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What Is A Research Paper?

A research paper requires students to locate information on a topic, take a position, and provide evidence to support it. It may also refer to scholarly articles containing original research or an evaluation of others' research, which undergo peer review. The research process involves defining a question, creating a strategy to gather sources from the library and a librarian, evaluating sources for reliability and relevance, and writing the paper. Research papers teach scholarly conventions, information organization, time management, and allow exploring a chosen subject in depth.

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751 views3 pages

What Is A Research Paper?

A research paper requires students to locate information on a topic, take a position, and provide evidence to support it. It may also refer to scholarly articles containing original research or an evaluation of others' research, which undergo peer review. The research process involves defining a question, creating a strategy to gather sources from the library and a librarian, evaluating sources for reliability and relevance, and writing the paper. Research papers teach scholarly conventions, information organization, time management, and allow exploring a chosen subject in depth.

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We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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What Is a Research Paper?

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By 
Olivia Valdes
Updated October 01, 2019

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


students and academics to locate information about a topic (that is, to
conduct research), take a stand on that topic, and provide support (or evidence)
for that position in an organized report.

The term research paper may also refer to a scholarly article that contains the
results of original research or an evaluation of research conducted by others.
Most scholarly articles must undergo a process of peer review before they can be
accepted for publication in an academic journal.

Define Your Research Question


The first step in writing a research paper is defining your research question. Has
your instructor assigned a specific topic? If so, great—you've got this step
covered. If not, review the guidelines of the assignment. Your instructor has likely
provided several general subjects for your consideration. Your research paper
should focus on a specific angle on one of these subjects. Spend some time
mulling over your options before deciding which one you'd like to explore more
deeply.

Try to choose a research question that interests you. The research process is time-
consuming, and you'll be significantly more motivated if you have a genuine
desire to learn more about the topic. You should also consider whether you have
access to all of the resources necessary to conduct thorough research on your
topic, such as primary and secondary sources.

Create a Research Strategy 


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

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


nothing short of a research superhero. He or she will listen to your research
question, offer suggestions for how to focus your research, and direct you toward
valuable sources that directly relate to your topic.

Evaluate Sources
Now that you've gathered a wide array of sources, it's time to evaluate them.
First, consider the reliability of the information. Where is the information
coming from? What is the origin of the source? Second, assess the relevance of
the information. How does this information relate to your research question?
Does it support, refute, or add context to your position? How does it relate to the
other sources you'll be using in your paper? Once you have determined that your
sources are both reliable and relevant, you can proceed confidently to the writing
phase. 

Why Write Research Papers? 


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

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


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

The best research papers are the result o

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