Read on to learn how to write a research paper in 2020. A research paper is a piece of academic writing based on a particular topic and analysis together with the interpretation of research findings. There are several ways to write a research paper.
Normally, in research, a researcher selects a specific topic on which the research is based. later on, he/she collects the data and analyzes it to come up with different ways to solve that problem.
According to Bohatala.com, In a research paper, the ideas are expanded with the ideas previously published by experts in their research papers. A research paper argues a specific problem and suggests the different solution to that problem based on the previous proved ideas.
How to write a research paper
The following is a step by step guide on how to write a research paper
1. Title
The title is the most crucial part of a research paper. It catches the readers attention. A good title will determine if the reader will read your entire research or not.
A title must indicate the main focus of your research. It must also contain the most important and relevant keywords from your paper.
It shouldn’t be either too long or too short. Approximately your title must comprise between 5 to 10 words.
2. Abstract
The abstract provides you will a brief summary of the research paper. This section has equal importance as the title of the research paper. Often, after reading the research paper title, the reader may switch to its abstract to recognize if this paper is of his interest or not.
Basically, abstract determine the findings of the author and this is the main plot where the reader decides if he needs to continue reading this paper or not.
In the abstract, consider giving the reader a little background of the problem being solved. Also, mention the major significant results of the paper that would carry the readers’ attention.
3. Introduction
The introduction typically serves as a hook designed to move the reader from what they already know to the information you plan to discuss or convince them of.
The introduction has three parts
1st section of the introduction states the background knowledge, for instance, it explains why the study was carried out and so forth.
2nd portion of the introduction should state the nature of work being performed in your whole research. It must include the investigated variables as well as the methods utilized
The 3rd section should state the problem’s condition at the end of the research.
This section should carry between 500 and 700 words.
4. Literature review
It is the most critical section of the research paper which includes an in-depth evaluation of previous researches.
It allows the reader to understand the reason why you took this particular research project and a good research paper must entail all the details behind why you took this question for research.
The basic components of a literature review include:
a description of the publication, a summary of the publication’s main points and a discussion of gaps in research. It also includes an evaluation of the publication’s contribution to the topic.
5. Methodology
There are basically two functions of the methods section in a research paper.
The first one is that the reader must be able to evaluate your performed work. In your write up, you must describe all the aspects of the methodology you utilized in your study.
The second function is that you must allow the reader to replicate the study if they desire to do so. This means all of your methodologies must be described clearly. If desired, someone could replicate your work, without referring to any other publication.
This section is exclusively written in the past tense.
6. Findings
This section represents the core findings of a study derived from the methods applied to gather and analyze information.
It presents these findings in a logical sequence without bias or interpretation from the author, setting up the reader for later interpretation and evaluation in the Discussion section.
A major purpose of the Results section is to break down the data into sentences that show its significance to the research question.
7. Conclusion
This section intends to help the reader understand why your research should matter to them.
In this section you can focus on, reminding your readers the key points in the research.
It can include, the conclusion of data by the author, for example, explaining the trend between variables etc.
The relation of the author’s findings to the previously done work. The practical or theoretical implication of your work.
It should explain If there is an existence of any abnormality in data, which may impact the result as well.
8. Acknowledgement
In this section of the research paper, you need to thank all those people or institutes/organizations who added their contributions to your work.
It isn’t supposed to be extensive enough but all of them must be acknowledged.
9. References
The purpose of this section is to provide the full citation of the referenced articles in your paper, in a specific format.
A complete reference must state the name of the author, article title, the name of the journal, volume number, year of publications as well as the page numbers.
Normally written in the last section of the paper in alphabetical order.
Read also: Writing a Term Paper
How to write a research paper conclusion
There are two types of research papers, they include:
Explanatory or causal research
This type of research paper explains the problem in the form of an essay. It provides deep details of the problem. This type of research relies on techniques such as secondary research. focus key groups to draw definite conclusions.
Descriptive Research
This type of research paper describes the problem from start to end. It is used to describe the characteristics of a phenomenon being studied without having to answer questions about how/when/why the characteristics occurred.
Rather it addresses the “what” question in the study.
To add on that, you can give a recommendation in your paper. Here you can give certain recommendations on your topic even in case you don’t make a call to action. Your thoughts may help a reader to better understand the topic and the general context of your research.
