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Note: These guidelines are intended for students working on a research paper within the context of their coursework. If you are writing your doctoral capstone study, be sure to refer to resources on the Doctoral Capstone Form and Style section of the OASIS website.

Doctoral Capstone Form and Style

Research Paper Basics

You may be asked to write a research paper as a part of your coursework. The purpose of a research paper is to demonstrate your ability to conduct extensive research, analyze data, and contribute original insights to your field of study.

 

How are Research Papers Different from Essays?

A course essay typically includes reflection and/or analysis based on an assigned topic with less emphasis on original research and data. On the other hand, a research paper requires a more rigorous approach to investigating a topic, including a review of existing literature, a clear research question or hypothesis, data collection or analysis, and structured methodology. As a result, research papers are often longer and more detailed than a normal course paper.

Organization

Although most research papers in the social sciences contain the same basic organizational elements, the requirements may vary significantly by course. Always review your assignment guidelines when crafting your own research paper.

Read on to learn more about common organizational elements you may be asked to include in a research paper:

 

Common Organizational Elements

Click each button to learn about each element.

A is for Abstract

 

An abstract is a short summary (no more than 250 words) of your research paper which includes the following:  

  • The overall purpose of your research or research problem 
  • The design and method of the study 
  • Major findings 
  • A brief overview of your study’s conclusions 

Remember that an abstract is not the same as an introduction. Assignments that require abstracts should still include a formal introduction that provides background on the topic and establishes the purpose of the paper. 

 

Abstracts - Writing

I is for Introduction 

 

An introduction—which can range from a single paragraph to multiple paragraphs depending on the length and scope of your research paper—orients readers to the topic and focus of your draft. As you craft your introduction paragraph, consider these tips:  

  • Provide background information about your topic. 
  • Establish the problem or question your research addresses. 
  • Ending with a clear, concise thesis statement to articulate your purpose and preview the points you will cover in your paper. 

Introductions - Writing

L is for Literature Review

 

The literature review section of your research paper is where you will synthesize existing research to provide a comprehensive overview of your research. Consider the following points when writing your literature review section:  

  • Even when a literature review is part of a longer research paper, it is good practice to include a short introduction paragraph to provide a high-level overview of your research and findings. 
  • Organize the body of your literature review by theme rather than author, using headings to create visual breaks in the text. 
  • Use transition words or phrases within paragraphs to demonstrate where authors agree or disagree on a topic. 
  • End with a short conclusion paragraph to offer closure and implications for future research. 
  •  

Literature Reviews - Writing

M is for Methods 

 

In the methods section, you will describe in detail how you conducted your study. Most methods sections will include the following: 

  • A description of the methodology you used to conduct your research (e.g., qualitative or quantitative). 
  • An justification for why this methodology was appropriate. 
  • An explanation of how you intend to analyze your results.  

 

Research Resources - Research Methodology

R is for Results

 

  • In the results section of a course research paper, you will provide a concise summary of your findings without interpreting them, as that will be reserved for the discussion section.  
  • You may also be asked to include tables, graphs, and/or charts to illustrate significant trends and patterns uncovered during your research.

D is for Discussion

 

The overall purpose of a research paper’s discussion section is to evaluate and interpret your results. You may want to address the following points in your discussion session: 

  • The conclusions or inferences you can draw from your findings  
  • The significance of your results and how they contribute to the existing body of research  
  • Implications for further research  

R is for References

 

Research papers should always include a clear references section to acknowledge the work of previous scholars in your field and give credibility to your own research. Each source you cite in your paper should have a corresponding reference on your references page, and all references should be formatted to meet current APA guidelines.

  • The conclusions or inferences you can draw from your findings  
  • The significance of your results and how they contribute to the existing body of research  
  • Implications for further research  

 

Reference List - Writing

A is for Appendices

 

If you have supplemental information to include in your research paper, consider adding an appendix to your work. An appendix or appendices should always be inserted on the page(s) following your references list; however, the appropriateness of appendix content really depends on the nature and scope of your research paper.

 

Appendices - Writing

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