Few things strike more fear in academics than the accursed research paper, a term synonymous with

long hours and hard work. Luckily there’s a secret to help you get through them. As long as you know
how to write a research paper properly, you’ll find they’re not so bad . . . or at least less painful.

In this guide we concisely explain how to write an academic research paper step by step. We’ll cover
areas like how to start a research paper, how to write a research paper outline, how to use citations and
evidence, and how to write a conclusion for a research paper.

But before we get into the details, let’s take a look at what a research paper is and how it’s different
from other writing.

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What is a research paper?

A research paper is a type of academic writing that provides an in-depth analysis, evaluation, or
interpretation of a single topic, based on empirical evidence. Research papers are similar to analytical
essays, except that research papers emphasize the use of statistical data and preexisting research, along
with a strict code for citations.

Research papers are a bedrock of modern science and the most effective way to share information
across a wide network. However, most people are familiar with research papers from school; college
courses often use them to test a student’s knowledge of a particular area or their research skills in
general.

Considering their gravity, research papers favor formal, even bland language that strips the writing of
any bias. Researchers state their findings plainly and with corresponding evidence so that other
researchers can consequently use the paper in their own research.

Keep in mind that writing a research paper is different from writing a research proposal. Essentially,
research proposals are to acquire the funding needed to get the data to write a research paper.
How long should a research paper be?

The length of a research paper depends on the topic or assignment. Typically, research papers run
around 4,000–6,000 words, but it’s common to see short papers around 2,000 words or long papers
over 10,000 words.

If you’re writing a paper for school, the recommended length should be provided in the assignment.
Otherwise, let your topic dictate the length: Complicated topics or extensive research will require more
explanation.

How to write a research paper in 9 steps

Below is a step-by-step guide to writing a research paper, catered specifically for students rather than
professional researchers. While some steps may not apply to your particular assignment, think of this as
more of a general guideline to keep you on track.

1 Understand the assignment

For some of you this goes without saying, but you might be surprised at how many students start a
research paper without even reading the assignment guidelines.

So your first step should be to review the assignment and carefully read the writing prompt. Specifically,
look for technical requirements such as length, formatting requirements (single- vs. double-spacing,
indentations, etc.) and citation style. Also pay attention to the particulars, such as whether or not you
need to write an abstract or include a cover page.

Once you understand the assignment, the next steps in how to write a research paper follow the usual
writing process, more or less. There are some extra steps involved because research papers have extra
rules, but the gist of the writing process is the same.

2 Choose your topic

In open-ended assignments, the student must choose their own topic. While it may seem simple
enough, choosing a topic is actually the most important decision you’ll make in writing a research paper,
since it determines everything that follows.
Your top priority in how to choose a research paper topic is whether it will provide enough content and
substance for an entire research paper. You’ll want to choose a topic with enough data and complexity
to enable a rich discussion. However, you also want to avoid general topics and instead stick with topics
specific enough that you can cover all the relevant information without cutting too much.

Try not to be robotic about choosing your topic, though; it’s still best to pick something that you’re
personally interested in. Ideally, you’ll find a topic that satisfies both requirements, something that
provides a suitable amount of content and also keeps you engaged.

3 Gather preliminary research

The sooner you start researching, the better—after all, it’s called a research paper for a reason.

To refine your topic and prepare your thesis statement, find out what research is available for your topic
as soon as possible. Early research can help dispel any misconceptions you have about the topic and
reveal the best paths and approaches to find more material.

Typically, you can find sources either online or in a library. If you’re searching online, make sure you use
credible sources like science journals or academic papers. Some search engines—mentioned below in
the Tools and resources section—allow you to browse only accredited sources and academic databases.

Keep in mind the difference between primary and secondary sources as you search. Primary sources are
firsthand accounts, like published articles or autobiographies; secondary sources are more removed, like
critical reviews or secondhand biographies.

When gathering your research, it’s better to skim sources instead of reading each potential source fully.
If a source seems useful, set it aside to give it a full read later. Otherwise, you’ll be stuck poring over
sources that you ultimately won’t use, and that time could be better spent finding a worthwhile source.

Sometimes you’re required to submit a literature review, which explains your sources and presents
them to an authority for confirmation. Even if no literature review is required, it’s still helpful to compile
an early list of potential sources—you’ll be glad you did later.

4 Write a thesis statement

Using what you found in your preliminary research, write a thesis statement that succinctly summarizes
what your research paper will be about. This is usually the first sentence in your paper, making it your
reader’s introduction to the topic.

A thesis statement is the best answer for how to start a research paper. Aside from preparing your
reader, the thesis statement also makes it easier for other researchers to assess whether or not your
paper is useful to them for their own research. Likewise, you should read the thesis statements of other
research papers to decide how useful they are to you.

A good thesis statement mentions all the important parts of the discussion without disclosing too many
of the details. If you’re having trouble putting it into words, try to phrase your topic as a question and
then answer it.

For example, if your research paper topic is about separating students with ADHD from other students,
you’d first ask yourself, “Does separating students with ADHD improve their learning?” The answer—
based on your preliminary research—is a good basis for your thesis statement.

5 Determine supporting evidence

At this stage of how to write an academic research paper, it’s time to knuckle down and do the actual
research. Here’s when you go through all the sources you collected earlier and find the specific
information you’d like to use in your paper.

Normally, you find your supporting evidence by reading each source and taking notes. Isolate only the
information that’s directly relevant to your topic; don’t bog down your paper with tangents or
unnecessary context, however interesting they may be. And always write down page numbers, not only
for you to find the information later, but also because you’ll need them for your citations.

Aside from highlighting text and writing notes, another common tactic is to use bibliography cards.
These are simple index cards with a fact or direct quotation on one side and the bibliographical
information (source citation, page numbers, subtopic category) on the other. While bibliography cards
are not necessary, some students find them useful for staying organized, especially when it’s time to
write an outline.

6 Write a research paper outline

A lot of students want to know how to write a research paper outline. More than informal essays,
research papers require a methodical and systematic structure to make sure all issues are addressed,
and that makes outlines especially important.

First make a list of all the important categories and subtopics you need to cover—an outline for your
outline! Consider all the information you gathered when compiling your supporting evidence and ask
yourself what the best way to separate and categorize everything is.

Once you have a list of what you want to talk about, consider the best order to present the information.
Which subtopics are related and should go next to each other? Are there any subtopics that don’t make
sense if they’re presented out of sequence? If your information is fairly straightforward, feel free to take
a chronological approach and present the information in the order it happened.

Because research papers can get complicated, consider breaking your outline into paragraphs. For
starters, this helps you stay organized if you have a lot of information to cover. Moreover, it gives you
greater control over the flow and direction of the research paper. It’s always better to fix structural
problems in the outline phase than later after everything’s already been written.

Don’t forget to include your supporting evidence in the outline as well. Chances are you’ll have a lot you
want to include, so putting it in your outline helps prevent some things from falling through the cracks.

7 Write the first draft

Once your outline is finished, it’s time to start actually writing your research paper. This is by far the
longest and most involved step, but if you’ve properly prepared your sources and written a thorough
outline, everything should run smoothly.

If you don’t know how to write an introduction for a research paper, the beginning can be difficult.
That’s why writing your thesis statement beforehand is crucial. Open with your thesis statement and
then fill out the rest of your introduction with the secondary information—save the details for the body
of your research paper, which comes next.

The body contains the bulk of your research paper. Unlike essays, research papers usually divide the
body into sections with separate headers to facilitate browsing and scanning. Use the divisions in your
outline as a guide.