A research paper is more than a long essay with citations. It requires you to engage with existing scholarship, develop an original argument, and support it with credible evidence. This guide covers every stage — from picking a workable topic to avoiding the mistakes that cost students marks.
Step 1 — Choose a Focused Topic
Most students start with a topic that's too broad. "The effects of globalisation" is a library, not a research paper. You need to narrow it to something you can genuinely address in your word count.
Start broad, then ask: What aspect? Which time period? Which population? Which geography? Keep narrowing until your topic becomes a specific, answerable question.
Step 2 — Find and Evaluate Sources
The quality of your sources directly affects the quality of your argument. Here's where to look and how to assess what you find:
Academic Journals
Peer-reviewed articles via Google Scholar, JSTOR, PubMed. Most reliable for factual claims and up-to-date research.
Academic Books
Monographs and edited collections from university presses. Good for theoretical frameworks and in-depth analysis.
Government/Official Data
Statistical agencies, policy documents, international organisations (UN, WHO, World Bank). Strong for empirical data.
Quality Journalism
For current events and context — but never as a primary evidence source for academic claims. Always trace back to the original study or data.
Evaluating source credibility — the CRAAP test
- Currency — when was it published? Is it recent enough for your topic?
- Relevance — does it directly address your research question?
- Authority — who wrote it? What are their credentials? Is it peer-reviewed?
- Accuracy — is the information supported by evidence? Are claims referenced?
- Purpose — is it objective research or advocacy? Who is the intended audience?
Step 3 — Structure Your Paper
Most academic research papers follow the IMRaD structure (Introduction, Methods, Results, Discussion), particularly in the sciences. In humanities and social sciences, structure varies — but you'll almost always need:
Introduction
Background context, statement of the research problem, your research question or thesis, and an outline of the paper's structure.
Literature Review / Background
What do we already know? Where are the gaps? How does your paper fit into the existing conversation?
Body / Analysis
Your arguments, supported by evidence. Each section develops one main point. In empirical papers, this includes methods, data, and analysis.
Discussion
What do your findings mean? How do they connect to the literature? What are the implications?
Conclusion
Answer your research question directly. Summarise the key contribution. Note limitations and suggest future research directions.
Step 4 — Write the Paper
Don't start with the introduction. Start with the section you know best — usually the body of your argument — and write the introduction last when you know exactly what you're introducing.
Drafting tips
- Write a rough first draft without stopping to perfect sentences. Get the argument down first.
- Every paragraph should have a clear topic sentence that states its main point.
- After every piece of evidence, write at least one sentence explaining what it means and how it supports your argument.
- Use transitions between paragraphs — show the logical connection between your points.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Thesis-less papers — describing a topic rather than arguing a position. Ask: "What am I trying to prove?"
- Over-quoting — excessive direct quotation suggests you can't paraphrase or engage critically. Aim for mostly paraphrase, with selective direct quotes for exact wording that matters.
- Incomplete citations — every claim that isn't common knowledge must be cited. Missing citations is academic misconduct.
- No linking to existing research — your paper doesn't exist in a vacuum. Show how it connects to what others have found.
- No revision — a first draft is always a first draft. The best research papers are the result of multiple rounds of revision, not a single sitting.
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- ☐ Is your thesis or research question clearly stated in the introduction?
- ☐ Does every body paragraph connect back to your main argument?
- ☐ Have you cited every source in the correct format?
- ☐ Is your evidence from credible, appropriate sources?
- ☐ Have you engaged with existing research (not just described your topic)?
- ☐ Does your conclusion answer your research question directly?
- ☐ Have you checked grammar, spelling, and word count?