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AP Research Performance Task Sample and Scoring Information Archive

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The Advanced Placement (AP) curriculum is administered by the College Board and serves as a standardized set of year-long high school classes that are roughly equivalent to one semester of college-level coursework. Although most students enroll in an actual course to prepare for their AP exams, many others will self-study for the exams without enrolling in the actual AP class.

AP classes are generally stand-alone subjects that easily translate to traditional college courses. Typically, they culminate in a standardized exam on which students are graded using a 5-point scale, which colleges and universities will use to determine credit or advanced standing. Starting in fall of 2014, though, this traditional AP course and exam format has begun to adapt in efforts by the College Board to reflect less stringent rote curriculum and a heavier emphasis on critical thinking skills.

The AP Capstone program is at the center of these changes, and its culmination course is AP Research. If you are interested in learning more about the AP Research Course and Assessment, and how they can prepare you for college-level work, read on for CollegeVine’s Ultimate Guide to the AP Research Course and Assessment.

About the Course and Assessment

The AP Research course is the second of two classes required for the AP Capstone™ Diploma . In order to enroll in this course you need to have completed the AP Seminar course during a previous year. Through that course, you will have learned to collect and analyze information with accuracy and precision, developed arguments based on facts, and effectively communicated your conclusions. During the AP Research course, you apply these skills on a larger platform. In the AP Research course, you can expect to learn and apply research methods and practices to address a real-world topic of your choosing, with the end result being the production and defense of a scholarly academic paper. Students who receive a score of 3 or higher on both the AP Seminar and AP Research courses earn an AP Seminar and Research Certificate™. Students who receive a score of 3 or higher on both courses and on four additional AP exams of their choosing receive the AP Capstone Diploma™.    

The AP Research course will guide you through the design, planning, and implementation of a year-long, research-based investigation to address a research question of interest to you. While working with an expert advisor, chosen by you with the help of your teacher, you will explore an academic topic, problem, or issue of your choosing and cultivate the skills and discipline necessary to conduct independent research and produce and defend a scholarly academic paper. Through explicit instruction in research methodology, ethical research practices, and documentation processes, you will develop a portfolio of scholarly work to frame your research paper and subsequent presentation of it.

Although the core content and skills remain standardized for every AP Research course, the implementation of this instruction may vary. Some AP Research courses may have a specific disciplinary focus wherein the course content is rooted in a specific subject, such as AP Research STEM Inquiries or AP Research Performing and Visual Arts. Similarly, other AP Research courses are offered in conjunction with a separate and specific AP class, such as AP Research and AP Biology wherein students are concurrently enrolled in both AP courses and content is presented in a cross-curricular approach. Alternatively, AP Research may be presented in the form of an internship wherein students who are already working with a discipline-specific expert adviser conduct independent studies and research of the student’s choosing while taking the AP Research class. Finally, some AP Research courses are delivered independently as a research methods class. In this style of class, students develop inquiry methods for the purpose of determining which method best fits their chosen topic of inquiry/research question, and each student then uses a selected method to complete his or her investigation.    

Only schools that currently offer the AP Capstone Diploma may offer the AP Research course. Because it is a part of a larger comprehensive, skills-based program, students may not self-study for the AP Research course or final paper. At this time, home-schooled students, home-school organizations, and online providers are not eligible to participate in AP Capstone.

Your performance in the AP Research course is assessed through two performance tasks. The first is the Academic Paper, which accounts for 75% of your total AP score. In this paper, you will present the findings of your yearlong research in 4,000-5,000 words. Although the official submission deadline for this task is April 30, the College Board strongly recommends that this portion of your assessment be completed by April 15 in order to allow enough time for the second of your performance tasks.

The second performance task is your Presentation and Oral Defense, which accounts for the remaining 25% of your total AP score. Using your research topic, your will prepare a 15-20 minute presentation in an appropriate format with appropriate accompanying media. Your defense will include fielding three to four questions from a panel consisting of your AP Research teacher and two additional panel members chosen at the discretion of your teacher.    

In 2016, fewer than 3,000 students submitted an AP Research project, but enrollment is projected to grow rapidly, since 12,000 students took the AP Seminar assessment in 2016 and most will presumably go on to submit an AP Research project in 2017. Scores from the 2016 AP Research projects reveal a high pass rate (score of three or higher) but a difficult rate of mastery. While 67.1% of students taking the assessments scored a three or higher, only 11.6% received the highest score of a five, while nearly 40% received a three. Only 2% of students submitting research projects received the lowest score of one.    

A full course description that can help to guide your planning and understanding of the knowledge required for the AP Research course and assessments can be found in the College Board course description .

Read on for tips for successfully completing the AP Research course.

How Should I Prepare for the AP Research Course?

As you undertake the AP Research course and performance tasks, you will be expected to conduct research, write a scholarly paper, and defend your work in a formal presentation.   Having already completed the AP Seminar course, these skills should be familiar to you. You should use your scores on the AP Seminar performance task to help guide your preparations for the AP Research performance tasks.

Carefully review your scores from AP Seminar. Make sure you understand where points were lost and why. It may be helpful to schedule a meeting with your AP Seminar teacher to review your work. Alternatively, your AP Research teacher may be willing to go over your AP Seminar projects with you. You might also ask a classmate to review your projects together to get a better idea of where points were earned and where points were lost. Use this review as a jumping point for your AP Research studies. You should go into the course with a good idea of where your strengths lie, and where you need to focus on improving.

A sample timeline for the AP Research course is available on page 36 of the course description . One detail worth noting is that the recommended timeline actually begins not in September with the start of the new school year, but instead begins in May with the completion of the AP Seminar course during the previous school year. It is then that you should begin to consider research topics, problems, or ideas. By September of the following school year, it is recommended that you have already finalized a research question and proposal, completed an annotated bibliography, and prepared to begin a preliminary inquiry proposal for peer review.    

What Content Will I Be Held Accountable For During the AP Research Course?

To be successful in the AP Research class, you will begin with learning to investigate relevant topics, compose insightful problem statements, and develop compelling research questions, with consideration of scope, to extend your thinking.   Your teacher will expect you to demonstrate perseverance through setting goals, managing time, and working independently on a long-term project. Specifically, you will prepare for your research project by:

• Identifying, applying, and implementing appropriate methods for research and data collection
• Accessing information using effective strategies
• Evaluating the relevance and credibility of information from sources and data
• Reading a bibliography for the purpose of understanding that it is a source for other research and for determining context, credibility, and scope
• Attributing knowledge and ideas accurately and ethically, using an appropriate citation style
• Evaluating strengths and weaknesses of others’ inquiries and studies

As in the AP Research course, you will continue to investigate real-world issues from multiple perspectives, gathering and analyzing information from various sources in order to develop credible and valid evidence- based arguments. You will accomplish this through instruction in the AP Research Big Ideas, also called the QUEST Framework. These include:

• Question and Explore: Questioning begins with an initial exploration of complex topics or issues. Perspectives and questions emerge that spark one’s curiosity, leading to an investigation that challenges and expands the boundaries of one’s current knowledge.
• Understand and Analyze Arguments: Understanding various perspectives requires contextualizing arguments and evaluating the authors’ claims and lines of reasoning.
• Evaluate Multiple Perspectives: Evaluating an issue involves considering and evaluating multiple perspectives, both individually and in comparison to one another.
• Synthesize Ideas: Synthesizing others’ ideas with one’s own may lead to new understandings and is the foundation of a well-reasoned argument that conveys one’s perspective.
• Team, Transform, and Transmit: Teaming allows one to combine personal strengths and talents with those of others to reach a common goal. Transformation and growth occur upon thoughtful reflection. Transmitting requires the adaptation of one’s message based on audience and context.

In addition, you will use four distinct reasoning processes as you approach your research. The reasoning processes are situating, choosing, defending , and connecting . When you situate ideas, you are aware of their context in your own perspective and the perspective of others, ensuring that biases do not lead to false assumptions. When you make choices about ideas and themes, you recognize that these choices will have both intended and unintentional consequences. As you defend your choices, you explain and justify them using a logical line of reasoning. Finally, when you connect ideas you see intersections within and/or across concepts, disciplines, and cultures.

For a glossary of research terms that you should become familiar with, see page 62 of the course description .

How Will I Know If I’m Doing Well in the AP Research Course?

Because your entire score for the AP Research course is determined by your research paper and presentation, which come at the very end of the course, it can be difficult to gauge your success until that point. Do yourself a favor and do not wait until your final scores come back to determine how successful you have been in the course.

As you undertake the AP Research course, there will be many opportunities for formative assessments throughout the semester. These assessments are used to give both you and your teacher an idea of the direction of instruction needed for you to master the skills required in the AP Research course. You should use these assessments to your advantage and capitalize on the feedback you receive through each. A list of possible activities used for these assessments can be found on page 41 of the course description .

Another way that you and your teacher will track your progress is through your Process and Reflection Portfolio (PREP). The PREP serves to document your development as you investigate your research questions, thereby providing evidence that you have demonstrated a sustained effort during the entire inquiry process. You will review your PREP periodically with your teacher, who will use it as a formative assessment to evaluate your progress.

Throughout the course, you will be assigned prompts and questions to respond to in your PREP. You will use this portfolio to document your research or artistic processes, communication with your expert adviser, and reflections on your thought processes. You should also write freely, journaling about your strengths and weaknesses with regard to implementing such processes and developing your arguments or aesthetic rationales. 

Your final PREP should include:

• Table of contents
• Completed and approved proposal form
• Specific pieces of work selected by the student to represent what he or she considers to be the best showcase for his or her work. (Examples might include: in-class (teacher-directed) free-writing about the inquiry process, resource list, annotated bibliography of any source important to the student’s work, photographs, charts, spreadsheets, and/or links to videos or other relevant visual research/project artifacts, draft versions of selected sections of the academic paper, or notes in preparation for presentation and oral defense.)
• Documentation of permission(s) received from primary sources, if required — for example, permission(s) from an IRB or other agreements with individuals, institutions, or organizations that provide primary and private data such as interviews, surveys, or investigations
• Documentation or log of the student’s interaction with expert adviser(s) and the role the expert adviser(s) played in the student’s learning and inquiry process (e.g., What areas of expertise did the expert adviser have that the student needed to draw from? Did the student get the help he or she needed — and if not, what did he or she do to ensure that the research process was successful? Which avenues of exploration did the expert adviser help the student to discover?)
• Questions asked to and feedback received from peer and adult reviewers both in the initial stages and at key points along the way
• Reflection on whether or not the feedback was accepted or rejected and why
• Attestation signed by the student which states, “I hereby affirm that the work contained in this Process and Reflection Portfolio is my own and that I have read and understand the AP Capstone TM Policy on Plagiarism and Falsification or Fabrication of Information”

It cannot be stressed enough how important it is to maintain strong communications with your teacher as you progress through the AP Research course. Not only is your teacher your best resource for learning new skills and knowledge, but also it is your teacher who will be responsible for grading your final performance tasks and as such, you should always have a strong understanding of how your work is being assessed and the ways in which you can improve it. Remember, your teacher wants you to succeed just as much as you do; work together as a team to optimize your chances.

How Should I Choose a Research Topic?

You will begin to consider research topics before the school year even starts. If your AP Research class is offered in conjunction with another course, such as those rooted in a specific subject or linked to another concurrent AP course, you will have some idea of the direction in which your research should head. Regardless of whether you know the precise subject matter of your topic, you should begin by asking yourself what you want to know, learn, or understand. The AP Research class provides a unique opportunity for you to guide your own learning in a direction that is genuinely interesting to you. You will find your work more engaging, exciting, and worthwhile if you choose a topic that you want to learn more about.

As you begin to consider research topics, you should:

• Develop a list of topics and high-level questions that spark your interest to engage in an individual research project
• Identify potential expert advisers to guide you in the planning and development of your research project (For tips on how to find a mentor, read CollegeVine’s “ How to Choose a Winning Science Fair Project Idea ”)
• Identify potential opportunities (if you are interested) to perform primary research with an expert adviser during the summer, via internships or summer research projects for high school students offered in the community and local higher education institutions
• Discuss research project planning skills and ideas with students who are currently taking or have already taken the AP Research course

You might also find inspiration from reading about past AP Research topics. One list of potential research questions can be found here and another can be found here . Keep in mind that these lists make great starting points and do a good job of getting you thinking about important subjects, but your research topic should ultimately be something that you develop independently as the result of careful introspection, discussions with your teacher and peers, and your own preliminary research.

Finally, keep in mind that if you pursue a research project that involves human subjects, your proposal will need to be reviewed and approved by an institutional review board (IRB) before experimentation begins. Talk with your teacher to decide if this is the right path for you before you get too involved in a project that may not be feasible.

Once you have decided on a research topic, complete an Inquiry Proposal Form. This will be distributed by your teacher and can also be found on page 55 of the course description .

How Do I Conduct My Research?

By the time you begin your AP Research course, you will have already learned many of the basics about research methods during your AP Seminar course. You should be comfortable collecting and analyzing information with accuracy and precision, developing arguments based on facts, and effectively communicating your point of view. These will be essential skills as you move forward in your AP Research project.

As you undertake your work, remember the skills you’ve already learned about research:

• Use strategies to aid your comprehension as you tackle difficult texts.
• Identify the author’s main idea and the methods that he or she uses to support it.
• Think about biases and whether other perspectives are acknowledged.
• Assess the strength of research, products, and arguments.
• Look for patterns and trends as you strive to make connections between multiple arguments.
• Think about what other issues, questions, or topics could be explored further.

You should be certain to keep track of all sources used in your research and cite them appropriately. The College Board has a strict policy against plagiarism. You can read more about its specifics on page 60 of the course description .

How Do I Write My Paper?

Before you begin writing your final paper, make sure to thoroughly read the Task Overview handout which will be distributed by your teacher. If you would like to see it beforehand, it can be found on page 56 of the course description . You should also review the outline of required paper sections on page 49 of the course description .

Your paper must contain the following sections:

› Introduction

› Method, Process, or Approach

› Results, Product, or Findings

› Discussion, Analysis, and/or Evaluation

› Conclusion and Future Directions

› Bibliography

Before you begin writing, organize your ideas and findings into an outline using the sections listed above. Be sure to consider how you can connect and analyze the evidence in order to develop an argument and support a conclusion. Also think about if there are any alternate conclusions that could be supported by your evidence and how you can acknowledge and account for your own biases and assumptions. 

Begin your paper by introducing and contextualizing your research question or problem. Make sure to include your initial assumptions and/or hypothesis. Next, include a literature review of previous work in the field and various perspectives on your topic. Use the literature review to highlight the gap in the current field of knowledge to be addressed by your research project. Then, explain and justify your methodology, present your findings, evidence, or data, and interpret the significance of these findings. Discuss implications for further research or limitations of your existing project. Finally, reflect on the project, how it could impact its field, and any possible next steps. Your paper should conclude with a comprehensive bibliography including all of the sources used in your process.

Make sure to proofread and edit your paper yourself, have it proofread and edited by a friend, and then proofread and edit it again before you complete your final draft.

How Do I Prepare For My Oral Defense?

Once your paper is finished, you may be tempted to sit back and rest on your laurels. Although you’ve no doubt expended a tremendous about of energy in producing a final product you can be proud of, don’t forget that the work is not over yet. Your oral defense accounts for 25% of your total score so it should be taken seriously.

Your oral defense is a 15-20 minute presentation that uses appropriate media to present your findings to an oral defense panel. You may choose any appropriate format for your presentation, as long as the presentation reflects the depth of your research. If your academic paper was accompanied by an additional piece of scholarly work (e.g., performance, exhibit, product), you should arrange with your teacher for him or her, along with the panelists, to view the scholarly work prior to your presentation.

As you plan your presentation, consider how you can best appeal to your audience. Consider different mediums for your presentation, and how those mediums might affect your credibility as a presenter. You want to be engaging to your audience while still being taken seriously.

Following your presentation, you will field three or four questions from your panelists. These will include one question pertaining to your research or inquiry process, one question focused on your depth of understanding, and one question about your reflection throughout the inquiry process as evidenced in your PREP. The fourth question and any follow-up questions are at the discretion of the panel. A list of sample oral defense questions begins on page 52 of the course description . For a complete outline of the oral defense, see page 49 of the course description . 

How Will My Work Be Assessed?

Because this assessment is only available to students enrolled in the AP Capstone program, your teacher will register you for the assessment when you enroll in the course. You should confirm with your teacher that you are registered for the assessment no later than March 1. 

You will submit your final paper and complete your oral presentation no later than April 30, at which point your teacher will submit your work and scores through an AP Digital Portfolio. Your presentation will be scored by your teacher alone. Your paper will be scored by your teacher and validated by the College Board.

You may find the scoring rubric from the 2016 performance tasks available here . You may find a collection authentic student research papers and scoring explanations available here .

Preparing for any AP assessment can be a stressful process. Having a specific plan of attack and a firm grasp of how your work is assessed will help you to feel prepared and score well. Use CollegeVine’s Ultimate Guide to the AP Research Course and Assessment to help shape your understanding of the course and how to complete your performance tasks effectively. When submission day arrives, you should feel better prepared and informed about the work you have produced.

For more about information about APs, check out these CollegeVine posts:

• Can AP Tests Actually Save You Thousands of Dollars?

• Should I Take AP/IB/Honors Classes?

• How to Choose Which AP Courses and Exams to Take

• What If My School Doesn’t Offer AP or IB Courses?

• Are All APs Created Equal in Admissions?

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300+ AP Research Topic Ideas

Table of Contents

AP Research is a high school course offered as part of the College Board’s Advanced Placement (AP) program. It is designed to give students the opportunity to conduct independent research on a topic of their choice and to develop the research and analytical skills needed to succeed in college and beyond.

The course is typically taken by students in their senior year of high school, after they have completed other AP courses. AP Research is a two-semester course, with students typically spending the first semester developing a research question, conducting a literature review, and developing a research proposal. In the second semester, students conduct their research, analyze their findings, and present their results in a written thesis and an oral presentation.

AP Research is intended to be a rigorous course that requires students to think critically, develop research skills, and engage with complex issues in a meaningful way. The course is designed to prepare students for the demands of college-level research and to give them a strong foundation for pursuing advanced degrees or careers in fields that require research skills.

AP Research Topic Ideas

Selecting an AP Research topic can be a daunting task, requiring careful consideration of personal interests, research gaps, feasibility, and academic goals. To help students navigate this process, we have compiled a list of diverse and engaging AP Research topic ideas that cover a wide range of disciplines and research areas. These topic ideas are designed to inspire and guide students as they embark on their own research journey.

AP Research Topic Ideas are as follows:

• The effects of social media on adolescent mental health
• The relationship between physical activity and academic performance
• The impact of gentrification on urban communities
• The effectiveness of mindfulness practices in reducing stress and anxiety
• The relationship between sleep patterns and academic performance
• The role of technology in the future of education
• The impact of the gig economy on the traditional job market
• The effects of climate change on coastal communities
• The use of virtual reality in therapy and mental health treatment
• The impact of immigration policies on undocumented students’ access to higher education
• The relationship between socioeconomic status and health outcomes
• The role of music therapy in treating mental health disorders
• The effects of standardized testing on student learning and teacher effectiveness
• The impact of artificial intelligence on employment opportunities
• The effectiveness of peer tutoring programs in improving academic achievement
• The impact of cultural assimilation on immigrant mental health and well-being
• The relationship between diet and mental health outcomes
• The impact of childhood trauma on adult mental health outcomes
• The effectiveness of alternative education programs for at-risk youth
• The role of mindfulness practices in reducing implicit biases and promoting inclusivity.
• The impact of social media influencers on consumer behavior
• The effects of language barriers on healthcare access and outcomes
• The relationship between access to green spaces and mental health outcomes
• The effectiveness of school-based mental health programs
• The impact of parental involvement on academic achievement
• The effects of income inequality on social mobility
• The role of genetic testing in personalized medicine
• The impact of police body cameras on community trust
• The relationship between food insecurity and obesity rates
• The effectiveness of restorative justice practices in reducing school suspensions and expulsions
• The impact of globalization on cultural identity
• The effects of childhood bilingualism on cognitive development
• The role of art therapy in treating trauma-related mental health disorders
• The impact of corporate social responsibility on consumer behavior
• The relationship between air pollution and respiratory health outcomes
• The effectiveness of online learning platforms in improving student outcomes
• The impact of artificial intelligence on financial markets
• The effects of mindfulness practices on workplace productivity
• The relationship between exposure to violence and mental health outcomes
• The effectiveness of community-based interventions in reducing gang involvement among at-risk youth.
• The impact of social media on political polarization
• The relationship between screen time and attention spans
• The effectiveness of cognitive behavioral therapy in treating anxiety and depression
• The impact of renewable energy on the job market
• The effects of food advertising on childhood obesity rates
• The role of experiential learning in developing leadership skills
• The relationship between gun ownership and rates of gun violence
• The impact of microplastics on marine ecosystems
• The effectiveness of community policing programs in reducing crime rates
• The relationship between racial and ethnic identity development and mental health outcomes
• The effects of childhood trauma on long-term physical health outcomes
• The impact of cultural competency training on healthcare provider-patient relationships
• The effectiveness of mindfulness practices in reducing substance abuse and addiction
• The relationship between access to healthcare and health outcomes in rural communities
• The effects of student loan debt on career choices and financial well-being
• The impact of social support on caregiver mental health outcomes
• The role of alternative therapies in managing chronic pain
• The effects of gaming on cognitive development and decision-making skills
• The impact of restorative justice practices on recidivism rates
• The relationship between religious identity and mental health outcomes.
• The effects of media representation on body image and self-esteem
• The relationship between parental involvement in education and student motivation
• The impact of automation on the future of work
• The effectiveness of school-based mindfulness programs in reducing anxiety and depression
• The effects of social isolation on mental health outcomes
• The role of exercise in managing chronic diseases
• The impact of gentrification on cultural heritage and community identity
• The effectiveness of telemedicine in improving healthcare access and outcomes
• The relationship between nutrition and cognitive function
• The effects of microaggressions on mental health and well-being
• The impact of social entrepreneurship on community development
• The effectiveness of community-based interventions in reducing substance abuse and addiction
• The relationship between race and policing practices
• The effects of early childhood education on long-term academic achievement
• The role of animal-assisted therapy in treating mental health disorders
• The impact of social media on political activism and social change
• The relationship between personality traits and leadership effectiveness
• The effectiveness of mindfulness practices in reducing workplace stress and burnout
• The impact of climate change on food security and nutrition
• The relationship between cultural diversity and organizational performance in the workplace.
• The impact of COVID-19 on mental health outcomes and healthcare access
• The relationship between music and cognitive function
• The effectiveness of restorative justice practices in addressing racial disparities in school discipline
• The effects of mindfulness practices on sleep quality and duration
• The role of public art in promoting community well-being
• The relationship between social support and coping with chronic illnesses
• The impact of globalization on cultural traditions and practices
• The effectiveness of trauma-informed care in addressing mental health disorders
• The effects of parental involvement on social-emotional development in early childhood
• The relationship between personality traits and job satisfaction
• The impact of urbanization on biodiversity and ecosystem services
• The effectiveness of cognitive training in improving memory and attention in older adults
• The effects of trauma on brain development in children and adolescents
• The role of gender in leadership effectiveness and organizational performance
• The impact of gentrification on housing affordability and homelessness rates
• The relationship between social support and academic achievement in low-income students
• The effectiveness of community gardens in promoting food security and nutrition
• The effects of air pollution on cognitive function and academic achievement
• The role of community-based organizations in promoting social justice and equity
• The impact of technology on interpersonal communication and relationship building
• The relationship between sleep disorders and mental health outcomes
• The effects of early childhood education on social-emotional development
• The impact of political polarization on social cohesion and community engagement
• The effectiveness of cognitive-behavioral interventions in reducing substance use disorders
• The relationship between gender identity and mental health outcomes
• The impact of social media on body image and eating disorder rates
• The effects of mindfulness practices on emotional regulation in children and adolescents
• The role of restorative justice in addressing hate crimes and bias-motivated violence
• The relationship between environmental attitudes and pro-environmental behavior
• The effectiveness of mindfulness-based interventions in managing chronic pain.
• The impact of immigration policies on mental health outcomes among immigrant populations
• The relationship between socioeconomic status and access to healthcare
• The effectiveness of arts-based interventions in promoting mental health and well-being
• The effects of screen time on language development in young children
• The role of restorative justice in addressing gender-based violence
• The impact of climate change on mental health outcomes
• The relationship between social support and recovery from addiction
• The effectiveness of culturally responsive teaching in promoting academic achievement among diverse student populations
• The effects of sleep deprivation on academic performance and mental health outcomes
• The impact of outdoor recreation on physical and mental health outcomes
• The relationship between community engagement and crime rates
• The effectiveness of mindfulness-based interventions in addressing anxiety and depression in college students
• The effects of food insecurity on academic achievement and health outcomes
• The role of race and ethnicity in accessing and utilizing mental health services
• The impact of social media on romantic relationships and dating behaviors
• The relationship between physical activity and cognitive function in older adults
• The effectiveness of harm reduction strategies in addressing substance use disorders
• The effects of environmental toxins on reproductive health outcomes
• The role of cultural competency in promoting patient-provider communication and trust
• The impact of gentrification on community health and well-being
• The relationship between mindfulness and creativity
• The effects of social support on post-traumatic growth
• The effectiveness of cognitive-behavioral therapy in treating eating disorders
• The impact of race and ethnicity on access to affordable housing
• The relationship between environmental attitudes and pro-social behavior
• The effects of trauma on parenting practices and child development
• The role of community policing in promoting trust and safety in diverse communities
• The impact of gender stereotypes on academic and career choices
• The relationship between physical activity and mental health outcomes in adolescents
• The effectiveness of restorative justice practices in addressing school-to-prison pipeline.
• The impact of social media on body image and self-esteem in adolescent girls
• The relationship between mindfulness and resilience in first responders
• The effects of parental incarceration on child development and academic outcomes
• The role of community-based organizations in promoting voter participation and civic engagement
• The impact of cultural assimilation on mental health outcomes among immigrant populations
• The effectiveness of cognitive-behavioral therapy in treating post-traumatic stress disorder in veterans
• The effects of exposure to violence on aggression and delinquency in adolescents
• The role of social support in reducing the stigma associated with mental illness
• The impact of school-based health clinics on academic achievement and health outcomes
• The relationship between social media use and sleep disturbances in adolescents
• The effects of music therapy on pain management and emotional regulation in cancer patients
• The role of gender and race in accessing and utilizing healthcare services
• The impact of urban sprawl on environmental degradation and public health
• The relationship between mindfulness and leadership effectiveness
• The effects of school culture on student academic achievement and well-being
• The role of community gardens in promoting sustainable urban development
• The relationship between social support and job satisfaction
• The effectiveness of cognitive-behavioral interventions in reducing anxiety and depression in LGBTQ+ youth
• The effects of air pollution on respiratory health outcomes in urban areas
• The role of mindfulness in reducing burnout among healthcare professionals
• The impact of income inequality on health outcomes and access to healthcare
• The relationship between social media use and academic performance in college students
• The effects of trauma on memory and cognitive function
• The role of community-based organizations in addressing food deserts and promoting healthy eating habits
• The impact of neighborhood walkability on physical activity and health outcomes
• The relationship between social support and coping with chronic pain
• The effectiveness of family-based interventions in addressing substance use disorders in adolescents
• The impact of environmental regulations on public health and well-being.
• The relationship between job satisfaction and employee retention
• The effects of technology addiction on mental health and social relationships
• The role of community-based organizations in promoting financial literacy and reducing debt
• The impact of early childhood education on academic achievement and cognitive development
• The relationship between cultural identity and mental health outcomes among immigrants
• The effects of social support on recovery from traumatic brain injury
• The role of restorative justice in reducing recidivism rates among formerly incarcerated individuals
• The impact of neighborhood segregation on access to healthcare and health outcomes
• The relationship between mindfulness and emotional intelligence in the workplace
• The effects of sleep hygiene education on sleep quality and academic performance in college students
• The role of community-based interventions in reducing rates of childhood obesity
• The impact of poverty on cognitive development and academic achievement
• The relationship between social support and substance use recovery in adults
• The effects of nature exposure on stress reduction and mental health outcomes
• The role of restorative justice in addressing school discipline disparities
• The impact of racial microaggressions on mental health outcomes among people of color
• The relationship between social support and coping with chronic illness
• The effects of community policing on reducing rates of police brutality and misconduct
• The role of community-based organizations in promoting digital literacy and access to technology
• The impact of animal-assisted therapy on mental health outcomes in individuals with disabilities
• The relationship between mindfulness and athletic performance
• The effects of trauma on romantic relationships and attachment styles
• The role of community-based interventions in promoting environmental sustainability and reducing waste
• The impact of social support on stress and coping mechanisms in caregivers of individuals with chronic illnesses
• The relationship between socioeconomic status and access to mental health services in rural areas
• The effects of mindfulness meditation on pain management and opioid use in chronic pain patients
• The role of community-based organizations in promoting social and economic justice
• The impact of environmental factors on autism spectrum disorder (ASD) development
• The relationship between social support and recovery from traumatic injuries
• The effects of peer mentoring on academic achievement and social-emotional development in adolescents.
• The relationship between childhood experiences and risk-taking behavior in adolescents
• The effects of gratitude interventions on well-being and social relationships
• The role of community-based organizations in promoting financial empowerment and reducing poverty
• The impact of childhood trauma on addiction and substance use in adulthood
• The relationship between cultural values and mental health outcomes in international students
• The effects of social support on academic persistence and retention in college students
• The role of community-based interventions in promoting restorative justice in the criminal justice system
• The impact of culturally responsive teaching on academic achievement and cultural identity development in students of color
• The relationship between mindfulness and sleep quality in older adults
• The effects of peer mentoring on social-emotional development and academic achievement in elementary school students
• The role of community-based organizations in promoting social and emotional learning in schools
• The impact of racial trauma on mental health outcomes among Black individuals
• The relationship between social support and job satisfaction in healthcare workers
• The effects of nature exposure on creativity and innovation in the workplace
• The role of community-based interventions in promoting diversity and inclusion in the workplace
• The impact of adverse childhood experiences on addiction and substance use in adulthood
• The relationship between cultural identity and mental health outcomes in Indigenous populations
• The effects of mindfulness-based interventions on reducing symptoms of anxiety and depression in college students
• The role of community-based organizations in promoting environmental justice and reducing pollution exposure in low-income communities
• The impact of social support on well-being and mental health outcomes in LGBTQ+ individuals
• The relationship between social media use and body image dissatisfaction in adolescents
• The effects of physical activity on cognitive function and academic achievement in older adults
• The role of community-based interventions in promoting social and economic mobility in low-income families
• The impact of mindfulness-based interventions on reducing burnout and compassion fatigue in healthcare workers
• The relationship between cultural values and healthcare-seeking behavior in immigrant populations
• The effects of trauma on personality development and attachment styles
• The role of community-based organizations in promoting healthy eating and reducing food insecurity in underserved communities
• The impact of adverse childhood experiences on cognitive function and academic achievement in early childhood
• The relationship between social support and mental health outcomes in refugee populations
• The effects of nature exposure on reducing symptoms of depression and anxiety in older adults.
• The relationship between parental involvement and academic achievement in elementary school students
• The effects of a healthy lifestyle intervention on reducing cardiovascular disease risk factors in adults
• The role of community-based organizations in promoting disaster preparedness and resilience in vulnerable communities
• The impact of mindfulness-based interventions on reducing symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder in military veterans
• The relationship between social support and job satisfaction in non-profit employees
• The effects of music education on cognitive development and academic achievement in elementary school students
• The role of community-based interventions in promoting sustainable agriculture and reducing food waste
• The impact of cultural competence training on improving health outcomes and reducing health disparities in healthcare settings
• The relationship between social media use and sleep quality in college students
• The effects of physical activity on reducing symptoms of depression and anxiety in adults with chronic illnesses
• The role of community-based organizations in promoting youth leadership development and civic engagement
• The impact of adverse childhood experiences on social skills development and peer relationships in early childhood
• The relationship between social support and mental health outcomes in individuals with chronic illnesses
• The effects of restorative justice practices on reducing school suspension rates and promoting positive school climate
• The role of community-based interventions in promoting sustainable transportation and reducing carbon emissions
• The impact of cultural values on parenting practices and child development
• The relationship between social media use and body dissatisfaction in young adults
• The effects of technology-based interventions on reducing social isolation and loneliness in older adults
• The role of community-based organizations in promoting mental health awareness and reducing stigma
• The impact of adverse childhood experiences on academic achievement and educational attainment in adolescence
• The relationship between social support and resilience in individuals experiencing homelessness
• The effects of mindfulness-based interventions on reducing symptoms of anxiety and depression in adults with chronic pain
• The role of community-based interventions in promoting social and economic integration of immigrants
• The impact of cultural values on mental health help-seeking behaviors in Asian American populations
• The relationship between social media use and academic performance in high school students
• The effects of physical activity on reducing symptoms of anxiety and depression in adults with intellectual disabilities
• The role of community-based organizations in promoting inclusive recreational opportunities for individuals with disabilities
• The impact of adverse childhood experiences on social-emotional development and mental health outcomes in adolescence
• The relationship between social support and coping strategies in individuals with chronic illnesses
• The effects of cognitive training on improving memory and executive function in older adults
• The role of community-based interventions in promoting affordable housing and reducing homelessness
• The impact of cultural values on end-of-life decision-making and hospice utilization in diverse populations
• The relationship between social media use and self-esteem in young adults
• The effects of art therapy on reducing symptoms of depression and anxiety in adults with mental illness
• The role of community-based organizations in promoting social and economic justice for marginalized communities
• The impact of adverse childhood experiences on social skills development and peer relationships in adolescence
• The relationship between social support and mental health outcomes in parents of children with disabilities
• The effects of technology-based interventions on promoting healthy eating habits and reducing obesity in children and adolescents
• The role of community-based interventions in promoting access to healthcare for underserved communities
• The impact of cultural values on mental health stigma and help-seeking behaviors in Latinx populations.
• The relationship between sleep quality and academic performance in college students
• The effects of a mindfulness-based intervention on reducing symptoms of burnout in healthcare professionals
• The role of community-based organizations in promoting environmental conservation and sustainability
• The impact of childhood trauma on social skills development and peer relationships in elementary school students
• The relationship between social support and quality of life in individuals with chronic pain
• The effects of a physical activity intervention on reducing symptoms of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children
• The role of community-based interventions in promoting financial literacy and reducing debt
• The impact of cultural values on perceptions of mental health and mental illness in African American populations
• The relationship between social media use and body image concerns in adolescent girls
• The effects of animal-assisted therapy on reducing symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in military veterans
• The role of community-based organizations in promoting intergenerational relationships and reducing ageism
• The impact of adverse childhood experiences on college readiness and academic achievement in high school students
• The relationship between social support and well-being in individuals with chronic illnesses in rural areas
• The effects of a technology-based intervention on promoting healthy sleep habits in adolescents
• The role of community-based interventions in promoting sustainable tourism and reducing negative impacts on local communities and the environment
• The impact of cultural values on perceptions of and access to mental health services in Native American populations
• The relationship between social media use and social anxiety in young adults
• The effects of art therapy on reducing symptoms of trauma in refugee populations
• The role of community-based organizations in promoting civic engagement and activism among youth
• The impact of adverse childhood experiences on social-emotional development and mental health outcomes in young children
• The relationship between social support and self-esteem in adolescents with autism spectrum disorder (ASD)
• The effects of a mindfulness-based intervention on reducing symptoms of anxiety and depression in individuals with eating disorders
• The role of community-based interventions in promoting workplace diversity and inclusion
• The impact of cultural values on parenting practices and child outcomes in immigrant populations
• The relationship between social media use and body image concerns in adolescent boys
• The effects of music therapy on reducing symptoms of depression and anxiety in adults with dementia
• The role of community-based organizations in promoting access to affordable childcare and early education programs
• The impact of adverse childhood experiences on physical health outcomes in adulthood
• The relationship between social support and substance use behaviors in adolescents
• The effects of a physical activity intervention on reducing symptoms of depression in adults with chronic pain
• The role of community-based interventions in promoting sustainable urban development and reducing pollution
• The impact of cultural values on perceptions of and access to mental health services in Hispanic/Latinx populations
• The relationship between social media use and self-esteem in individuals with visible differences
• The effects of narrative therapy on reducing symptoms of trauma in survivors of intimate partner violence
• The role of community-based organizations in promoting access to affordable legal services for low-income individuals
• The impact of adverse childhood experiences on social and emotional development in adolescence
• The relationship between social support and quality of life in individuals with Parkinson’s disease
• The effects of a technology-based intervention on promoting physical activity and reducing sedentary behavior in adults with spinal cord injuries
• The role of community-based interventions in promoting sustainable energy use and reducing greenhouse gas emissions
• The impact of cultural values on perceptions of and access to mental health services in Middle Eastern populations.

How to Pick an AP Research Topic

Choosing an AP Research topic can be a challenging task, but with the right approach, it can be a fulfilling experience. Here are some steps you can follow to pick an AP Research topic:

• Identify your interests: Think about what you enjoy learning about and what topics you are passionate about. Consider your past experiences, hobbies, and future career goals. This will help you identify areas that you are enthusiastic about exploring.
• Research different topics: Conduct extensive research on topics that interest you. Read articles, books, and research studies related to your areas of interest. This will help you develop a deeper understanding of the topics and identify potential research gaps.
• Narrow down your options: After conducting your research, narrow down your options to a few potential topics. Consider the feasibility of conducting research on each topic, the availability of resources, and the scope of the project.
• Consult with your teacher or mentor: Discuss your potential topics with your teacher or mentor. They can offer valuable insights and guide you in selecting a topic that aligns with your academic and career goals.
• Define your research question: Once you have identified your topic, define your research question. The question should be clear, focused, and specific. It should also be open-ended to allow for further exploration.
• Develop a research plan: Develop a research plan that outlines the steps you will take to conduct your research. This should include the research methods you will use, the data you will collect, and the timeline for completing the project.
• Review and refine: Continuously review and refine your topic and research plan as you conduct your research. This will help you stay on track and make adjustments as needed.

About the author

Muhammad Hassan

Researcher, Academic Writer, Web developer

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How to Write a Research Proposal: (with Examples & Templates)

Table of Contents

Before conducting a study, a research proposal should be created that outlines researchers’ plans and methodology and is submitted to the concerned evaluating organization or person. Creating a research proposal is an important step to ensure that researchers are on track and are moving forward as intended. A research proposal can be defined as a detailed plan or blueprint for the proposed research that you intend to undertake. It provides readers with a snapshot of your project by describing what you will investigate, why it is needed, and how you will conduct the research.  

Your research proposal should aim to explain to the readers why your research is relevant and original, that you understand the context and current scenario in the field, have the appropriate resources to conduct the research, and that the research is feasible given the usual constraints.  

This article will describe in detail the purpose and typical structure of a research proposal , along with examples and templates to help you ace this step in your research journey.  

What is a Research Proposal ?  

A research proposal¹ ,²  can be defined as a formal report that describes your proposed research, its objectives, methodology, implications, and other important details. Research proposals are the framework of your research and are used to obtain approvals or grants to conduct the study from various committees or organizations. Consequently, research proposals should convince readers of your study’s credibility, accuracy, achievability, practicality, and reproducibility.   

With research proposals , researchers usually aim to persuade the readers, funding agencies, educational institutions, and supervisors to approve the proposal. To achieve this, the report should be well structured with the objectives written in clear, understandable language devoid of jargon. A well-organized research proposal conveys to the readers or evaluators that the writer has thought out the research plan meticulously and has the resources to ensure timely completion.  

Purpose of Research Proposals  

A research proposal is a sales pitch and therefore should be detailed enough to convince your readers, who could be supervisors, ethics committees, universities, etc., that what you’re proposing has merit and is feasible . Research proposals can help students discuss their dissertation with their faculty or fulfill course requirements and also help researchers obtain funding. A well-structured proposal instills confidence among readers about your ability to conduct and complete the study as proposed.  

Research proposals can be written for several reasons:³  

• To describe the importance of research in the specific topic  
• Address any potential challenges you may encounter  
• Showcase knowledge in the field and your ability to conduct a study  
• Apply for a role at a research institute  
• Convince a research supervisor or university that your research can satisfy the requirements of a degree program  
• Highlight the importance of your research to organizations that may sponsor your project  
• Identify implications of your project and how it can benefit the audience  

What Goes in a Research Proposal?    

Research proposals should aim to answer the three basic questions—what, why, and how.  

The What question should be answered by describing the specific subject being researched. It should typically include the objectives, the cohort details, and the location or setting.  

The Why question should be answered by describing the existing scenario of the subject, listing unanswered questions, identifying gaps in the existing research, and describing how your study can address these gaps, along with the implications and significance.  

The How question should be answered by describing the proposed research methodology, data analysis tools expected to be used, and other details to describe your proposed methodology.   

Research Proposal Example  

Here is a research proposal sample template (with examples) from the University of Rochester Medical Center. 4 The sections in all research proposals are essentially the same although different terminology and other specific sections may be used depending on the subject.  

Structure of a Research Proposal  

If you want to know how to make a research proposal impactful, include the following components:¹  

1. Introduction  

This section provides a background of the study, including the research topic, what is already known about it and the gaps, and the significance of the proposed research.  

2. Literature review  

This section contains descriptions of all the previous relevant studies pertaining to the research topic. Every study cited should be described in a few sentences, starting with the general studies to the more specific ones. This section builds on the understanding gained by readers in the Introduction section and supports it by citing relevant prior literature, indicating to readers that you have thoroughly researched your subject.  

3. Objectives  

Once the background and gaps in the research topic have been established, authors must now state the aims of the research clearly. Hypotheses should be mentioned here. This section further helps readers understand what your study’s specific goals are.  

4. Research design and methodology  

Here, authors should clearly describe the methods they intend to use to achieve their proposed objectives. Important components of this section include the population and sample size, data collection and analysis methods and duration, statistical analysis software, measures to avoid bias (randomization, blinding), etc.  

5. Ethical considerations  

This refers to the protection of participants’ rights, such as the right to privacy, right to confidentiality, etc. Researchers need to obtain informed consent and institutional review approval by the required authorities and mention this clearly for transparency.  

6. Budget/funding  

Researchers should prepare their budget and include all expected expenditures. An additional allowance for contingencies such as delays should also be factored in.  

7. Appendices  

This section typically includes information that supports the research proposal and may include informed consent forms, questionnaires, participant information, measurement tools, etc.  

8. Citations  

Important Tips for Writing a Research Proposal  

Writing a research proposal begins much before the actual task of writing. Planning the research proposal structure and content is an important stage, which if done efficiently, can help you seamlessly transition into the writing stage. 3,5  

The Planning Stage  

• Manage your time efficiently. Plan to have the draft version ready at least two weeks before your deadline and the final version at least two to three days before the deadline.
• What is the primary objective of your research?  
• Will your research address any existing gap?  
• What is the impact of your proposed research?  
• Do people outside your field find your research applicable in other areas?  
• If your research is unsuccessful, would there still be other useful research outcomes?  

  The Writing Stage  

• Create an outline with main section headings that are typically used.  
• Focus only on writing and getting your points across without worrying about the format of the research proposal , grammar, punctuation, etc. These can be fixed during the subsequent passes. Add details to each section heading you created in the beginning.   
• Ensure your sentences are concise and use plain language. A research proposal usually contains about 2,000 to 4,000 words or four to seven pages.  
• Don’t use too many technical terms and abbreviations assuming that the readers would know them. Define the abbreviations and technical terms.  
• Ensure that the entire content is readable. Avoid using long paragraphs because they affect the continuity in reading. Break them into shorter paragraphs and introduce some white space for readability.  
• Focus on only the major research issues and cite sources accordingly. Don’t include generic information or their sources in the literature review.  
• Proofread your final document to ensure there are no grammatical errors so readers can enjoy a seamless, uninterrupted read.  
• Use academic, scholarly language because it brings formality into a document.  
• Ensure that your title is created using the keywords in the document and is neither too long and specific nor too short and general.  
• Cite all sources appropriately to avoid plagiarism.  
• Make sure that you follow guidelines, if provided. This includes rules as simple as using a specific font or a hyphen or en dash between numerical ranges.  
• Ensure that you’ve answered all questions requested by the evaluating authority.  

Key Takeaways   

Here’s a summary of the main points about research proposals discussed in the previous sections:  

• A research proposal is a document that outlines the details of a proposed study and is created by researchers to submit to evaluators who could be research institutions, universities, faculty, etc.  
• Research proposals are usually about 2,000-4,000 words long, but this depends on the evaluating authority’s guidelines.  
• A good research proposal ensures that you’ve done your background research and assessed the feasibility of the research.  
• Research proposals have the following main sections—introduction, literature review, objectives, methodology, ethical considerations, and budget.  

Frequently Asked Questions  

Q1. How is a research proposal evaluated?  

A1. In general, most evaluators, including universities, broadly use the following criteria to evaluate research proposals . 6  

• Significance —Does the research address any important subject or issue, which may or may not be specific to the evaluator or university?  
• Content and design —Is the proposed methodology appropriate to answer the research question? Are the objectives clear and well aligned with the proposed methodology?  
• Sample size and selection —Is the target population or cohort size clearly mentioned? Is the sampling process used to select participants randomized, appropriate, and free of bias?  
• Timing —Are the proposed data collection dates mentioned clearly? Is the project feasible given the specified resources and timeline?  
• Data management and dissemination —Who will have access to the data? What is the plan for data analysis?  

Q2. What is the difference between the Introduction and Literature Review sections in a research proposal ?  

A2. The Introduction or Background section in a research proposal sets the context of the study by describing the current scenario of the subject and identifying the gaps and need for the research. A Literature Review, on the other hand, provides references to all prior relevant literature to help corroborate the gaps identified and the research need.  

Q3. How long should a research proposal be?  

A3. Research proposal lengths vary with the evaluating authority like universities or committees and also the subject. Here’s a table that lists the typical research proposal lengths for a few universities.  

Q4. What are the common mistakes to avoid in a research proposal ?  

A4. Here are a few common mistakes that you must avoid while writing a research proposal . 7  

• No clear objectives: Objectives should be clear, specific, and measurable for the easy understanding among readers.  
• Incomplete or unconvincing background research: Background research usually includes a review of the current scenario of the particular industry and also a review of the previous literature on the subject. This helps readers understand your reasons for undertaking this research because you identified gaps in the existing research.  
• Overlooking project feasibility: The project scope and estimates should be realistic considering the resources and time available.   
• Neglecting the impact and significance of the study: In a research proposal , readers and evaluators look for the implications or significance of your research and how it contributes to the existing research. This information should always be included.  
• Unstructured format of a research proposal : A well-structured document gives confidence to evaluators that you have read the guidelines carefully and are well organized in your approach, consequently affirming that you will be able to undertake the research as mentioned in your proposal.  
• Ineffective writing style: The language used should be formal and grammatically correct. If required, editors could be consulted, including AI-based tools such as Paperpal , to refine the research proposal structure and language.  

Thus, a research proposal is an essential document that can help you promote your research and secure funds and grants for conducting your research. Consequently, it should be well written in clear language and include all essential details to convince the evaluators of your ability to conduct the research as proposed.  

This article has described all the important components of a research proposal and has also provided tips to improve your writing style. We hope all these tips will help you write a well-structured research proposal to ensure receipt of grants or any other purpose.  

References  

• Sudheesh K, Duggappa DR, Nethra SS. How to write a research proposal? Indian J Anaesth. 2016;60(9):631-634. Accessed July 15, 2024. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5037942/  
• Writing research proposals. Harvard College Office of Undergraduate Research and Fellowships. Harvard University. Accessed July 14, 2024. https://uraf.harvard.edu/apply-opportunities/app-components/essays/research-proposals  
• What is a research proposal? Plus how to write one. Indeed website. Accessed July 17, 2024. https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/research-proposal  
• Research proposal template. University of Rochester Medical Center. Accessed July 16, 2024. https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/MediaLibraries/URMCMedia/pediatrics/research/documents/Research-proposal-Template.pdf  
• Tips for successful proposal writing. Johns Hopkins University. Accessed July 17, 2024. https://research.jhu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Tips-for-Successful-Proposal-Writing.pdf  
• Formal review of research proposals. Cornell University. Accessed July 18, 2024. https://irp.dpb.cornell.edu/surveys/survey-assessment-review-group/research-proposals  
• 7 Mistakes you must avoid in your research proposal. Aveksana (via LinkedIn). Accessed July 17, 2024. https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/7-mistakes-you-must-avoid-your-research-proposal-aveksana-cmtwf/  

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How to Write a Research Paper [Steps & Examples]

As a student, you are often required to complete numerous academic tasks, which can demand a lot of extra effort. Writing a research paper is one of these tasks. If researching for the topic isn't challenging enough, writing it down in a specific format adds another layer of difficulty. Having gone through this myself, I want to help you have a smoother journey in writing your research paper. I'll guide you through everything you need to know about writing a research paper, including how to write a research paper and all the necessary factors you need to consider while writing one.

Order for Preparation of your research paper

Before beginning your research paper, start planning how you will organize your paper. Follow the specific order I have laid out to ensure you assemble everything correctly, cover all necessary components, and write more effectively. This method will help you avoid missing important elements and improve the overall quality of your paper.

Figures and Tables

Assemble all necessary visual aids to support your data and findings. Ensure they are labeled correctly and referenced appropriately in your text.

Detail the procedures and techniques used in your research. This section should be thorough enough to allow others to replicate your study.

Summarize the findings of your research without interpretation. Use figures and tables to illustrate your data clearly.

Interpret the results, discussing their implications and how they relate to your research question. Address any limitations and suggest areas for future research.

Summarize the key points of your research, restating the significance of your findings and their broader impact.

Introduction

Introduce the topic, provide background information, and state the research problem or hypothesis. Explain the purpose and scope of your study.

Write a concise summary of your research, including the objective, methods, results, and conclusion. Keep it brief and to the point.

Create a clear and informative title that accurately reflects the content and focus of your research paper.

Identify key terms related to your research that will help others find your paper in searches.

Acknowledgements

Thank those who contributed to your research, including funding sources, advisors, and any other significant supporters.

Compile a complete list of all sources cited in your paper, formatted according to the required citation style. Ensure every reference is accurate and complete.

Types of Research Papers

There are multiple types of research papers, each with distinct characteristics, purposes, and structures. Knowing which type of research paper is required for your assignment is crucial, as each demands different preparation and writing strategies. Here, we will delve into three prominent types: argumentative, analytical, and compare and contrast papers. We will discuss their characteristics, suitability, and provide detailed examples to illustrate their application.

A.Argumentative Papers

Characteristics:

An argumentative or persuasive paper is designed to present a balanced view of a controversial issue, but ultimately aims to persuade the reader to adopt the writer's perspective. The key characteristics of this type of paper include:

Purpose: The primary goal is to convince the reader to support a particular stance on an issue. This is achieved by presenting arguments, evidence, and refuting opposing viewpoints.

Structure: Typically structured into an introduction, a presentation of both sides of the issue, a refutation of the opposing arguments, and a conclusion that reinforces the writer’s position.

Tone: While the tone should be logical and factual, it should not be overly emotional. Arguments must be supported with solid evidence, such as statistics, expert opinions, and factual data.

Suitability:

Argumentative papers are suitable for topics that have clear, opposing viewpoints. They are often used in debates, policy discussions, and essays aimed at influencing public opinion or academic discourse.

Topic: "Should governments implement universal basic income?"

Pro Side: Universal basic income provides financial security, reduces poverty, and can lead to a more equitable society.

Con Side: It could discourage work, lead to higher government expenditure, and might not be a sustainable long-term solution.

Argument: After presenting both sides, the paper would argue that the benefits of reducing poverty and financial insecurity outweigh the potential drawbacks, using evidence from various studies and real-world examples.

Writing Tips:

Clearly articulate your position on the issue from the beginning.

Present balanced arguments by including credible sources that support both sides.

Refute counterarguments effectively with logical reasoning and evidence.

Maintain a factual and logical tone, avoiding excessive emotional appeals.

B.Analytical Papers

An analytical research paper is focused on breaking down a topic into its core components, examining various perspectives, and drawing conclusions based on this analysis. The main characteristics include:

Purpose: To pose a research question, collect data from various sources, analyze different viewpoints, and synthesize the information to arrive at a personal conclusion.

Structure: Includes an introduction with a clear research question, a literature review that summarizes existing research, a detailed analysis, and a conclusion that summarizes findings.

Tone: Objective and neutral, avoiding personal bias or opinion. The focus is on data and logical analysis.

Analytical research papers are ideal for topics that require detailed examination and evaluation of various aspects. They are common in disciplines such as social sciences, humanities, and natural sciences, where deep analysis of existing research is crucial.

Topic: "The impact of social media on mental health."

Research Question: How does social media usage affect mental well-being among teenagers?

Analysis: Examine studies that show both positive (e.g., social support) and negative (e.g., anxiety and depression) impacts of social media. Analyze the methodologies and findings of these studies.

Conclusion: Based on the analysis, conclude whether the overall impact is more beneficial or harmful, remaining neutral and presenting evidence without personal bias.

Maintain an objective and neutral tone throughout the paper.

Synthesize information from multiple sources, ensuring a comprehensive analysis.

Develop a clear thesis based on the findings from your analysis.

Avoid inserting personal opinions or biases.

C.Compare and Contrast Papers

Compare and contrast papers are used to analyze the similarities and differences between two or more subjects. The key characteristics include:

Purpose: To identify and examine the similarities and differences between two or more subjects, providing a comprehensive understanding of their relationship.

Structure: Can be organized in two ways:

Point-by-Point: Each paragraph covers a specific point of comparison or contrast.

Subject-by-Subject: Each subject is discussed separately, followed by a comparison or contrast.

Tone: Informative and balanced, aiming to provide a thorough and unbiased comparison.

Compare and contrast papers are suitable for topics where it is important to understand the distinctions and similarities between elements. They are commonly used in literature, history, and various comparative studies.

Topic: "Compare and contrast the leadership styles of Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X."

Comparison Points: Philosophies (non-violence vs. militant activism), methods (peaceful protests vs. more radical approaches), and impacts on the Civil Rights Movement.

Analysis: Describe each leader's philosophy and method, then analyze how these influenced their effectiveness and legacy.

Conclusion: Summarize the key similarities and differences, and discuss how both leaders contributed uniquely to the movement.

Provide equal and balanced coverage to each subject.

Use clear criteria for comparison, ensuring logical and coherent analysis.

Highlight both similarities and differences, ensuring a nuanced understanding of the subjects.

Maintain an informative tone, focusing on objective analysis rather than personal preference.

How to Write A Research Paper [Higher Efficiency & Better Results]

Conduct Preliminary Research

Before we get started with the research, it's important to gather relevant information related to it. This process, also known as the primary research method, helps researchers gain preliminary knowledge about the topic and identify research gaps. Whenever I begin researching a topic, I usually utilize Google and Google Scholar. Another excellent resource for conducting primary research is campus libraries, as they provide a wealth of great articles that can assist with your research.

Now, let's see how WPS Office and AIPal can be great research partners:

Let's say that I have some PDFs which I have gathered from different sources. With WPS Office, these PDFs can be directly uploaded not just to extract key points but also to interact with the PDF with special help from WPS AI.

Step 1: Let's open the PDF article or research paper that we have downloaded on WPS Office.

Step 2: Now, click on the WPS AI widget at the top right corner of the screen.

Step 3: This will open the WPS PDF AI pane on the right side of the screen. Click on "Upload".

Step 4: Once the upload is complete, WPS PDF AI will return with the key points from the PDF article, which can then be copied to a fresh new document on WPS Writer.

Step 5: To interact further with the document, click on the "Inquiry" tab to talk with WPS AI and get more information on the contents of the PDF.

Research is incomplete without a Google search, but what exactly should you search for? AIPal can help you with these answers. AIPal is a Chrome extension that can help researchers make their Google searches and interactions with Chrome more effective and efficient. If you haven't installed AIPal on Chrome yet, go ahead and download the extension; it's completely free to use:

Step 1: Let's search for a term on Google related to our research.

Step 2: An AIPal widget will appear right next to the Google search bar, click on it.

Step 3: Upon clicking it, an AIPal window will pop up. In this window, you will find a more refined answer for your searched term, along with links most relevant to your search, providing a more refined search experience.

WPS AI can also be used to extract more information with the help of WPS Writer.

Step 1: We might have some information saved in a Word document, either from lectures or during preliminary research. We can use WPS AI within Writer to gain more insights.

Step 2: Select the entire text you want to summarize or understand better.

Step 3: Once the text is selected, a hover menu will appear. Click on the "WPS AI" icon in this menu.

Step 4: From the list of options, click on "Explain" to understand the content more deeply, or click on "Summarize" to shorten the paragraph.

Step 5: The results will be displayed in a small WPS AI window.

Develop the Thesis statement

To develop a strong thesis statement, start by formulating a central question your paper will address. For example, if your topic is about the impact of social media on mental health, your thesis statement might be:

"Social media use has a detrimental effect on mental health by increasing anxiety, depression, and loneliness among teenagers."

This statement is concise, contentious, and sets the stage for your research. With WPS AI, you can use the "Improve" feature to refine your thesis statement, ensuring it is clear, coherent, and impactful.

Write the First draft

Begin your first draft by focusing on maintaining forward momentum and clearly organizing your thoughts. Follow your outline as a guide, but be flexible if new ideas emerge. Here's a brief outline to get you started:

Using WPS AI’s "Make Longer" feature, you can quickly elaborate key ideas and points of your studies and articles into a descriptive format to include in your draft, saving time and ensuring clarity.

Compose Introduction, Body and Conclusion paragraphs

When writing a research paper, it’s essential to transform your key points into detailed, descriptive paragraphs. WPS AI can help you streamline this process by enhancing your key points, ensuring each section of your paper is well-developed and coherent. Here’s how you can use WPS AI to compose your introduction, body, and conclusion paragraphs:

Let's return to the draft and start composing our introduction. The introduction should provide the background of the research paper and introduce readers to what the research paper will explore.

If your introduction feels too brief or lacks depth, use WPS AI’s "Make Longer" feature to expand on key points, adding necessary details and enhancing the overall narrative.

Once the introduction is completed, the next step is to start writing the body paragraphs and the conclusion of our research paper. Remember, the body paragraphs will incorporate everything about your research: methodologies, challenges, results, and takeaways.

If this paragraph is too lengthy or repetitive, WPS AI’s "Make Shorter" feature can help you condense it without losing essential information.

Write the Second Draft

In the second draft, refine your arguments, ensure logical flow, and check for clarity. Focus on eliminating any unnecessary information, ensuring each paragraph supports your thesis statement, and improving transitions between ideas. Incorporate feedback from peers or advisors, and ensure all citations are accurate and properly formatted. The second draft should be more polished and coherent, presenting your research in a clear and compelling manner.

WPS AI’s "Improve Writing" feature can be particularly useful here to enhance the overall quality and readability of your paper.

WPS Spellcheck can assist you in correcting spelling and grammatical errors, ensuring your paper is polished and professional. This tool helps you avoid common mistakes and enhances the readability of your paper, making a significant difference in the overall quality.

Bonus Tips: How to Get Inspiration for your Research Paper- WPS AI

WPS Office is a phenomenal office suite that students find to be a major blessing. Not only is it a free office suite equipped with advanced features that make it competitive in the market, but it also includes a powerful AI that automates and enhances many tasks, including writing a research paper. In addition to improving readability with its AI Proofreader tool, WPS AI offers two features, "Insight" and "Inquiry", that can help you gather information and inspiration for your research paper:

Insight Feature:

The Insight feature provides deep insights and information on various topics and fields. It analyzes literature to extract key viewpoints, trends, and research directions. For instance, if you're writing a research paper on the impact of social media on mental health, you can use the Insight feature to gather a comprehensive overview of the latest studies, key arguments, and emerging trends in this field. This helps you build a solid foundation for your paper and ensure you are covering all relevant aspects.

Inquiry Feature:

The Inquiry feature allows you to ask specific questions related to your research topic. This helps you gather necessary background information and refine your research focus effectively. For example, if you need detailed information on how social media usage affects teenagers' self-esteem, you can use the Inquiry feature to ask targeted questions and receive relevant answers based on the latest research.

FAQs about writing a research paper

1. can any source be used for academic research.

No, it's essential to use credible and relevant sources. Here is why:

Developing a Strong Argument: Your research paper relies on evidence to substantiate its claims. Using unreliable sources can undermine your argument and harm the credibility of your paper.

Avoiding Inaccurate Information: The internet is abundant with data, but not all sources can be considered reliable. Credible sources guarantee accuracy.

2. How can I avoid plagiarism?

To avoid plagiarism, follow these steps:

Keep Records of Your Sources: Maintain a record of all the sources you use while researching. This helps you remember where you found specific ideas or phrases and ensures proper attribution.

Quote and Paraphrase Correctly: When writing a paper, use quotation marks for exact words from a source and cite them properly. When paraphrasing, restate the idea in your own words and include a citation to acknowledge the original source.

Utilize a Plagiarism Checker: Use a plagiarism detection tool before submitting your paper. This will help identify unintentional plagiarism, ensuring your paper is original and properly referenced.

3. How can I cite sources properly?

Adhere to the citation style guide (e.g., APA, MLA) specified by your instructor or journal. Properly citing all sources both within the text and in the bibliography or references section is essential for maintaining academic integrity and providing clear credit to the original authors. This practice also helps readers locate and verify the sources you've used in your research.

4. How long should a research paper be?

The length of a research paper depends on its topic and specific requirements. Generally, research papers vary between 4,000 to 6,000 words, with shorter papers around 2,000 words and longer ones exceeding 10,000 words. Adhering to the length requirements provided for academic assignments is essential. More intricate subjects or extensive research often require more thorough explanations, which can impact the overall length of the paper.

Write Your Research Paper with the Comfort of Using WPS Office

Writing a research paper involves managing numerous complicated tasks, such as ensuring the correct formatting, not missing any crucial information, and having all your data ready. The process of how to write a research paper is inherently challenging. However, if you are a student using WPS Office, the task becomes significantly simpler. WPS Office, especially with the introduction of WPS AI, provides all the resources you need to write the perfect research paper. Download WPS Office today and discover how it can transform your research paper writing experience for the better.

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Dr. Michael Andreae’s Manuscript Wins Best Paper of the Year Award

Anesthesiology department, department of anesthesiology research.

The University of Utah School of Medicine Department of Anesthesiology has research opportunities for students and a research grant program for our academic faculty.

We are thrilled to announce that Dr. Michael Andreae and his research team have been honored with the Best Paper of the Year award by the Journal of Cognitive Engineering and Decision Making for their manuscript titled, "Adapting Cognitive Task Analysis Methods for Use in a Large Sample Simulation Study of High-Risk Healthcare Events." This prestigious award recognizes their exceptional work in the field of medical decision-making.

The manuscript is part of an AHRQ-funded multi-center study led by Dr. Weinger at Vanderbilt University. It delves into the use of cognitive task analysis methods to study decision-making processes during simulated perioperative crises. By adapting cognitive interviews for a large-scale trial involving over 100 anesthesiologists, Dr. Andreae’s team has provided groundbreaking insights into how clinicians navigate high-stakes medical situations.

Congratulations to Dr. Andreae and his team for this outstanding achievement and for advancing our understanding of critical decision-making in healthcare.

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Title: mutual reasoning makes smaller llms stronger problem-solvers.

Abstract: This paper introduces rStar, a self-play mutual reasoning approach that significantly improves reasoning capabilities of small language models (SLMs) without fine-tuning or superior models. rStar decouples reasoning into a self-play mutual generation-discrimination process. First, a target SLM augments the Monte Carlo Tree Search (MCTS) with a rich set of human-like reasoning actions to construct higher quality reasoning trajectories. Next, another SLM, with capabilities similar to the target SLM, acts as a discriminator to verify each trajectory generated by the target SLM. The mutually agreed reasoning trajectories are considered mutual consistent, thus are more likely to be correct. Extensive experiments across five SLMs demonstrate rStar can effectively solve diverse reasoning problems, including GSM8K, GSM-Hard, MATH, SVAMP, and StrategyQA. Remarkably, rStar boosts GSM8K accuracy from 12.51% to 63.91% for LLaMA2-7B, from 36.46% to 81.88% for Mistral-7B, from 74.53% to 91.13% for LLaMA3-8B-Instruct. Code will be available at this https URL .

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Preliminary Application Research on TRIZ Method in the Design and Construction of Luxury Cruise Ship

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• Yongjie Zhang 38 ,
• Yuefan Jiang 38 &
• Yongwen Huang 39  

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• International Conference on SmartRail, Traffic and Transportation Engineering

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The design and construction of large luxury cruise ship is the first in China, and there are many problems when designing, construction and management of domestic cruise ship industry. Under this background, this paper aims to explore the application of TRIZ innovation method in the designing process, construction and management of cruise ship. It uses several TRIZ methods to provide solutions for the designing process and construction of luxury cruise ships. Here is the conclusion of this paper: using TRIZ innovation method can solve the problem when designing and constructing in cruise ship Lastly, TRIZ innovative methods has a wide use in luxury cruise industry to guide people to solve problems creatively.

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Engineering-Ocean Engineering: Findings on ocean engineering detailed by investigators at Shanghai Jiao Tong university (investigation on aerodynamic performance of luxury cruise ship). J. Eng. (2020)

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Li, L., Huang, F., Chen, M.: Preliminary analysis on the construction characteristics of luxury cruise. Shipbuilding Technol. (2014)

Sun, R., Wang, X., Wang, Y., Luo, Y., Yang, G., Ye, X.: Application characteristics and enlightenment of oasis class luxury cruise technology. Ship Eng. (2018)

Sun, L., Jin, Q.: Overall design analysis of luxury cruise. Ship Sea Eng. (2019)

Bao, G., Ou, Y., Song, Y., Zhang, R.: Discussion on the construction of large luxury cruise standard system. China Stand. (2019)

Weng, Y.: Five trends of luxury cruise design concept. China Ship Inspection (2019)

Luo, Y.: Research on System Structure and Design Application of TRIZ Integrated Innovation Method. University of Electronic Science and Technology (2013)

Luo, X., Gan, S.: Structural design difficulties and countermeasures of large luxury cruise. Ship Eng. (2017)

Wu, B., Cao, Y.: Challenges and countermeasures of building luxury cruise ships in Shanghai. Shanghai Manage. Sci. (2014)

Zheng, C.: TRIZ theory and its design model. J. Manage. Eng. (2003)

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Acknowledgement

This work was supported by Special Project on Innovative Methods “integrated application demonstration of innovative methods for the design and construction of large cruise ships (2020IM020200)”.

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School of Civil Aviation, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China

Yongjie Zhang & Yuefan Jiang

Shanghai Waigaoqiao Shipbuilding Co., Ltd., 3001 Zhouhai Road, Pudong New Area, Shanghai, China

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Correspondence to Yuefan Jiang .

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Zhang, Y., Jiang, Y., Huang, Y. (2024). Preliminary Application Research on TRIZ Method in the Design and Construction of Luxury Cruise Ship. In: Jia, L., Easa, S., Qin, Y. (eds) Developments and Applications in SmartRail, Traffic, and Transportation Engineering. ICSTTE 2023. Lecture Notes in Electrical Engineering, vol 1209. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-97-3682-9_59

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