and conclusion and then fill in the body? Or, do you do it the other way around? Really, there is no right or wrong way. It ultimately depends on your preference. Some people like to write their introduction and use it to serve as an outline of their paper and then flow from there. Others like to write their points in the body of their paper and then extrapolate the introduction and conclusion from what they wrote.

Regardless of how you perform your work, there is a structure that the paper must follow, which looks like this:

Introduction – includes a hook sentence (grabs the reader), your thesis and a menu sentence (a list of what you will discuss).
Body paragraphs – each body paragraph comes from what you mentioned in your introduction’s menu sentence. Each body paragraph has a topic sentence, or a first sentence that clearly states what it will be about. Each body paragraph includes support and sources that prove the topic sentence or argument.
Conclusion – here, you restate your introduction and thesis in different words. You want to end with a strong and memorable sentence. Just like your introduction began with a hook statement, your conclusion should end with something that will be remembered.

7. Cite Sources:

One of the major differences between a research paper and any other academic paper is that you must cite your sources. The end of your paper will have a list of sources, or a bibliography. Depending on your professor’s preferences, they will either be listed in APA format , MLA , Chicago , etc. This is an imperative step because your entire research paper’s evidence is based on and backed up by these sources, so you must give them credit where credit is due.

While this is not in the cards for all paper writing, it is very important for a last minute research paper. You’ve likely spent hours crunching the information and regurgitating it in your own words to fill up the once blank pages. As such, it’s a good idea to step away from your paper, get some sleep, and then revisit it with fresh eyes in the morning.

9. Proofread Revise and Editing:

As with any paper, you want to make sure you read it over to catch any mistakes. Not only should you use the Word processing tool that checks spelling and grammar for you, but you must also read it out loud to find any mistakes.

10. Find and Remove Plagiarism:

Once you are done with the entire proofreading and checking phase, the last thing that you have to do is find and remove plagiarism in your research paper. Plagiarism has a lot of consequences, and you have to make sure that your research paper is completely free of it. To do this, you first have to use a plagiarism checker to find all the plagiarized parts. Once found, you can either remove them or give the required accreditations.

If there is time to ask a friend or peer to read over your paper one time, that will be a good idea, too.

Photo by Dan Dimmock on Unsplash

How to write a research paper in a day.

Granted, all the steps above can help you write a research paper fast. Here’s a brief look at how you can do this in a day:

1. Brainstorm Quickly

Use the prompt
Outline possible options
Perform a simple Google search and find what has the most information
Choose your topic
Create an outline

2. Research

Find research to support each point in your outline

3. Write Quickly

Put it all on paper as you think of it
Take time to edit, condense, and rewrite

Photo by Nick Morrison on Unsplash

Find a good writing environment.

Before sitting down to get started on your last-minute task, make sure you set up an environment that is conducive to getting your work done. Things you want to consider:

1. Distraction-free:

Choose somewhere quiet and distraction-free. You will have to stay focused for a few hours, so you’ll want to choose a comfortable setting.

2. Good lighting:

Along with comfort, make sure you have adequate lighting to read and write.

3. Go somewhere studious:

Perhaps, if time permits, you can choose to work in somewhere like a library or a study lounge.

4. Bring just your supplies needed:

Even if you work at home, make sure you set up a table with only the supplies you need, as to limit distractions. This could include: a computer, tablet, pen, paper, highlighter, books, and sticky notes. Plus, don’t forget water!

Tips to Avoid Procrastination

Writing a last-minute paper, especially that involves research, is stressful and less than optimal . Instead of finding yourself in this position, you can follow this advice to avoid such a situation.

1. Start early:

Once you’re given the prompt, start thinking about what you want to write about. You can write down ideas on paper and look into the research that supports each point.

2. Outline first and take breaks:

Begin outlining your paper so that when you sit to write, you already have the bulk of it prepared. If you start early, you will have the advantage and ability to take breaks. This helps to revisit your argument with a clear head and potentially see things that you may have otherwise missed.

3. Ask for help if you need it:

Starting early means that you are not crunched for time. So, you have the added benefit of asking for help. You can solicit advice from friends, peers, family, your professors, teacher assistants, the online community, and more. Plus, when you finish writing your paper, you have time to ask for help from someone other than you to read it over and edit it.

The Bottom Line

While knowing how to write a paper fast is useful and at times necessary, it is not the optimal way to approach assignments. However, sometimes being in a bind is out of your control. Therefore, the best way to write a research paper fast is to follow the aforementioned steps and remember to stay calm.

While a research paper involves a lot of work, from creating a strong thesis to finding supporting research, it can be made into an enjoyable activity when you choose to write about something you are interested in. It gives you a chance to digest other people’s findings and make your own inferences about what they mean.

By following the typical structure of a research paper, creating an outline and finding good sources, you can get your research paper done in a night. Good luck!

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29 Practical Tips On How To Write A Research Paper Fast (Without Sacrificing Quality)

Master the art of quick research paper writing! Learn efficient strategies on how to write a research paper fast. Achieve top-notch results now.

Feb 21, 2024

Delving into the realm of academia can be a whirlwind of deadlines and data, but mastering the art of how to write a research paper fast is within reach. From organizing your thoughts to fine-tuning your research paper structure , this guide will equip you with the tools to navigate the labyrinth of citations and analysis efficiently. So, buckle up and prepare to unravel the secrets of crafting a stellar research paper in record time.

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When it comes to writing a research paper fast, the key lies in efficient planning. Start by selecting a focused topic that you are passionate about and have access to sufficient resources. Create a detailed outline with main points and subpoints, ensuring a logical flow of information. This will serve as a roadmap for your writing process, saving you time by preventing unnecessary tangents. Gather all your reference materials beforehand and organize them based on your outline . This will streamline the research phase and prevent interruptions while writing. Set specific goals and deadlines for each section of your paper to keep yourself on track and motivated throughout the process.

How To Write Your Research Paper Fast

Once your research and outline are in place, it's time to dive into writing your research paper. Start with the sections you feel most confident about to build momentum. Write freely without worrying too much about perfection on the first draft. The goal is to get your ideas on paper quickly. Use tools like Otio to help you easily organize and reference your sources as you write. Leverage features like AI-generated notes and AI-assisted writing to speed up the process and enhance the quality of your paper. Finally, take breaks to recharge your mind and avoid burnout, but stay disciplined in following your outlined schedule to ensure timely completion.

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1. Choose a Manageable Topic

Opt for a topic that is focused and manageable within your time constraints.

2. Create a Detailed Outline

Organize your thoughts and research materials before diving into writing.

3. Set Clear Goals and Deadlines

Establish specific writing goals and deadlines to keep yourself on track.

4. Utilize Reliable Sources

Save time by using reputable sources for your research.

5. Use Online Tools for Research

Make use of databases, academic search engines, and reference managers to speed up your research process.

6. Limit Distractions

Find a quiet workspace and eliminate distractions to boost productivity.

7. Write in Blocks of Time

Break down your writing into smaller blocks of time to maintain focus and prevent burnout .

8. Utilize Templates

Save time on formatting by using research paper templates.

9. Write the Body First

Start with the main body of your paper as it often contains the most critical information.

10. Focus on One Section at a Time

Divide your paper into sections and focus on completing one at a time.

11. Write a Strong Thesis Statement

A clear and concise thesis statement will guide your research and writing process.

12. Use In-text Citations as You Write

Avoid going back to add citations by incorporating them as you write.

13. Proofread as You Go

Correct errors and polish your writing as you progress through the paper.

14. Seek Feedback Early

Share your work with peers or professors early on to catch any issues and make improvements.

15. Utilize Writing Apps

Use writing apps that offer features like grammar checking and word suggestions to enhance your writing process.

16. Take Breaks

Allow yourself short breaks to rest and recharge, improving overall productivity.

17. Stay Organized

Keep your research materials, notes, and drafts organized to save time searching for information.

18. Edit and Revise

Allocate time for thorough editing and revision to refine your paper.

19. Set Aside Time for Final Proofreading

Ensure your paper is error-free by dedicating time specifically for a final proofreading session.

A Complete Guide on How to Write a Research Paper Fast (Without Sacrificing Quality), Step-by-Step

Step 1: topic selection.

Choose a focused and manageable topic that aligns with your interests and assignment guidelines.

Step 2: Research

Conduct thorough research using reliable sources and take detailed notes.

Step 3: Outline

Create a comprehensive outline with main points and supporting evidence for each section of your paper.

Step 4: Writing

Start writing the body of your paper based on your outline, focusing on one section at a time.

Step 5: Introduction and Thesis

Craft a strong introduction with a clear thesis statement that sets the tone for your paper.

Step 6: Citations

Incorporate in-text citations as you write to avoid backtracking later.

Step 7: Proofreading

Proofread and edit your paper as you progress, correcting errors and refining your writing.

Step 8: Feedback

Seek feedback from peers or professors early on to make necessary revisions.

Step 9: Revision

Allocate time for thorough editing and revision to enhance the quality of your paper.

Step 10: Final Proofreading

Set aside time for a final proofreading session to ensure your paper is polished and error-free. Let Otio be your AI research and writing partner — try Otio for free today!

• Research Paper Outline Template • Research Paper Introduction Example • Research Paper Conclusion Example • How Long Should A Research Paper Be • How To Quickly Write A Research Paper • Tips For Writing Research Papers • 7 Steps In Writing A Research Paper

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One of the most time-consuming aspects of research is extracting key insights from the vast amount of information collected. Otio simplifies this process by providing AI-generated notes on all bookmarks, including various types of content such as YouTube videos, PDFs, and articles. These notes offer a concise summary of the main points, enabling researchers to quickly grasp the key takeaways from their sources. Otio's source-grounded Q&A chat feature allows users to delve deeper into their research by asking specific questions and receiving detailed answers based on the content they have collected. This interactive feature not only facilitates a deeper understanding of the material but also enhances the research process by encouraging critical thinking and exploration.

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Once researchers have collected and synthesized their data, the next step is to transform their findings into a coherent research paper or essay. Otio simplifies this process by offering AI-assisted writing capabilities that help users create draft outputs using the sources they have collected. By leveraging AI technology, Otio can assist researchers in structuring their ideas, improving the flow of their writing, and even suggesting relevant content to enhance their arguments. This not only accelerates the writing process but also ensures that the final output is well-organized, coherent, and backed by robust evidence.

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How to Write a Research Paper Fast in 9 Steps

So you have a blank document opened and you don’t know how to write a research paper from scratch. Well, academic writing is indeed challenging and much different than other types of writing. If you haven’t written a research paper and it is your first time, it could turn out to be an overwhelming task.

It gets more challenging if you have to write your research paper fast. It really gets tough. And if you don’t learn how to write a good research paper fast that is more than a well-written paper, you’ll find yourself in deep trouble.

However, if you know what steps to follow and how to do a research paper, it will get a whole lot easier. All you have to do is follow a systematic approach. Follow a step-by-step guide and it will become a piece of cake. That’s why I created this guide below.

It shows you what steps you have to take in order to write a research paper and how to get it finished and submitted on time. It covers everything including topic selection, research, write-up, editing and proofreading, and much more.

This guide is all you need to write a killer research paper fast. Let’s get started.

What is a Research Paper?

A research paper is an extended form of essay that represents original research work of the author. It is an academic piece on a topic that is based on original research, arguments, interpretation, and analysis. Examples of a research paper include term papers, doctoral dissertations, and scientific research articles.

So who needs to write a research paper?

Anyone can write a research paper but generally, graduate students, PhDs, and academicians write research papers and have them get published in journals. The idea is to share your research and findings with the world.

Here is a research paper example from the Saudi Pharmaceutical Journal :

Here is another research paper example from the Journal of Academic Librarianship :

Yes, research paper involves a lot of research and this is one reason why a lot of people struggle. If you get to know how to write a good research paper and you know the exact steps, you can manage it easily.

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

Here are the steps that you can follow to write a good research paper fast:

Set objectives
Choose a topic
Review literature
Organize your research
Create a thesis
Create an outline
Start writing
Edit and revise

These steps are covered in detail below.

Step #1: Set Objectives

To learn everything on how to write a research paper quickly, the first thing you need to do is set clear objectives. Why do you need to write a research paper in the first place?

There are several reasons why you should end up writing a research paper:

It could be a requirement from your university or supervisor to get your degree
It could be to share your original research work with the right people
To move ahead in your career as an academician or a professional
You’re writing a research paper just to let others know of your experience and you don’t intend to get anything in exchange

If you’re writing a research paper as a degree requirement, you’ll approach it differently as compared to if you’re writing one as a professor. Setting the right objectives and goals for your research paper helps you stay focused and organized.

Ask yourself following questions to set objectives for your assignment:

Why do you need to write a research paper?

What is its deadline?

What is the research paper format?

Is there a specific word count requirement?

Do you have a topic in mind?

Where do you wish to publish your research paper?

Set realistic yet challenging objectives and goals for your assignment based on your answers. If you have to write a research paper as a requirement for your graduate degree, you will get clear objectives from your university. It will make your job easier. You just have to stick to them.

However, if you’re writing a research paper to get it published in a journal to strengthen your resume and to get a better job, you’ll have different objectives that will be more geared towards the journal’s requirements.

Step #2: Plan

After you have identified objectives for your research paper, you need to create a plan to achieve your objectives. If you’re serious about how to do a research paper, you should plan it. The best way to plan your research article is to create a Gantt chart.

A Gantt chart helps you manage your research paper and set schedule for different activities (discussed later in this guide). You’ll be able to complete important tasks on time so that you don’t end up missing deadlines.

If, for instance, you have to submit a research paper to a journal’s call for paper request, you’ll have to get it ready well before the deadline. This is where the Gantt charts are very helpful. You can set a schedule based on the priority of the tasks.

You can’t write your complete research paper in a single go even if it has to be 3K words or less. You need to collect data and you have to analyze your data using a statistical tool. And this is where things get complicated because data collection and analysis can take months. It isn’t necessary that you personally collect data so if someone else is collecting data, you have to manage things at your end smartly. You can’t do it without planning and proper scheduling.

Planning is essential because you have to rely on different resources for data collection, data analysis, data interpretation, data reporting, editing, etc. When there are multiple individuals and tools involved, you need to set your priorities and you need a proper plan that will show you what needs to be done, who will do it, when it should start, and when a task should be completed.

At the same time, there are certain resources that you’d need special access to from your university such as statistical tools. If you’re analyzing data in SmartPLS , you’d need a key from your university which remains active for 30 days. Not only that you have to request a key on time after you have collected the data, but you’ll also have to make sure that data is analyzed in 30 days else you’ll have to request for key renewal which takes a few days.

In the absence of planning, you might not get access to several critical university resources and this will significantly delay your research article.

A proper plan will let you put requests for resources well before the time that will be entertained as compared to putting requests at the last moment (that are normally rejected due to resource unavailability or overload).

Step #3: Choose a Topic

Your research topic is of central importance in the research article. You should give special attention to topic selection as everything else will be derived from the topic. A wrong topic selected and you won’t be able to get back on track very soon.

There are two ways to choose a topic for your research paper:

If you’re writing a research paper for a degree requirement, you’ll receive guidelines from your supervisor/university. Follow the guidelines. You’ll have to choose a topic of your interest.
If you’re writing a research paper for publication in a journal, you’ll have to identify a journal, read its scope, read author guidelines, and then choose a topic that is most likely to be accepted by the journal for publication.

Even if you’re writing a paper as an assignment, you’ll still have to get it published in a relevant journal so you have to choose an appropriate journal first. That’s the right approach to choosing a topic.

So your research topic should meet these two criteria:

You should have an interest in the topic.
You have identified an appropriate journal that’s likely to accept and publish your research article.

Choosing a topic of your interest will make it easier for you to write about it. Your passion will motivate you and you’ll rarely feel bored. Aligning your topic to a specific journal will make publication easier. Journals are very choosy and publish articles that meet their scope and won’t publish anything that doesn’t meet their scope.

Here is an example of the scope of the Alternative Law Journal:

If you submit an article to this journal, it will be accepted if and only if it meets the aims and scope. And this holds true for all the journals out there. So you have to choose a topic and then you have to find a relevant journal that will accept your research paper.

Here are a few actionable tips on how to choose a topic for your research paper:

The topic should meet the assignment requirements.
Use brainstorming to identify a decent research topic.
Start from a broad topic such as human resource management and then narrow it down. Ensure that the topic isn’t too broad.
Narrow down the focus. The more focused your topic is, the better. Broader topics don’t tend to do well. For instance, you can narrow down your human resource management topic to organizational citizenship behavior in the banking sector.
Don’t narrow your topic too much as it will limit your options for data collection. There has to be a balance between too broad and too narrow.
Ask industry experts as they might be able to help you identify a hot topic based on their experience and the challenges they’re facing in the industry. This will make your research practically applicable and useful for practitioners.
The topic needs to be of interest for practitioners or a certain group (e.g. researchers). If it only interests you and is considered invaluable by others, you’ll struggle to get your research paper published in a high impact journal.

Once you have finalized your topic, you then need to identify a journal to get your article published. This is the stage where you’ll be able to further refine your topic, tweak it, and make it compatible with the journal’s requirement.

Here are some tips to identify the right journal based on your research topic and how to make your topic compatible with your preferred journal:

Visit leading publishers such as Elsevier , Sage , Wiley , etc. and search for journals based on your topic.
Use Google Scholar to identify recent articles published on your topic.
Read the aims and scope of the journals to screen them and identify the ones that are most likely to publish your article.
Read the recently published article in these journals. This will give you an idea of what type of articles they publish. Tweak your research topic if needed to make it compatible with a journal’s policies.
Read author guidelines and any special instructions that will help you craft a better research paper.
Target one journal and stick with its requirements. This will help you focus on one journal’s requirements which makes acceptance easier as you’ll write specifically for it.

Once your topic is finalized, you’re ready to proceed with an in-depth literature review to create your thesis and outline.

Step #4: Literature Review

Reviewing literature is an essential step of how to write a research paper. You can’t do research without reviewing literature.

The literature review is a comprehensive summary of previous research on your selected topic. It involves reviewing existing research papers, books, scholarly articles, and any other authentic and reliable data source that is related to your topic.

The purpose of the literature review is to describe, summarize, and evaluate previous research on your topic to find what has already been done and where you want to move from here. Existing literature helps you identify theories on your topic, history of the topic, current issues, and future research directions that help you refine your research topic and build a thesis.

The literature review is essential as it lets you understand the topic and previous research. You don’t want to end up researching an issue that’s already covered by someone else. How’d you find what work other researchers have done on the subject? By reviewing literature. Besides, you get to learn methodologies, theories, models, and other critical information about your topic during the literature review process.

Since writing a research paper is much different than writing a novel where you can write a novel even if you haven’t read any novel in your life. In case of writing a research article, you can’t write a research paper (on any topic) without reading existing literature. You need a base and a theory to support your arguments. It’s a scholarly article that can’t exist in isolation.

Here is what in-depth literature review will help you with:

It will clarify your topic and will help you refine it
It helps you find theories and models
It helps you narrow the focus of your research
You get to learn everything about your research topic
You get resources that you can cite in your research paper
It helps you create a thesis for your research paper
You give an overview of the past research to the readers which helps them better understand your research and how it is relevant to the existing research

how to review literature for your research paper

Follow these steps to review the literature for your research paper.

Step #1: Select Literature to Review

Identify keywords that are relevant to your research topic and start searching for the existing literature. Google Scholar and your university’s library should be your starting point.

Besides, you can access databases like JSTOR , Medline , EBSCO , and others to search for articles, books, and other relevant material. You’ll be able to access databases and journals that your university has an agreement with so it’d be best to use your university’s resources.

Step #2: Take Notes

The literature review is a part of your research paper so it will be best to start writing it as you review and analyze literature. You need to interpret and synthesize published work with your critique.

If you want, you can create an Excel sheet where you can add article titles with their key findings and your comments. This type of sheet helps you keep a record of all the literature reviewed.

Step #3: Write

Don’t just write a summary of the literature rather add your arguments, critique, and analysis. Create a structure for your literature review as it makes writing easier. Here is a structure that you should follow:

Introduction: Tell readers the purpose of the introduction.
Body: Organize literature in one of the forms: Systematic, chronological, theoretically, thematic, or methodological.
Conclusion: Highlight key findings and summarize your literature review.

By the time you’ll be done with the literature review, you’ll have a thorough understanding of your research topic.

Step #5: Organize Your Research

If you’re writing a research paper for the first time and don’t know anything about how to write a good research paper or how to do a research paper, you’ll get lost easily.

Because writing a research article is not the same as how to write a novel. It’s much different. You have to read a lot of literature, you have to take notes, and you have to keep everything organized.

Organizing your research, literature, notes, PDFs, data files, and other resources are essential. Your research paper isn’t just the paper you write but it is based on and is linked to several other elements.

Organizing your research paper and research work is essential.

It also helps you write a research paper fast. I mean if you’re short of time, you don’t want to spend half of your day finding missing files, literature, and theories that you have already reviewed. This is why using tools is essential.

First off, if you’re interested in writing your research paper fast, you need a writing software like Squibler .

Why Squibler specifically?

Because it helps you organize your content, paper, literature, and everything else. Authors use it to organize their manuscripts and to get their books published fast (in as low as 30 days). This shows how powerful this tool can be for your research paper’s organization.

Squibler alone will reduce your writing time to a great extent. If you’re in a hurry, don’t miss it.

But Squibler isn’t all you need, it helps you manage and organize your files, manuscript, and content, you still need other tools to manage other stuff. Here is a list of tools that you must use to organize your research:

NVivo for reviewing the literature and for qualitative analysis
EndNote for managing references and citations
Grammarly for writing, editing, plagiarism, and proofreading
Evernote for taking notes and managing your research
Scrivener for writing and managing your research paper

You should also check with your university for tools and apps. You might get access to tools for free that have partnered with your university. In any case, don’t go without tools as they can save you a lot of time at the end of the day.

Step #6: Create a Thesis Statement

Now that you have reviewed a lot of literature, refined your research topic, and have organized your research work (so far) appropriately, it is time to create your thesis statement.

A thesis statement is a one-sentence that defines your research and topic. It tells the readers what your research paper will discuss. Here is an example of a thesis statement:

The thesis statement is derived from the literature. You can’t (and in fact shouldn’t) write a thesis statement without extensive review of the literature.

Here is what a thesis statement does:

It tells readers what big problem you’re addressing
It sets the expectations of the readers
It shows how you’ll interpretation of the question your research paper will address
It makes a claim

In simple words, your thesis statement is a sentence that represents your point of view (or argument) about the topic that you’ll defend in the rest of the research paper.

Here is an example of a good and a bad thesis statement:

Your thesis statement should be:

Unambiguous
Shows your position or point of view

A great technique to create a thesis statement is to convert your research paper topic into a question and then answer the question is a sentence or two. The answer to the question will be your thesis statement.

For instance, your topic is to discuss the benefits of cinnamon for weight loss .

Convert it into a question as: What are the benefits of using cinnamon for weight loss?

Answer it as: The benefits of using cinnamon for weight loss are …

This answer is your thesis statement. Make it a bit scholarly as: Using cinnamon will reduce weight by …

That’s how simple it is.

Step #7: Create an Outline

Once you’re done with the thesis statement, you need to create an outline for research paper. You can skip this step if you want but it isn’t recommended. If you plan to write a decent research article and if you want to know how to write a good research paper, you should know the ins and outs of creating an outline.

An outline for research paper helps you structure your paper. It tells you what you’re supposed to do and how to do it. And it helps you write your research paper fast.

Here is how an outline for research paper looks like :

The outline can be as detailed as you want or as short as you want it to be. You should, however, keep outline fairly detailed by listing all the headings and subheadings. List what you’ll cover in each subheading. The following outline for research paper is a perfect example that lists all the major portions of the article:

If you’re writing a research paper as a degree requirement, you’ll get an outline template from your university. Follow the template and stick with it.

If your university doesn’t provide you with a template, you can find a free template from the internet. There are tons of free templates available out there for research papers that help you with research paper format and outline.

For journal submissions, you’ll have to create an outline using the journal’s author guidelines. Journals have specific requirements in terms of word count, headings, subheadings, number of tables, number of figures, etc. They provide you with in-depth details so in this case, creating an outline becomes a whole lot easier.

Follow these tips to create a perfect outline for your research paper:

Start by listing the major headlines including abstract, introduction, literature review, methodology, results, discussion, conclusion, bibliography, and appendices.
Add subheadings by looking at previous research papers.
Since you have already reviewed literature, you’ll be in a better position to identify subheadings and sections for your research paper.
Keep outline flexible.
Don’t hesitate to tweak your outline. You should update it as you start writing your paper.

Step #8: Start Writing

Finally, it’s the stage in your how to write a research paper guide where you can start writing it. I have to admit that writing is the most difficult part. The good news is that you have already done most of the hard work by preparing an outline, thesis statement, and literature review.

You now need to write the remaining sections as per outline which normally includes:

Introduction

Methodology.

The introduction is derived from the thesis statement and literature review. You have to write the background, research purpose, research questions and objectives, the significance of your research paper, and the structure of the research paper.

It isn’t a very detailed section rather it lays the foundation of your paper. The introduction needs to be interesting so readers don’t lose interest and continue reading.

This section comes right after the literature review where you mention the methodology you’ll follow to conduct your research. This is an important section of your research paper that needs to be written clearly.

Methodology includes:

Research methods
Research philosophy
Population and sampling techniques
Data collection and data analysis techniques
Instruments and scale used
Pilot study details

You need to justify your selection of research methods and techniques with strong arguments. For instance, if you’re doing qualitative research, you need to present arguments as to why you selected qualitative research as opposed to quantitative.

This section covers the results of your research paper. It happens to be a crucial part of your research paper as it highlights the findings of your research which is your contribution.

Write your results scientifically in this section and relate them to your thesis statement and research questions. Add tables, figures, and other details from the statistical tool that you used in your study.

Explain your results in detail in the discussion section. Link results to theory and literature. You need to explain results in an easy-to-understand language not just scientifically. Provide arguments for your results that weren’t supported by theory or weren’t as expected.

The discussion section includes:

Discussion on results
Limitations of the research paper
Implications
Future research directions

Finally, write a conclusion that summarizes your research paper’s findings and contribution. The conclusion should give a concise overview of your research paper that should be meaningful in isolation.

Step #9: Edit and Revise

This is the last step in how to write a research paper process. You have written the first draft and it’s time to edit and revise it.

You need to complete the first draft of your manuscript well before the submission date so you get time to edit and tweak it. This is where the Gantt chart becomes so handy. In the absence of planning, you’ll finish your first draft right on the last day leaving no room for edits.

Editing your research paper is essential. You need to go through it once and fix errors and typos. Then use editing software like Grammarly to fix grammatical errors, typos, sentence structure errors, and to check plagiarism. It is an extremely handy tool. You can use its Word extension to fix errors as you type.

As you find and fix errors in your draft, revise it by fixing sentence structure and flow. Academic writing is different than other types of writing (fiction, non-fiction, etc.) so you have to make sure your research paper’s language is academic. You might have to revise sentences and even paragraphs to make them robust.

It is a good idea to have someone preferably a colleague review your research paper. This is a great way to find and fix errors that might go unnoticed otherwise.

Start Writing Your Research Paper

A research paper is way different than novel writing and other types of writing. If you know how to write a novel or how to write a book , it doesn’t mean you’ll know how to write a research paper. If you think you can write a research paper just because you have written a novel, you’re mistaken.

Research paper writing is something different. You need to learn it. You need to at least learn the basics. The 9-step to writing a research paper fast discussed in this guide is more than enough to help you get started right away. You’re all set to write an amazing paper.

Get cracking.

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How to Write a Research Paper: Student’s Practical Guide

Table of contents

1 What is a Research Paper?
2.1 Understanding the Assignment
2.2 Types of Research Papers
2.3.1 Tips for Choosing the Right Topic
2.4 Conducting Preliminary Research
2.5 Formulate a Thesis Statement
2.6 Create a Research Paper Outline
2.7 Writing a First Draft
2.8 Proofreading for Grammar, Syntax, and Structure Errors
2.9 Citing Sources
2.10 Creating a Bibliography or Works Cited Page
3 Tips on How to Write a Research Paper Fast
4 Final Thoughts on Your Journey to Research Paper Success
5.1 How long should a research paper be?
5.2 Why is it important to use citations within your research paper?
5.3 How many sources should a research paper have?
5.4 What steps can I take to make the process of writing a research paper less daunting?

Have you been wandering in the confusing maze of academic research, wondering where to turn for guidance on what should a research paper look like and how to set up a research paper? If so, you have landed in just the right spot. This article will discuss the intricate process of writing a top-notch academic research paper, providing step-by-step directions.

Our primary mission is to make the research paper writing journey accessible and stress-free for all the students. Here is a quick roadmap of what is ahead:

After reading the article, you will understand how to compose an outstanding research paper.
The article provides a step-by-step guide to structuring a research paper.
Clearly defining your research topic helps keep your paper focused.
When writing your first draft, don’t forget to think about your audience.
Citing sources as a crucial role in avoiding plagiarism.

Consider this article your trusted companion, offering practical research paper guidelines to make your research paper writing journey a breeze. Scroll down to learn everything you need to know about crafting a professional research paper without getting help from quick essay writers !

What is a Research Paper?

Unfortunately, many students begin their research paper writing journey without clearly understanding what a research paper is. Are you wondering, too? Well, think of it as a document where you dive deep into a topic, like becoming a detective for a while. You spend much time gathering information, evidence, and facts from various sources to understand and explain something.

Now, one question might pop into your mind – How does a research paper stand apart from others? The big difference is how you use all the gathered sources and facts. In a research paper, you use all your research to support your ideas, arguments, or theories. You are not just giving your opinion but backing it up with solid evidence from other experts.

Other papers, like essays, might focus more on your thoughts or feelings. They are often based on something different than your perspective and might not require you to conduct research. Research papers are like information-packed investigations, while other papers are more about expressing your thoughts.

Research Paper Writing Steps

Research paper writing can be an exciting journey, much like any adventure. Just like any trip, it is essential to have a roadmap to guide you through the process. Without the roadmap, you will sail aimlessly in a vast sea of information without a caption. Here are the steps you must follow to write research papers that impress your readers!

Understanding the Assignment

Imagine you are planning a road trip. Before you hit the road, you will want to know where you are headed, right? Similarly, when you start the research paper writing process, it is crucial to understand the scope of your journey.

Most research papers without a well-defined scope face the risk of rejection by academic journals or publishers. Identifying the scope of your journey is just like setting your GPS destination. It will help you stay on track, avoid getting lost, and reach your destination efficiently and timely. Here is why it matters a lot:

Keeps you focused: Imagine you are writing about climate change. If your paper’s scope is broad, like “Climate Change and its effects,” you might end up all over the place, discussing everything from carbon emissions to melting ice caps. However, with a clearly defined scope like “Impact of Climate Change on Polar Bear Habitats,” you will be more likely to stay focused.
Saves Much Time: With a well-defined scope, you will know where to look for information. It will further prevent you from gathering unnecessary information and save you much time during the research process.
Clarifies Your Purpose: Understanding the scope will help you determine the purpose of your paper. You will know whether your paper aims to inform, persuade, analyze, or compare.

Types of Research Papers

Once you are clear about the scope of your research paper, you will know what type of paper you want to write. Here are the most popular types of research papers :

Argumentative Research Paper: An argumentative research paper for college requires you to take a stance on an issue and support it with solid evidence. Think of this like a courtroom. You are presenting a case and arguing for a particular viewpoint. For example, if your topic is “Should Vaccinations be Mandatory for School Children?” your thesis statement might be “Mandatory vaccinations are essential to prevent the spread of various diseases in school-going children.” Here, you are taking a stance and providing evidence to support your argument.
Analytical Research Paper: Analytical research papers are focused on breaking the topic into its critical components to understand a target audience better. In an analytical paper, you are not required to take sides. Instead, you just have to break down the topic and examine all its parts. Let us say your topic is “The Industrial Revolution’s Impact on Society.” Your paper can explore the causes, effects, and societal changes without taking a stance on a specific viewpoint. It is like dissecting a complex machine to understand the workings of each part.

So, by clearly defining your scope, you ensure a focused and purposeful paper and determine whether it will be an argumentative journey or an analytical exploration.

Importance of a Relevant Topic and Tips for Choosing it

Think of your research paper topic as the starting point of your paper, like the first and main ingredient in a recipe. Choosing the right one will be like finding the perfect puzzle piece – it must fit just right. A relevant topic will keep your research and writing focused. Without it, you will end up writing a paper that is all over the place. Also, when you are interested in the topic chosen, the research and writing process becomes more enjoyable. Otherwise, it will just feel like a significant burden on your shoulders.

Moreover, a well-chosen topic will help your readers know exactly what to expect from your paper. It is like putting the correct label on the jar to tell people what is stored inside.

Tips for Choosing the Right Topic

Are you uncertain about what to write a research paper on? Here is how you can pick a good topic for a research paper:

Consider Your Interests : To write a good research paper, choosing a topic that genuinely interests you is important. If you are passionate about music, writing about “The Influence of Jazz on Modern Music” will be more engaging than a topic you have no interest in.
Start Broad, Narrow Down Later: Imagine you are writing about the “Impact of Technology on our Lives.” That is pretty broad, right? You could narrow it down to “Impact of Smartphones on Teenagers’ Social Lives’. By doing so, you are making your topic more specific and manageable.
Identify Research Potential: Before finalizing your topic, ensure enough information is available for research. If you cannot find any sources or data on the chosen topic, you must look for another.

Conducting Preliminary Research

Once you have your research topic in hand, it is time to gather the building blocks for your paper. The first rule of research is to find reliable sources. Think of it like baking a cake- you want the best ingredients. Credible sources are like high-quality ingredients that make your paper rich and flavorful.

Look for books, academic journals, articles from reputable websites, and research papers related to your topic. Libraries, online databases such as RefSeek, and university websites are great places to start your own research. However, avoid random websites, as most do not provide accurate or trustworthy information.

As you find valuable information, take notes of key facts, statistics, quotes, and source details. Also, take notes of where you found each piece of information. It will save you a lot of time and energy to cite sources later.

Once you have collected your information and notes, it is time to organize them. Think of this step as sorting your treasure into neat piles. Create categories or sections that match the structure of your paper.

Conducting preliminary research is like setting the stage for your research paper. Finding reliable sources ensures your paper is built on a strong foundation, taking notes helps you remember the valuable information you have discovered, and organizing your findings makes writing a research paper a breeze.

Formulate a Thesis Statement

Now that you have done your research and are starting to gather your thoughts, it is time to create the heart of your paper – the thesis statement. You might be wondering what exactly thesis statements are. They are like the main points or core ideas of your research papers. A sentence that tells your readers what your paper is about and your stance.

While formulating a thesis statement for your paper, keep it specific, arguable, concise, and connected to your research. Also, remembering that your thesis is not set in stone is worth remembering. As you continue to research and write, you can refine it to understand your topic better.

Create a Research Paper Outline

Imagine you are building a house. Before you start the construction work, it is important to have a blueprint, right? Well, think of creating a research paper outline as a blueprint for your paper. It will help you organize your thoughts and ensure your paper flows thoroughly. An outline will give your paper a better structure and provide clarity to readers.

Now, let us briefly discuss the parts of a research paper outline:

Title & Abstract: Start a research paper with the title page. It is the first page of the paper shows the title of the research paper and the author’s name. It also shows affiliations, acknowledgments, and other specific information relevant to the paper. Next comes the abstract – a concise summary of the paper that includes the main problem, the research paper question , the study’s goal, the methods implemented, the findings, and the study’s contributions.
Introduction: The introduction section is the first main section of your paper and sets the stage for what follows next. It offers readers the necessary background and context for your study. Also, the introductory paragraph provides an overview of the main points or technical arguments your paper will explore. The best research paper introduction section offers a concise presentation of your central topic while summarizing the existing state of research within the current scientific literature and community.
Literature Review: In this part, we look at past research and previous studies to find gaps. We also discover new possibilities in the topic. A good literature review in a paper gives a wider view of the study and its language. It also helps the reader understand other related works better.
Methodology: The methods section explains how the study was done, including the plan, who was involved, what materials were used, the steps taken, and how the data was analyzed. In a research paper, this section should contain all the steps and specifics used to find the research results. It must have detailed information enough so other researchers can repeat the study if needed.
Results: The results section shares the study’s main findings through visuals like figures and tables. It should stick to facts and avoid interpretation or discussion.
Discussion: The discussion section interprets the study’s results, explains how they relate to the research question and prior studies, mentions study limitations, and suggests implications or recommendations for future research or practice.
Conclusion: The effective research paper conclusion sums up the main points, restates the research questions, and highlights key contributions without introducing new information or unnecessary repetition.
References: The annotated bibliography summarizes all used materials, while the references section lists only cited sources in a specific citation style (like APA or MLA), excluding sources only read or consulted.
Appendices : Appendices should include supplementary materials such as charts, statistics, and efficient mathematical solutions and formulas that enhance understanding.

Remember, the outline will be your roadmap for the research paper. It does not need to be too detailed, just a skeleton of your paper’s structure. It will help you stay organized and ensure your paper is well-structured, making it easier for you to write and for your readers to navigate. So, before you start building the walls of your paper, focus on creating a solid outline.

Writing a First Draft

Once you have gathered your research and created an outline, it is time to dive into the exciting process of writing your first draft. It might not be perfect, but it is the starting point for something great. Now, one thing you must remember while writing your paper’s first draft is the target audience.

Take a little time to understand your paper’s target audience. Who are you writing for? Is it experts in your field, classmates, or a general audience? Knowing your target audience before writing your first draft will help you choose the right tone and language for your message. Just like you would not use complicated jargon when talking to the senior members of your family about technology, you will have to tailor your writing to your target audience’s level of understanding.

Also, when writing the first draft of your research paper, do not worry too much about perfection. It is more like building the framework of your paper. You can refine and polish it in later drafts. Just let your ideas flow and consider your target audience’s preferences!

Proofreading for Grammar, Syntax, and Structure Errors

Proofreading your research paper will help you catch spelling mistakes, fix awkward topic sentences, and tidy up your paper’s overall structure. While proofreading, take enough time and read aloud to help yourself spot errors that you might miss when reading silently.

Moreover, you can use spell-check and grammar-check tools to catch common mistakes. However, do not rely on them entirely, as they often miss context-specific errors. When proofreading your final draft, concentrate on one type of error at a time. For example, look for grammar errors first, then syntax and structure errors. It will make the proofreading process more manageable and efficient.

Remember, proofreading is like giving your paper the last layer of polish. Therefore, take your time, be patient, and give your paper the finishing touch it deserves. Your readers will be thankful for it!

Citing Sources

Using information or ideas from other sources is like borrowing pieces from someone else’s puzzle to complete yours. Citing sources is crucial as it shows you have done your homework and gives credit to the original creators of the ideas or information you are using. Also, it makes your paper look more authentic and credible.

Now, different citation styles are like different languages for your citations. Each style has its formatting style, but they all serve the same purpose – making your sources clear and accessible.

Here are a few citation styles for research papers:

APA (American Psychological Association) : is often used in social sciences and psychology. APA Style typically includes the author’s name and publication year in parentheses, like (Smith, 2023).
MLA (Modern Language Association) : is commonly used in the humanities. In a Modern language association, you usually include the author’s name and page number, (Smith 45).
Chicago Style: is used in history and other fields. It has two main styles: notes and bibliography (used for citations within the text) and author-date (used in the sciences).
IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers): is often used in engineering and computer science. It uses numbers in square brackets, like [1].

Each style has its unique rules and formatting guidelines. Therefore, choose the style that fits your field and adheres to your professor’s or institute’s guidelines. However, if you still struggle to cite the sources, you can use PapersOwl’s helping tools. These free citation generators will help you generate a citation in any style you want.

Therefore, there is no need to spend your precious time memorizing all the rules and formatting guidelines for each style. Also, be sure not to overlook the inclusion of page numbers. Page numbers are essential for proper citation and referencing in research papers.

Creating a Bibliography or Works Cited Page

Creating a bibliography or references list for your research paper is like giving credit where it is due. It is essential to list all the sources you have used, like books or websites, following a specific citation style (APA, MLA, etc.). Organize the research paper’s citations alphabetically by the author’s last name and use hanging indents. This clear and organized reference list adds credibility to your paper and helps readers explore your sources faster.

Tips on How to Write a Research Paper Fast

Do you wonder how to write a research paper fast without sacrificing quality? Here are a few tips on how to write a research paper fast:

Write in Sprints and Set Realistic Goals: Break your writing process into manageable chunks. Set aside specific blocks of time, like 30 minutes to an hour, and commit to focused writing during those periods. Also, you must set realistic goals for each sprint, like completing an outline or writing a specific section. By doing so, you will make steady progress without feeling overwhelmed.
Eliminate Distractions: For working on a research paper, you should find a quiet and comfortable space to work in. Turn off notifications on your phone or computer, and let your family or roommates know you need uninterrupted time. Distractions can interrupt your writing flow, so create a distraction-free zone.
Prioritize Sections of a Research Paper: When writing a research paper, start with the most interesting or comfortable sections. It will help build your momentum. Also, do not get bogged down if stuck on a particular part. Move to another section and come back to it later.
Revise and Edit Later: Do not obsess over perfection during your initial draft. Focus on getting your ideas down on paper. You can fine-tune and polish your writing while reviewing and editing your paper . Trying to write perfectly from the start can slow you down.
Use Academic Writing Tools: Take advantage of writing tools and software to help you stay organized and improve your writing. Tools like grammar and spell checkers, citation generators, and writing apps can save you time and reduce the chances of errors.

Final Thoughts on Your Journey to Research Paper Success

This step-by-step research paper guide on the steps to write a research paper has shown you the way to create a successful paper that meets research paper requirements and makes a good research paper. We’ve covered understanding your scope, picking interesting topics, doing research, making strong thesis statements, and organizing your ideas according to the format for research paper. We’ve also talked about writing with your readers in mind, checking for mistakes, and giving credit to your sources. With these tips, you’re ready to start your research paper journey. Remember, it’s not just about finishing; it’s about what you learn and share as you go. Happy writing!

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How to write a research paper

Last updated

11 January 2024

Reviewed by

With proper planning, knowledge, and framework, completing a research paper can be a fulfilling and exciting experience.

Though it might initially sound slightly intimidating, this guide will help you embrace the challenge.

By documenting your findings, you can inspire others and make a difference in your field. Here's how you can make your research paper unique and comprehensive.

What is a research paper?

Research papers allow you to demonstrate your knowledge and understanding of a particular topic. These papers are usually lengthier and more detailed than typical essays, requiring deeper insight into the chosen topic.

To write a research paper, you must first choose a topic that interests you and is relevant to the field of study. Once you’ve selected your topic, gathering as many relevant resources as possible, including books, scholarly articles, credible websites, and other academic materials, is essential. You must then read and analyze these sources, summarizing their key points and identifying gaps in the current research.

You can formulate your ideas and opinions once you thoroughly understand the existing research. To get there might involve conducting original research, gathering data, or analyzing existing data sets. It could also involve presenting an original argument or interpretation of the existing research.

Writing a successful research paper involves presenting your findings clearly and engagingly, which might involve using charts, graphs, or other visual aids to present your data and using concise language to explain your findings. You must also ensure your paper adheres to relevant academic formatting guidelines, including proper citations and references.

Overall, writing a research paper requires a significant amount of time, effort, and attention to detail. However, it is also an enriching experience that allows you to delve deeply into a subject that interests you and contribute to the existing body of knowledge in your chosen field.

How long should a research paper be?

Research papers are deep dives into a topic. Therefore, they tend to be longer pieces of work than essays or opinion pieces.

However, a suitable length depends on the complexity of the topic and your level of expertise. For instance, are you a first-year college student or an experienced professional?

Also, remember that the best research papers provide valuable information for the benefit of others. Therefore, the quality of information matters most, not necessarily the length. Being concise is valuable.

Following these best practice steps will help keep your process simple and productive:

1. Gaining a deep understanding of any expectations

Before diving into your intended topic or beginning the research phase, take some time to orient yourself. Suppose there’s a specific topic assigned to you. In that case, it’s essential to deeply understand the question and organize your planning and approach in response. Pay attention to the key requirements and ensure you align your writing accordingly.

This preparation step entails

Deeply understanding the task or assignment

Being clear about the expected format and length

Familiarizing yourself with the citation and referencing requirements

Understanding any defined limits for your research contribution

Where applicable, speaking to your professor or research supervisor for further clarification

2. Choose your research topic

Select a research topic that aligns with both your interests and available resources. Ideally, focus on a field where you possess significant experience and analytical skills. In crafting your research paper, it's crucial to go beyond summarizing existing data and contribute fresh insights to the chosen area.

Consider narrowing your focus to a specific aspect of the topic. For example, if exploring the link between technology and mental health, delve into how social media use during the pandemic impacts the well-being of college students. Conducting interviews and surveys with students could provide firsthand data and unique perspectives, adding substantial value to the existing knowledge.

When finalizing your topic, adhere to legal and ethical norms in the relevant area (this ensures the integrity of your research, protects participants' rights, upholds intellectual property standards, and ensures transparency and accountability). Following these principles not only maintains the credibility of your work but also builds trust within your academic or professional community.

For instance, in writing about medical research, consider legal and ethical norms , including patient confidentiality laws and informed consent requirements. Similarly, if analyzing user data on social media platforms, be mindful of data privacy regulations, ensuring compliance with laws governing personal information collection and use. Aligning with legal and ethical standards not only avoids potential issues but also underscores the responsible conduct of your research.

3. Gather preliminary research

Once you’ve landed on your topic, it’s time to explore it further. You’ll want to discover more about available resources and existing research relevant to your assignment at this stage.

This exploratory phase is vital as you may discover issues with your original idea or realize you have insufficient resources to explore the topic effectively. This key bit of groundwork allows you to redirect your research topic in a different, more feasible, or more relevant direction if necessary.

Spending ample time at this stage ensures you gather everything you need, learn as much as you can about the topic, and discover gaps where the topic has yet to be sufficiently covered, offering an opportunity to research it further.

4. Define your research question

To produce a well-structured and focused paper, it is imperative to formulate a clear and precise research question that will guide your work. Your research question must be informed by the existing literature and tailored to the scope and objectives of your project. By refining your focus, you can produce a thoughtful and engaging paper that effectively communicates your ideas to your readers.

5. Write a thesis statement

A thesis statement is a one-to-two-sentence summary of your research paper's main argument or direction. It serves as an overall guide to summarize the overall intent of the research paper for you and anyone wanting to know more about the research.

A strong thesis statement is:

Concise and clear: Explain your case in simple sentences (avoid covering multiple ideas). It might help to think of this section as an elevator pitch.

Specific: Ensure that there is no ambiguity in your statement and that your summary covers the points argued in the paper.

Debatable: A thesis statement puts forward a specific argument––it is not merely a statement but a debatable point that can be analyzed and discussed.

Here are three thesis statement examples from different disciplines:

Psychology thesis example: "We're studying adults aged 25-40 to see if taking short breaks for mindfulness can help with stress. Our goal is to find practical ways to manage anxiety better."

Environmental science thesis example: "This research paper looks into how having more city parks might make the air cleaner and keep people healthier. I want to find out if more green spaces means breathing fewer carcinogens in big cities."

UX research thesis example: "This study focuses on improving mobile banking for older adults using ethnographic research, eye-tracking analysis, and interactive prototyping. We investigate the usefulness of eye-tracking analysis with older individuals, aiming to spark debate and offer fresh perspectives on UX design and digital inclusivity for the aging population."

6. Conduct in-depth research

A research paper doesn’t just include research that you’ve uncovered from other papers and studies but your fresh insights, too. You will seek to become an expert on your topic––understanding the nuances in the current leading theories. You will analyze existing research and add your thinking and discoveries. It's crucial to conduct well-designed research that is rigorous, robust, and based on reliable sources. Suppose a research paper lacks evidence or is biased. In that case, it won't benefit the academic community or the general public. Therefore, examining the topic thoroughly and furthering its understanding through high-quality research is essential. That usually means conducting new research. Depending on the area under investigation, you may conduct surveys, interviews, diary studies , or observational research to uncover new insights or bolster current claims.

7. Determine supporting evidence

Not every piece of research you’ve discovered will be relevant to your research paper. It’s important to categorize the most meaningful evidence to include alongside your discoveries. It's important to include evidence that doesn't support your claims to avoid exclusion bias and ensure a fair research paper.

8. Write a research paper outline

Before diving in and writing the whole paper, start with an outline. It will help you to see if more research is needed, and it will provide a framework by which to write a more compelling paper. Your supervisor may even request an outline to approve before beginning to write the first draft of the full paper. An outline will include your topic, thesis statement, key headings, short summaries of the research, and your arguments.

9. Write your first draft

Once you feel confident about your outline and sources, it’s time to write your first draft. While penning a long piece of content can be intimidating, if you’ve laid the groundwork, you will have a structure to help you move steadily through each section. To keep up motivation and inspiration, it’s often best to keep the pace quick. Stopping for long periods can interrupt your flow and make jumping back in harder than writing when things are fresh in your mind.

10. Cite your sources correctly

It's always a good practice to give credit where it's due, and the same goes for citing any works that have influenced your paper. Building your arguments on credible references adds value and authenticity to your research. In the formatting guidelines section, you’ll find an overview of different citation styles (MLA, CMOS, or APA), which will help you meet any publishing or academic requirements and strengthen your paper's credibility. It is essential to follow the guidelines provided by your school or the publication you are submitting to ensure the accuracy and relevance of your citations.

11. Ensure your work is original

It is crucial to ensure the originality of your paper, as plagiarism can lead to serious consequences. To avoid plagiarism, you should use proper paraphrasing and quoting techniques. Paraphrasing is rewriting a text in your own words while maintaining the original meaning. Quoting involves directly citing the source. Giving credit to the original author or source is essential whenever you borrow their ideas or words. You can also use plagiarism detection tools such as Scribbr or Grammarly to check the originality of your paper. These tools compare your draft writing to a vast database of online sources. If you find any accidental plagiarism, you should correct it immediately by rephrasing or citing the source.

12. Revise, edit, and proofread

One of the essential qualities of excellent writers is their ability to understand the importance of editing and proofreading. Even though it's tempting to call it a day once you've finished your writing, editing your work can significantly improve its quality. It's natural to overlook the weaker areas when you've just finished writing a paper. Therefore, it's best to take a break of a day or two, or even up to a week, to refresh your mind. This way, you can return to your work with a new perspective. After some breathing room, you can spot any inconsistencies, spelling and grammar errors, typos, or missing citations and correct them.

The best research paper format

The format of your research paper should align with the requirements set forth by your college, school, or target publication.

There is no one “best” format, per se. Depending on the stated requirements, you may need to include the following elements:

Title page: The title page of a research paper typically includes the title, author's name, and institutional affiliation and may include additional information such as a course name or instructor's name.

Table of contents: Include a table of contents to make it easy for readers to find specific sections of your paper.

Abstract: The abstract is a summary of the purpose of the paper.

Methods : In this section, describe the research methods used. This may include collecting data , conducting interviews, or doing field research .

Results: Summarize the conclusions you drew from your research in this section.

Discussion: In this section, discuss the implications of your research . Be sure to mention any significant limitations to your approach and suggest areas for further research.

Tables, charts, and illustrations: Use tables, charts, and illustrations to help convey your research findings and make them easier to understand.

Works cited or reference page: Include a works cited or reference page to give credit to the sources that you used to conduct your research.

Bibliography: Provide a list of all the sources you consulted while conducting your research.

Dedication and acknowledgments : Optionally, you may include a dedication and acknowledgments section to thank individuals who helped you with your research.

General style and formatting guidelines

Formatting your research paper means you can submit it to your college, journal, or other publications in compliance with their criteria.

Research papers tend to follow the American Psychological Association (APA), Modern Language Association (MLA), or Chicago Manual of Style (CMOS) guidelines.

Here’s how each style guide is typically used:

Chicago Manual of Style (CMOS):

CMOS is a versatile style guide used for various types of writing. It's known for its flexibility and use in the humanities. CMOS provides guidelines for citations, formatting, and overall writing style. It allows for both footnotes and in-text citations, giving writers options based on their preferences or publication requirements.

American Psychological Association (APA):

APA is common in the social sciences. It’s hailed for its clarity and emphasis on precision. It has specific rules for citing sources, creating references, and formatting papers. APA style uses in-text citations with an accompanying reference list. It's designed to convey information efficiently and is widely used in academic and scientific writing.

Modern Language Association (MLA):

MLA is widely used in the humanities, especially literature and language studies. It emphasizes the author-page format for in-text citations and provides guidelines for creating a "Works Cited" page. MLA is known for its focus on the author's name and the literary works cited. It’s frequently used in disciplines that prioritize literary analysis and critical thinking.

To confirm you're using the latest style guide, check the official website or publisher's site for updates, consult academic resources, and verify the guide's publication date. Online platforms and educational resources may also provide summaries and alerts about any revisions or additions to the style guide.

Citing sources

When working on your research paper, it's important to cite the sources you used properly. Your citation style will guide you through this process. Generally, there are three parts to citing sources in your research paper:

First, provide a brief citation in the body of your essay. This is also known as a parenthetical or in-text citation.

Second, include a full citation in the Reference list at the end of your paper. Different types of citations include in-text citations, footnotes, and reference lists.

In-text citations include the author's surname and the date of the citation.

Footnotes appear at the bottom of each page of your research paper. They may also be summarized within a reference list at the end of the paper.

A reference list includes all of the research used within the paper at the end of the document. It should include the author, date, paper title, and publisher listed in the order that aligns with your citation style.

10 research paper writing tips:

Following some best practices is essential to writing a research paper that contributes to your field of study and creates a positive impact.

These tactics will help you structure your argument effectively and ensure your work benefits others:

Clear and precise language: Ensure your language is unambiguous. Use academic language appropriately, but keep it simple. Also, provide clear takeaways for your audience.

Effective idea separation: Organize the vast amount of information and sources in your paper with paragraphs and titles. Create easily digestible sections for your readers to navigate through.

Compelling intro: Craft an engaging introduction that captures your reader's interest. Hook your audience and motivate them to continue reading.

Thorough revision and editing: Take the time to review and edit your paper comprehensively. Use tools like Grammarly to detect and correct small, overlooked errors.

Thesis precision: Develop a clear and concise thesis statement that guides your paper. Ensure that your thesis aligns with your research's overall purpose and contribution.

Logical flow of ideas: Maintain a logical progression throughout the paper. Use transitions effectively to connect different sections and maintain coherence.

Critical evaluation of sources: Evaluate and critically assess the relevance and reliability of your sources. Ensure that your research is based on credible and up-to-date information.

Thematic consistency: Maintain a consistent theme throughout the paper. Ensure that all sections contribute cohesively to the overall argument.

Relevant supporting evidence: Provide concise and relevant evidence to support your arguments. Avoid unnecessary details that may distract from the main points.

Embrace counterarguments: Acknowledge and address opposing views to strengthen your position. Show that you have considered alternative arguments in your field.

7 research tips

If you want your paper to not only be well-written but also contribute to the progress of human knowledge, consider these tips to take your paper to the next level:

Selecting the appropriate topic: The topic you select should align with your area of expertise, comply with the requirements of your project, and have sufficient resources for a comprehensive investigation.

Use academic databases: Academic databases such as PubMed, Google Scholar, and JSTOR offer a wealth of research papers that can help you discover everything you need to know about your chosen topic.

Critically evaluate sources: It is important not to accept research findings at face value. Instead, it is crucial to critically analyze the information to avoid jumping to conclusions or overlooking important details. A well-written research paper requires a critical analysis with thorough reasoning to support claims.

Diversify your sources: Expand your research horizons by exploring a variety of sources beyond the standard databases. Utilize books, conference proceedings, and interviews to gather diverse perspectives and enrich your understanding of the topic.

Take detailed notes: Detailed note-taking is crucial during research and can help you form the outline and body of your paper.

Stay up on trends: Keep abreast of the latest developments in your field by regularly checking for recent publications. Subscribe to newsletters, follow relevant journals, and attend conferences to stay informed about emerging trends and advancements.

Engage in peer review: Seek feedback from peers or mentors to ensure the rigor and validity of your research . Peer review helps identify potential weaknesses in your methodology and strengthens the overall credibility of your findings.

The real-world impact of research papers

Writing a research paper is more than an academic or business exercise. The experience provides an opportunity to explore a subject in-depth, broaden one's understanding, and arrive at meaningful conclusions. With careful planning, dedication, and hard work, writing a research paper can be a fulfilling and enriching experience contributing to advancing knowledge.

How do I publish my research paper?

Many academics wish to publish their research papers. While challenging, your paper might get traction if it covers new and well-written information. To publish your research paper, find a target publication, thoroughly read their guidelines, format your paper accordingly, and send it to them per their instructions. You may need to include a cover letter, too. After submission, your paper may be peer-reviewed by experts to assess its legitimacy, quality, originality, and methodology. Following review, you will be informed by the publication whether they have accepted or rejected your paper.

What is a good opening sentence for a research paper?

Beginning your research paper with a compelling introduction can ensure readers are interested in going further. A relevant quote, a compelling statistic, or a bold argument can start the paper and hook your reader. Remember, though, that the most important aspect of a research paper is the quality of the information––not necessarily your ability to storytell, so ensure anything you write aligns with your goals.

Research paper vs. a research proposal—what’s the difference?

While some may confuse research papers and proposals, they are different documents.

A research proposal comes before a research paper. It is a detailed document that outlines an intended area of exploration. It includes the research topic, methodology, timeline, sources, and potential conclusions. Research proposals are often required when seeking approval to conduct research.

A research paper is a summary of research findings. A research paper follows a structured format to present those findings and construct an argument or conclusion.

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How to Write a Research Paper

If you already have a headache trying to understand what research paper is all about, we have created an ultimate guide for you on how to write a research paper. You will find all the answers to your questions regarding structure, planning, doing investigation, finding the topic that appeals to you. Plus, you will find out the secret to an excellent paper. Are you at the edge of your seat? Let us start with the basics then.

What is a Research Paper
Reasons for Writing a Research Paper
Report Papers and Thesis Papers
How to Start a Research Paper
How to Choose a Topic for a Research Paper
How to Write a Proposal for a Research Paper
How to Write a Research Plan
How to Do Research
How to Write an Outline for a Research Paper
How to Write a Thesis Statement for a Research Paper
How to Write a Research Paper Rough Draft
How to Write an Introduction for a Research Paper
How to Write a Body of a Research Paper
How to Write a Conclusion for a Research Paper
How to Write an Abstract for a Research Paper
How to Revise and Edit a Research Paper
How to Write a Bibliography for a Research Paper
What Makes a Good Research Paper

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What is a research paper.

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You probably know the saying ‘the devil is not as black as he is painted’. This particular saying is absolutely true when it comes to writing a research paper. Your feet are cold even with the thought of this assignment. You have heard terrifying stories from older students. You have never done this before, so certainly you are scared. What is a research paper? How should I start? What are all these requirements about?

Luckily, you have a friend in need. That is our writing service. First and foremost, let us clarify the definition. A research paper is a piece of academic writing that provides information about a particular topic that you’ve researched . In other words, you choose a topic: about historical events, the work of some artist, some social issues etc. Then you collect data on the given topic and analyze it. Finally, you put your analysis on paper. See, it is not as scary as it seems. If you are still having doubts, whether you can handle it yourself, we are here to help you. Our team of writers can help you choose the topic, or give you advice on how to plan your work, or how to start, or craft a paper for you. Just contact us 24/7 and see everything yourself.

5 Reasons for Writing a Research Paper

Why should I spend my time writing some academic paper? What is the use of it? Is not some practical knowledge more important? The list of questions is endless when it comes to a research paper. That is why we have outlined 5 main reasons why writing a research paper is a good thing.

You will learn how to organize your time

If you want to write a research paper, you will have to learn how to manage your time. This type of assignment cannot be done overnight. It requires careful planning and you will need to learn how to do it. Later, you will be able to use these time-managing skills in your personal life, so why not developing them?

You will discover your writing skills

You cannot know something before you try it. This rule relates to writing as well. You cannot claim that you cannot write until you try it yourself. It will be really difficult at the beginning, but then the words will come to your head themselves.

You will improve your analytical skills

Writing a research paper is all about investigation and analysis. You will need to collect data, examine and classify it. These skills are needed in modern life more than anything else is.

You will gain confidence

Once you do your own research, it gives you the feeling of confidence in yourself. The reason is simple human brain likes solving puzzles and your assignment is just another puzzle to be solved.

You will learn how to persuade the reader

When you write your paper, you should always remember that you are writing it for someone to read. Moreover, you want this someone to believe in your ideas. For this reason, you will have to learn different convincing methods and techniques. You will learn how to make your writing persuasive. In turns, you will be able to use these methods in real life.

What is the Difference between Report and Thesis Papers?

A common question is ‘what is the difference between a report paper and a thesis paper?’ The difference lies in the aim of these two assignments. While the former aims at presenting the information, the latter aims at providing your opinion on the matter. In other words, in a report paper you have to summarize your findings. In a thesis paper, you choose some issue and defend your point of view by persuading the reader. It is that simple.

A thesis paper is a more common assignment than a report paper. This task will help a professor to evaluate your analytical skills and skills to present your ideas logically. These skills are more important than just the ability to collect and summarize data.

How to Write a Research Paper Step by Step

Research comes from the French word rechercher , meaning “to seek out.” Writing a research paper requires you to seek out information about a subject, take a stand on it, and back it up with the opinions, ideas, and views of others. What results is a printed paper variously known as a term paper or library paper, usually between five and fifteen pages long—most instructors specify a minimum length—in which you present your views and findings on the chosen subject.

It is not a secret that the majority of students hate writing a research paper. The reason is simple it steals your time and energy. Not to mention, constant anxiety that you will not be able to meet the deadline or that you will forget about some academic requirement.

We will not lie to you; a research paper is a difficult assignment. You will have to spend a lot of time. You will need to read, to analyze, and to search for the material. You will probably be stuck sometimes. However, if you organize your work smart, you will gain something that is worth all the effort – knowledge, experience, and high grades.

The reason why many students fail writing a research paper is that nobody explained them how to start and how to plan their work. Luckily, you have found our writing service and we are ready to shed the light on this dark matter.

We have created a step by step guide for you on how to write a research paper. We will dwell upon the structure, the writing tips, the writing strategies as well as academic requirements. Read this whole article and you will see that you can handle writing this assignment and our team of writers is here to assist you.

How to Start a Research Paper?

It all starts with the assignment. Your professor gives you the task. It may be either some general issue or specific topic to write about. Your assignment is your first guide to success. If you understand what you need to do according to the assignment, you are on the road to high results. Do not be scared to clarify your task if you need to. There is nothing wrong in asking a question if you want to do something right. You can ask your professor or you can ask our writers who know a thing or two in academic writing.

It is essential to understand the assignment. A good beginning makes a good ending, so start smart.

Learn how to start a research paper .

Choosing a Topic for a Research Paper

How to Choose a Topic for a Research Paper

We have already mentioned that it is not enough to do great research. You need to persuade the reader that you have made some great research. What convinces better that an eye-catching topic? That is why it is important to understand how to choose a topic for a research paper.

First, you need to delimit the general idea to a more specific one. Secondly, you need to find what makes this topic interesting for you and for the academia. Finally, you need to refine you topic. Remember, it is not something you will do in one day. You can be reshaping your topic throughout your whole writing process. Still, reshaping not changing it completely. That is why keep in your head one main idea: your topic should be precise and compelling .

Learn how to choose a topic for a research paper .

How to Write a Proposal for a Research Paper?

If you do not know what a proposal is, let us explain it to you. A proposal should answer three main questions:

What is the main aim of your investigation?
Why is your investigation important?
How are you going to achieve the results?

In other words, proposal should show why your topic is interesting and how you are going to prove it. As to writing requirements, they may differ. That is why make sure you find out all the details at your department. You can ask your departmental administrator or find information online at department’s site. It is crucial to follow all the administrative requirements, as it will influence your grade.

Learn how to write a proposal for a research paper .

How to Write a Research Plan?

The next step is writing a plan. You have already decided on the main issues, you have chosen the bibliography, and you have clarified the methods. Here comes the planning. If you want to avoid writer’s block, you have to structure you work. Discuss your strategies and ideas with your instructor. Think thoroughly why you need to present some data and ideas first and others second. Remember that there are basic structure elements that your research paper should include:

Thesis Statement
Introduction
Bibliography

You should keep in mind this skeleton when planning your work. This will keep your mind sharp and your ideas will flow logically.

Learn how to write a research plan .

How to Do Research?

Your research will include three stages: collecting data, reading and analyzing it, and writing itself.

First, you need to collect all the material that you will need for you investigation: films, documents, surveys, interviews, and others. Secondly, you will have to read and analyze. This step is tricky, as you need to do this part smart. It is not enough just to read, as you cannot keep in mind all the information. It is essential that you make notes and write down your ideas while analyzing some data. When you get down to the stage number three, writing itself, you will already have the main ideas written on your notes. Plus, remember to jot down the reference details. You will then appreciate this trick when you will have to write the bibliography.

If you do your research this way, it will be much easier for you to write the paper. You will already have blocks of your ideas written down and you will just need to add some material and refine your paper.

Learn how to do research .

How to Write an Outline for a Research Paper?

To make your paper well organized you need to write an outline. Your outline will serve as your guiding star through the writing process. With a great outline you will not get sidetracked, because you will have a structured plan to follow. Both you and the reader will benefit from your outline. You present your ideas logically and you make your writing coherent according to your plan. As a result, this outline guides the reader through your paper and the reader enjoys the way you demonstrate your ideas.

Learn how to write an outline for a research paper . See research paper outline examples .

How to Write a Thesis Statement for a Research Paper?

Briefly, the thesis is the main argument of your research paper. It should be precise, convincing and logical. Your thesis statement should include your point of view supported by evidence or logic. Still, remember it should be precise. You should not beat around the bush, or provide all the possible evidence you have found. It is usually a single sentence that shows your argument. In on sentence you should make a claim, explain why it significant and convince the reader that your point of view is important.

Learn how to write a thesis statement for a research paper . See research paper thesis statement examples .

Should I Write a Rough Draft for a Research Paper?

How to Write a Research Paper Rough Draft

Do you know any writer who put their ideas on paper, then never edited them and just published? Probably, no writer did so. Writing a research paper is no exception. It is impossible to cope with this assignment without writing a rough draft.

Your draft will help you understand what you need to polish to make your paper perfect. All the requirements, academic standards make it difficult to do everything flawlessly at the first attempt. Make sure you know all the formatting requirements: margins, words quantity, reference requirements, formatting styles etc.

Learn how to write a rough draft for a research paper .

How to Write an Introduction for a Research Paper?

Let us make it more vivid for you. We have narrowed down the tips on writing an introduction to the three main ones:

Include your thesis in your introduction

Remember to include the thesis statement in your introduction. Usually, it goes at the end of the first paragraph.

Present the main ideas of the body

You should tell the main topics you are going to discuss in the main body. For this reason, before writing this part of introduction, make sure you know what is your main body is going to be about. It should include your main ideas.

Polish your thesis and introduction

When you finish the main body of your paper, come back to the thesis statement and introduction. Restate something if needed. Just make it perfect; because introduction is like the trailer to your paper, it should make the reader want to read the whole piece.

Learn how to write an introduction for a research paper . See research paper introduction examples .

How to Write a Body of a Research Paper?

A body is the main part of your research paper. In this part, you will include all the needed evidence; you will provide the examples and support your argument.

It is important to structure your paragraphs thoroughly. That is to say, topic sentence and the evidence supporting the topic. Stay focused and do not be sidetracked. You have your outline, so follow it.

Here are the main tips to keep in head when writing a body of a research paper:

Let the ideas flow logically
Include only relevant information
Provide the evidence
Structure the paragraphs
Make the coherent transition from one paragraph to another

See? When it is all structured, it is not as scary as it seemed at the beginning. Still, if you have doubts, you can always ask our writers for help.

Learn how to write a body of a research paper . See research paper transition examples .

How to Write a Conclusion for a Research Paper?

Writing a good conclusion is important as writing any other part of the paper. Remember that conclusion is not a summary of what you have mentioned before. A good conclusion should include your last strong statement.

If you have written everything according to the plan, the reader already knows why your investigation is important. The reader has already seen the evidence. The only thing left is a strong concluding thought that will organize all your findings.

Never include any new information in conclusion. You need to conclude, not to start a new discussion.

Learn how to write a conclusion for a research paper .

How to Write an Abstract for a Research Paper?

An abstract is a brief summary of your paper, usually 100-200 words. You should provide the main gist of your paper in this short summary. An abstract can be informative, descriptive or proposal. Depending on the type of abstract, you need to write, the requirements will differ.

To write an informative abstract you have to provide the summary of the whole paper. Informative summary. In other words, you need to tell about the main points of your work, the methods used, the results and the conclusion of your research.

To write a descriptive abstract you will not have to provide any summery. You should write a short teaser of your paper. That is to say, you need to write an overview of your paper. The aim of a descriptive abstract is to interest the reader.

Finally, to write a proposal abstract you will need to write the basic summary as for the informative abstract. However, the difference is the following: you aim at persuading someone to let you write on the topic. That is why, a proposal abstract should present your topic as the one worth investigating.

Learn how to write an abstract for a research paper .

Should I Revise and Edit a Research Paper?

Revising and editing your paper is essential if you want to get high grades. Let us help you revise your paper smart:

Check your paper for spelling and grammar mistakes
Sharpen the vocabulary
Make sure there are no slang words in your paper
Examine your paper in terms of structure
Compare your topic, thesis statement to the whole piece
Check your paper for plagiarism

If you need assistance with proofreading and editing your paper, you can turn to the professional editors at our service. They will help you polish your paper to perfection.

Learn how to revise and edit a research paper .

How to Write a Bibliography for a Research Paper?

First, let us make it clear that bibliography and works cited are two different things. Works cited are those that you cited in your paper. Bibliography should include all the materials you used to do your research. Still, remember that bibliography requirements differ depending on the formatting style of your paper. For this reason, make sure you ask you professor all the requirements you need to meet to avoid any misunderstanding.

Learn how to write a bibliography for a research paper .

The Key Secret to a Good Research Paper

Now when you know all the stages of writing a research paper, you are ready to find the key to a good research paper:

Choose the topic that really interests you
Make the topic interesting for you even if it is not at the beginning
Follow the step by step guide and do not get sidetracked
Be persistent and believe in yourself
Really do research and write your paper from scratch
Learn the convincing writing techniques and use them
Follow the requirements of your assignment
Ask for help if needed from real professionals

Feeling more confident about your paper now? We are sure you do. Still, if you need help, you can always rely on us 24/7.

We hope we have made writing a research paper much easier for you. We realize that it requires lots of time and energy. We believe when you say that you cannot handle it anymore. For this reason, we have been helping students like you for years. Our professional team of writers is ready to tackle any challenge.

All our authors are experienced writers crafting excellent academic papers. We help students meet the deadline and get the top grades they want. You can see everything yourself. All you need to do is to place your order online and we will contact you. Writing a research paper with us is truly easy, so why do not you check it yourself?

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Knowledge Base
Starting the research process

A Beginner's Guide to Starting the Research Process

When you have to write a thesis or dissertation , it can be hard to know where to begin, but there are some clear steps you can follow.

The research process often begins with a very broad idea for a topic you’d like to know more about. You do some preliminary research to identify a problem . After refining your research questions , you can lay out the foundations of your research design , leading to a proposal that outlines your ideas and plans.

This article takes you through the first steps of the research process, helping you narrow down your ideas and build up a strong foundation for your research project.

Step 1: choose your topic, step 2: identify a problem, step 3: formulate research questions, step 4: create a research design, step 5: write a research proposal, other interesting articles.

First you have to come up with some ideas. Your thesis or dissertation topic can start out very broad. Think about the general area or field you’re interested in—maybe you already have specific research interests based on classes you’ve taken, or maybe you had to consider your topic when applying to graduate school and writing a statement of purpose .

Even if you already have a good sense of your topic, you’ll need to read widely to build background knowledge and begin narrowing down your ideas. Conduct an initial literature review to begin gathering relevant sources. As you read, take notes and try to identify problems, questions, debates, contradictions and gaps. Your aim is to narrow down from a broad area of interest to a specific niche.

Make sure to consider the practicalities: the requirements of your programme, the amount of time you have to complete the research, and how difficult it will be to access sources and data on the topic. Before moving onto the next stage, it’s a good idea to discuss the topic with your thesis supervisor.

>>Read more about narrowing down a research topic

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So you’ve settled on a topic and found a niche—but what exactly will your research investigate, and why does it matter? To give your project focus and purpose, you have to define a research problem .

The problem might be a practical issue—for example, a process or practice that isn’t working well, an area of concern in an organization’s performance, or a difficulty faced by a specific group of people in society.

Alternatively, you might choose to investigate a theoretical problem—for example, an underexplored phenomenon or relationship, a contradiction between different models or theories, or an unresolved debate among scholars.

To put the problem in context and set your objectives, you can write a problem statement . This describes who the problem affects, why research is needed, and how your research project will contribute to solving it.

>>Read more about defining a research problem

Next, based on the problem statement, you need to write one or more research questions . These target exactly what you want to find out. They might focus on describing, comparing, evaluating, or explaining the research problem.

A strong research question should be specific enough that you can answer it thoroughly using appropriate qualitative or quantitative research methods. It should also be complex enough to require in-depth investigation, analysis, and argument. Questions that can be answered with “yes/no” or with easily available facts are not complex enough for a thesis or dissertation.

In some types of research, at this stage you might also have to develop a conceptual framework and testable hypotheses .

>>See research question examples

The research design is a practical framework for answering your research questions. It involves making decisions about the type of data you need, the methods you’ll use to collect and analyze it, and the location and timescale of your research.

There are often many possible paths you can take to answering your questions. The decisions you make will partly be based on your priorities. For example, do you want to determine causes and effects, draw generalizable conclusions, or understand the details of a specific context?

You need to decide whether you will use primary or secondary data and qualitative or quantitative methods . You also need to determine the specific tools, procedures, and materials you’ll use to collect and analyze your data, as well as your criteria for selecting participants or sources.

>>Read more about creating a research design

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Finally, after completing these steps, you are ready to complete a research proposal . The proposal outlines the context, relevance, purpose, and plan of your research.

As well as outlining the background, problem statement, and research questions, the proposal should also include a literature review that shows how your project will fit into existing work on the topic. The research design section describes your approach and explains exactly what you will do.

You might have to get the proposal approved by your supervisor before you get started, and it will guide the process of writing your thesis or dissertation.

>>Read more about writing a research proposal

If you want to know more about the research process , methodology , research bias , or statistics , make sure to check out some of our other articles with explanations and examples.

Methodology

Sampling methods
Simple random sampling
Stratified sampling
Cluster sampling
Likert scales
Reproducibility

Statistics

Null hypothesis
Statistical power
Probability distribution
Effect size
Poisson distribution

Research bias

Optimism bias
Cognitive bias
Implicit bias
Hawthorne effect
Anchoring bias
Explicit bias

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How to write a whole research paper in a week

Writing up a full research article in a single week? Maybe you think that’s impossible. Yet I have done it repeatedly, and so have students in my courses. This is an exceptionally joyful (even if demanding) experience: being so productive just feels great! You are not wasting any time, and a paper produced in one go is typically coherent and nice to read. Even if you are a slow writer, you can write a whole paper in a single week — if you follow my strategy. Read below about what you need to prepare and how to approach this project.

I wrote my first scientific research article in 7 days. It started as a desperate effort to stop my procrastination and “just do it”. But I was surprised what a positive experience it was: focused and efficient, I was making daily progress, feeling motivated and content. Finally, the fruits of my hard work were gaining shape — and they did it so quickly!

I realized it was highly effective to write up a paper like this: writing for the whole day, every day until the first draft was finished. My writing project was firmly present in my mind — I didn’t lose time catching up with what I have written in the last session. Since I was not doing anything else, my wandering mind settled in very fast, and I was getting into a routine. The daily progress was clearly visible and motivated me to continue. And the result was a coherent paper that was easy to revise.

Meanwhile, this paper-a-week approach is my favorite. That’s how I write my papers, and that’s what I teach to students. In on-site courses young scientists draft a whole paper in 5 days, writing one major section per day. At the beginning of the week, many participants have doubts. But at the end of the week, they are all excited to see how much they managed to write in just a single week.

If you would also like to try out this approach, then read on about the necessary preparations, the optimal setting, and a productive writing strategy.

If you would like to get support during the preparation, drafting and revising of your research article, check out my online course Write Up Your Paper .

Prepare well

First, think about your audience and pick a suitable journal . This is an important step because the audience and journal determine the content & style of your paper. As a reference, pick two recent papers on a similar topic published in your target journal.
Create a storyline for your paper. What is the main message you want to convey, and how are you going to present your results?
Put together all the results that you need to present your story convincingly: collect the necessary data, finish analyses, and create figures and tables.
Select and read the relevant background literature as well as studies you want to compare your work with. As you read, note down any point that comes to your mind as something to be mentioned in the Introduction or Discussion section.
Draft a preliminary Abstract : it will help you keep the direction and not get distracted by secondary ideas as you write the individual sections.

Depending on how complete your results already are, you might need 2-4 weeks to finish all these preparations. To help you keep an overview, I created a checklist with detailed steps that you need to take before you attempt to write up your paper in a week. Subscribe to our Newsletter and get your copy of the checklist.

Reserve a whole week for writing

Now, writing a paper in a single week is a serious business. You can’t do it if you don’t focus solely on the writing and create good writing conditions. Therefore, I recommend the following settings:

Find a place where you can write without distractions. I have written my first paper over the Easter holidays when there was nobody in the office. You might choose to write at home or in a library. Though if possible, the best is to go for a retreat: removing yourself from your everyday settings immensely helps focus on the writing.
Cancel (all) social obligations for the week. While it’s crucial to relax in the evening, you want to avoid disturbances associated with social events. Anything that makes your thoughts drift away from your work because it requires planning, exchanging of messages with others, or simply because it’s too exciting is better left for some other week. On the other hand, a quiet meeting with a good friend over a glass of wine or beer might be just the perfect way to unwind and rest after a productive, yet exhausting day of writing.
Get support from the partner, family or friends — if possible. It’s best when you don’t need to run errands, cook and clean during this week. If you live alone, you can probably easily arrange yourself for undisturbed work. If you live with other people, ask them for consideration and support.

What I described above are the *ideal* conditions for undisturbed writing. But don’t give up if you can’t create such conditions for yourself. Work with what is possible — maybe it will take you 7-8 instead of 5-6 days but that’s still a great result, right?

Do you need to revise & polish your manuscript or thesis but don’t know where to begin?

Get your Revision Checklist

Click here for an efficient step-by-step revision of your scientific texts.

Maybe you think that you can never ever draft a research article in a single week. Because you write so slowly, producing only few paragraphs per day. Well — I agree that if you don’t optimize your writing strategy, it would be hard to impossible to write up a whole paper in a week.

Separate the processes of writing and revising. That’s the most important principle. Resist the urge to revise as you write the first draft. Moreover, don’t interrupt your writing to look up missing information. Work with placeholders instead. This allows you to get into the state of flow and proceed much faster than you can imagine.
Start your writing day with 10 minutes of freewriting . Write without stopping about anything that comes to your mind. This helps you to warm up for writing, clear your head of any unrelated thoughts, and get into the mood of writing without editing.
Take regular power breaks. I recommend to follow the Pomodoro technique : write for 25 minutes and then take a 5-minute break. After 3-4 such sessions take a longer break of 0.5-1 hour. During the breaks get up, walk a bit, stretch, look around, and breathe deeply. These breaks help you sustain high focus and productivity throughout the whole day.
Eat and sleep well. What you are doing is similar to a professional athlete. So take care of your brain and body, and they will serve you well.
Reward yourself. Every day celebrate the progress you have made. You have full right to be proud of you!

Write the individual sections in a reasonable order

If you have written a research paper before, you have probably realized that starting with the Introduction and finishing with the Discussion is not the ideal order in which to tackle the individual sections. Instead, I recommend the following procedure:

Start with the Methods section. This is the easiest section to write, so it’s great as a warm-up, to get into writing without the need to think (and procrastinate ;)) too much. Look at your figures and tables: what methods did you use to create them? Then describe your methods, one after another.
Results section: Writing the Methods section refreshes your memory about the research you have done. So writing the Results section next should not be too hard: Take one display object (figure or table) after another, and describe the results they contain. While you do so, you will come across points that need to be discussed in the Discussion section. Note them down so you don’t forget them.
Introduction : When your results are fresh in your mind, you are in a great position to write the Introduction — because the Introduction should contain selected information that gives the reader context for your research project and allows them to understand your results and their implications.
Discussion : When you have taken notes while writing the Results section, the Discussion section should be quite easy to draft. Don’t worry too early about the order in which you want to discuss the individual points. Write one paragraph for each point , and then see how you can logically arrange them.
Abstract and title : On the last day, revise the preliminary Abstract or write a new one. You could also take a break of a few days before tackling the Abstract, to gain clarity and distance. Generate multiple titles (I recommend 6-10), so that you and your co-authors can choose the most appropriate one.

Just do it!

Once you have written the whole draft, let it sit for a week or two, and then revise it. Follow my tips for efficient revising and get your revision checklist that will guide you step-by-step through the whole process.

Now I am curious about your experience: Have you ever written up an academic article quickly? How did you do it? Please, share with us your tips & strategies!

Do you need to revise & polish your manuscript or thesis but don’t know where to begin? Is your text a mess and you don't know how to improve it?

Click here for an efficient step-by-step revision of your scientific texts. You will be guided through each step with concrete tips for execution.

7 thoughts on “ How to write a whole research paper in a week ”

Thank for your guide and suggestion. It gives to me very precious ways how to write a article. Now I am writing a article related to Buddhist studies. Thank you so much.

You are welcome!

excellent! it helped me a lot! wish you all best

Hi Parham, I’m happy to hear that!

I have never written any paper before. As I am from very old school.

But my writing skill is actually very good. Your help is definitely going to help me as this has inspired me alot. Will let you know, once done. I really like the outline that you have given. Basically you have made it so easy for me .

Hope fully will be in touch with you soon.

Thanks and ki d Regards, Shehla

Dear Shehla, that sounds great! I’m looking forward to hearing about your paper!

Comments are closed.

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How to Research: Ultimate Guide [+Online Tools]

The ability to effectively research is a skill that every student needs to succeed in their educational career. However, most people don’t really understand what research entails. Does it mean spending hours at your university library exploring archives? Or is searching for information online from the comfort of your home enough? And why can’t you just rely on Wikipedia, after all?

Our specialists have created this guide for students who feel lost when putting together an essay, paper, or presentation. Here, we will describe how to research in a detailed, step-by-step manner. We have also provided links to useful tools and resources that will help you along the way. First of all, let’s cover the definitions.

❓ What Is Research?

Develop a Topic
Look Through Sources
Evaluate the Sources
Write Your Paper
Cite Your Sources

💡 9 Online Tools for Research

Research refers to the systematic process of discovering information and developing knowledge. We use it to understand new topics and to gain more insight into known issues. This happens through the collection and analysis of relevant data. The ability to research efficiently is one of the most fundamental skills in academia.

Any type of research will include the following features:

A sound hypothesis on which the rest of the study is based. It will be either proven or disproven by the evidence gathered.
Systematic investigative methods . These are controlled and follow a pre-established set of rules.
Logical analysis . It follows a set procedure that involves deductive and inductive reasoning.
Empirical data based on actual observation and evidence.
Analytical study of the findings . This ensures in-depth exploration and minimizes mistakes.
Creation of new questions and new lines of inquiry about the subject via the research.

With that being said, a research paper is more than just the sum of its sources. Its primary purpose is to analyze or argue a particular perspective. In the end, your thoughts and ideas should be the ones you investigate. The evidence you discover during the research process will be the basis for your hypothesis.

There are three universal purposes of research that you should know about:


1.	Exploratory	A problem that hasn’t been investigated before and isn’t clearly defined requires . This is the first step in laying the foundation for future, in-depth study. It requires an unstructured approach and posits several questions for the researchers to answer.
2.	Descriptive	With a focus on an existing problem, tries to expand our knowledge of the subject matter. It aims to define, explain, and confirm results. This type of research asks the questions ‘what’ and ‘how.’
3.	Explanatory	Also known as , the goal here is to look at the cause-and-effect relationship between variables. The main question in this type of research is ‘why.’ That is why it is usually approached with experiments.

📚 How to Research: Step-by-Step Guide

As all the definitions you need are covered, we can proceed to learn about the process itself. We have developed this guide so that you won’t have any trouble conducting your research. In the image below, you can see all the required steps.

In the following sections, you will examine each step in detail. Also, you’ll see the reasons why our tips are practical and how to find sources for your research. Good luck!

1. Develop a Topic

1.1. pick or create a topic.

The first step to research is landing on the right idea. This process isn’t always easy, especially when you aren’t familiar with the chosen area of study. However, don’t fret. You can always change your topic later.

Let’s explore how to select your first research idea.

Research is always conducted for a particular reason. It will always relate to writing a paper, creating a project, validating existing results, etc. Your research depends on the goal of your assignment.

The answers will help you define the direction of your work:

Do you have a list of pre-assigned topics? Can you come up with one yourself?
What is the due date for your work? How much time does that leave for research?
What is the scope of your assignment? (Presentation length, number of words/pages, etc.)
Are there any specific requirements regarding the sources that you are allowed to use?
Is it essential to use recent information and current sources?

When you have the answers to all the key questions, you can think of your topic. The following tips will help you:

Choose an idea that is relevant to your assignment. Usually, your instructor will give you detailed instructions before you start working. If you are unsure about your guidelines, don’t be afraid to ask for clarification.
Ensure that there are enough resources for you to use. When you think of an idea, do a quick preliminary search. It will allow you to determine whether there is enough available information on your topic. Take time to validate those resources and make sure they’re reliable.
Search for a topic that is not too broad or too narrow. This step directly correlates with the one above. If you are finding too much general information, narrowing down your search might be a good idea. However, if you struggle to find credible sources, it could be a sign to broaden your topic.
Try to be original. Restating the same ideas that have been explored thousands of times could damage your grade. Chances are, your instructor has heard it all before and isn’t all that interested in hearing it again. Yet, choosing an unconventional approach with a fresh perspective might earn you extra credit for creativity.
Aim to find an area that will be interesting to explore. If you find a topic that you, personally, are curious about, researching it will be much more pleasant. This way, when you start writing or searching for information, you might actually enjoy the process.

1.2. Formulate Research Questions

As soon as you have chosen a topic, take the time to format it correctly. Wording it as a question will ensure that your focus is precise and nuanced.

And here is how you create research questions:

Step 1 : Do some research.

Take a look at the most recent discussions and debates on your selected topic. You can check out academic journals and scholarly conferences. Keep your focus on the main arguments to acquaint yourself with the concepts.

Step 2 : Try narrowing down your topic.

It is a lot more effective to target a single dimension of a broader topic than to tackle everything. To do this, try focusing on a particular aspect, such as a specific location or time period. You can also aim to discuss certain debates or issues that exist within the topic.

Step 3 : Keep your audience in mind.

There is a difference between crafting a presentation for your classmates and writing a research paper. Your audience will determine the level of detail that goes into your question.

Step 4 : Ask questions.

Once you have considered the above steps, it is time to begin asking yourself questions. Make sure they’re open-ended and start with ‘why,’ ‘how,’ or ‘what.’

Step 5 : Evaluate your questions.

After you come up with a couple of ideas, jot them down on paper. Look back at all the requirements for a successful research question. Which one of them will be the most effective for your assignment?

1.3. Choose a Research Strategy

To develop constructive research questions, you will need to conduct an initial survey of your resources. Take everything you’ve learned so far as your foundation. Now, you will need to create an efficient strategy for your further actions.

Your research strategy will depend on the following:


Time	It will dictate which resources you should focus on. If your time is limited, concentrate on gathering data on the web and in your library. However, if your deadlines aren’t as strict, consider conducting first-hand research.
Type of Project	It will determine the depth of your research. Note the guidelines given by your tutor – do you have any limitations? Ensure that you’re not going over or under the margins specified.
Type of Data	It will define the approach to your topic. Think about whether you need facts and statistics or opinions about particular debates.
Type of Sources	They will provide the context for your work. Reflect on what you are trying to achieve with your research. Perhaps it would benefit from the use of primary sources.

1.4. Figure out Keywords

With your research questions, strategy, and some background info covered, it will be easier to determine the keywords . They will help you look for resources and locate your work in the future. Over here, see how to work with keywords.

Once you have a selection of keywords, you can improve them by doing the following:

Break them into related concepts. By the end, you should have four or five columns with associated keywords.
Choose one keyword from each column. Use your library’s search engine to look them up. Don’t forget to type ‘AND’ in-between the words. It will narrow down the search so that only articles containing all the selected keywords will appear.
Explore the results! Don’t be afraid to try several different combinations. You should also make sure to list all those keywords that bring you the most valuable results.
If you don’t have enough results, try using fewer keywords. Alternatively, you can try to make your keywords broader.
If you have too many results, try using more keywords. Alternatively, you can try to make your keywords narrower.
Pay attention to which articles are the most relevant to your needs. Make sure to save them and skim them for a list of keywords. Write them down, and create a new list!
Once you have exhausted your first list, you can create another one. Run another search following these steps. Don’t forget to note down the relevant materials – you’ll need them for your citations!

1.5. Improve Your Topic

As we mentioned above, you can change and refine your topic as many times as you need before you begin writing. That is why in this section, we will talk about how to polish and improve your idea. At the very least, we’ll give you tips on how to format it correctly.

First of all, we need to make sure that your topic is researchable. To accomplish this, answer the 5 ‘w’ questions :

Why are you choosing this particular topic? How is it interesting or different from the rest? What is your stance on the matter?
What are the main issues your topic is trying to explore? Is it controversial? What other opinions and questions exist on the subject?
Who is talking about the topic? What points of view exist, and who is giving them? What is their agenda?
When was this topic discussed? Is the issue recent or historical? Does the time frame matter?
Where lays the importance of your topic? Is it debated on an international, national, or local level? Is there a particular place that is more affected than the rest of the world?

After answering these questions, you need to evaluate your idea from these two perspectives:

Is your topic too broad?

It may happen if you find far too much information on the subject that doesn’t seem relevant. You will want to narrow it down and include some specifics, such as:

Place (country, city, street, part of the world, etc.);
Time (year, era, century, etc.);
Populace (ethnicity, gender, age, occupation, etc.);
Event or characteristic (historical occurrence, institutional perspective, etc.);
Individual or group (a particular point of view, specific person or persons, etc.).
Is your topic too narrow?

If you are discovering too few sources to build a proper case, your topic is too narrow. Try to broaden it using the following methods:

Remove some of the specifics (place, time, populace, etc.).
Expand some of the specifics (place, time, populace, etc.).
Use synonyms to reword your topic.
Look in other databases to broaden your horizons.
Consider looking into a less current issue (the newer an idea is, the harder it is to find sources).

2. Look Through Sources

2.1. determine possible sources.

By this time, you most probably looked for background information on your topic a couple of times. Now it’s time to look for more specific info.

For starters, get the keywords you’ve chosen and see if there is enough information available. You can start by checking appropriate titles in the online libraries. Look for sources in encyclopedias and dictionaries to overview what books or articles you can use.

You can use the following websites for this purpose:

Oxford English Dictionary
Wordreference.com
Encyclopedia Britannica Online
Oxford Reference Online

Apart from encyclopedias and dictionaries, there are, of course, other places you can check. For instance, you can search for books in your local or university library . When you look through the text on the shelf, pay attention to the books nearby – they can become useful too in the subject area.

Additionally, you can find information in your textbooks and assigned readings. Use your library’s electronic databases that keep magazines and newspapers on the topic. In case you are not sure how to do that, ask your librarian. Also, use search engines to locate materials on the Internet. These types of sources will be helpful when looking for generic information.

2.2. Skim Some Books

When it comes to using books for your research, both hard and electronic copies work as well. In this section, we will tell you how to use them for your research.

If you are a student, you probably do not have time to read every single book. When working on a short paper, essay, or presentation with limited time, you are simply looking for citations. Luckily, there is no need to waste your time examining each book thoroughly. Skimming is enough to understand if the source works for you or not.

To get the needed information in the book, look at the following elements:

Title Page. There, you can find all the essential details about the book, the author’s name, title, the publisher’s name, the date of publication, etc.
Table of Contents. This part provides you with a list of all the chapters in the book. You can get a general idea of what topics the author covered.
List of Illustrations. In some books, authors use illustrations, tables, drawings to support the arguments and the facts. Looking through them can help you see the stats or some other facts quickly.
Preface or Introduction. Usually, this part of the book provides the author’s intentions and the purpose of the book. Read it to see whether the book’s topic is necessary for your research.
Bibliography. This part of the book provides a list of materials that the author used. You can check the bibliography for additional resources or references.
Index. Skimming an index is excellent for identifying where the relevant information is located in the book. It can also give you some additional keywords that might be helpful for your research.

How to Find Books: Free Resources

You can find paperback books in your school’s library or ask your professor if he can lend you some helpful resources. To look for ebooks, we recommend using one of the following services:


	It is an open library catalog through which you can read and borrow more than 3 million books.
	It is a service from Google Inc for full-text books. Google claims that it has over 40 million scanned books.
	Internet Archive is a free online library of millions of books, movies, software, music, etc.
	It is one of the oldest digital libraries. It stores almost 50,000 ebooks in various formats.
	WorldCat is an online library catalog. It allows you to look up dissertations, books, essays, journals, and multimedia worldwide.

For more free books and textbooks, check out the list of online learning resources for different subjects.

2.3. Find Relevant Articles

Scholarly articles are essential parts of every research. Even small argumentative essays usually contain citations from these resources. Here, we will explain how to work with them.

But first, you have to understand how to differentiate based on where these articles are being published. There are two types:

Peer-reviewed journals

These journals include articles written by an expert in the field. Another expert (experts) read the article and provided feedback. Thus, the author implemented the needed changes based on the review.

Scholarly journals

Experts write articles for these journals. They address the papers to other academics in the same field. Usually, scholarly journals are written by professional associations or academic press.

Usually, students can use academic and scholarly journals interchangeably. However, you should ask your instructor to explain if sources called “academic” are acceptable.

Not to read every single piece of writing, you need to learn how to identify if the article is credible or not. For that, pay attention to the following elements:

Author. Look out for the author’s degrees and credentials. Additionally, see if they are a member of any association or work at a university or official organization.
Intended audience. Understanding the article’s aim is essential. If the author intends to entertain and inform the general public, it may not be the best source for a student. You can still read and learn from without citing.
Publication type. Some of the ways to recognize the type are:
Go online and read the sections’ “aims and scope.”
Check the visual appearance. If the article has colorful images and graphics, it is most probably written for the general public.
Structure. You can also look at the length and formatting of the article. If it has a clear organization with headings, then most probably, the piece is scholarly. Same with the size. Short papers (with less than five pages) in general are likely to be not academic articles.
Style. Examine the language, the point of view, and the tone of the article. If the document has many technical terms and professional jargon, then it is usually scholarly or peer-reviewed. Ask yourself what level of education one needs to comprehend the text entirely.

If all of the following parameters fit your expectations, you can only start by reading and analyzing the article.

How to Find Articles: Free Resources

Not sure where to look for articles? Check the following resources that our team recommends:


	Google Scholar is a web search engine that indexes most peer-reviewed journals, books, abstracts, theses, and dissertations. The goal behind this engine is to make access to scientific knowledge more efficient. It also has a citation analysis tool.
	WWS is a global science search engine that looks for articles and scientific papers across more than 100 databases. It is partially free and multilingual.
	Microsoft Academic is a web search for scientific knowledge. You look for any topic, author, journal, or combination of the following on the website. Microsoft Academic is entirely free.
	ScienceOpen is a complete end-to-end publishing solution that has over 50 million articles and records. It provides a wide range of tools to researchers for free.
	RG is a European social networking website for scientists and researchers. You don’t have to register to read articles. Yet, you need to have an email affiliated with one of the recognized institutions to become a site member.
	It is a search engine designed for teachers, students, and those doing home school programs. Librarians created it using Google custom search.
	The CORE is a service provided by the Knowledge Media Institute. The aim is to gain open access to different systems as it works closely with digital libraries. CORE claims that it is the world’s largest aggregator of open access research papers.
	ERIC is an online library of education research and information. The U.S. Department of Education sponsors it. This library is free of charge and has a lot of filters for the most accurate search results.

2.4. Examine Useful Databases

If you still don’t know what sources to use, you can study databases. These collections contain many high-quality books and articles and conference presentations, video lectures, illustrations, etc. In this section, see how to use them and how to benefit from doing this.

A database is a collection of stored and structured information, usually controlled by a dates management system (DBMS). Information is generally modeled in rows and columns in different tables. Thus, even your university’s online library can be considered a database.

Here are some crucial tips on using databases:

AND ➡️ when you want to use both terms.
OR ➡️ when you can choose either time.
NOT ➡️ when you want to exclude words.
Type asterisks, exclamation points, and questions marks. If you don’t use asterisks and wildcards, some databases will not provide the search you need. They are also beneficial in making your search more specific.
Look out for the “subject search” option. This way, you will search for information located on the heading field. It is possible due to a system called controlled vocabulary .
Improve your keywords. Try to be creative with your key phrases and words. Look for all the possible ways to express your topic by using synonyms and associated concepts.
Try using parentheses . When you look for complex queries, use parentheses. They will allow you to group terms together.
Search for clues. Carefully look for tips and hints in the results. Analysis of the trends, indications, and numbers can help you understand the information better.
Check the stacks . Stacks are linear data structures that follow a specific pattern. As collections of elements, they can help you with one particular search.
Look through different databases. You can look across other databases and combine what you’ve found. The more data you will consider, the more precise your results are.

Free Databases to Use for Research

There are many open-access databases that you can use when conducting your research. Our experts previously mentioned a lot of those in the sections about ebooks and scholarly articles.

Here are some more databases that you can find to be helpful:


	DOAJ is a community-curated online journal. It provides access to high-quality, peer-reviewed journals.
	EThOS is a bibliographic database provided by the British Library. You can search across 500000+ works for free and access the full text.
	This one is a catalog provided by World Bank. It includes databases, tables, reports, and other resources.
	This database is provided by U.S. Government science agencies. It contains a search engine that will make your search effortless.
	SSRN is worldwide research that contains full-text academic papers. It is an open-access resource for subjects like accounting, economics, finance, law, etc.
	PLOS is a nonprofit organization that publishes research in medicine and science. It is peer-reviewed that publishes papers under creative commons licenses.

We also recommend looking at the available open databases prepared by the University of California at Santa Barbara and Elmira College .

2.5. See Other Websites

Besides search engines and databases, there are other online resources that you can use as a starting point for your research. The only issue is that you might not know if the information is legit.

These websites are suitable for academic research:

Educational sites (*.edu)
Government sites (*.gov)
News sites (CNN, NBC News, FOX News, etc.)
Professional, nonprofit organizations (Unicef, WWF, etc.)
General informative websites (Wikipedia)

Of course, you can use online resources for research. They are especially great when you’re looking for background information or defining the topic. Yet, one thing to keep in mind is to choose the websites and data from them carefully.

Reasons not to use Wikipedia as a source.

Here are some cons of using these online sources:

Unreliable. Anyone can write websites, and they are rarely checked for accuracy, bias, and credibility. They are also regularly filled with old content.
Chargeable. A lot of websites are free of charge. Yet, very often, to read the full article or cite the page you need, you have to pay.
Tricky to cite. Most websites do not have any citation tools, so it can be hard to add them as references.
Unstable. Websites are usually not permanent. Both the content and the address change – the link might not be available later on.

Free Websites to Use for Research

Using different websites for background information search and a general understanding of a given topic makes total sense. But when needed, you can use them for actual research.

For this purpose, we recommend the following websites:


	HowStuffWorks is an American website that professor Marshall Brain founded. The topics include animals, culture, politics, and many more.
	It is an index of all the best websites for research. The years range from 1999 to 2016.
	On this website, you can find more than 45 million images, texts, videos, and sounds from across the United States. DPLA can be used for scholarly research and education.
	It is a public collection that offers more than one million images, videos, and documents. This general collection includes papers from Cornell University, MIT, RISD, and Colby College.
	This website is a place that you can use to search for topics. It is a part of Technology and Transformation Services. It also has a Spanish-language portal.
	It is the U.S. Government’s open data website. You can find information, tools, resources for successful research. It was launched in 2009 and hosted by the U.S. General Services Administration.

3. Evaluate the Sources

3.1. select what sources to use.

By this step, you have collected many sources for your work. Now is the time to sort through them and get rid of the ones you don’t need. Here, we will explain how to choose appropriate sources for your research.

When checking the quality and credibility of a source, use this checklist:

✔	Currency	The information that was relevant five years ago may not be relevant any longer. Thus, it is crucial to check for the currency and accuracy of your sources. Even when regarding trustworthy publishers, take note of the dates of the studies.
✔	Purpose	Every single research is done with a particular agenda in mind. Sometimes, it is to pursue advancements in science. Other times, the purpose may be political or economic. Ensure that you check who publishes the information you’re reading and what possible motive or bias they might have.
✔	Relevance	Any topic has several perspectives and several possible approaches. Not to mention, one area of inquiry can open the door to many others. Double-check that the information you’re studying is directly relevant to your research question.
✔	Authority	Consider who is publishing the information and what credentials the author has. Is this well-known research, or are you referring to someone’s opinion? Make sure that others can verify the statements you’re reading.
✔	Accuracy	It is up to you to verify whether your sources are credible. Take into account the previous points in the checklist and let them guide you. Assess the accuracy of the claims you’re reading before adding the source to your reference list.
✔	Publisher	Note if an academic press has published the article or book you’re considering. In this case, the chances are that it has been through a peer-review process, and the information is accurate. However, for data found on the web, you may have to fact-check the claims yourself.

3.2. Take Notes

When you have sorted through your sources, you can start reading through them at length. You will still have the opportunity to filter out unneeded information. To accomplish this, we recommend marking down the relevant fragments that you will use in your work.

We advise you to study your sources in the following order:

Step 1 : Skim through the text.

Don’t immediately spend an excessive amount of time reading paragraphs and paragraphs of text. First, run through the source to identify the most relevant passages and headings. Note any words or terminology that catch your eye. It will allow you to form a rough idea of the author’s main arguments.

Step 2 : Ask questions.

After you finish skimming through the text, write down any questions that formed in your mind. Make sure that you keep them relevant to your topic. These questions will help you figure out what information you are hoping to obtain from the source.

Step 3 : Underline or highlight.

It’s time to read the source actively. Grab a highlighter or a pen and note down anything that seems relevant or interesting. Pay special attention to the passages that caught your eye earlier. Once you find answers to your questions (or think of even more questions), make sure to jot them in the margins.

Step 4 : Summarize .

As you have finished reading, write down a quick summary of your findings. Do this immediately after you finish while the information is still fresh in your mind. Organize your notes and look up any terminology that isn’t familiar. Also, take a quick look at the bibliography provided by the source – you could find something useful!

Step 5 : Write down key information.

Before moving on to the next source, don’t forget to note everything you need for the bibliography. Write down the title, the author’s name, the publisher, and the date of publishing. If you are using a website, save the URL. Double-check which citation format you’re required to use.

4. Write Your Paper

4.1. formulate your thesis.

A thesis statement is often referred to as the heart of your work since it contains the main idea and stance of the author. The writing process starts with figuring out what you want to say. State it in one sentence, referring back to all the research that you have conducted thus far.

Here are a few tips you could use in writing a compelling thesis statement based on your research:

State your point clearly. Your argument needs to be explicit and direct. Remember that you will have to address it within the limited confines of your work. There isn’t the space to consider too many points of view. That is why your audience must be clear on the direction your debate is going to follow.
Be specific. You have to ensure that your wording is as clear-cut as possible. The thesis needs to state the exact idea you will be exploring. If you formulate it too vaguely, the content of your work will be all over the place. Polish your thesis until it becomes specific to your argument.
Question what you think. To accomplish this, you will need to keep your target audience in mind. Consider what views your readers must have to understand the point you are trying to make. Your statement must be grounded to those who don’t necessarily have the same ideas as you.
Showcase a strong position. Don’t forget that your thesis statement is a reflection of your comprehension of the topic. While it must be clear and coherent, it should also advance your unique position on the matter. Instead of simply making an observation about something, don’t hesitate to take a stance.

Formulating a successful thesis statement takes time and practice. It is likely that you will not get it completely right on your first try. If you feel like you need some training or require examples, try using our thesis statement generator .

4.2. Outline Your Paper

If you have reached this stage in your work process, it means that you have everything you need. You have composed a strong thesis statement and have your notes and arguments beside you. Now, you have to put them together in a logical order. This way, your reader will see your thought process clearly.

To organize your paper , try this approach:

Determine the research problem. This isn’t just your thesis statement but is also the key to creating your title. It is the central point of your work. Try formulating it in a single sentence or phrase for efficiency.
Identify the key arguments. Think of what points you are trying to make with your research. Very briefly note them in your introduction. You will proceed to explore and build on them throughout the rest of your paper.
Formulate the first category. Consider which point you should cover first. Typically, it is a good idea to start with definitions and clarifications of any critical terminology. You may also want to introduce the background of a particular theory or concept you are exploring.
Include subcategories if needed. For now, try listing them in the form of a bullet list. The subcategories should provide the basis and support the main points you’re making.
Sum up and conclude. Once you have created the rough draft, tie everything together. Conclude your project and refer back to your thesis. Make sure that you haven’t strayed away from your research question in creating your outline.

If you have followed these steps, you should end up with a defined beginning, middle, and end. Naturally, different research papers will have carrying outlines. For example, a term paper will have a smaller number of subcategories than a dissertation. Moreover, some projects will require you to mention your research methods, results, etc. You can find more information on how to write an essay or another type of paper in specialized online guides.

4.3. Add Quotes and Examples

To prove that you aren’t making up arguments on the fly, you should provide supporting evidence. You have to refer back to your sources and cite articles and books found during your research.

You can cite a source as supporting evidence like this:


Summarizing	Listing the main points made in the source in a shortened form.	Read the extract you are trying to summarize until you have a good understanding of the material. Think about two or three main ideas that capture the essence of the argument. Write it down and revise, adding the citation in parenthesis at the end.
Paraphrasing	Restating the arguments made by the author using your own words.	Read the passage or sentence you want to paraphrase several times. Once you think you have grasped its meaning, go back to your paper. Change the sentence’s structure and use synonyms. Cite the source in parenthesis when you are done.
Quoting	Copying the exact sentence or phrase as it appears in the source without alteration.	Make sure that the quotation you want to use isn’t too lengthy. It should be relevant to your text. Copy it word for word with quotation marks. Add the citation at the end in parenthesis.

You will be rephrasing and analyzing others’ opinions on your chosen topic for most of your work. However, from time to time, a direct quotation is necessary to support your arguments. This is suitable in the following cases:

You don’t want to lose the author’s original meaning by summarizing or paraphrasing their words.
The language in the source material is very effective and would be weakened if you tried to reword it.
The language that the author is using is important historically.
The authority found in the source will lend more credibility to the point you are trying to make.

5. Cite Your Sources

Congratulations – your work is nearly finished! You have only a couple of steps left. To round up your research, compile a list of sources you have used. You should also indicate which parts you have cited in your text. That is what we are going to discuss in this section.

Simply put, a citation is used to refer back to the source material. You can cite anything, from an academic article or book to a video or even a viral tweet. This is how you give credit to the original author for their work.

There are a couple of ways to utilize citations in your work correctly:

When employing quotations, summarizing, or paraphrasing in your text, use in-text citations . These must be placed directly in the body of the work in parenthesis, following the cited fragment. The in-text citations are always shortened, referring only to the author and the year of publishing. Sometimes, for larger works, the page number is also included.
The full citations go into the references/works cited page at the end of your work. This is also sometimes referred to as a bibliography. These include various features, such as the title of the work, the author’s name, date of publishing, etc. Different citation styles require different elements to be mentioned. Make sure to double-check which one your institution expects you to use.

As we mentioned, while creating any academic work, you are expected to use references. You will have to choose a particular citation style or be directed to one by your instructor. This style will be used consistently throughout your work. Each one has its specific features and guidelines.

Here is what you can expect from them:


	Alphabetized reference list. The authors’ names are inverted. In-text citations are provided in parenthesis. Sources page is titled “References.”
	It always includes the same core elements. The elements follow in a specific order. In-text citations are provided in parenthesis. Sources page is titled “Works Cited.”
	All words are capitalized (except for prepositions and articles). The titles of books and journals are italicized. In-text citations are provided in parenthesis. Sources page is titled “References.”
	Source titles are written using sentence case capitalization. Book chapters and article titles are in single quotation marks. In-text citations are provided in parenthesis and are matched with the reference list. Sources page is titled “Reference List.”
	In a title, only the first word is capitalized. The in-text sources are noted numerically. The numbers for the in-text citations match with the reference list. Sources page is titled “Reference List.”

You can read more about each citation style if you follow the links for the related referencing guides .

In the previous sections, we have examined search engines, databases, and websites that you can use in your research. However, there are plenty of other online tools that can be very useful for your work process. We are going to talk about them here.

The following online tools can help you immensely while you research:

ProCon.org is a website that allows you to consider several viewpoints on debatable issues. It features multiple controversial topics and lets the readers experience different sides of the arguments in a non-biased manner.
Journal TOCs is a service that allows you to discover the newest academic papers as soon as they are available online. When writing about current events, it is essential to stay up-to-date, especially concerning research.
EndNote is a multifunctional tool with many valuable features. It provides you with fast database search, automatic bibliography, and more. Research takes an incredible amount of time and effort, and this program is determined to save you time and resources.
Paperpile is an extension for your browser and can be installed on your mobile devices as well. Tracking down and compiling your references can become a hassle – this is why Paperpile manages them for you.
Zotero is another useful extension for your browser. It collects and organizes your research for you. It can also help you with the creation of your citations and allows you to collaborate with others.
RefWorks is a tool that allows you to save your references from any webpage. It also helps you import them from online databases. You will be able to annotate and highlight your texts, as well as quickly search through them.
Science Daily allows its readers to browse through all the latest news in several different spheres. Keeping up with updates in the scientific sphere is essential for any researcher, but especially those in the STEM fields. ScienceDaily is a must-have if you need to save time.
DeepDyve gives you access to different current research articles for a limited time. A large number of valuable sources online are locked behind a paywall. It tends to be troublesome and expensive. DeepDyve allows you to check articles for free to see whether you need them for your research or not.

Thank you for your attention! We hope that you are now feeling more prepared to approach research in any sphere. Share this page with other students who you think could use our guide.

🔗 References

Basic Steps in the Research Process – North Hennepin Community College
How to Do Research A Step-By-Step Guide: Get Started – LibGuides at Elmira College
Conducting Research: the Process – Research Guides at Washington University in St. Louis
Research Process: Select your Topic – Nash Library & Student Learning Commons at Gannon University
Developing Research Questions – Research & Learning Online, Monash University
How to Write a Research Question – Guides at The Writing Center, George Mason University
Research Process Step by Step: Identify Keywords – Subject and Course Guides at University of Texas at Arlington
Start Your Research: Evaluate Your Info – Library Guides at University of California, Santa Cruz
19 Notetaking Tips for College Students – Post University
Writing a Paper: Outlining – Academic Guides at Walden University
How to Outline – Purdue Online Writing Lab, College of Liberal Arts, Purdue University
What Is Research: Definition, Types, Methods & Examples – QuestionPro
Thesis Statements – The Writing Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
5 Steps to Create the Perfect Outline – Brandon Ramey, Herzing University
How to Cite – University of Arizona Libraries
The Research Process: How to Cite – LibGuides at Franklin & Marshall College
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Productive tips of information in advancing research skills. I recommend this content to all potential professionals. Thanks for your anticipatory contribution to all the budding academic and research communities.

This is strictly a rich content that goes along way in advancing the research prowess more importantly to the budding researchers. Thank you so much for this.

We are glad to hear your opinion! Thank you, Benard!

How to Write a Research Paper Fast: Advice From Those Who Finish Several Papers a Week

We always recommend college students complete their research papers fast and on time, steering clear of the last-minute rush. Yet, there are instances where several school activities can take precedence, leading to a delayed start in the writing process.

So, what's the game plan when faced with just a few hours to complete and submit an entire paper? The pressure can indeed become overwhelming.

Remember, you're not alone – we've all been in similar situations. Instead of dwelling on self-criticism, let's focus on moving forward fast.

In situations where you are caught up in the whirlwind of last-minute paper writing, this article aims to equip you with valuable tips on how to write a research paper fast and wrap it up without losing your sanity.

How to Write a Research Paper Fast: Easy Tips

Understand the Research Question Thoroughly

To write a paper quickly, it is crucial to review the question and grasp the study's objectives carefully. Take a few moments to analyze the question, ensuring full comprehension of all its components. This preliminary step sets the stage for fast research, aiding in the collection of pertinent resources and the organized structuring of information for the impending paper.

Swiftly Select a Topic Through Brainstorming

Once the assignment is comprehended, if a specific research paper topic is not provided, promptly choose one. Engage in a brief brainstorming session to identify a familiar subject. To save time, opt for a topic within your realm of familiarity and perform a fast online search to assess the availability of reference materials. If ample references exist, formulate a question and thesis statement derived from the chosen topic, facilitating an expeditious paper writing process.

Accelerate Research Using Keywords

Having established a research question, expedite the information-gathering process by entering the precise query into a search engine. Write a research paper fast by identifying relevant articles, journals, essays, or college papers from the search results. Alternatively, compile a list of keywords derived from the main question and employ them in targeted searches on scholarly databases such as Google Scholar and JSTOR. Ensure the credibility of references, as these databases typically house reputable publications. Bookmark the located references for easy retrieval during the writing phase.

Produce a Concise and Focused Thesis Statement

Following a comprehensive literature review, refinement of the topic, and proper organization of materials, create a clear and succinct thesis statement. This one-sentence statement serves as the hook for research paper , articulating the major problem addressed, setting reader expectations, outlining the approach to addressing the question, and making a specific claim. The thesis statement should be unambiguous, specific, and reflect the writer's stance on the topic.

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Develop a Brief Yet Detailed Outline of Key Ideas

After formulating the thesis statement, construct an outline for your last minute research paper. While this step is optional, it is highly recommended for efficient and well-structured writing. The outline serves as a guide, delineating the tasks to be undertaken and their sequence. It can be as detailed or concise as desired, encompassing major headings and subheadings. Maintain flexibility in the synopsis, allowing adjustments as the writing unfolds.

If you are completing a research paper as part of a degree requirement, your university may provide a template. In such cases, adhere to the given template. In the absence of a university-provided template, you can easily find free templates online. Numerous templates are available, assisting with the format and structure of college papers.

For journal submissions, the creation of an abstract should align with the author guidelines provided by the journal. Journals typically have specific requirements regarding word count, headings, subheadings, and the inclusion of tables and figures. These guidelines offer detailed insights, simplifying the outline creation.

Follow these tips to develop an effective abstract for your research paper, and don’t forget to explore the ins and outs of qualitative research to expedite the process:

List major headlines, including abstract, introduction, literature review, methodology, results, discussion, conclusion, bibliography, and appendices.
Incorporate subheadings by referencing previous research papers.
Leverage your literature review to identify appropriate subheadings and sections for your research paper.
Keep the outline flexible, allowing for adjustments as you begin writing fast. Regularly update it to align with the evolving content of your paper.

Establish a Conducive, Distraction-Free Writing Environment

To write your research paper fast, locate an environment free from distractions to facilitate focused concentration for an extended period. Steer clear of common distractions like noise, social media, email notifications, and phone calls. Ensure the chosen space is comfortable and well-lit to prevent strain. A distraction-free setting enhances concentration, promoting fast and efficient writing.

Initiate Writing with Speed

Finally, initiate the writing phase, recognizing it as the most challenging aspect of the process. Having already completed essential preparatory steps such as outlining, creating a thesis statement, and conducting a literature review, focus on writing the remaining sections according to the outlined structure. These typically include the introduction, methodology, results, and discussion. Each section serves a distinct purpose, contributing to the overall coherence and effectiveness of the research paper. To produce your research paper fast, utilize the outlined structure to guide the writing and maintain a consistent flow of ideas:

Introduction

The introduction serves as the foundational segment of your paper, derived from the thesis statement and literature review. Here, you must craft the background, articulate the research purpose, specify research questions and objectives, underscore the significance of your research paper, and delineate the overall structure of the paper. While not overly detailed, the introduction should captivate readers' interest, ensuring they remain engaged throughout.

Methodology

Following the literature review, the methodology section elucidates the approach you will employ to conduct your research. This integral part of your paper demands clarity in expression. Key components of the methodology include research methods, research philosophy, population and sampling techniques, data collection and analysis methods, instruments and scales utilized, and details of any pilot studies. It is imperative to substantiate your choice of research methods and techniques with robust arguments. For instance, in the case of qualitative research, provide compelling reasons for selecting it over quantitative methodologies.

This pivotal section encapsulates the outcomes of your research, showcasing your unique contribution. Scientifically present your results, establishing connections with your thesis statement and research questions. Utilize tables, figures, and other details from the statistical tools employed in your study to enhance clarity.

Elaborate on your results comprehensively in the discussion section, establishing connections with existing theory and literature. Present your findings in a manner accessible to a broader audience, not solely adhering to scientific language. Provide arguments for results that deviate from established theory or expectations. The discussion segment should cover aspects such as:

Discussion on results.
Limitations of the research paper.
Implications.
Future research directions.

Apply the PEER System for Effective Discussion Writing

During the discussion section, employ the Point - Evidence - Explain - Repeat (PEER) system to systematically present information. Begin each paragraph with a clear point, support it with relevant evidence from the research, explain the significance of the evidence, and seamlessly transition to the next paragraph by repeating the process. Consistently applying the PEER system enhances the coherence and readability of the discussion section, ensuring a well-structured and compelling presentation of findings.

How to Finish a Research Paper Fast?

Upon completing the initial draft, engage in prompt editing and revising to enhance both the content and structure. Additionally, ensure to proofread your work thoroughly.

Utilize Online Tools for Revision and Editing

After completing your writing, it's essential to proofread and edit your research paper to eliminate errors before submission. Expedite this process and save time with the help of online tools, including:

Grammarly: Identify and correct errors related to spelling, grammar, punctuation , and word choice.
Hemingway Editor: Enhance the readability of your paper by eliminating unnecessary words and phrases, ensuring clarity and conciseness.
Turnitin: Detect plagiarism, a critical concern when crafting a research paper.

Ensure Adherence to Guidelines by Double-Checking Structure and Content

Before submitting your research paper, take a moment to review the entire document. Verify that the structure and content align with the assignment prompts and guidelines. This precautionary step is crucial to avoid potential rejection by the professor. If any elements are missing, incorporate them before submission, saving you the time and frustration of revisiting your paper in case of rejection.

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Preventing the Last-Minute Rush

The process of writing a research paper encompasses several stages, including researching, writing, editing, proofreading, and revising. Performing these tasks at the eleventh hour can be stressful. Now that you have insights on expediting the research paper writing process, here are some hints on how to do a research paper fast without the chaotic last-minute rush:

1. Start early. Begin your research paper well in advance to avoid last-minute stress. Starting early allows for thorough planning, research, and ample time to revise and refine your work.

2. Create a schedule. Develop a realistic timeline for each stage of the research paper, including research, outlining, drafting, and editing. Having a schedule helps distribute the workload evenly, preventing a last-minute rush.

3. Break it down. Break the research paper into smaller, manageable tasks. Tackling smaller portions regularly is more manageable than facing the entire project simultaneously. This approach minimizes the likelihood of procrastination.

4. Utilize research tools efficiently. Leverage online databases, libraries, and research tools effectively from the outset. This ensures you have access to the necessary resources without scrambling at the last minute to find relevant information.

5. Outline early. Create an outline early in the process. An organized structure guides your writing and prevents major restructuring later on. This proactive step helps maintain a logical flow throughout your paper.

6. Regular check-ins. Schedule periodic check-ins with your progress. Regularly reviewing your work allows you to identify any challenges early on and gives you the opportunity to make adjustments before the deadline.

7. Proofread along the way. Proofread and edit your work fast as you progress rather than waiting until the end. This minimizes the chances of overlooking errors and ensures a polished final product. Consistent proofreading also aids in maintaining a coherent writing style throughout the paper. If you’re already in a great hurry, we suggest you pay for research paper now and save the remaining time spending it on more important assignments.

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How to Write a Research Paper Fast

by Antony W

June 6, 2024

It seems irrational that the same fear which keeps us away from the side of a cliff is the same that makes us freeze at the sight of a blank page.

In fact, a research paper ranks high among the greatest fears of students and accomplished academicians alike. But we're here to help you overcome it by teaching you how to write a research paper fast.

To begin with, fear is born of the unknown. If you don’t know what to write, what the readers (read “professor”) want, what is expected of you, or how to go about the entire process, fear will freeze you, literally.

Help for Assessment is here to break that awful state. This detailed guide will help you realize and understand how to write a perfect research paper and get you started with a sample outline. We’ll even give you some research paper topic examples for inspiration.

If, on the other hand, you feel that you just can’t deal with that kind of stress or pressure right now, don’t worry.

Help for Assessment also has a team of veritable research paper experts who will write it for you and ensure you get the grade you wish for. We will do all that at the best rates you can find, including up to a 50% discount for first-time orders.

What Makes a Great Research Paper?

The first unknown to debunk is what a research paper needs to be. A clear picture of what you’re working to achieve goes a long way towards removing fear.

In many cases, you will even need to write a research paper proposal first, also called a prospectus, and get it approved by your instructor before proceeding to work on the research paper.

There are certain qualities that every good research paper needs to be successful, which as you will soon discover, are the qualities of the research project itself.

Clarity - the researcher should have a clear picture of the paper, its place within the wider context, and its structure even before starting. This same clarity should be reflected in the writing with a clear expression of ideas. In other words, no ambiguity or unnecessary complexity.
Conciseness - if the research paper is to have the impact desired, it should be direct, straightforward, and to the point. Having lots of extraneous material will only dilute the content, so try to go exhaustive without getting off-topic. Every paragraph and sentence should have a measured contribution to the main argument.
Structured - a research paper always follows a distinct organizational framework and logical flow of ideas. This structure varies depending on what kind of research paper you’re writing.
Analytical and original - A research paper is NOT a review of existing literature. There should be a distinct and valuable contribution to the existing body of knowledge through thorough analysis, analytical thinking, and drawing coherent conclusions from the research done. In short, a research paper should be analytical and critical, not descriptive.
Firmly founded on existing research - a research paper is sequential in nature, which means that it rests on and proceeds immediately out of the existing published knowledge of the topic. Every claim, every finding, and every conclusion must be firmly supported by credible data and evidence.
Realistic - early on in the research paper writing process, you will discover how much of an investment the paper requires in terms of time and effort. It must be doable in the time frame and with the resources available, otherwise, it will be a waste of time. Decide early on if the paper is realistic, and make sure to have a working deadline.
Relevant - the research paper must be relevant to your discipline and area of study. In addition to being an expression of critical thinking, it’s also a learning experience that develops the student’s specific knowledge greatly, a rewarding experience in itself.

With that in mind and the target in sight, we can now formulate a working structure for the research paper.

But first, you need to get ready. Probably the most important part of writing a research paper is preparing effectively.

How to Write a Research Paper Fast - Step by Step

1. organize (getting ready).

It is said that victory loves preparation, and nothing is more true when you are undertaking such a massive project as a research paper. Organization spans from selecting the right topic, formulating a thesis statement , and creating an outline.

In many cases, especially for high school and junior years of undergraduate studies, the instructor provides the research paper topic for high school and saves you a lot of headaches.

However, sometimes that responsibility is left to the student. Here is how you can come up with a good topic for your research.

Before we go into that, remember that a good topic needs to be:

Specific - the scope of your topic must be narrow and focused, else your research will have no direction. A general topic will quickly overwhelm, but if it is too specific, you might run out of research material.
Feasible - the topic you choose to investigate should have enough research material available for you to use. Obscure topics or those that are too new may not provide enough depth of material for proper research.
Clear - the topic should bear no ambiguity or undue complexity. It needs to be straightforward, direct, and understandable by someone at your level of education.
Relevant - the research itself is meant to be a contribution to your field, so the topic needs to be relevant to your discipline.
Interesting - We consider this quality to be one of the most important qualities because an interesting topic makes the whole process easier and more rewarding. Go for a topic you love, or that you have questions about, or that you have always wanted to explore.

Of course, your instructor will have to approve the topic you pick. It is also good to have a backup topic or two in case you hit a wall with the first. Following this process does help, though, when it comes to selecting a good topic.

Brainstorm - take a moment to think about possible ideas you would like to explore. You can easily get these from popular media, current news, online, movies, books you have read, and even from your classwork. If this doesn’t work, pick your friend’s brains and hear what they suggest. Write all these down.
Evaluate - Measure the topic against the qualities above and eliminate any that don't qualify. This process alone should eliminate 80% or more of these.
Light research - do some general research on the few remaining ideas to discover what the available body of knowledge is. Determine their relevance to your field, see what position you can argue from, and finally pick the one you like most.
Start research on the said topic . At this stage, you should know what kind of research paper you are going to write - analytical, argumentative, interactive, cause and effect, survey, interpretive, etc. You should also pick your position early on. As you read and research, have a notebook ready to write down any quotes, arguments, major ideas, data gaps, and anything else that will help you to write the paper. Remember to maintain a proper record of all the sources you use for later reference and for your bibliography.
Formulate your thesis statement and title - to start with, frame your topic in the form of a question that you will be answering. Then come up with a thesis statement for the paper, which you can change as the research paper develops.

Research Paper Outline

In some types of research paper, the methodology section is replaced by a " Review of Literature ", where you offer a brief commentary on each source you use for the paper.

Also note that a research paper is usually about 3000 words long, although your instructor will give you directions regarding the same.

The research paper introduction should be no more than 300 words, while the conclusion should not exceed 500. In most cases, the bibliography, table of contents, and abstract don't count toward the total word count.

Some other expert tips for creating a top-quality research paper include:

Revise, revise - Make sure you revise your draft at least twice and correct any grammatical, logic flow, and organizational issues that arise. Any sentence that sounds vague or ambiguous to you will be unintelligible to the reader, so correct it. Remove any repetitive or redundant words, and so on. Refine your paper until it sounds just perfect. If you hate revising finished work like many students do, revise each section when finished.
Have a deadline - brick walling is common in the writing process. Procrastination and outright laziness are also big problems. Make sure to set yourself solid deadlines to help get you moving. Also, try to work with as little distraction as possible.
Read good research papers from others - Learn from the best and borrow tips and tricks from renowned research papers from top writers.
Practice, practice! - Even renowned writers take time and lots of practice to develop the skill; it seldom comes naturally. No matter at what level of the education system you are, the truth is that the ability to write good research papers is a critical skill you will need later in life. Keep sharpening it.

Sample Research Paper Topic Ideas

Now that you have the cheat sheet to A-level research papers, all you need to do is start writing.

Another wise guy once said that the secret to getting ahead is getting started, and all you need now is some inspiration. As promised, here are twenty sample research paper ideas - you will have to develop your own thesis statements.

High School Research Paper Topics

Privacy during the digital age - you can explore the role of the government, papers, or even tech companies such as Facebook.
Healthcare policy during President Obama's tenure in the White House.
The increased divorce rates in the past few decades.
Pornography prevalence because of its availability online. Should parents impress their own moral/religious/political values on their children? To what extent?
Competition in school: is it healthy?
Modern farming: the effects of pesticides, GMO products, and other modern practices on consumer health, the environment, or national/global food security.
Climate change in a specific ecosystem/state/country.
Military spend: why does the world spend so much on defense budgets instead of using it on more humanitarian issues?
The impact of the Coronavirus on tourism-dependent countries.

College Level/General Research Paper Topics

Pets and therapy - how pets are helping the disabled/seniors/those with mental health issues.
Popular media and morality: how general entertainment is responsible for shaping societal moral values.
College athletes: should they be paid?
Green energy - to what extent has it helped reduce CO2 emissions and reduced reliance on non-renewable energy?
Battered-woman-syndrome - why some women seem unable to leave their partners despite being continuously abused and physically harmed.
Culture: to what extent has the Japanese culture of “the working/salaried man” affected mental wellness?
Depression - the publicizing of depression has not helped make it better. Discuss.
Freedom: Given that communist countries are, theoretically, having better control of the Coronavirus scourge, is there a limit to which personal freedom should be allowed?
Education system - How does the US school system compare with, say, the Japanese or Korean system?
Bioterrorism: The use of biological or neurological warfare against humanity.

related resources

How to Write a Psychology Research Paper
Business Research Paper Topics

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How To Write A Research Paper Fast?

The research paper writing process could be tough, time taking and of course, requires a lot of study. That’s why it is suggested to be done gradually by taking a suitable amount of time. But sometimes students delay the entire process and are left with no sufficient time to complete the entire paper. That’s where they start thinking about how to write a research paper fast?

Students ask this question a lot, leading to why students need to write a paper in an emergency. It is all because of taking the writing process lightly. You are not supposed to think that research can be done within a few hours and write a paper about it. If you are a Ph.D. student, you need to write 70,000 to 80,000 words which seems impossible to be done in a few hours or a day, so you need Ph.D. research paper help .

But as many things are not impossible and can be done at the last minute, research writing is also one of them. If you are left with a short time period, we can teach you how to write a paper fast without dropping the quality of your research.

Table of Contents

What is a Research Paper?

A research paper is a detailed and well-explained essay that contains either a qualitative or quantitative research method to justify the thesis statement of the author. A paper is often used as a source of providing an in-depth analysis of a topic by conducting research that involves people, data, and its interpretation.

Why Students Search for Hacks to Write a Research Paper Fast

This question has attracted a lot of attention and we are here to answer it for you. We understand that you want to know why so many students delay the entire process and wait for the last minute to start their research. It can be due to several reasons which we are going to discuss below.

1. They Procrastinate

The biggest reason students take a lot of time and still couldn’t complete their tasks is that they procrastinate. Procrastination is an act of delaying the tasks and not completing them on time, thinking that it’s just a piece of cake and won’t take a lot of time.

This mindset is the basic reason behind the particular nature of the students. They avoid completing their job due to laziness and then end up worrying about it the whole time. That’s why they seem to be searching on the internet about meeting deadlines in any way.

If you do the same, then what you can do is just stop procrastinating and start working on yourself. In this way, you will get rid of this bad habit and finally get back to a healthy habit of completing all the tasks within the given time.

2. They Couldn’t Understand the Guidelines

It is also one of those things that students do and end up missing the deadline. Like every problem this issue also has a solution which is researching itself. Many students do not understand the guidelines provided by their teacher and thus they stay puzzled yet do not ask for help.

We mentioned in one of our previous blogs that if you are not able to understand the instructions of an essay then try to do enough research on it. You have the biggest and most free source in the world which is Google. You can learn more about research and paper writing by following the examples and checking others’ work present on the internet.

It is not difficult to understand the instructions for your project. It only takes brains and free research tactics to get what you need. Therefore you must complete your research on time and understand the requirements to write an excellent quality paper.

3. Due to Overconfidence

We never had to mention this fact actually because everybody knows it. If you are a student who is overconfident and believes you can do anything within a few hours, then you are making the worst mistake of your life. You cannot be acting like this to end up with great trouble at last.

This is the reason why people say that overconfidence kills. You must believe in yourself but that’s not mean you start taking things lightly just because you are sure you can do it in a short time as compared to others. There is a significant criterion for everything which you should follow otherwise you can lose a lot of things.

It is suggested by any wiser person to stop being overconfident and get back to reality. Doing this will help you a lot in getting things done within time. You will have a better way to start your tasks and complete them without any worries.

4. Taking Way Too Much Time

This is something most people do not talk about and that doesn’t mean it’s not important. It is the reality that students take way too much time on writing every single heading of the research. It is a sample like spending the entire day on just an introduction and leaving the rest for tomorrow. Students should learn how to balance things as it is one of the keys to success.

If you don’t know how to give specific time to every task, how are you going to deal with urgent tasks within a certain time period? That’s why it is suggested to learn how to balance your time and energy and complete the task without spending too much time on it. It takes a few hours sometimes to complete research if you know how to do it right.

How to Write a Research Paper Fast?

You are finally going to learn our best tips on writing research fast. This frequently asked question has too much content on the internet which helps students get an idea about this topic. We have some master techniques saved which will teach you how to write research fast, without missing the deadline.

1. Select a Simpler Topic

When you know you don’t have proper time to write a research paper, it is suggested to select a topic that is easier and well-known to you already. Selecting a simple topic will help a lot and in this way, you can write your paper fast. It is a proven technique that most people follow to never miss a deadline.

The simpler your topic is, the more chances you have to finish the paper within just an hour or so. Just identify the length of your paper and start your work so you can complete it on time. It is said that some brilliant students are experts at writing and completing the research project within 2 hours when given their favorite topic.

2. Design a Thesis Statement

How about creating a thesis statement in advance to avoid the hassle later? You need a thesis to start your research because this statement will be the actual basis of conducting the research. That’s why it is better to create it in advance before moving to the next step.

You can take time in thinking about your statement in peace, and then use it to complete the research and make an outline. It will automatically fasten your writing process and you will end up writing more in just a little time.

A lot of students take thesis statements lightly and think it’s just a single statement that is worthless. That’s not true! This statement is everything your research is based on. Ignoring it can lead you to a horrible ending in which you might have missed your deadline and written nothing to submit as your project.

3. Complete Research Beforehand

The best method of writing a research paper fast is to complete its research quickly, as soon as possible. You should focus on writing later but first, the research paper is more important than everything. Your entire paper depends upon the research so it is better to do it first.

By doing your research in advance, you save yourself from some troubles. The easiest part of research writing is the writing process. If you do the research first and then write, there are 100% chances of completing your paper quickly. If you lack in topic research then you can get professional paper writing service for the paper perk writers. We have expert paper writers for all academic subjects. All you must know is what’s the procedure, how have you collected the information, and in what way it’ll be written on the paper.

4. Make an Outline

In all of our previous blogs, we have discussed too much about the significance of making an essay outline. It is one of those things which shouldn’t be taken for granted because they can save you in the most stuck situations. Don’t believe us? Let’s have a look at the given example and educate yourself.

Suppose you are going to miss a deadline for your research within 4 or 5 hours max. It is research and it surely needs an ample amount of effort to write this paper. What you have done is completed the research and created an outline that you will be following. Now tell us how much you’d need to follow the outline and write the entire paper?

Let us answer it for you, you may need only 3 and a half, or a maximum of 4 hours to write a paper. You still have one hour left in which you can either proofread the content or edit it, format it, and just submit it right away to chill for the entire day. This is the effect of creating an outline of any essay or paper you are assigned at college.

It is the benefit you seek when you have done more than half of the work in advance. You don’t have to worry about the things, but just write your paper and hand it over to your teacher. And, your grades will also be safe when you write the research in this way.

5. Write the Introduction

You can start writing in the introduction section. This part is the first one in the research and it also contains many subheadings such as the objective, background, research questions, research significance, etc. You can divide your introduction into these parts and complete it.

This is the first yet main part of the research so writing it initially will help in moving to the next parts fast. You can write the entire paper in this way and your teacher will be more than happy to receive good quality research from you.

6. Write Body and Arguments

It’s time you finally write the body and the main arguments of your research. This is the middle part of the research and it won’t take a lot of time if you have created the outline and done the research in advance. You just need to view those points and start writing them fast.

One by one, you can reach the points and just finish the task. You can start by providing the arguments, and their examples side by side. Try to keep the discussion to the point to finish your work within the desired time limit. Following this will make your job much easier than you have ever thought.

7. Finish with Conclusion

The conclusion is the shortest part of the entire research which is summed up in 100 or 150 words maximum. So you already know you don’t need to spend a lot of time on the conclusion of the research paper . You can take just 10 to 15 minutes to write a good conclusion if you know the summary of your research.

8. Cite the Paper

It is the time you cite your paper and complete the whole thing. Research is invalid without the references to the sources you have used. That’s why do not forget to write the citations in your paper and do it quickly before the submission.

Point to Ponder: Remember that we are only suggesting this writing method for those who are in a hurry to finish their paper. Research writing is a time taking process because nobody wants to compromise on the quality of work. If you have sufficient time to complete your paper, then you are suggested to read our other blogs that contain an approach for conducting and writing research peacefully with complete attention.

How to Write an 8-Page Paper in 3 Hours?

It is what you want to know since we have seen many of you searching for the answers on the internet. It is a challenging task but let’s just say nothing is impossible once you make up your mind to do it. The same goes for research writing. You can of course write an 8-page paper within 3 hours by following the below-given method.

1. Choose an Easier Topic

Choosing an easier topic will help you and you can complete your paper fast as compared to writing one that includes a complicated topic. Always remember that if you don’t have enough time for writing a paper, just shift to an easier topic and complete your work before the deadline.

2. Stay to the Point

There is no use explaining every single point in your research and diving into the deadline when you have only 3 hours to write the entire paper. Your priority must be completing the work as soon as possible so you need to explain only those points which are necessary. It is never useful to write more when you have less time.

3. Do Not Lose Focus

Having less time could be a lot frustrating but you still need to have complete focus on the task. It is never healthier to procrastinate when you have only 3 hours to complete a big task. It is really important to put your entire focus into one thing since it helps in getting the work done within no time.

Having only 3 hours to complete 8-page research is quite a hectic thing. One may easily get stressed out by having a lot to do in only 3 hours. But you can use a better approach by building your focus and giving 100% attention to the task. This way you will be able to complete your work fast without further delays and you won’t lose any marks as well.

4. Be Smart

Using our brain can help you much more than anyone and anything in this world. If you have selected a topic of your choice, there are so many chances you already know a lot about it. You may have an idea of the arguments, claims, and relevant examples in your mind that can help you write your current research.

It is a fact that if you know something already you are more likely to finish things sooner. If you concentrate well and use your brain to think further, you can deduce good arguments from your mind. It is the best thing you can do when you have just 3 hours to write an 8-page paper.

Just calm down at first, think about your topic, and recall the previous knowledge you have in your mind. With the help of this information, you can create your claims and provide excellent examples with them too. Your paper will be done in only 3 hours yet it will be 100% effective having almost no shortcomings.

We hope you have learned good strategies to complete your research paper within time. We understand as a student you have so many responsibilities and it becomes harder to manage all the deadlines. These above-mentioned techniques may surely help you write a paper fast.

If you have anything on your mind to share with us, leave a comment in the box given below to reach out as soon as possible.

Can I write a research paper in one day?

Yes, you can write a research paper in one day. All you need is just complete the research, make an outline and thesis statement, and then finish the writing procedure as fast as you can. Make sure you balance the quality as well in this process.

How long does it take to write a 5-page long research paper?

It usually depends upon the requirements of your paper, but overall it takes about 4 hours to complete a research paper with an introduction, thesis statement, arguments and claims, and conclusion.

How long should it take to write a research paper?

A fair time period of writing an entire, regular 5-page research paper is 4 hours. You can do it in the given time if you have done the entire research in advance. If you are an expert, you can also carry out all the given processes within 4 hours.

How do you write a 20-page paper in a day?

A 20-page paper in a day is quite a big deal, but nothing is impossible. You can do it easily by dividing your time first, finishing the research part, making an outline, and just sitting down to start the writing part. Once you finish the writing in one sitting, you are all ready to submit your paper instantly.

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How To Skim Read Journal Articles

Fast-Track Your Literature Review By Focusing On Three Sections

By: Derek Jansen (MBA) | May 2020

How to read scientific journal articles quickly and efficiently.

If you’ve just started your literature review process, you’re probably sitting on a pile of scientific journal articles and research papers that are (1) lengthy and (2) written in very dense , academic language that is difficult to digest (at the best of times). It’s intimidating, for sure – and you’re probably wondering how on earth you’re going to get through it all.

You might be asking yourself some of these questions:

Do I need to read every journal article to make sure I cover everything?
Do I need to read every section of each article to understand it?
If not, which sections should I focus on?

First things first, relax (I can feel your tension!). In this post, I’m going answer these questions and explain how to approach your review of the literature the smart way , so that you focus only on the most relevant literature and don’t waste time on low-value activities.

So, grab a nice hot cup of coffee (or tea, or whatever – just no beers) and let’s take a look at those questions, one at a time.

Question 1:

Do i need to read every journal article on my topic when doing my literature review.

The good news is that you don’t need to read every single journal article on your topic. Doing so would just be a waste of your time, as you’re generally looking to understand the current state of the literature – not the full history of it.

But… and this is an important but. You do need to read quite a bit to make sure that you have a comprehensive view of the current state of the literature (and of knowledge) in your area of research.

Quality trumps quantity when it comes to reviewing the literature. In other words, you need to focus on reading the journal articles that are most cited (i.e. that other academics have referenced) in relation to your topic keyword(s). You should focus on articles that are recent, relevant and well cited .

But how do I know if an article is well cited?

Thankfully, you can check the number of citations for any article really easily using Google Scholar . Just enter the article title in Google Scholar and it will show you how many citations it has – here’s an example:

How to read journal articles quickly and efficiently

In fact, Google Scholar is a great way to find the key journal articles for any keyword (topic) in general, so chances are you’ll be using this to find your journal articles in the first place. Therefore, be sure to keep an eye on citation count while you’re sourcing articles. It would also be smart to dedicate a column to it in your literature review catalogue (you can download one for free here ) so that you can quickly filter and sort by citation count.

A quick caveat – citation count is not a perfect metric for the quality of a journal article (unfortunately there is no unicorn metric that indicates quality). While its usually a good indicator of how popular an article is, it doesn’t mean the findings of the article are perfect (remember, the Kardashians are popular too – enough said). To the contrary, it could indicate that there’s a lot of controversy regarding the findings (sounds like the Kardashians again).

So, long story short – don’t be conned by citation count alone. Be sure to also pay attention the to quality of the journal each article is published in (you can check journal rank here ), and pay attention to what other articles say about any given popular article.

Need a helping hand?

Question 2:

Do i need to read the full journal journal article when doing my literature review.

Some more good news – no, you don’t need to read every single word in each journal article you review as part of your literature review. When you’re just starting your literature review, you need to get a big picture view of what each journal article is saying (in other words, the key questions and findings). Generally you can get a good feel for this by reading a few key sections in each article (we’ll get to these next).

That said (ah, there had to be a catch, right?), as you refine your literature review and establish more of a focus, you’ll need to dive deeper into the most important articles. Some articles will be central to your research – but you probably still don’t need to read them from first page to the last.

Question 3:

Which sections of each journal article should i read.

To get a big-picture view of what any article is all about, there are three sections that are very useful. These three sections generally explain both what the article is about (i.e. what questions they were trying to answer) and what the findings were (i.e. what their answers were). This is exactly what you’re looking for, so these three sections provide a great way for you to save time during your literature review.

So, let’s take a look at the three sections:

1 – The abstract (or executive summary)

The abstract (which is located right up front) provides a high-level overview of what the article is about. This is giving you the first little taste of the soup , so to speak. Generally, it will discuss what the research objectives were was and why they were important. This will give you a clear indication of how relevant the article is to your specific research, so pay close attention.

Sometimes the abstract will also discuss the findings of the article (much like a thesis abstract ), but this is not always the case (yeah, the abstract can be such a tease sometimes). If it does, it’s a bonus. But even so, you should still read the other sections, as the abstract only provides a very high-level view, and can miss out on specific nuances of the research.

2 – The introduction section

The introduction section will go into more detail about the topic being investigated and why this is important for the field of research. This will help you understand a bit more detail about what exactly they were investigating and in what context . Context is really important, so pay close attention to that.

For example, they might be investigating your exact topic, but in a country other than your own, or a different industry. In that case, you’d know that you need to pay very close attention to exactly how they undertook their research.

So, make sure you pay close attention to the introduction chapter to fully understand the focus of the research and the context in which it took place . Both will be important when it comes to writing your literature review, as you’ll need to use this information to build your arguments.

3 – The conclusion

While the introduction section tells you what the high-level questions the researchers asked, the conclusion section tells you what answers they found . This provides you with something of a shortcut to grasping the gist of the article, without reading all the dull and dry detail – yeah, it’s a little cheeky, I know. Of course, the conclusion is not going to highlight every nuance of the analysis findings, so if the article is highly relevant to your research, you should make sure to also pay close attention to the analysis findings section.

In addition to the findings of the research, the conclusion section will generally also highlight areas that require further research . In other words, they’ll outline areas that genuinely require further academic investigation (aka research gaps ). This is a gold mine for refining your topic into something highly original and well-rooted in the existing literature – just make sure that the article is recent, or someone else may have already exploited the research gap. If you’re still looking to identify a research topic, be sure to check out our video covering that here .

By reviewing these three sections of each article, you’ll save yourself a lot of time, while still getting a good understanding of what each article is saying. Keep in mind that as your literature review progresses, you focus will narrow and you’ll develop a set of core highly relevant articles, which you should sink your teeth into more deeply.

To fast-track your reading, always start by working through the abstract, the introduction section and the conclusion section.

Let’s Recap

In this post, we looked at how to read academic journal articles quickly and efficiently, to save you many hours of pain while undertaking your literature review.

The key takeaways to remember are:

You don’t need to read every single journal article covering your topic – focus on the most popular, authoritative and recent ones
You don’t need to read every word of every article. To start, you just need to get a high-level understanding of the literature, which you can get by focusing on three key areas in each journal article.
The three sections of each journal article to review are the abstract , the introduction and the conclusion .
Once you’ve narrowed down your focus and have a core set of highly relevant, highly authoritative articles, you can dive deeper into them, paying closer attention to the methodology and analysis findings.

And there you have it – now go on and hammer through that pile of articles at warp speed. While you’re at it, why not also check out our other posts and videos covering research topic ideation , dissertation and thesis proposal , literature review , methodology , analysis and more.

Psst… there’s more!

This post is an extract from our bestselling short course, Literature Review Bootcamp . If you want to work smart, you don't want to miss this .

You Might Also Like:

Literature review 101 - how to find articles

28 Comments

Thanks Derek for the tips

Reviewing the Literature can be overwhelming if you do not have the plan or the right structure to navigate the pool of information

You’re most welcome, Aletta. All the best with your literature review.

I personally have found these tips as a key to my long standing problem of reading articles. Thanks a million times

Simple and easy to read guidance… funny too

Great to hear that, Rishen 🙂

Much appreciated Derek. I already realized I could not read everything, but you confirming that has brought a lot of relief.

Great to hear that, Mazwakhe 🙂

Derek sir, I’m really happy for you.You made me to think very smart and effective way to do the review of literature.

Thank you so much.

Dear Derek, thank you for your easy and straight forward guidance,

Thanks for the interesting and informative article

You’re most welcome, Sanoon. Glad it was useful.

Thanks for the insights, I am about to start my literature review and this article as well as the other material from GradCoach will help me on the jorney.

You’re most welcome! Good luck writing your literature review

It was a great and effective information.

Thank you that was very helpful. I am taking a directed studies summer course, and I have to submit a literature review by end of August. That article was short, straight to the point and interesting 🙂 thank you Derek

You’re welcome, Emy 🙂 Good luck with your studies!

Thanks Derek. Reading this article has given me a boost because I have been so stock on how to go about my literature review.Though I know I am not meant to read the whole article.But your explanation has given me a greater insight.

Thank you very much sir for your great explanation 😄 Hopefully I’ve enough diligence and courage to start

You’re most welcome, Felicia. Good luck with your research.

thanks, it was helpful.

Thanks Derek for doing such a wonderful job of helping. Blessings Bro!

Concise and applicable, nice! what a great help. I am now doing a literature review section on my thesis, I used to waste so much time on reading articles that is not relevant back and forth.

Thank for your great help!

Hi Derek, i am busy with my research literature. I submited my 1st draft but it was way irrelevant as per comments made by my supervisor… i gave myself time to find out where i diverted until i lesson to some of your videos. As we speak now, i am starting following the guidelines and i feel confident that i am on the right track now. Thanks a lot my brother

You’re most welcome 🙂

I can’t explain my mood when I realised I had to study more than 40 articles about my study field. It was indeed a game-changer. Thank you very much, Derek. Also, Kardashian was the best example that can be used for this situation :)))

Thank you for posting this. It truly takes a load off! I’m new to Doctoral research and peer review study and “Overwhelmed” doesn’t quite sum up how I felt. This is a tremendous help!

Thank you for the advice. Question, how do one keep count of all the articles considered from starting point to narrowed down. Manually, or is there another way?

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How to Read Research Papers Quickly and Efficiently

If you are at that point when you are asking if you are reading sufficient research papers or if you have done enough literature review, then you should read along. These are common questions when conducting research, especially during the postgraduate years. We may be interested in a research topic but knowing how to read research papers quickly and identifying a research gap is different. As researchers, we need to do extensive reading to know what has been done before or where other scholars have left a gap for us to continue in their footsteps and fill those gaps in knowledge.

Table of Contents

Are reading and comprehension the same when it comes to research articles? Not necessarily.

Learning how to read research papers quickly is not just about your reading speed, it is about how efficient your reading is. To read a scientific paper efficiently means maximum productivity without wasted effort. To this end, I would like to offer some tips for reading scientific articles that helped me get through my PhD and postdoctoral years (and they still apply today):

To understand how to read research papers efficiently, go to the basics. Determine the relevance of the article ; start with the Abstract, then jump straight to the Conclusions. Reading articles can be time-consuming but if the aims and implications are clear, then you know if an article is worth the read. This tip works because some articles may be very interesting, but the key implications are sometimes not clearly highlighted. Hence by reading the Abstract and Conclusions, we can avoid spending a lot of time struggling to get the main message.
Try not to read every scientific article that has covered your topic of interest. Filter your literature search by prioritizing the most cited papers within your field and subfield (because it often provides those first insights) and the most recent studies. Let me put this into context–– knowing that evapotranspiration increases with temperature does not need ten citations; however, the effect of some microorganisms on the gut microbiota will depend on the circumstances, hence the details are important and the more we know what can affect our topic, the more we can understand the responses observed.
Sieving through the available literature in your field is an effort-intensive process, so focus on reading research articles that have high citations . This works because these papers may likely have been published in high-ranking journals, and also because they have great searchability, which means they have high relevance to your topic.
Try to avoid reading older articles because these references may often become irrelevant and outdated with rapid advances in technology. However, under exceptional circumstances (e.g., seminal work) you can simply find the original study and then perhaps use a newer reference where some practical modifications have been made –– if these are applicable to your study. Established methods or procedures don’t change much unless new equipment becomes available, but it’s critical to stay updated on the latest developments in our field.
Keywords can help to find important information but also in reading research articles. You may still find some articles that are difficult to get through because of the wordiness or the unnecessary heavy language. For these, use the Abstract and Conclusion to highlight the key findings, and then delve into the detail where necessary. Using keywords to scan for key passages within the article can also help you save some time and ensure you read and comprehend the article more effectively.
If you are starting your PhD and wondering how to read papers efficiently, be sure to set up notifications for when content related to your specific topic becomes available . While you can search through available literature, setting up publication alerts helps ensure you read relevant literature faster and can stay on top of new developments while you conduct your research.

Read research papers quickly and efficiently

As scientists, reading scientific papers is not just needed during your degree years but all through your career. And when it comes to tips for reading scientific papers, just remember there is no such thing as too much reading.. Finally, we never stop learning, and we should never do so… science advances very quickly and ever so more now. Embrace it!

R Discovery is a literature search and research reading platform that accelerates your research discovery journey by keeping you updated on the latest, most relevant scholarly content. With 250M+ research articles sourced from trusted aggregators like CrossRef, Unpaywall, PubMed, PubMed Central, Open Alex and top publishing houses like Springer Nature, JAMA, IOP, Taylor & Francis, NEJM, BMJ, Karger, SAGE, Emerald Publishing and more, R Discovery puts a world of research at your fingertips.

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In future, ADAC Air Rescue will use multicopters to get to the scene faster and extend the range of its rescue teams. Research operations are to be launched in two trial regions by the beginning of 2025.

Research: Fast track to the real world

Real-world laboratories are encouraged and supported as a means of testing research projects directly in practice. This can lead to innovations making their way into everyday life much faster. However, it is not yet clear which rules apply in these labs.

By Manuel Heckel

Things are in motion both in the air and on the ground at Frankfurt Airport, which plans to have 1,200 electric vehicles in operation by 2026 – from cars, vans and buses to special handling vehicles. Over the next three years, the airport’s operator will also be experimenting with bidirectional charging. Here, electricity flows not only from charging stations to vehicle batteries, but vice versa as well.

The hope is that using vehicles as electricity storage units will make it possible to better compensate for generation and consumption peaks. The project is being supported by several partners, with the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK) providing funding and Hamburg’s electricity grid operator developing the necessary software. The electrical engineering and economics departments at the Darmstadt University of Applied Sciences are dealing with the technical and economic issues involved.

This forward-thinking project is taking place amidst the hustle-and-bustle of a very busy airport that handles over 1,000 take-offs and landings and nearly 150,000 passengers every day. Its research has been explicitly designed as a “real-world laboratory” – a format that is increasingly being used at the interface between science and practice. “A real-world laboratory is ideally suited to the application-oriented research we do on energy topics at the Darmstadt University of Applied Sciences together with industry partners,” says electrical engineering professor Ingo Jeromin.

The Swabian town of Esslingen has created the “Neue Weststadt” research district, which it plans to build and maintain as a climate-neutral residential area. Credit: Maximilian Kamps / Agentur Blumberg GmbH

Testing ideas in reality instead of on paper

The potential of real-world laboratories is huge. The idea is that innovations can be tested directly in the real world instead of in laboratories or on paper. This enables researchers and companies to immediately recognize and adapt to the obstacles that new products or processes encounter in practice. The concept is therefore a scientific version of a development process that is popular in the start-up world: instead of tinkering endlessly with details, such companies sometimes bring half-finished ideas or designs to market in order to carry out further work based on user reactions.

The concept was praised this spring by the Expert Commission for Research and Innovation (EFI) , a scientific body that advises the German government. This came with a healthy amount of fundamental criticism in the EFI's annual report, however. “Some of the basic conditions for research and innovation are no longer up to date,” said Uwe Cantner, commission chair and professor of economics at the University of Jena, at the presentation of the report. In order to change this, the scientists proposed a series of initiatives (see info box),

urging a stronger focus on real-world laboratories in particular. “This can noticeably shorten the long path innovations often take to commercialization,” the report states. As technologies revolutionize more and more current processes and technical progress continues to accelerate, early findings from everyday life will be all the more significant. In areas such as autonomous driving, alternative mobility concepts, new energy systems and artificial intelligence, real-world laboratories make it easier to test possible future scenarios today.

To-do list for the German federal government

In areas ranging from social science to engineering, the six-member Expert Commission for Research and Innovation (EFI) has been monitoring innovation research in Germany since 2008. The EFI submits a report to the federal government once a year, most recently at the end of February.

A familiar concept gets a new lease on life

The basic concept of real-world labs is not new. It was created around twelve years ago in the field of transformative sustainability research, as Oliver Parodi explains. Parodi is a research group leader at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) and a spokesperson for the Reallabore der Nachhaltigkeit (“Real-world Laboratories for Sustainability”) network, which brings together over 200 members from the German-speaking countries. In the last five years, the concept has been increasingly adapted by federal and state ministries, with the focus narrowing a bit more towards the technological perspective. However, its popularity is steadily increasing, notes Parodi: “Real-world laboratories are a success story that’s become part of the world of science; they're supported and in demand.”

That said, the exact requirements and operating conditions for real-world laboratories still often differ. Those in the field are therefore eagerly awaiting a corresponding law that is currently being drafted by the BMWK. In its annual report, the EFI called for the “prompt introduction of the real-world laboratory law”. Germany's coalition government had already announced its intention to do so in its pre-election agreement. In response to a concept for the proposed law that was published last year, over 400 institutions and organizations submitted their own statements. The BMWK, responding to a question from VDE dialog, says it is currently working on the relevant draft legislation: “The draft bill is due to be presented this summer.”

Laboratories thrive on experimentation

Many observers from science and industry are particularly curious about the question of how the so-called experimentation clauses should be legally structured in the future. These clauses form the core of many real-world laboratory projects. After all, if you want to try out innovative concepts in everyday life, you don't work under laboratory conditions you have created yourself. The obstacles you might run into are many, and various. “Real-world laboratories thrive on experimentation,” says Parodi. “In many cases, this gets so bogged down by existing rules, laws or standards that it’s barely possible.”

The experimentation clauses ensure that research projects can be implemented within an existing legal framework. “You try to suspend certain rules in a controlled manner for a certain period of time,” Parodi explains. Such exceptions are already enshrined in laws at the federal level. For example, the use of unmanned aerial vehicles is regulated in the Air Traffic Regulations, which is key for drone projects. Some additional paragraphs of the Road Traffic Act make it possible to test automated and autonomous driving functions. And a separate paragraph of the Energy Industry Act ensures that, in some regions of the country, it is possible to test how electricity grids can cope with large quantities of renewable energy.

Solutions for last-mile logistics are being tested and continuously developed in Bruchsal. Credit: efeuCampus Bruchsal GmbH

The forthcoming Real-World Laboratory Act could clarify how such experimentation clauses are incorporated into the respective specialist regulations. The EFI Commission advocates the broadest possible exemptions, meaning they should not refer to a specific real-world laboratory project. Otherwise they will be more likely to become obsolete after a relatively short time, as Parodi points out. His network, on the other hand, is calling for a more cautious introduction – and clear time limits of four to five years. According to Parodi, the legal canon as a whole needs to be examined in order to enable and ensure sustainability. “We have to think very carefully about what’s worth protecting in the long term and what isn’t. A major social discourse is needed on this subject.”

Bureaucratic and organizational hurdles

Also under discussion is the question of how real-world laboratories can be supported right from the start. By definition, they have to serve numerous disciplines and require a wide variety of skills. This includes everything from scientific expertise and legal advice on the experimentation clauses to public relations work involving affected companies and citizens. “Real-world laboratory work is a complex matter that requires a lot of experience and sensitivity. You have to speak different languages at the same time,” says Parodi. None of this happens automatically. Different project partners have different aims and interests, and participating companies may have different priorities than the scientists involved. Agreeing on common goals is “not at all a trivial matter,” Parodi continues. “And a real-world laboratory can't come to life and bear fruit until that happens.”

One possible approach to circumventing at least the organizational hurdles at hand is to have a central point of contact. This helps projects and organizations obtain information, network with one another and quickly find the people they need to talk to. In North Rhine-Westphalia, Digi-Sandbox.NRW has been serving in this role since the end of 2021. It now comprises over 80 real-world laboratories between East Westphalia and the Belgian border.

In the future, a portal of this kind is to be created for all of Germany. A “one-stop shop” is planned which, according to the BMWK, will be set up “in a lean manner with minimal bureaucracy”. According to the original schedule, it was supposed to launch this year, but the BMWK has since announced that the work on building the portal will now commence in the late fall of 2024. Pilot operations could then start in spring 2025 and gather experience for three to four years.

If this exchange across disciplines is successful, great leaps could be made in comparatively short periods of time. The real-world laboratory for bidirectional charging at Frankfurt Airport, for example, has set itself an ambitious timetable. In its first twelve months (starting from the beginning of 2024), the main focus will be on analyzing the current situation and preparing the technical planning.

But it won't stop there. The data obtained in the process will enable the “development of practical solutions as opposed to purely theoretical or simulation-based approaches,” says Sebastian Herold, professor of energy management at the Darmstadt University of Applied Sciences. In the following three years, up to 90 stations for bidirectional charging are to be built at the airport.

Manuel Heckel is a freelance business journalist from Cologne.

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Public Trust in Government: 1958-2024

Public trust in the federal government, which has been low for decades, has increased modestly since 2023 . As of April 2024, 22% of Americans say they trust the government in Washington to do what is right “just about always” (2%) or “most of the time” (21%). Last year, 16% said they trusted the government just about always or most of the time, which was among the lowest measures in nearly seven decades of polling.

Date	.	Individual polls	Moving average
5/19/2024	PEW	22	22
6/11/2023	PEW	16	19
5/01/2022	PEW	20	20
4/11/2021	PEW	24	21
8/2/2020	PEW	20	24
4/12/2020	PEW	27	21
3/25/2019	PEW	17	17
12/04/2017	PEW	18	18
4/11/2017	PEW	20	19
10/04/2015	PEW	19	18
7/20/2014	CNN	14	19
2/26/2014	PEW	24	18
11/15/2013	CBS/NYT	17	20
10/13/2013	PEW	19	19
5/31/2013	CBS/NYT	20	20
2/06/2013	CBS/NYT	20	22
1/13/2013	PEW	26	23
10/31/2012	NES	22	19
10/19/2011	CBS/NYT	10	17
10/04/2011	PEW	20	15
9/23/2011	CNN	15	18
8/21/2011	PEW	19	21
2/28/2011	PEW	29	23
10/21/2010	CBS/NYT	22	23
10/01/2010	CBS/NYT	18	21
9/06/2010	PEW	24	23
9/01/2010	CNN	25	23
4/05/2010	CBS/NYT	20	23
4/05/2010	PEW	25	22
3/21/2010	PEW	22	24
2/12/2010	CNN	26	22
2/05/2010	CBS/NYT	19	21
1/10/2010	GALLUP	19	20
12/20/2009	CNN	20	21
8/31/2009	CBS/NYT	24	22
6/12/2009	CBS/NYT	20	23
12/21/2008	CNN	26	25
10/15/2008	NES	31	24
10/13/2008	CBS/NYT	17	24
7/09/2007	CBS/NYT	24	24
1/09/2007	PEW	31	28
10/08/2006	CBS/NYT	29	29
9/15/2006	CBS/NYT	28	30
2/05/2006	PEW	34	31
1/20/2006	CBS/NYT	32	33
1/06/2006	GALLUP	32	32
12/02/2005	CBS/NYT	32	32
9/11/2005	PEW	31	31
9/09/2005	CBS/NYT	29	30
6/19/2005	GALLUP	30	35
10/15/2004	NES	46	39
7/15/2004	CBS/NYT	40	41
3/21/2004	PEW	36	38
10/26/2003	GALLUP	37	36
7/27/2003	CBS/NYT	36	43
10/15/2002	NES	55	46
9/04/2002	GALLUP	46	46
9/02/2002	CBS/NYT	38	40
7/13/2002	CBS/NYT	38	40
6/17/2002	GALLUP	44	43
1/24/2002	CBS/NYT	46	46
12/07/2001	CBS/NYT	48	49
10/25/2001	CBS/NYT	55	54
10/06/2001	GALLUP	60	49
1/17/2001	CBS/NYT	31	44
10/31/2000	CBS/NYT	40	38
10/15/2000	NES	44	42
7/09/2000	GALLUP	42	39
4/02/2000	ABC/POST	31	38
2/14/2000	PEW	40	34
10/03/1999	CBS/NYT	30	36
9/14/1999	CBS/NYT	38	33
5/16/1999	PEW	31	33
2/21/1999	PEW	31	31
2/12/1999	ABC/POST	32	32
2/04/1999	GALLUP	33	34
1/10/1999	CBS/NYT	37	34
1/03/1999	CBS/NYT	33	37
12/01/1998	NES	40	33
11/15/1998	PEW	26	30
11/01/1998	CBS/NYT	24	26
10/26/1998	CBS/NYT	26	28
8/10/1998	ABC/POST	34	31
2/22/1998	PEW	34	35
2/01/1998	GALLUP	39	33
1/25/1998	CBS/NYT	26	32
1/19/1998	ABC/POST	31	32
10/31/1997	PEW	39	31
8/27/1997	ABC/POST	22	31
6/01/1997	GALLUP	32	26
1/14/1997	CBS/NYT	23	27
11/02/1996	CBS/NYT	25	27
10/15/1996	NES	33	28
5/12/1996	GALLUP	27	31
5/06/1996	ABC/POST	34	29
11/19/1995	ABC/POST	25	27
8/07/1995	GALLUP	22	22
8/05/1995	CBS/NYT	20	21
3/19/1995	ABC/POST	22	20
2/22/1995	CBS/NYT	18	21
12/01/1994	NES	22	21
10/29/1994	CBS/NYT	22	22
10/23/1994	ABC/POST	22	20
6/06/1994	GALLUP	17	19
1/30/1994	GALLUP	19	20
1/20/1994	ABC/POST	24	22
3/24/1993	GALLUP	22	25
1/17/1993	ABC/POST	28	25
1/14/1993	CBS/NYT	24	25
10/23/1992	CBS/NYT	22	25
10/15/1992	NES	29	25
6/08/1992	GALLUP	23	29
10/20/1991	ABC/POST	35	35
3/06/1991	CBS/NYT	47	42
3/01/1991	ABC/POST	45	46
1/27/1991	ABC/POST	46	40
12/01/1990	NES	28	33
10/28/1990	CBS/NYT	25	32
9/06/1990	ABC/POST	42	35
1/16/1990	ABC/POST	38	38
6/29/1989	CBS/NYT	35	39
1/15/1989	CBS/NYT	44	41
11/10/1988	CBS/NYT	44	43
10/15/1988	NES	41	41
1/23/1988	ABC/POST	39	40
10/18/1987	CBS/NYT	41	43
6/01/1987	ABC/POST	47	43
3/01/1987	CBS/NYT	42	44
1/21/1987	CBS/NYT	43	43
1/19/1987	ABC/POST	44	42
12/01/1986	NES	39	44
11/30/1986	CBS/NYT	49	43
9/09/1986	ABC/POST	40	44
1/19/1986	CBS/NYT	42	44
11/06/1985	CBS/NYT	49	43
7/29/1985	ABC/POST	38	42
3/21/1985	ABC/POST	37	40
2/27/1985	CBS/NYT	46	42
2/22/1985	ABC/POST	43	45
11/14/1984	CBS/NYT	46	44
10/15/1984	NES	44	41
12/01/1982	NES	33	39
11/07/1980	CBS/NYT	39	32
10/15/1980	NES	25	30
3/12/1980	CBS/NYT	26	27
11/03/1979	CBS/NYT	30	28
12/01/1978	NES	29	31
10/23/1977	CBS/NYT	33	32
4/25/1977	CBS/NYT	35	34
10/15/1976	NES	33	36
9/05/1976	CBS/NYT	40	35
6/15/1976	CBS/NYT	33	35
3/01/1976	GALLUP	33	34
2/08/1976	CBS/NYT	36	35
12/01/1974	NES	36	36
10/15/1972	NES	53	53
12/01/1970	NES	54	54
10/15/1968	NES	62	62
12/01/1966	NES	65	65
10/15/1964	NES	77	77
12/01/1958	NES	73	73

When the National Election Study began asking about trust in government in 1958, about three-quarters of Americans trusted the federal government to do the right thing almost always or most of the time.

Trust in government began eroding during the 1960s, amid the escalation of the Vietnam War, and the decline continued in the 1970s with the Watergate scandal and worsening economic struggles.

Confidence in government recovered in the mid-1980s before falling again in the mid-’90s. But as the economy grew in the late 1990s, so too did trust in government. Public trust reached a three-decade high shortly after the 9/11 terrorist attacks but declined quickly after. Since 2007, the shares saying they can trust the government always or most of the time have not been higher than 30%.

Today, 35% of Democrats and Democratic-leaning independents say they trust the federal government just about always or most of the time, compared with 11% of Republicans and Republican leaners.

Democrats report slightly more trust in the federal government today than a year ago. Republicans’ views have been relatively unchanged over this period.

Since the 1970s, trust in government has been consistently higher among members of the party that controls the White House than among the opposition party.

Republicans have often been more reactive than Democrats to changes in political leadership, with Republicans expressing much lower levels of trust during Democratic presidencies. Democrats’ attitudes have tended to be somewhat more consistent, regardless of which party controls the White House.

However, Republican and Democratic shifts in attitudes from the end of Donald Trump’s presidency to the start of Joe Biden’s were roughly the same magnitude.

Date	.	Democrat/Lean Dem	Republican/Lean Rep
5/19/2024	PEW	35	11
6/11/2023	PEW	25	8
5/1/2022	PEW	29	9
4/11/2021	PEW	36	9
8/2/2020	PEW	12	28
4/12/2020	PEW	18	36
3/25/2019	PEW	14	21
12/04/2017	PEW	15	22
4/11/2017	PEW	15	28
10/04/2015	PEW	26	11
7/20/2014	CNN	17	11
2/26/2014	PEW	32	16
11/15/2013	CBS/NYT	31	8
10/13/2013	PEW	27	10
5/31/2013	CBS/NYT	30	8
2/06/2013	CBS/NYT	34	8
1/13/2013	PEW	37	15
10/31/2012	NES	29	16
10/19/2011	CBS/NYT	13	8
10/04/2011	PEW	27	12
9/23/2011	CNN	20	11
8/21/2011	PEW	25	13
3/01/2011	PEW	34	24
10/21/2010	CBS/NYT	36	7
10/01/2010	CBS/NYT	27	13
9/06/2010	PEW	35	13
9/01/2010	CNN	31	18
4/05/2010	CBS/NYT	27	14
3/21/2010	PEW	32	13
2/12/2010	CNN	34	18
2/05/2010	CBS/NYT	31	9
1/10/2010	GALLUP	23	16
12/20/2009	CNN	25	16
8/31/2009	CBS/NYT	34	12
6/12/2009	CBS/NYT	35	10
12/21/2008	CNN	30	22
10/15/2008	NES	34	31
10/13/2008	CBS/NYT	12	19
7/09/2007	CBS/NYT	18	31
1/09/2007	PEW	22	43
10/08/2006	CBS/NYT	20	50
9/15/2006	CBS/NYT	20	44
2/05/2006	PEW	20	53
1/20/2006	CBS/NYT	23	51
1/06/2006	GALLUP	20	44
12/02/2005	CBS/NYT	19	52
9/11/2005	PEW	19	49
9/09/2005	CBS/NYT	21	42
6/19/2005	GALLUP	24	36
10/15/2004	NES	35	61
3/21/2004	PEW	24	55
10/26/2003	GALLUP	35	42
7/27/2003	CBS/NYT	25	51
10/15/2002	NES	52	63
9/04/2002	GALLUP	38	55
9/02/2002	CBS/NYT	32	52
7/13/2002	CBS/NYT	34	45
6/17/2002	GALLUP	33	55
1/24/2002	CBS/NYT	39	56
12/07/2001	CBS/NYT	39	60
10/25/2001	CBS/NYT	47	70
10/06/2001	GALLUP	52	68
1/17/2001	CBS/NYT	26	38
10/15/2000	NES	48	43
7/09/2000	GALLUP	42	41
4/02/2000	ABC/POST	38	24
2/14/2000	PEW	46	37
10/03/1999	CBS/NYT	31	27
9/14/1999	CBS/NYT	42	35
5/16/1999	PEW	36	30
2/21/1999	PEW	35	25
2/12/1999	ABC/POST	41	21
2/04/1999	GALLUP	38	29
1/10/1999	CBS/NYT	42	33
1/03/1999	CBS/NYT	37	29
12/01/1998	NES	45	35
11/19/1998	PEW	31	23
11/01/1998	CBS/NYT	28	22
10/26/1998	CBS/NYT	28	25
8/10/1998	ABC/POST	40	30
2/22/1998	PEW	42	28
2/01/1998	GALLUP	52	26
1/25/1998	CBS/NYT	31	22
10/31/1997	PEW	46	32
6/01/1997	GALLUP	39	25
1/14/1997	CBS/NYT	29	20
11/02/1996	CBS/NYT	31	20
10/15/1996	NES	40	27
5/12/1996	GALLUP	32	20
5/06/1996	ABC/POST	41	35
11/19/1995	ABC/POST	27	26
8/07/1995	GALLUP	24	21
8/05/1995	CBS/NYT	20	20
3/19/1995	ABC/POST	27	20
2/22/1995	CBS/NYT	18	19
12/01/1994	NES	26	18
10/29/1994	CBS/NYT	26	19
10/23/1994	ABC/POST	27	16
6/06/1994	GALLUP	23	11
1/30/1994	GALLUP	25	14
1/20/1994	ABC/POST	30	18
3/24/1993	GALLUP	32	11
1/17/1993	ABC/POST	32	25
1/14/1993	CBS/NYT	26	21
10/23/1992	CBS/NYT	17	31
10/15/1992	NES	31	34
6/08/1992	GALLUP	17	31
10/20/1991	ABC/POST	31	41
3/06/1991	CBS/NYT	40	56
3/01/1991	ABC/POST	41	52
12/01/1990	NES	26	32
10/28/1990	CBS/NYT	21	31
9/06/1990	ABC/POST	37	48
1/16/1990	ABC/POST	32	46
6/29/1989	CBS/NYT	27	45
1/15/1989	CBS/NYT	37	54
11/10/1988	CBS/NYT	36	58
10/15/1988	NES	35	51
1/23/1988	ABC/POST	31	51
10/18/1987	CBS/NYT	36	47
6/01/1987	ABC/POST	38	59
3/01/1987	CBS/NYT	34	54
1/21/1987	CBS/NYT	36	51
1/19/1987	ABC/POST	39	51
12/01/1986	NES	31	53
11/30/1986	CBS/NYT	37	63
9/09/1986	ABC/POST	30	51
1/19/1986	CBS/NYT	36	51
11/06/1985	CBS/NYT	42	59
7/29/1985	ABC/POST	30	48
3/21/1985	ABC/POST	29	49
2/22/1985	ABC/POST	30	62
11/14/1984	CBS/NYT	36	59
10/15/1984	NES	41	50
12/01/1982	NES	32	41
11/07/1980	CBS/NYT	40	42
10/15/1980	NES	31	23
3/12/1980	CBS/NYT	30	22
11/03/1979	CBS/NYT	32	28
12/01/1978	NES	33	26
10/23/1977	CBS/NYT	40	25
4/25/1977	CBS/NYT	37	34
10/15/1976	NES	30	42
9/05/1976	CBS/NYT	38	45
6/15/1976	CBS/NYT	36	36
3/01/1976	GALLUP	31	40
12/01/1974	NES	36	38
10/15/1972	NES	48	62
12/01/1970	NES	52	61
10/15/1968	NES	66	60
12/01/1966	NES	71	54
10/15/1964	NES	80	73
12/01/1958	NES	71	79

Date	.	Liberal Dem/Lean Dem	Cons-Moderate Dem/Lean Dem	Moderate-Lib Rep/Lean Rep	Conservative Rep/Lean Rep
5/19/2024	PEW	33	36	17	7
6/11/2023	PEW	23	27	14	4
5/1/2022	PEW	26	32	13	7
4/11/2021	PEW	31	40	16	5
8/2/2020	PEW	8	16	31	27
4/12/2020	PEW	12	22	37	37
3/25/2019	PEW	13	15	21	20
12/04/2017	PEW	15	16	26	20
4/11/2017	PEW	15	16	32	26
10/04/2015	PEW	28	25	14	9
7/20/2014	CNN	19	16	15	7
2/26/2014	PEW	31	33	21	13
11/15/2013	CBS/NYT	38	25	13	5
10/13/2013	PEW	25	27	16	7
5/31/2013	CBS/NYT	30	30	16	4
2/06/2013	CBS/NYT	35	34	9	7
1/13/2013	PEW	34	37	17	14
10/31/2012	NES	26	32	18	15
10/19/2011	CBS/NYT	9	13	11	7
10/04/2011	PEW	30	25	14	9
9/23/2011	CNN	30	16	11	11
8/21/2011	PEW	26	24	18	10
3/01/2011	PEW	36	33	32	18
10/21/2010	CBS/NYT	37	35	12	4
10/01/2010	CBS/NYT	34	22	10	16
9/06/2010	PEW	39	31	19	10
9/01/2010	CNN	36	30	28	11
4/05/2010	CBS/NYT	37	21	23	7
3/21/2010	PEW	36	31	19	11
2/12/2010	CNN	36	34	25	9
2/05/2010	CBS/NYT	31	32	13	7
1/10/2010	GALLUP	29	22	20	12
12/20/2009	CNN	31	23	18	13
8/31/2009	CBS/NYT	38	30	14	10
6/12/2009	CBS/NYT	42	34	13	8
12/21/2008	CNN	36	28	28	17
10/15/2008	NES	37	34	48	28
10/13/2008	CBS/NYT	16	12	26	12
7/09/2007	CBS/NYT	14	21	38	28
1/09/2007	PEW	15	25	41	45
10/08/2006	CBS/NYT	14	22	50	51
9/15/2006	CBS/NYT	11	23	44	44
2/05/2006	PEW	13	23	52	54
1/20/2006	CBS/NYT	27	21	52	50
1/06/2006	GALLUP	10	26	33	56
12/02/2005	CBS/NYT	16	21	60	47
9/11/2005	PEW	13	22	39	54
9/09/2005	CBS/NYT	12	26	46	41
6/19/2005	GALLUP	25	24	31	41
10/15/2004	NES	24	39	63	59
3/21/2004	PEW	23	24	53	56
10/26/2003	GALLUP	23	39	31	52
7/27/2003	CBS/NYT	21	27	55	47
10/15/2002	NES	53	56	66	61
9/04/2002	GALLUP	31	40	50	60
9/02/2002	CBS/NYT	32	32	55	53
7/13/2002	CBS/NYT	37	33	50	42
6/17/2002	GALLUP	30	36	59	55
1/24/2002	CBS/NYT	38	39	58	54
12/07/2001	CBS/NYT	34	43	61	58
10/06/2001	GALLUP	46	55	66	69
1/17/2001	CBS/NYT	33	24	41	33
10/15/2000	NES	58	52	54	44
7/09/2000	GALLUP	41	42	50	35
4/02/2000	ABC/POST	38	39	28	20
10/03/1999	CBS/NYT	26	33	29	24
9/14/1999	CBS/NYT	38	45	42	27
2/12/1999	ABC/POST	40	43	26	16
2/04/1999	GALLUP	36	40	33	27
1/10/1999	CBS/NYT	39	44	40	28
1/03/1999	CBS/NYT	34	39	31	26
12/01/1998	NES	45	46	39	34
11/01/1998	CBS/NYT	28	28	23	22
10/26/1998	CBS/NYT	30	28	22	26
8/10/1998	ABC/POST	38	35	24	27
2/01/1998	GALLUP	55	52	33	23
1/25/1998	CBS/NYT	24	31	24	19
6/01/1997	GALLUP	41	38	31	21
1/14/1997	CBS/NYT	30	28	25	14
11/02/1996	CBS/NYT	30	32	21	19
10/15/1996	NES	38	39	30	25
5/12/1996	GALLUP	25	35	25	18
5/06/1996	ABC/POST	41	41	39	33
11/19/1995	ABC/POST	26	27	26	28
8/07/1995	GALLUP	16	27	17	25
8/05/1995	CBS/NYT	21	19	19	23
3/19/1995	ABC/POST	24	28	22	17
2/22/1995	CBS/NYT	20	18	22	17
12/01/1994	NES	22	28	21	16
10/29/1994	CBS/NYT	26	27	23	15
10/23/1994	ABC/POST	32	25	22	11
6/06/1994	GALLUP	16	26	15	9
1/30/1994	GALLUP	20	27	18	12
1/20/1994	ABC/POST	26	31	25	10
1/17/1993	ABC/POST	30	33	28	22
1/14/1993	CBS/NYT	17	30	20	20
10/23/1992	CBS/NYT	20	15	30	32
10/15/1992	NES	26	33	37	31
6/08/1992	GALLUP	13	19	31	30
10/20/1991	ABC/POST	25	33	42	39
3/06/1991	CBS/NYT	46	39	57	56
3/01/1991	ABC/POST	39	41	54	50
12/01/1990	NES	27	26	31	33
9/06/1990	ABC/POST	34	39	49	45
1/16/1990	ABC/POST	28	34	50	39
6/29/1989	CBS/NYT	27	27	38	55
1/15/1989	CBS/NYT	33	38	56	54
11/10/1988	CBS/NYT	24	40	65	52
10/15/1988	NES	34	35	52	51
1/23/1988	ABC/POST	30	31	54	49
10/18/1987	CBS/NYT	34	37	47	49
6/01/1987	ABC/POST	34	41	60	55
1/21/1987	CBS/NYT	34	37	54	48
1/19/1987	ABC/POST	37	38	52	51
12/01/1986	NES	25	36	53	53
9/09/1986	ABC/POST	25	34	55	44
1/19/1986	CBS/NYT	34	38	51	52
11/06/1985	CBS/NYT	42	43	60	56
7/29/1985	ABC/POST	26	33	53	41
3/21/1985	ABC/POST	27	29	52	48
2/22/1985	ABC/POST	28	33	62	63
10/15/1984	NES	34	47	52	46
12/01/1982	NES	29	35	48	38
11/07/1980	CBS/NYT	38	42	44	41
10/15/1980	NES	34	28	28	18
3/12/1980	CBS/NYT	31	29	25	18
11/03/1979	CBS/NYT	34	31	28	26
12/01/1978	NES	38	33	24	24
10/23/1977	CBS/NYT	41	41	32	16
4/25/1977	CBS/NYT	41	38	33	36
10/15/1976	NES	27	34	49	41
9/05/1976	CBS/NYT	33	42	45	45
6/15/1976	CBS/NYT	35	35	39	34
12/01/1974	NES	36	40	39	40
10/15/1972	NES	44	53	62	66

Among Asian, Hispanic and Black adults, 36%, 30% and 27% respectively say they trust the federal government “most of the time” or “just about always” – higher levels of trust than among White adults (19%).

During the last Democratic administration, Black and Hispanic adults similarly expressed more trust in government than White adults. Throughout most recent Republican administrations, White Americans were substantially more likely than Black Americans to express trust in the federal government to do the right thing.

Date	.	Hispanic	Black	White	Asian
5/19/2024	PEW	30	27	19	36
6/11/2023	PEW	23	21	13	23
5/1/2022	PEW	29	24	16	37
4/11/2021	PEW	36	37	18	29
8/2/2020	PEW	28	15	18	27
4/12/2020	PEW	29	27	26
3/25/2019	PEW	28	9	17
12/04/2017	PEW	23	15	17
4/11/2017	PEW	24	13	20
10/04/2015	PEW	28	23	15
7/20/2014	CNN			9
2/26/2014	PEW	33	26	22
11/15/2013	CBS/NYT			12
10/13/2013	PEW	21	24	17
5/31/2013	CBS/NYT			15
2/06/2013	CBS/NYT		39	15
1/13/2013	PEW	44	38	20
10/31/2012	NES	38	38	16
10/19/2011	CBS/NYT	15	15	8
10/04/2011	PEW	29	25	17
9/23/2011	CNN			10
8/21/2011	PEW	28	35	15
3/01/2011	PEW	28	25	30
10/21/2010	CBS/NYT		40	15
10/01/2010	CBS/NYT			17
9/06/2010	PEW	37	37	20
9/01/2010	CNN			21
4/05/2010	CBS/NYT			18
3/21/2010	PEW	26	37	20
2/12/2010	CNN			22
2/05/2010	CBS/NYT			16
1/10/2010	GALLUP			16
12/20/2009	CNN		21	18
8/31/2009	CBS/NYT			21
6/12/2009	CBS/NYT			16
12/21/2008	CNN			22
10/15/2008	NES	34	28	30
10/13/2008	CBS/NYT			18
7/09/2007	CBS/NYT		11	25
1/09/2007	PEW	35	20	32
10/08/2006	CBS/NYT			31
9/15/2006	CBS/NYT			31
2/05/2006	PEW		26	36
1/20/2006	CBS/NYT		19	34
1/06/2006	GALLUP			33
12/02/2005	CBS/NYT			35
9/11/2005	PEW		12	32
9/09/2005	CBS/NYT		12	29
6/19/2005	GALLUP			32
10/15/2004	NES		34	50
3/21/2004	PEW		17	41
10/26/2003	GALLUP			39
7/27/2003	CBS/NYT		19	37
10/15/2002	NES		41	58
9/04/2002	GALLUP			46
9/02/2002	CBS/NYT			39
7/13/2002	CBS/NYT			39
6/17/2002	GALLUP			48
1/24/2002	CBS/NYT			48
12/07/2001	CBS/NYT			51
10/25/2001	CBS/NYT			60
10/06/2001	GALLUP			61
1/17/2001	CBS/NYT			33
10/15/2000	NES		32	46
7/09/2000	GALLUP			41
4/02/2000	ABC/POST			28
2/14/2000	PEW		36	40
10/03/1999	CBS/NYT			28
9/14/1999	CBS/NYT		30	39
5/16/1999	PEW		28	31
2/21/1999	PEW		32	31
2/12/1999	ABC/POST			32
2/04/1999	GALLUP			33
1/10/1999	CBS/NYT		37	35
1/03/1999	CBS/NYT		39	31
12/01/1998	NES	57	36	38
11/19/1998	PEW		27	26
11/01/1998	CBS/NYT		29	22
10/26/1998	CBS/NYT		26	25
8/10/1998	ABC/POST			33
2/22/1998	PEW		42	33
2/01/1998	GALLUP			36
1/25/1998	CBS/NYT			25
10/31/1997	PEW		39	38
6/01/1997	GALLUP		31	32
1/14/1997	CBS/NYT		15	24
11/02/1996	CBS/NYT	31	30	24
10/15/1996	NES		35	32
5/12/1996	GALLUP			24
5/06/1996	ABC/POST			34
11/19/1995	ABC/POST			26
8/07/1995	GALLUP			22
8/05/1995	CBS/NYT		24	19
3/19/1995	ABC/POST		27	21
2/22/1995	CBS/NYT		20	17
12/01/1994	NES		22	20
10/29/1994	CBS/NYT		16	22
10/23/1994	ABC/POST			21
6/06/1994	GALLUP			15
1/30/1994	GALLUP			17
1/20/1994	ABC/POST		34	21
3/24/1993	GALLUP			20
1/17/1993	ABC/POST		45	25
1/14/1993	CBS/NYT		22	24
10/23/1992	CBS/NYT		21	23
10/15/1992	NES	37	27	28
6/08/1992	GALLUP			23
10/20/1991	ABC/POST		29	36
3/06/1991	CBS/NYT		30	49
3/01/1991	ABC/POST		35	46
12/01/1990	NES	39	22	27
10/28/1990	CBS/NYT		26	25
9/06/1990	ABC/POST		39	43
1/16/1990	ABC/POST		35	38
6/29/1989	CBS/NYT		26	36
1/15/1989	CBS/NYT		33	46
11/10/1988	CBS/NYT		33	45
10/15/1988	NES		25	43
1/23/1988	ABC/POST		29	41
10/18/1987	CBS/NYT		32	41
6/01/1987	ABC/POST		34	49
3/01/1987	CBS/NYT		20	45
1/21/1987	CBS/NYT		27	46
1/19/1987	ABC/POST		31	47
12/01/1986	NES		21	42
11/30/1986	CBS/NYT		23	52
9/09/1986	ABC/POST		26	42
1/19/1986	CBS/NYT		22	45
11/06/1985	CBS/NYT		34	52
7/29/1985	ABC/POST		22	40
3/21/1985	ABC/POST		29	40
2/22/1985	ABC/POST		24	46
10/15/1984	NES		33	46
12/01/1982	NES		26	34
11/07/1980	CBS/NYT		30	40
10/15/1980	NES		26	25
3/12/1980	CBS/NYT		35	24
11/03/1979	CBS/NYT		36	29
12/01/1978	NES		29	29
10/23/1977	CBS/NYT		28	34
4/25/1977	CBS/NYT		34	35
10/15/1976	NES		22	35
6/15/1976	CBS/NYT		35	34
3/01/1976	GALLUP		23	34
12/01/1974	NES		19	38
10/15/1972	NES		32	56
12/01/1970	NES		40	55
10/15/1968	NES		62	61
12/01/1966	NES		65	65
10/15/1964	NES		77	77
12/01/1958	NES		62	74

Note: For full question wording, refer to the topline . White, Black and Asian American adults include those who report being one race and are not Hispanic. Hispanics are of any race. Estimates for Asian adults are representative of English speakers only.

Sources: Pew Research Center, National Election Studies, Gallup, ABC/Washington Post, CBS/New York Times, and CNN Polls. Data from 2020 and later comes from Pew Research Center’s online American Trends Panel; prior data is from telephone surveys. Details about changes in survey mode can be found in this 2020 report . Read more about the Center’s polling methodology . For analysis by party and race/ethnicity, selected datasets were obtained from searches of the iPOLL Databank provided by the Roper Center for Public Opinion Research .

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ABOUT PEW RESEARCH CENTER Pew Research Center is a nonpartisan fact tank that informs the public about the issues, attitudes and trends shaping the world. It conducts public opinion polling, demographic research, media content analysis and other empirical social science research. Pew Research Center does not take policy positions. It is a subsidiary of The Pew Charitable Trusts .

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How to Write a Research Paper Fast
2. Choose a Topic: Depending on the assignment provided, you will either have a topic in front of you or you will have to decide on one yourself. If your professor did not provide you with a topic, here are some helpful ways to choose one that will work for your needs: 3. Perform Research:
How to Write a Research Paper
Choose a research paper topic. Conduct preliminary research. Develop a thesis statement. Create a research paper outline. Write a first draft of the research paper. Write the introduction. Write a compelling body of text. Write the conclusion. The second draft.
29 Practical Tips On How To Write A Research Paper Fast (Without
1. Choose a Manageable Topic. Opt for a topic that is focused and manageable within your time constraints. 2. Create a Detailed Outline. Organize your thoughts and research materials before diving into writing. 3. Set Clear Goals and Deadlines. Establish specific writing goals and deadlines to keep yourself on track.
How to Write a Research Paper Fast in 9 Steps
Step #2: Plan. After you have identified objectives for your research paper, you need to create a plan to achieve your objectives. If you're serious about how to do a research paper, you should plan it. The best way to plan your research article is to create a Gantt chart.
How To Write A Research Paper (FREE Template
Step 1: Find a topic and review the literature. As we mentioned earlier, in a research paper, you, as the researcher, will try to answer a question.More specifically, that's called a research question, and it sets the direction of your entire paper. What's important to understand though is that you'll need to answer that research question with the help of high-quality sources - for ...
How to Write a Research Papers: Student's Practical Guide
Tips on How to Write a Research Paper Fast. Do you wonder how to write a research paper fast without sacrificing quality? Here are a few tips on how to write a research paper fast: Write in Sprints and Set Realistic Goals: Break your writing process into manageable chunks. Set aside specific blocks of time, like 30 minutes to an hour, and ...
How to Write a Research Paper
By refining your focus, you can produce a thoughtful and engaging paper that effectively communicates your ideas to your readers. 5. Write a thesis statement. A thesis statement is a one-to-two-sentence summary of your research paper's main argument or direction.
How To Write a Research Paper
To write an informative abstract you have to provide the summary of the whole paper. Informative summary. In other words, you need to tell about the main points of your work, the methods used, the results and the conclusion of your research. To write a descriptive abstract you will not have to provide any summery.
How to Write a Research Paper: A Step by Step Writing Guide
A research paper explores and evaluates previously and newly gathered information on a topic, then offers evidence for an argument. It follows academic writing standards, and virtually every college student will write at least one. Research papers are also integral to scientific fields, among others, as the most reliable way to share knowledge.
A Beginner's Guide to Starting the Research Process
Step 4: Create a research design. The research design is a practical framework for answering your research questions. It involves making decisions about the type of data you need, the methods you'll use to collect and analyze it, and the location and timescale of your research. There are often many possible paths you can take to answering ...
How to write a whole research paper in a week
First, think about your audience and pick a suitable journal. This is an important step because the audience and journal determine the content & style of your paper. As a reference, pick two recent papers on a similar topic published in your target journal. Create a storyline for your paper. What is the main message you want to convey, and how ...
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Keep your focus on the main arguments to acquaint yourself with the concepts. Step 2: Try narrowing down your topic. It is a lot more effective to target a single dimension of a broader topic than to tackle everything. To do this, try focusing on a particular aspect, such as a specific location or time period.
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How to Write a Research Paper Fast
Write all these down. Evaluate - Measure the topic against the qualities above and eliminate any that don't qualify. This process alone should eliminate 80% or more of these. Light research - do some general research on the few remaining ideas to discover what the available body of knowledge is.
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3. Complete Research Beforehand. The best method of writing a research paper fast is to complete its research quickly, as soon as possible. You should focus on writing later but first, the research paper is more important than everything. Your entire paper depends upon the research so it is better to do it first.
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How to Write a 6-to-12-Page Essay in a Matter of Hours. Schedule your time. Compose your thesis and intro paragraph. Do your research. Write your body paragraphs. Create a conclusion. Take a troubleshooting break. Add your finishing touches.
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1 - The abstract (or executive summary) The abstract (which is located right up front) provides a high-level overview of what the article is about. This is giving you the first little taste of the soup, so to speak. Generally, it will discuss what the research objectives were was and why they were important.
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Write out of order. Start with the area of the topic that you have the most information about and focus on that. At the end, you can go back and insert transitions to tie the paper together. Similarly, it can be really helpful to write intro and outro paragraphs last, so that you can base them on what has already been written.
How to Read Research Papers Quickly and Efficiently
Determine the relevance of the article; start with the Abstract, then jump straight to the Conclusions. Reading articles can be time-consuming but if the aims and implications are clear, then you know if an article is worth the read. This tip works because some articles may be very interesting, but the key implications are sometimes not clearly ...
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PROOFREADING / ACADEMIC ESSAY SERVICE (£/$)For all academic proofreading and mentoring services, visit https://www.thepagedoctor.com. For my academic writing...
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Testing ideas in reality instead of on paper. The potential of real-world laboratories is huge. The idea is that innovations can be tested directly in the real world instead of in laboratories or on paper. This enables researchers and companies to immediately recognize and adapt to the obstacles that new products or processes encounter in practice.
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Roughly two-in-ten Americans say they trust the government in Washington to do what is right "just about always" (2%) or "most of the time" (21%). ... Sources: Pew Research Center, National Election Studies, Gallup, ABC/Washington Post, CBS/New York Times, and CNN Polls. Data from 2020 and later comes from Pew Research Center's online ...

How to Write a Research Paper Fast

Photo by Russ Ward

1. Understand the Assignment:

2. Choose a Topic:

3. Perform Research:

4. Write Your Thesis:

5. Outline Your Paper:

6. The Body/Intro and Conclusion:

7. Cite Sources:

9. Proofread Revise and Editing:

10. Find and Remove Plagiarism:

Photo by Dan Dimmock on Unsplash

1. Brainstorm Quickly

2. Research

3. Write Quickly

Photo by Nick Morrison on Unsplash

1. Distraction-free:

2. Good lighting:

3. Go somewhere studious:

4. Bring just your supplies needed:

Tips to Avoid Procrastination

1. Start early:

2. Outline first and take breaks:

3. Ask for help if you need it:

The Bottom Line

29 Practical Tips On How To Write A Research Paper Fast (Without Sacrificing Quality)

Table of Contents

How To Write Your Research Paper Fast

Otio's All-in-One AI-Native Workspace

Related Reading

1. Choose a Manageable Topic

2. Create a Detailed Outline

3. Set Clear Goals and Deadlines

4. Utilize Reliable Sources

5. Use Online Tools for Research

6. Limit Distractions

7. Write in Blocks of Time

8. Utilize Templates

9. Write the Body First

10. Focus on One Section at a Time

11. Write a Strong Thesis Statement

12. Use In-text Citations as You Write

13. Proofread as You Go

14. Seek Feedback Early

15. Utilize Writing Apps

16. Take Breaks

17. Stay Organized

18. Edit and Revise

19. Set Aside Time for Final Proofreading

A Complete Guide on How to Write a Research Paper Fast (Without Sacrificing Quality), Step-by-Step

Step 2: Research

Step 3: Outline

Step 4: Writing

Step 5: Introduction and Thesis

Step 6: Citations

Step 7: Proofreading

Step 8: Feedback

Step 9: Revision

Step 10: Final Proofreading

Unlocking Insights through AI-Generated Notes and Q&A Chat

Effortless Drafting with AI Assistance

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Related Topics

How to Write a Research Paper Fast in 9 Steps

TABLE OF CONTENTS

What is a Research Paper?

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

Step #1: Set Objectives

Step #2: Plan

Step #3: Choose a Topic

Step #4: Literature Review

Step #1: Select Literature to Review

Step #2: Take Notes

Step #3: Write

Step #5: Organize Your Research

Step #6: Create a Thesis Statement

Step #7: Create an Outline

Step #8: Start Writing

Introduction

Step #9: Edit and Revise