How to write a research paper.

Writing a good research paper can make all the difference between getting a good overall grade and, well, not. Because of this, and how in-depth they are, writing a research paper can often feel daunting. But there’s no need to worry – or procrastinate – once you know what you’re doing, writing one can even be enjoyable!

In this guide we’ll explore how to write a research paper, as well as what to include and how to structure one. When we’re done, you’ll be eager to get started! Or, at least, a little more eager.

What is an academic research paper?

An academic research paper is essentially a lengthy, more thoroughly researched essay. It provides unique and in-depth commentary and analysis on a specific subject relevant to your field of education or work. Unlike academic essays, however, research papers focus on using statistics, data and existing research to support an idea or thesis. They also tend to follow much stricter structuring and citation guidelines. These will differ depending on the publisher and institution you’re writing under.

For many centuries, research papers have communicated some of the most groundbreaking discoveries and ideas in human history. Today, they’re often used as part of university modules, to examine how well students understand relevant subjects. They’re also sometimes used in professional settings too, often alongside research presentations.

What does a research paper include?

A research paper should be founded on a central idea, supported by reliable data, statistics and previously published research. Because of this, they’re often very detailed and in-depth, and run for around 4,000 to 6,000 words.

However, some papers can be shorter or longer than this depending on the thesis and method. For example, longer research paper examples can reach a dissertation length of 10,000+ words.

A research paper often includes:

• An initial idea, or abstract
• A focused topic
• A solid narrative structure
• Citations and evidence
• Clear methodology
• Reviews and commentary.

How to structure your research paper.

Structuring your research paper is one of the most important parts of the whole process. While you may have a strong idea in principle, this won’t amount to much if you don’t formulate your argument and evidence into clear, organised sections.

When writing a research paper, concentrate on the narrative – the story you want your research to tell, all the way up to how you plan on rounding off your final statement. Generally, a research paper example structure would look like this:

• Title page. This is pretty self-explanatory – the cover page that includes the title of your paper.
• Abstract and thesis statement. Not to be confused with the introduction. This provides a summary of what you’re setting out to achieve in the paper, and your main ‘argument’.
• Introduction. Your research paper introduction provides further information on your topic. It goes into more detail into how you’re going to achieve your thesis, and provides important background information.
• Literature and research review. A literature review is an initial discussion around existing data and research. You’ll discuss what other people have found about this topic, and how it applies to your paper.
• Your methodology. The big bit. This is the section where you discuss how you conducted your own research, illustrating its importance in the context of the topic.
• Results and analysis. The second big bit. The part where you discuss what you found, using both your own research and primary data to support your thesis. You’ll also need to analyse your results, discussing how effective and accurate (or not) they are.
• Conclusion. It can be tricky figuring out how to summarise a research paper. You’ll essentially need to utilise all the information you’ve collected and created throughout the process. A solid research conclusion picks out key points and reviews the effectiveness of your findings.
• References. How these need to be structured will depend on your organisation and institution. It’s very important that you follow the correct citation guidelines for any references or footnotes.

How to write a research paper in 10 steps.

Ready to get started? Read our step-by-step guide to help with writing your research paper.

1. Read the assignment.

It may be tempting to jump straight into planning or writing your paper – especially if you have a great idea in mind. However, it’s important to ensure you’ve read the assignment properly, so you know your research paper topic and its structure follow any specific guidelines. You don’t want to get halfway through and realise none of it is viable!

2. Choose your topic.

You may already have an idea but, now you understand the assignment, it’s time to make your final decision. When choosing your topic, you need to make sure that there’s enough existing research and data you can use to build your argument. You should also try to pick something that you’re actually interested in. Writing a research paper can take a while, so you want to enjoy the time spent writing yours.

3. Gather research.

The data you collect will form the backbone of your work. Gathering as much relevant information as you helps shape your research paper structure. For example, by reflecting on what you’ve found, you can start cutting out any ideas or avenues that wouldn’t have been effective. You need a good selection of both primary and secondary sources to build a varied citation library. This will also make your analysis and literature reviews much easier!

4. Write a thesis statement or abstract.

Now you have a solid topic in mind, and the research to back it up, it’s time to write your abstract and/or your thesis statement. The abstract is often composed of one or two paragraphs that break down your idea and approach. Meanwhile, a thesis statement is much more concise – often only a couple of sentences – but serves the same purpose. Depending on the specific guidelines, you may be asked to provide either, or both.

5. Craft an outline.

Again, you don’t want to jump straight in. An effective research paper follows a strong argument and narrative, so the structure needs to be planned to the letter. Start with a rough list of all the points, topics and subtopics you want to include. Then, refer back to your research and thesis statement and start to move things around. Review, revise, repeat, until you have a paper outline you’re happy with. It’s a good idea to note the relevant research and evidence that will support each section here too.

6. Time to write your first draft.

Deciding how to start a research paper can be daunting. But, as soon as you get going, it gets easier as you begin to move with the natural flow of your writing. Your first draft doesn’t have to be perfect – that’s the whole point – but you need to make sure you’re covering all the key structural points. Once you’re done, go back through your draft to revise and pad it out until you’re happy.

7. Add in your references.

Referencing existing data and research is what makes your research paper different from a regular academic essay. You need to ensure everything is cited correctly, as each organisation and institution is likely to have a preferred citation style – for example, Chicago, Harvard and MHRA. If you’re unsure what you need to be following, it’s always best to double-check.

8. Edit your first draft.

Now you have everything all together, it’s time to start the editing process. Check for any mistakes, research gaps or holes in your methodology. You’ll want to take another look at your thesis and conclusion, review overall structure and keep an eye out for any repetition. The revision process is just as important as writing your research paper, so take your time.

9. Get a second opinion.

Until this point, it’s likely just been you writing, reading and re-reading your work – so, it’s useful to get a second pair of eyes on it. Even if you choose someone who isn’t in the same field as you, they’ll be able to pick up on certain mistakes, grammar issues and structural holes. Any feedback, whether specific to your topic or not, is useful.

10. Finetune and submit.

Finally, it’s time to submit. Almost. Do your final checks, but make sure not to overwork or overthink things. Have a little faith in yourself that what you’ve done is great – and send it off. Sit back. Celebrate. You deserve it.

How can Adobe Express help you write a research paper?

If you’ve hit a wall, or don’t know where to get started, Adobe Express offers a range of useful tools to help you with your research paper. Take a look below:

1. Map out your research ideas.

Use free templates to create charts and spider diagrams to map out your research paper structure. Get all your ideas onto the page and plan out your next steps.

2. Make a timeline for your research paper.

Stay on top of personal and professional deadlines with a handy timeline. Pick your template and add key goals for each section. It’s also super satisfying to tick stages off as you go.

3. Keep track of your research sources for referencing.

Create a flexible worksheet to keep track of all the primary and secondary resources you need. Build a library of citations, ready to build your footnotes out when you need to.

4. Create a research paper cover sheet.

You can create a cover sheet for your research paper, either as a final touch or for some visual inspiration. Use free Adobe Express templates and edit until you’re happy.

5. Use a template to format your report.

Adobe Express has a wide library of templates to help you format your research report. Choose one that works best for you, or tweak the structure until you’ve found the perfect fit.

Build your research paper structure in seconds with the Adobe Express AI template generator.

Utilise the power of AI and generate a template for your research paper in seconds. Kickstart the creative process or re-organise your existing paper – whatever you need, the Adobe AI template generator can provide an innovative solution.

Create a prompt, generate your template and customise – all in a few clicks. Get the essential structure down without worrying about missing any key sections. The tool is easy to use and completely flexible, so you can fine-tune until you’ve got the perfect final product. Get your research paper off the ground in seconds.

Try Adobe Express for free now

Good to know.

What is a methodology in a research paper?

A research paper methodology discusses the techniques and processes used to generate thesis results and collect data. It talks about how you achieved something, and why you chose that specific process in particular.

What is a discussion section in a research paper?

The discussion section in a research paper is where you analyse your results. You’ll want to interpret your findings, while discussing their significance to your overall argument. It’s also good to address any issues, unexpected findings or limitations you found.

What is an appendix in a research paper?

The appendix sits at the end of a research paper and includes any extra information that you were not able to cite directly in the main body. It’s a good place to provide more background information and to encourage readers to further their reading to develop a wider understanding of your argument.

Is Adobe Express free?

Yes, our free plan offers many core features including thousands of templates, photo editing and effects, animation, and 5 GB of storage. See our pricing page for details and to compare plans.