Easy Steps to Make a Start on your Research Paper - 2021 Comprehensive Guide

Posted by Rebecca Bennett on May 29th, 2021

Whether a college or a graduate, a student has to become an essay writer at least once for academics. A research paper is a mandatory assignment that requires a writer to deeply study a topic using different techniques. 

A research paper is an extended form of essay that depends on many components to be written effectively. It includes forming a strong thesis statement, conducting in-depth research, using different methodologies, and evaluating results. 

Writing a research paper gives students a really hard time as it requires more effort to be written. Just as important it is to write for academics, it is equally essential to draft it professionally. 

Students often fear attempting this task and end up getting help from a good. Experts believe that writing a research paper depends on how the writer takes the start. 

Writing a research paper correctly means that the start should also be accurate. If you are assigned a research paper and you are sitting there staring at a blank page, follow the right steps to learn how to start. 

Read the Instructions Provided 

The first and foremost step is to read and understand the guidelines provided with the assignment. It is in these instructions that how the writer should format his paper and what is the due date. 

The guidelines include other important information as well such as the length of the paper, the number of sources or references to include, and the font type and size. 

Brainstorm Research Paper Topic Ideas 

Once you have understood the instructions, brainstorm ideas on which you will draft your research paper. Think of topic ideas that interest you or motivate you to look for solutions and answers. 

Make a list of all the topics that pop into your head and analyze each one of them. Your topic should be meaningful and interesting for both you and the audience.

Form a Thesis Statement 

After deciding on the topic, for a thesis statement. A thesis statement is the writer’s stance or argument on the topic. It will be the main research question that will drive your study. Make sure that the thesis statement is arguable. Only a good thesis statement will let the writer gather strong supporting content for the paper. 

Decide on the Research Methodology

Select a research methodology to gather data for your paper. It is important to know the basic research types and which one to use for the desired field. Sciences subjects are usually based on quantitative research while humanities depend on qualitative research. 

Conduct Research 

Once you have picked the methodology, start gathering information for your paper. Consulting credible sources, collect supporting evidence and facts to prove your thesis statement. Choose relevant data and examples to make the content of your paper informative. 

Keep in mind to gather information only from credible sources such as books, newspapers, articles, journals, and other relevant research papers. Moreover, the source should not be older than 5 years. Try using the latest sources in your content. 

It is important to keep the track of all the sources you have consulted during the research process. This will help you when citing them and drafting the bibliography section.

Develop an Outline 

Organize all the gathered information into different sections to give a proper structure to your paper. Develop an outline by splitting the content into introduction, body, and conclusion sections. 

The outline will make it easier for the readers to track information in the paper and understand it. 

Once you have created a plan for your research paper, starting writing.