How To Start A Research Paper When You Have No Ideas
The research paper is one of the most complicated assignments, which requires a lot of time and effort. That’s why it is not surprising that a lot of students delay this task from the very beginning.
If you have writer’s block, lack of experience, can’t come up with any single idea for an informative research paper, you definitely need some help. For example, you can hire a professional author who will provide you with a decent result.
However, it doesn’t mean that you can order papers each time when there are some difficulties. You need to understand how to start off a research paper so that you can get good grades and praise from your professor.
Wondering How to Start Writing a Research Paper? Understand the Assignment!
Each time when the professors assign you the essay writing, or any other task, the first step is the same: you need to understand it.
It is impossible to write about everything and nothing at the same time, and you need to be more specific. So, read your instructions several times until you absolutely understand what the professor expects of you. Generally, he or she provides you with the topic, number of pages, number of necessary sources, the formatting style, etc.
When you know these basic requirements, it becomes easier to understand how to write a research paper. However, you can’t start writing until you don’t have enough information.
Conduct the Research and Find Enough Information to Work With
Well, now you have the topic to write about. If your professor hasn’t assigned you a specific title, you should come up with it on your own. Turn off your smartphone, and get rid of other distractors so that nothing can bother you. Write down all ideas that come to your mind. The more options you have, the easier it would be to make the final choice.
Once you have finally decided on the research topic, it is necessary to find as much information as possible. You can’t write a research paper using the knowledge from the head. Work with reliable sources only, and ensure that you have enough evidence for all facts you’re going to use. Check textbooks, professional magazines, etc.
Ask your professor whether he or she can provide you with access to some databases where you can find quality research papers and dissertations related to your topic. Don’t forget to write down editions, authors’ names, and concrete pages since you’ll need this data to come up with a bibliography section and cite the quotes.
Develop the Research Paper Outline
When you don’t know how to make a research paper, it means you lack details. Start with a clear structure that consists of necessary sections, their headings, and subheadings.
Most likely, you’ll have to read your instructions one more time. Your professor has to provide you with a research paper guide: what pages, chapters, and additional materials should your piece consist of.
For example, depending on the specific format, your discipline, academic level, topic, and other aspects, you may have different requirements for the title page, bibliography, abstract, and so on. In any case, you can’t start writing until you structure your paper.
Write an Introduction
Once you understand how to construct a research paper, you can write the first section. When you have enough ideas, it doesn’t matter where exactly you start writing because you understand what each section should consist of.
Actually, if you’re not an experienced writer, it would be better for you to start with the early beginning: with the introduction. What is the main aim of this chapter? First of all, it is necessary to attract the readers’ attention. However, it is not the same as when you’re writing an essay. You need to interest your readers with research. What can you do?
- start with a hooking sentence: rhetoric question, stats, shocking fact;
- provide your readers with background information so that you’re on the same page;
- explain the necessity of the research on a specific topic;
- analyze the existing knowledge to show gaps.
Your introduction should be written in a clear manner so that readers understand what your paper is about. If you feel that you have to explain some difficult concepts, explain them.
Generally, the introduction is finished with a research question. You’ll find more information about it below.
Write the Main Body
The main body usually consists of several sub-sections depending on the concrete format, discipline, research features, etc. As you write this section, you should keep in mind that your readers may want to repeat your research. It means that you have to provide them with clear instructions.
First of all, provide a list of tools that you have used. Describe your background, explain what software, materials, instruments you needed. Then you can proceed to the detailed description of the process, as well as your insights. If there were some limitations that affected the research process, you should provide them along with your comments.
Don’t forget to use information from different sources to support your discoveries. Cite it appropriately so that your paper couldn’t be considered plagiarism.
Write the Conclusion
The final section is necessary to summarize and discuss your insights. Analyze whether your research was successful and bring you the expected results. If yes, what exactly helped you? What was the uniqueness of your method? If no, what is the reason for this failure? Are there some insights that you and other researchers can use in the future?
Analyze your work and write the last paragraph. Remember that you shouldn’t provide any fundamentally new information, only the processing of facts you’ve already provided. What you can do is to show the new directions, how exactly your research can contribute to the field development in general. Write about lessons that you and your audience can learn.
Follow the Style Guides
All research papers should be formatted appropriately. You can’t develop your own style, and it is necessary to adhere to some rules, especially if you want to see your paper published.
There are different formatting and citation styles depending on the field. For example, psychologists have their association, and therefore they use the APA style. If you’re studying languages, literature, social sciences, the chances are you deal with the MLA style.
There is also the Chicago style for lawyers. These styles regulate sections, works cited, the font type and size, margins, and other details. In any case, read the requirements attentively because it is necessary to meet all of them. Once you have your paper finished, read it again with a keen eye and get rid of all flaws.
Research Question Is a Key
Any research paper is impossible without the research question. It is the main issue of your work: why do you exactly do this work? You have to formulate this question (it can also be called a thesis statement) in the introduction and find an answer during the main body.
Try to come up with 1-2 sentences that will show your readers the problem and the necessity to solve it right now. It would be a good idea to use some thesis statement generators that will help you to summarize your thoughts and ideas briefly.
