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Many students panic when assigned the task of writing a research paper. They procrastinate and turn in an unprofessional and unfinished product, or worse yet, plagiarize other's works. Some students even go so far as to pay others to write a research paper. However, with some practical and simple advice, you can create a professional research paper with your health, ethics, and pocketbook intact.
Steps One and Two Absorb and Assimilate
The first step in writing a research paper is not to write at all, but to absorb ideas, thoughts, and material. With your research topic in mind, a good place to start is traditionally the library, or more recently, the Internet for information. At the library, search for books, magazine articles, academic journals, and reference materials pertaining to your subject. Spend time wandering not only the aisles of books covering your subject, but widen your search to secondary sources that may contain useful research. On the Internet, use several search engines to get access to the most useful research. Follow the recommended listservs and web sites to broaden your scope of information. In other words, have fun with the research process by absorbing new ideas, thoughts, and information. To recap, try not to even think about writing the research paper, but enjoy learning for learning's sake.
The second step in writing a professional research paper is to assimilate the research you have just completed. Spend time stewing on the information and playing with new ideas. Give your brain a chance to process its input and make new neural connections. Allocate time to digest the research material. Converse with others about the topic. Enjoy the learning process and congratulate yourself on joining the ranks of people who know something about this topic. Stay alert to new or unexpected sources of ideas on your research project.
Steps Three and Four Brainstorm and Begin Writing
You are now ready to start some formal brainstorming on your research topic. At this point, some writers find it helpful to mind map, draw diagrams, create outlines, or list ideas. Develop a method that works best for you. Remember, at this point, you are not looking for polished sentences and paragraphs, but strong ideas, connections, and formatting. You may feel you are getting nowhere in actually writing a paper; however, realize that half of the work is now almost complete.
Finally, it seems, you are ready to begin writing. Create an environment that works best for you to write. Some writers are more productive in the morning, afternoon, or evening hours. Some writers like background music and noise, others complete silence. Some writers prefer to compose on the computer; others rely on paper and pen. Whatever is your preference, begin writing, stay focused, and relax. It is not an easy process to translate ideas in your brain to words on paper, so don't be too harsh or critical of your first attempts. Don't edit your first sentences; allow creativity to flow. Take frequent breaks, save often, and regroup when necessary.
Steps Five and Six Cultivate and Conclude
Now that you actually have words on paper, the next task is to cultivate your research paper. Like tending a garden, this takes patience, diligence, and attention to detail. Weed out passive phrases, inappropriate comments, and unnecessary information. Encourage growth of new ideas and connections. If necessary, conduct more research to strengthen primary or secondary points. Remember, just as a robust garden does not grow overnight, a professional research paper does not either. Schedule enough time before your due date to rewrite, edit, and finalize thoughts. Be aware of pesky distractors from your main ideas. Ask others to edit and discuss your work.
The final step in creating a research paper is to conclude your thoughts and ideas. Summarize the major points and establish final conclusions. Edit the paper one last time for grammatical and spelling errors. Be confident that in completing the previous steps, you have created a professional research paper. Now is the time to enjoy the fruits of your labor.
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