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How to Write a Research Paper | A Beginner's Guide
A research paper is a piece of academic writing that provides analysis, interpretation, and argument based on in-depth independent research.
Research papers are similar to academic essays , but they are usually longer and more detailed assignments, designed to assess not only your writing skills but also your skills in scholarly research. Writing a research paper requires you to demonstrate a strong knowledge of your topic, engage with a variety of sources, and make an original contribution to the debate.
This step-by-step guide takes you through the entire writing process, from understanding your assignment to proofreading your final draft.
Table of contents
Understand the assignment, choose a research paper topic, conduct preliminary research, develop a thesis statement, create a research paper outline, write a first draft of the research paper, write the introduction, write a compelling body of text, write the conclusion, the second draft, the revision process, research paper checklist, free lecture slides.
Completing a research paper successfully means accomplishing the specific tasks set out for you. Before you start, make sure you thoroughly understanding the assignment task sheet:
- Read it carefully, looking for anything confusing you might need to clarify with your professor.
- Identify the assignment goal, deadline, length specifications, formatting, and submission method.
- Make a bulleted list of the key points, then go back and cross completed items off as you’re writing.
Carefully consider your timeframe and word limit: be realistic, and plan enough time to research, write, and edit.
There are many ways to generate an idea for a research paper, from brainstorming with pen and paper to talking it through with a fellow student or professor.
You can try free writing, which involves taking a broad topic and writing continuously for two or three minutes to identify absolutely anything relevant that could be interesting.
You can also gain inspiration from other research. The discussion or recommendations sections of research papers often include ideas for other specific topics that require further examination.
Once you have a broad subject area, narrow it down to choose a topic that interests you, m eets the criteria of your assignment, and i s possible to research. Aim for ideas that are both original and specific:
- A paper following the chronology of World War II would not be original or specific enough.
- A paper on the experience of Danish citizens living close to the German border during World War II would be specific and could be original enough.
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Note any discussions that seem important to the topic, and try to find an issue that you can focus your paper around. Use a variety of sources , including journals, books, and reliable websites, to ensure you do not miss anything glaring.
Do not only verify the ideas you have in mind, but look for sources that contradict your point of view.
- Is there anything people seem to overlook in the sources you research?
- Are there any heated debates you can address?
- Do you have a unique take on your topic?
- Have there been some recent developments that build on the extant research?
In this stage, you might find it helpful to formulate some research questions to help guide you. To write research questions, try to finish the following sentence: “I want to know how/what/why…”
A thesis statement is a statement of your central argument — it establishes the purpose and position of your paper. If you started with a research question, the thesis statement should answer it. It should also show what evidence and reasoning you’ll use to support that answer.
The thesis statement should be concise, contentious, and coherent. That means it should briefly summarize your argument in a sentence or two, make a claim that requires further evidence or analysis, and make a coherent point that relates to every part of the paper.
You will probably revise and refine the thesis statement as you do more research, but it can serve as a guide throughout the writing process. Every paragraph should aim to support and develop this central claim.
A research paper outline is essentially a list of the key topics, arguments, and evidence you want to include, divided into sections with headings so that you know roughly what the paper will look like before you start writing.
A structure outline can help make the writing process much more efficient, so it’s worth dedicating some time to create one.
Your first draft won’t be perfect — you can polish later on. Your priorities at this stage are as follows:
- Maintaining forward momentum — write now, perfect later.
- Paying attention to clear organization and logical ordering of paragraphs and sentences, which will help when you come to the second draft.
- Expressing your ideas as clearly as possible, so you know what you were trying to say when you come back to the text.
You do not need to start by writing the introduction. Begin where it feels most natural for you — some prefer to finish the most difficult sections first, while others choose to start with the easiest part. If you created an outline, use it as a map while you work.
Do not delete large sections of text. If you begin to dislike something you have written or find it doesn’t quite fit, move it to a different document, but don’t lose it completely — you never know if it might come in useful later.
Paragraph structure
Paragraphs are the basic building blocks of research papers. Each one should focus on a single claim or idea that helps to establish the overall argument or purpose of the paper.
Example paragraph
George Orwell’s 1946 essay “Politics and the English Language” has had an enduring impact on thought about the relationship between politics and language. This impact is particularly obvious in light of the various critical review articles that have recently referenced the essay. For example, consider Mark Falcoff’s 2009 article in The National Review Online, “The Perversion of Language; or, Orwell Revisited,” in which he analyzes several common words (“activist,” “civil-rights leader,” “diversity,” and more). Falcoff’s close analysis of the ambiguity built into political language intentionally mirrors Orwell’s own point-by-point analysis of the political language of his day. Even 63 years after its publication, Orwell’s essay is emulated by contemporary thinkers.
Citing sources
It’s also important to keep track of citations at this stage to avoid accidental plagiarism . Each time you use a source, make sure to take note of where the information came from.
You can use our free citation generators to automatically create citations and save your reference list as you go.
APA Citation Generator MLA Citation Generator
The research paper introduction should address three questions: What, why, and how? After finishing the introduction, the reader should know what the paper is about, why it is worth reading, and how you’ll build your arguments.
What? Be specific about the topic of the paper, introduce the background, and define key terms or concepts.
Why? This is the most important, but also the most difficult, part of the introduction. Try to provide brief answers to the following questions: What new material or insight are you offering? What important issues does your essay help define or answer?
How? To let the reader know what to expect from the rest of the paper, the introduction should include a “map” of what will be discussed, briefly presenting the key elements of the paper in chronological order.
The major struggle faced by most writers is how to organize the information presented in the paper, which is one reason an outline is so useful. However, remember that the outline is only a guide and, when writing, you can be flexible with the order in which the information and arguments are presented.
One way to stay on track is to use your thesis statement and topic sentences . Check:
- topic sentences against the thesis statement;
- topic sentences against each other, for similarities and logical ordering;
- and each sentence against the topic sentence of that paragraph.
Be aware of paragraphs that seem to cover the same things. If two paragraphs discuss something similar, they must approach that topic in different ways. Aim to create smooth transitions between sentences, paragraphs, and sections.
The research paper conclusion is designed to help your reader out of the paper’s argument, giving them a sense of finality.
Trace the course of the paper, emphasizing how it all comes together to prove your thesis statement. Give the paper a sense of finality by making sure the reader understands how you’ve settled the issues raised in the introduction.
You might also discuss the more general consequences of the argument, outline what the paper offers to future students of the topic, and suggest any questions the paper’s argument raises but cannot or does not try to answer.
You should not :
- Offer new arguments or essential information
- Take up any more space than necessary
- Begin with stock phrases that signal you are ending the paper (e.g. “In conclusion”)
There are four main considerations when it comes to the second draft.
- Check how your vision of the paper lines up with the first draft and, more importantly, that your paper still answers the assignment.
- Identify any assumptions that might require (more substantial) justification, keeping your reader’s perspective foremost in mind. Remove these points if you cannot substantiate them further.
- Be open to rearranging your ideas. Check whether any sections feel out of place and whether your ideas could be better organized.
- If you find that old ideas do not fit as well as you anticipated, you should cut them out or condense them. You might also find that new and well-suited ideas occurred to you during the writing of the first draft — now is the time to make them part of the paper.
The goal during the revision and proofreading process is to ensure you have completed all the necessary tasks and that the paper is as well-articulated as possible.
Global concerns
- Confirm that your paper completes every task specified in your assignment sheet.
- Check for logical organization and flow of paragraphs.
- Check paragraphs against the introduction and thesis statement.
Fine-grained details
Check the content of each paragraph, making sure that:
- each sentence helps support the topic sentence.
- no unnecessary or irrelevant information is present.
- all technical terms your audience might not know are identified.
Next, think about sentence structure , grammatical errors, and formatting . Check that you have correctly used transition words and phrases to show the connections between your ideas. Look for typos, cut unnecessary words, and check for consistency in aspects such as heading formatting and spellings .
Finally, you need to make sure your paper is correctly formatted according to the rules of the citation style you are using. For example, you might need to include an MLA heading or create an APA title page .
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Checklist: Research paper
I have followed all instructions in the assignment sheet.
My introduction presents my topic in an engaging way and provides necessary background information.
My introduction presents a clear, focused research problem and/or thesis statement .
My paper is logically organized using paragraphs and (if relevant) section headings .
Each paragraph is clearly focused on one central idea, expressed in a clear topic sentence .
Each paragraph is relevant to my research problem or thesis statement.
I have used appropriate transitions to clarify the connections between sections, paragraphs, and sentences.
My conclusion provides a concise answer to the research question or emphasizes how the thesis has been supported.
My conclusion shows how my research has contributed to knowledge or understanding of my topic.
My conclusion does not present any new points or information essential to my argument.
I have provided an in-text citation every time I refer to ideas or information from a source.
I have included a reference list at the end of my paper, consistently formatted according to a specific citation style .
I have thoroughly revised my paper and addressed any feedback from my professor or supervisor.
I have followed all formatting guidelines (page numbers, headers, spacing, etc.).
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Genre and the Research Paper
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This handout provides detailed information about how to write research papers including discussing research papers as a genre, choosing topics, and finding sources.
Research: What it is.
A research paper is the culmination and final product of an involved process of research, critical thinking, source evaluation, organization, and composition. It is, perhaps, helpful to think of the research paper as a living thing, which grows and changes as the student explores, interprets, and evaluates sources related to a specific topic. Primary and secondary sources are the heart of a research paper, and provide its nourishment; without the support of and interaction with these sources, the research paper would morph into a different genre of writing (e.g., an encyclopedic article). The research paper serves not only to further the field in which it is written, but also to provide the student with an exceptional opportunity to increase her knowledge in that field. It is also possible to identify a research paper by what it is not.
Research: What it is not.
A research paper is not simply an informed summary of a topic by means of primary and secondary sources. It is neither a book report nor an opinion piece nor an expository essay consisting solely of one's interpretation of a text nor an overview of a particular topic. Instead, it is a genre that requires one to spend time investigating and evaluating sources with the intent to offer interpretations of the texts, and not unconscious regurgitations of those sources. The goal of a research paper is not to inform the reader what others have to say about a topic, but to draw on what others have to say about a topic and engage the sources in order to thoughtfully offer a unique perspective on the issue at hand. This is accomplished through two major types of research papers.
Two major types of research papers.
Argumentative research paper:
The argumentative research paper consists of an introduction in which the writer clearly introduces the topic and informs his audience exactly which stance he intends to take; this stance is often identified as the thesis statement . An important goal of the argumentative research paper is persuasion, which means the topic chosen should be debatable or controversial. For example, it would be difficult for a student to successfully argue in favor of the following stance.
Perhaps 25 years ago this topic would have been debatable; however, today, it is assumed that smoking cigarettes is, indeed, harmful to one's health. A better thesis would be the following.
In this sentence, the writer is not challenging the current accepted stance that both firsthand and secondhand cigarette smoke is dangerous; rather, she is positing that the social acceptance of the latter over the former is indicative of a cultural double-standard of sorts. The student would support this thesis throughout her paper by means of both primary and secondary sources, with the intent to persuade her audience that her particular interpretation of the situation is viable.
Analytical research paper:
The analytical research paper often begins with the student asking a question (a.k.a. a research question) on which he has taken no stance. Such a paper is often an exercise in exploration and evaluation. For example, perhaps one is interested in the Old English poem Beowulf . He has read the poem intently and desires to offer a fresh reading of the poem to the academic community. His question may be as follows.
His research may lead him to the following conclusion.
Though his topic may be debatable and controversial, it is not the student's intent to persuade the audience that his ideas are right while those of others are wrong. Instead, his goal is to offer a critical interpretation of primary and secondary sources throughout the paper--sources that should, ultimately, buttress his particular analysis of the topic. The following is an example of what his thesis statement may look like once he has completed his research.
This statement does not negate the traditional readings of Beowulf ; instead, it offers a fresh and detailed reading of the poem that will be supported by the student's research.
It is typically not until the student has begun the writing process that his thesis statement begins to take solid form. In fact, the thesis statement in an analytical paper is often more fluid than the thesis in an argumentative paper. Such is one of the benefits of approaching the topic without a predetermined stance.
How to Write an Analytical Essay in 6 Steps
An analytical essay is an essay that meticulously and methodically examines a single topic to draw conclusions or prove theories. Although they are used in many fields, analytical essays are often used with art and literature to break down works’ creative themes and explore their deeper meanings and symbolism .
Analytical essays are a staple in academics, so if you’re a student, chances are you’ll write one sooner or later. This guide addresses all the major concerns about how to write an analytical essay, such as the preferred structure and what to put in the outline. Let’s start with an in-depth answer to the question, what is an analytical essay? Give your writing extra polish Grammarly helps you communicate confidently Write with Grammarly
What is an analytical essay?
One of the seven main types of essay , analytical essays intricately examine a single topic to explain specific arguments or prove the author’s theories. They commonly deal with creative works like art, literature, film, or music, dissecting the creator’s artistic themes and revealing hidden meanings. However, they can also address other issues in realms like science, politics, and society.
Analytical essays are a type of expository essay , so they’re not supposed to express bias, opinions , or persuasions . Even when the author is trying to prove their own theory (or disprove an opposing theory), their argument should stick solely to facts and logic and keep the author’s personal feelings to a minimum.
An analytical essay example could be a deep dive into the character of Hamlet, but this topic itself could have multiple interpretations. Your essay could focus on whether or not Hamlet truly loved Ophelia, question the motives for his constant hesitation, or even attempt to prove the theory that he was mentally ill—after all, he did see apparitions!
How to structure an analytical essay
Although analytical essays tend to be more detailed, specific, or technical than other essays, they still follow the same loose essay structure as the rest:
1 Introduction
3 Conclusion
The introduction is where you present your thesis statement and prepare your reader for what follows. Because analytical essays focus on a single topic, the introduction should give all the background information and context necessary for the reader to understand the writer’s argument. Save the actual analysis of your topic for the body.
The body is the nucleus of your essay. Here you explain each separate point and offer evidence to support the thesis, breaking up your argument into paragraphs. While the introduction and conclusion are each usually just a single paragraph, the body is composed of many different paragraphs and often stretches out over pages, thereby making up most of the essay.
Every paragraph in the body still relates to your chosen topic and your thesis, but each paragraph should make a different point or focus on a different piece of evidence. For example, if your topic is about how Edgar Allan Poe uses the theme of death in his writing, one paragraph could explore the use of death in “The Tell-Tale Heart,” while a different paragraph could explore death in “The Raven,” and so on.
Finally, the conclusion wraps everything up. Conclusions usually don’t introduce new evidence or supporting details but instead reiterate the previous points and bring them all together to strengthen your original thesis. At this point your reader has sufficient background to understand the topic. With your evidential examples in mind, they’ll be more receptive to your main argument when you present it one last time.
How to write an analytical essay in 6 steps
The process of writing an analytical essay largely follows the same guidelines as all essay writing . Here we break down each individual step from start to finish.
1 Choose your topic
This step may be optional if your topic has been given to you as an assignment. If not, though, you should choose your topic with care.
Your topic should be specific enough that you’re able to discuss it thoroughly. If you choose a broad topic like “love in novels from Victorian England,” it’s unlikely you’ll be able to cover all Victorian novels in a single analytical essay (or even ten analytical essays!). However, narrowing the topic down to something such as “love in Jane Austen novels” makes your task more achievable.
That said, don’t be too specific, or you won’t have enough material to cover. Try to find a good middle ground: specific enough that you can discuss everything but general enough that you’ll be able to find enough research and supporting evidence.
2 Research your topic
Once you know your topic, you can begin collecting data and evidence to discuss it. If your analytical essay is about a creative work, you may want to spend time reviewing or evaluating that work, such as watching a film closely or studying the details of a painting. It’s also useful to review other people’s critiques of that work to inspire new ideas or reveal details you hadn’t noticed before.
Don’t forget to write down where you get your information, including page numbers for books or time codes if you’re watching visual media. You may need to reference these in your essay, so making a quick note about where you find your information while researching saves time later when you’re citing your sources .
It helps to know your thesis from the onset. However, you may realize during your research that your original thesis is not as strong as you thought. If this happens, don’t be afraid to modify it or choose a new one. In any case, by the time your research is finished, you should know what your thesis will be.
3 Create an outline
An essay outline gives you the opportunity to organize all your thoughts and research so you can put them in the optimal order. Ideally, you’ll have finished your research by now and made notes of everything you want to say in your analytical essay. The outline is your chance to decide when to talk about each point.
Outlines are typically broken up by paragraph. Each paragraph should explore an individual point you’re making and include your evidence or statistical data to back up that particular point. Be careful about trying to squeeze too much information into a single paragraph; if it looks excessive, try to break up the information into two or more paragraphs.
Feel free to move around or rearrange the order of paragraphs while outlining—that’s what this step is for! It’s much easier to fix structural problems now in the outline phase than later when writing.
4 Write your first draft
Now is the time you sit down and actually write the rough draft of your analytical essay. This step is by far the longest, so be sure to set aside ample time.
If you wrote your outline thoroughly, all you have to do is follow it paragraph by paragraph. Be sure to include each piece of evidence and data you had planned to include. Don’t worry about details like choosing the perfect wording or fixing every grammar mistake—you can do those later in the revisions phase. For now, focus solely on getting everything down.
Pay particular attention to how you start an essay. The introduction serves different purposes, such as telling the reader what to expect, providing background information, and above all presenting your thesis statement. Make sure your introduction checks all those boxes.
Likewise, be extra careful with your conclusion. There are special techniques for how to write a conclusion, such as using a powerful clincher and avoiding certain cliches like “in summary.” Conclusions usually hold more weight than the other paragraphs because they’re the last thing a person reads and can leave a lasting impression on them.
Finally, don’t forget to include transition sentences in between your body paragraphs when needed. Moving abruptly from one topic to the next can be jarring for the reader; transition sentences improve the essay’s flow and remove distractions.
5 Revise your draft
Your first draft is never meant to be perfect. Once you have all your ideas down on paper, it’s much easier to go back and revise . Now is the perfect time to improve your phrasing and word choice and edit out any unnecessary or tangential parts.
When you revise, pay particular attention to details. Try to find areas that you can remove to make your essay more succinct or passages that aren’t clear that need more explanation. Put yourself in the reader’s shoes: Will someone with no background knowledge still understand your points?
6 Proofread your essay
Last, it’s time to fix any grammar and spelling mistakes by proofreading . While it’s tempting to do this at the same time as your revisions, it’s best to do them separately so you don’t split your attention. This allows you to focus only on word choice, phrasing, and adding/removing content while revising and to concentrate solely on language mistakes during proofreading.
If you’re not confident in your grammar or spelling expertise, you can always use an app like Grammarly . Our app highlights any spelling or grammar mistakes directly in your text and gives proper suggestions on how to fix them. There are even features that help you choose the perfect word or adjust your writing to fit a certain tone. You can also copy and paste your writing to check your grammar and get instant feedback on grammar, spelling, punctuation, and other mistakes you might have missed.
Analytical essay outline example
If you’re having trouble, here’s an analytical essay example that shows how a proper outline or structure should look. The format here uses a five-paragraph essay structure, but for more complicated topics, you can add as many body paragraphs as you need.
Topic: Who is the real villain: Macbeth or Lady Macbeth?
Introduction
- Briefly describe the plot of Macbeth for those who aren’t familiar with it
- Thesis statement : Lady Macbeth is the real villain of Macbeth because she manipulates her husband into committing an atrocious crime
Body Paragraph 1
- Murdering the king is all Lady Macbeth’s idea
- Macbeth is initially against it until Lady Macbeth convinces him
Body Paragraph 2
- Lady Macbeth has her own individual character arc where she is driven mad by her guilt
- Her guilt insinuates she knows her actions are villainous, with appropriate consequences
- Cite quotations from her “Out, damned spot!” speech
Body Paragraph 3
- Macbeth decides to listen to Lady Macbeth, so he is still guilty
- Speculate that he still would not have murdered the king if not for Lady Macbeth
- Macbeth remains the main character because most scenes revolve around him, but the person acting against him most is Lady Macbeth
- Remind reader that Macbeth didn’t want to murder the king until Lady Macbeth convinced him
- Clincher : Macbeth is still the hero albeit a tragic one. But his main antagonist is not Macduff or the king or even the prophecy itself; it’s his wife.
Analytical essay FAQs
An analytical essay is an essay that deeply examines a single topic, often a creative work, to reveal certain conclusions or prove theories held by the essay’s author.
How is an analytical essay structured?
Analytical essays are structured like most other essays: an introduction, a body, and a conclusion. However, the body paragraphs have a stricter emphasis on facts, logic, and empirical evidence compared to other essays.
What are the steps to writing an analytical essay?
As with all essays, you first research and then organize all your points into a working outline. Next, you write the rough draft with all the data and evidence collected during your research. Revise the rough draft when it’s finished to improve the phrasing and add/remove certain parts. Last, proofread the essay for any grammar or spelling mistakes.
Research Analysis Paper: How to Analyze a Research Article
Have you been asked to write a research analysis paper but don’t know where to start? If you’re like most students, you may have never written a research paper before and feel a bit intimidated by the prospect. But don’t worry – writing a research analysis paper is not as difficult as it sounds.
In this article, we’ll walk you through the process of writing a research analysis paper, step by step. We’ll start by discussing what a research analysis paper is and what it is not. Then we’ll give you some tips on how to choose a good topic for your paper. After that, we’ll provide an outline of what your paper should include, and finally, we’ll offer some advice on how to write your paper so that it is clear, concise, and interesting.
Discussion section of a research paper
Data analysis section of a research paper, how to write hypothesis in a research paper, research paper title page.
- How to write the results section of a research paper + examples
- How to write a research paper in mla format
What Is a Research Analysis Paper?
A research analysis paper is a type of academic writing that requires you to analyze an argument or a problem. Your goal in this type of paper is to use your critical thinking skills to evaluate the claims made in the text and to determine whether or not they are valid. To do this effectively, you will need to do your research on the topic.
A research analysis paper is not a paper that simply summarizes the text. Instead, it is a critical evaluation of the argument made in the text. To write a good research analysis paper, you will need to have strong analytical skills and be able to back up your claims with evidence.
Outline: Research Analysis Paper
Your research analysis paper should include the following sections:
Introduction
- Background Information
- Analysis of the Argument or Problem
How to Write Your Research Analysis Paper
Now that you know what a research analysis paper is and what it should include, let’s take a look at how to write it.
The introduction of your research analysis paper should be brief and to the point. It should introduce the topic of the paper and state the position that you will be taking.
The background information section should provide a brief overview of the topic of the paper.
The analysis of the argument or problem section should discuss the claims made in the text and analyze them critically.
The conclusion should summarize your findings and state whether or not you agree with the argument made in the text.
If you are having difficulty writing your research analysis paper, our professional writing service can help. Contact us today for a free consultation!
How to Analyze a Research Article
When you are assigned a research article to analyze in a research analysis paper, there are specific steps you can take to make sure you understand it thoroughly. Here are the steps involved in analyzing the research article:
Read and understand the topic:
The first step is to read and understand the paper. This means reading it carefully, making sure you understand all of the concepts and terms used. Follow these steps to read and understand the research topic:
- Read the paper once for a general understanding
- Read it again, taking notes on key concepts and terms
- Identify the research question or hypothesis being tested
- Summarize the methods used to collect data
- Outline the results of the study
- Discuss the implications of the findings
By following these steps, you will be able to understand the research article better and be able to write a more comprehensive analysis of it.
Understand the methodology:
Next, you need to understand the research methodology used in the study. This includes understanding how the study was conducted and what data was collected. It is important to understand how the study was conducted so that you can assess the quality of the data and the results.
Once you understand the research methodology, you need to assess the quality of the data. This includes looking at how the data was collected and analyzed. You should also look at any limitations of the study.
Evaluate the results:
After you understand the methodology and results, it is important to critically evaluate the results. This means asking questions such as whether the results are statistically significant and whether they support the hypotheses being tested.
It is also important to consider whether the study has any limitations. For example, did the researchers use a convenience sample? This means that they only sampled people who were readily available and may not be representative of the population as a whole.
Another limitation to consider is whether the study was longitudinal or cross-sectional. Longitudinal studies follow participants over time, while cross-sectional studies only collect data at one point in time. Longitudinal studies are generally considered more reliable than cross-sectional studies because they can provide information on causality.
When critiquing a research paper, it is important to consider both the strengths and limitations of the study. By doing this, you will be able to put the results into context and determine whether they apply to your research.
Make conclusions:
Once you have critically evaluated the results, you can start to conclude the findings of the study. This means determining what the results mean for theory and practice. For example, if a study found that a new intervention is effective, you might conclude that the intervention should be implemented in clinical settings.
When concluding, it is important to consider the implications of the findings. For example, if a study found that a particular intervention is effective, you should consider whether there are any ethical implications of implementing the intervention. You should also think about how the findings might be applied in other contexts or with different populations.
After you have concluded the findings of the study, you can start to write the paper. The first step is to write an introduction, which should include a brief overview of the research being critiqued. The introduction should also state the purpose of the paper and provide an overview of the main points that will be discussed.
Research Analysis Paper: Key Questions
When writing a research analysis paper, one has to consider a couple of questions based on each part of a research paper.
Paper Title
The questions that need to be considered when analyzing the title are:
- What is the research question?
- What are the objectives of the study?
- What is the hypothesis being tested?
- What are the independent and dependent variables?
- What is the population being studied?
- What is the sample size?
- What is the sampling method?
- What type of study is it (e.g., observational, experimental)?
- Is the study valid and reliable?
- Are there any biases in the study?
After critically evaluating the title, one moves on to analyze the abstract by asking these questions:
- Does the abstract clearly state the research question?
- Does the abstract clearly state the objectives of the study?
- Does the abstract clearly state the hypotheses being tested?
- Does the abstract clearly state the independent and dependent variables?
- Does the abstract clearly state the population being studied?
- Does the abstract clearly state the sample size?
- Does the abstract clearly state the sampling method?
- Does the abstract clearly state the type of study?
After analyzing both, the title and abstract, it is time to move on and analyze each section of a research paper starting with an introduction by asking these questions:
- What is the background of the study?
- Why is this research important?
- What are the hypotheses being tested?
Methods section
The next section that needs to be analyzed is a method section and these are the questions that need to be considered:
- How was the study conducted?
- What data was collected?
- What is the research methodology?
- How were the results analyzed?
- Is the research methodology valid and reliable?
- Are the results statistically significant?
- Do the results support the hypotheses being tested?
- What are the limitations of the study?
Results section
The next section to be analyzed is a results section and these are the questions that need to be considered:
- What are the findings of the study?
- What are the implications of the results?
Discussion/Conclusion section
The final section to be analyzed is a discussion section and these are the questions that need to be considered:
- What are your thoughts on the study?
- What are its strengths and weaknesses?
- How does this study impact the field of research?
- What are the next steps for this research?
- What are the implications of the findings?
- Is there anything that you would like to add?
References:
- Where did the information in the paper come from?
Now that you have a better understanding of how to analyze a research article, it is time to put this knowledge into practice. Use these tips to write a research analysis paper that is both informative and well-written. Good luck!
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Research Paper Format
What is an appendix in a paper.
- How to Write a Research Paper Abstract + Example
Research paper on mass shootings in america
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Content analysis
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Writing a Research Paper
Types of research papers.
- About This Guide
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Although research paper assignments may vary widely, there are essentially two basic types of research papers. These are argumentative and analytical .
Argumentative
In an argumentative research paper, a student both states the topic they will be exploring and immediately establishes the position they will argue regarding that topic in a thesis statement . This type of paper hopes to persuade its reader to adopt the view presented.
Example : a paper that argues the merits of early exposure to reading for children would be an argumentative essay.
An analytical research paper states the topic that the writer will be exploring, usually in the form of a question, initially taking a neutral stance. The body of the paper will present multifaceted information and, ultimately, the writer will state their conclusion, based on the information that has unfolded throughout the course of the essay. This type of paper hopes to offer a well-supported critical analysis without necessarily persuading the reader to any particular way of thinking.
Example : a paper that explores the use of metaphor in one of Shakespeare's sonnets would be an example of an analytical essay.
*Please note that this LibGuide will primarily be concerning itself with argumentative or rhetorical research papers.
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How to Write an Analytical Research Paper: Detailed and Reliable Guidelines
An analytical paper requires you to perform many tasks, including formulation of a thesis statement, looking for different sources of information, evaluating them and using them to back up your ideas outlining everything you have done. The first step in writing an analytical essay is to understand the question well. This means that you should ask your instructor about the scope of the problem, as well as any issues that may arise and second thoughts you might be having. Moreover, you should also be concerned about terms in the question that require your writing to be tailored to fit the context. These include evaluate, compare and discuss.
General Knowledge on What is Analytical Research Paper?
An analytical research paper is a piece of work that aims at making an in-depth analysis and exploration of a specific topic. To work on one, you need not only to have vast knowledge and skills on it but also the expertise on how to make careful analysis and an ideal conclusion.
Tips on How to Write a Good Analytical Research Paper
Find the core of your essay; this includes examining whether it is a question to answer, an outcome to justify or an event to describe. This enables you to create a well-established case that is based on facts and having the right direction.
If given a question, you should evaluate whether the information you have is the right one. Sometimes you might be given the option to write about a matter of your own choice; this is an opportunity to select the best topic for you and one that interest and where you are well equipped. Choosing the subject is one of the aspects you should figure out, as they go a long way in determining whether you will have something to build on or get stuck right away and have a rough time writing your essay.
To begin an analytical essay, you need to first inform the reader of your claim or point of view. Your statement of the hypothesis can outline what your article is going to cover, compassion or relations of the concept. Evidence: find supportive evidence to your arguments and back up your thoughts. This can be through other papers, films or articles that you can use as a reference. An analytical essay requires you to focus on backing up your opinions with well-researched facts. Thus, you need to know your area in which your topic is based on.
It is crucial to follow the commonly accepted structure that has an introduction, a body, and a conclusion. This makes it easier to outline the main points within your essay without getting off the topic or finding yourself writing unsupportive facts. A plan also enables you to see the number of pages it will take and help you to plan the time you will decide to tackle each part.
Simple Ideas on How to Start an Analytical Research Paper
To write an analytical research paper structure, you need to start with proper preparation of the entire essay, keeping in mind what you will write at any stage. Your introduction should not also be overdone, inserting exclamation marks every time you finish a sentence, for example, is not a good idea. But rather emphasize the main issue and thesis statement.
Find out How to Structure an Analytical Research Paper Correctly
With a typical essay structure, analytical research papers are composed of an introduction, a body and a conclusion to sum up the ideas. Following this principle, you can choose your introduction , cover the question fully. The body should include the course of the development, and the conclusion to cover the reaction or the response to the event.
Analytical Research Paper Introduction: How to Getting Started
In your introduction, you should sum up the events, outline facts and statements that dictate your point of view. Here you should also focus on catching your readers attention, making it interesting and worthwhile reading. This will create a positive response and a better awareness, making it easy for the reader to understand your work.
Composing an Analytical Research Paper Body
In your body, a detailed description and evidence should be your primary focus. Here is where you convince your readers, as well as give support to your claims. Though not long and tedious, your essay’s body should describe the topic of discussion; deeply analyze your question, giving efficient pieces of evidence and outcomes. If you choose a descriptive piece, you should also ensure that all the characters and their impact on the plot.
To have a great time writing your essay, you need to conduct excellent research. This will go a long way in giving you the knowledge you need about the topic as your opinion on the matter might not be of much importance.
Finalizing with an Eye-Catching Analytical Research Paper Conclusion
In conclusion, the most important thing is to surmise your essay is going back to your point of view. By this time , you can consider making the same statement as on your introduction, but this time showing how the evidence collected from the body leads us to a conclusion. This is key as making a vague statement might make a reader dissatisfied. It might not be easy to create a stunning analytical piece of work, considering all the do’s and don’ts; you can create a considerable chunk of work.
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A research paper is a piece of academic writing that provides analysis, interpretation, and argument based on in-depth independent research. Research papers are similar to academic essays, but they are usually longer and more detailed assignments, designed to assess not only your writing skills but also your skills in scholarly research.
Analytical research paper: The analytical research paper often begins with the student asking a question (a.k.a. a research question) on which he has taken no stance. Such a paper is often an exercise in exploration and evaluation. For example, perhaps one is interested in the Old English poem Beowulf.
A research analysis paper is not a paper that simply summarizes the text. Instead, it is a critical evaluation of the argument made in the text. To write a good research analysis paper, you will need to have strong analytical skills and be able to back up your claims with evidence. Outline: Research Analysis Paper
An analytical research paper states the topic that the writer will be exploring, usually in the form of a question, initially taking a neutral stance. The body of the paper will present multifaceted information and, ultimately, the writer will state their conclusion, based on the information that has unfolded throughout the course of the essay.
Tips on How to Write a Good Analytical Research Paper. Find the core of your essay; this includes examining whether it is a question to answer, an outcome to justify or an event to describe. This enables you to create a well-established case that is based on facts and having the right direction. If given a question, you should evaluate whether ...