A research paper is a common form of academic writing.

Research papers require students and

academics to locate information about a topic (that is, to conduct research), take a stand on that topic,
and provide support (or evidence) for that position in an organized report.

The term research paper may also refer to a scholarly article that contains the results of original
research or an evaluation of research conducted by others. Most scholarly articles must undergo a
process of peer review before they can be accepted for publication in an academic journal.

Define Your Research Question

The first step in writing a research paper is defining your research question. Has your instructor assigned
a specific topic? If so, great—you've got this step covered. If not, review the guidelines of the
assignment. Your instructor has likely provided several general subjects for your consideration. Your
research paper should focus on a specific angle on one of these subjects. Spend some time mulling over
your options before deciding which one you'd like to explore more deeply.

Try to choose a research question that interests you. The research process is time-consuming, and you'll
be significantly more motivated if you have a genuine desire to learn more about the topic. You should
also consider whether you have access to all of the resources necessary to conduct thorough research
on your topic, such as primary and secondary sources.

Create a Research Strategy

Approach the research process systematically by creating a research strategy. First, review your library's
website. What resources are available? Where will you find them? Do any resources require a special
process to gain access? Start gathering those resources—especially those that may be difficult to
access—as soon as possible.

Second, make an appointment with a reference librarian. A reference librarian is nothing short of a
research superhero. He or she will listen to your research question, offer suggestions for how to focus
your research, and direct you toward valuable sources that directly relate to your topic.

Evaluate Sources

Now that you've gathered a wide array of sources, it's time to evaluate them. First, consider the
reliability of the information. Where is the information coming from? What is the origin of the source?
Second, assess the relevance of the information. How does this information relate to your research
question? Does it support, refute, or add context to your position? How does it relate to the other
sources you'll be using in your paper? Once you have determined that your sources are both reliable and
relevant, you can proceed confidently to the writing phase.

Why Write Research Papers?

The research process is one of the most taxing academic tasks you'll be asked to complete. Luckily, the
value of writing a research paper goes beyond that A+ you hope to receive. Here are just some of the
benefits of research papers.

Learning Scholarly Conventions: Writing a research paper is a crash course in the stylistic conventions of
scholarly writing. During the research and writing process, you'll learn how to document your research,
cite sources appropriately, format an academic paper, maintain an academic tone, and more.

Organizing Information: In a way, research is nothing more than a massive organizational project. The
information available to you is near-infinite, and it's your job to review that information, narrow it
down, categorize it, and present it in a clear, relevant format. This process requires attention to detail
and major brainpower.

Managing Time: Research papers put your time management skills to the test. Every step of the
research and writing process takes time, and it's up to you to set aside the time you'll need to complete
each step of the task. Maximize your efficiency by creating a research schedule and inserting blocks of
"research time" into your calendar as soon as you receive the assignment.

Exploring Your Chosen Subject: We couldn't forget the best part of research papers—learning about
something that truly excites you. No matter what topic you choose, you're bound to come away from
the research process with new ideas and countless nuggets of fascinating information.

The best research papers are the result of genuine interest and a thorough research process. With these
ideas in mind, go forth and research. Welcome to the scholarly conversation!