Every time the teacher assigns a research paper to the students, he or she is sure to discuss the writing and submitting pattern. Despite constantly making it clear what everyone is supposed to do and what not to do, it is common for students to forget some details.
So, here we are, compiling all the necessary details on how to write and submit a research paper in this blog. Whether you are new to this kind of writing or need a refresher, his guide will provide all the information you need for successful completion.
From selecting a topic to final submission, this will help you keep track of each step and avoid common pitfalls. If you’re wondering how long does it take to write a research paper, read on to get a structured approach that can streamline the process.
Right After You Get the Writing Task
Choose a Topic
If the instructor hasn’t given you a topic, then your initial move should be to select one that genuinely interests you and fits the assignment criteria. For this, you can consider current trends and unresolved questions and identify gaps in the existing research. This is important because a compelling title can keep you motivated throughout the task.
Conduct Research
Now that the theme is finalized, gather information from credible sources such as academic journals, reputable websites, databases, newspapers, and books. Use a highlighter, keep reading, highlighting, and making notes. Then, sort your records and pick out the strongest links that will be your evidence to support the arguments later in the draft.
Develop a Hypothesis Statement
After you have completed the outlining phase, you must have a clear and concise hypothesis. It is a paragraph that defines your main argument or research focus. Therefore, it has to be clear, debatable, and supported by strong evidence. Then, before you submit a research paper, you also need to make sure that everything is in alignment.
Create an Outline
Now, this situation is somewhat like you have a bowl of mixed fruits in front of you – a clutter of information that needs to be sequenced. This arranged series of events will become your blueprint for the writing phase. You can list down the headings and make pointers about what you would write under this heading.
Write the Draft
Believe it or not, what you just did is going to save you loads of energy and time. You can simply place the blueprint in front of you and, one by one, start elaborating on the pointers. Starting with the introduction, present the idea and provide context for this. Then, link evidence with analysis and at the end, write a summary where you reestablish the topic.
Just Before You Hit the Submit Button
Edit and Proofread
This is the first step post research writing. All you have to do in this step is to edit and proofread your paper. You must read it thoroughly again and again for clarity, coherence, and consistency, as well as for grammatical errors, awkward sentences, and spacing issues. Even the Gulf publication company suggests that editing improves the overall quality of your paper, so do it wisely.
Format Your Paper
You are almost there. After the proofreading, you must make sure that your paper adheres to the required academic formatting style. It could be APA, MLA, or Chicago. Then, take a closer look at the alignments, headings, margins, font sizes, and finally, the citation style. Doing this can enhance the professionalism and readability of your paper.
Submit It with Confidence
The final step is to double-check if you have followed all assignment guidelines. If yes, then compile the appendices and bind everything together either physically or digitally, based on your teacher’s instructors. Take a deep breath and confidently submit the files.
If you’re still wondering how long does it take to write a research paper, remember that proper organization and consistent effort can significantly reduce the time required.
Questions That Researchers Frequently Ask
What is the correct order to write a dissertation report?
You should start by choosing a topic and conducting a deeper level of research. Then, proceed to develop a research question, create a framework, and write the introduction. Lastly, follow this with the elaboration of body sections and then wrap up with a conclusion and citations.
How do I select an engaging research topic?
Picking a theme that interests you or is relevant to your field makes it easy for you to write on it. However, it is also important that there are enough resources available for that theme. So, consider exploring in all directions before you finalize anything.
Where can I find the best research materials?
Experts suggest that you go through academic journals, university libraries, books, and reputable websites to study. In addition, you can refer to databases like JSTOR, PubMed, and Google Scholar.
How should I organize my research notes effectively?
Try utilizing digital tools like Evernote or OneNote. They will help you categorize the notes by themes, summarize key points, and highlight important information. Other than this, you can use bibliographic management tools to organize citations.
The Final Words on Research Paper Writing
If you religiously follow all the tips mentioned in this blog, this overwhelming task will be no big deal for you. All you have to do to submit a research paper in a nutshell – is stay constant.
- First, choose a title or theme for your draft
- Then, dig in as much information about it as you can
- After that, develop a hypothesis or research question for your arguments
- Next, organize your ideas into a structured outline and start writing
- Once the writing is done, you can edit and proofread to remove any errors
- Double-check everything from instructions to the formatting and readability
Lastly, just turn the draft in and wait for the feedback. With these steps in mind, you now have a better understanding of how long does it take to write a research paper and how to optimize the process for efficiency.
