10 page research paper sample

How To Write A Research Paper

Research Paper Example

Research Paper Example - Examples for Different Formats

Published on: Jun 12, 2021

Last updated on: Jul 19, 2024

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Writing a research paper is the most challenging task in a student's academic life. researchers face similar writing process hardships, whether the research paper is to be written for graduate or masters.

A research paper is a writing type in which a detailed analysis, interpretation, and evaluation are made on the topic. It requires not only time but also effort and skills to be drafted correctly.

If you are working on your research paper for the first time, here is a collection of examples that you will need to understand the paper’s format and how its different parts are drafted. Continue reading the article to get free research paper examples.

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Research Paper Example for Different Formats

A research paper typically consists of several key parts, including an introduction, literature review, methodology, results, and annotated bibliography .

When writing a research paper (whether quantitative research or qualitative research ), it is essential to know which format to use to structure your content. Depending on the requirements of the institution, there are mainly four format styles in which a writer drafts a research paper:

Let’s look into each format in detail to understand the fundamental differences and similarities.

Research Paper Example APA

If your instructor asks you to provide a research paper in an APA format, go through the example given below and understand the basic structure. Make sure to follow the format throughout the paper.

APA Research Paper Sample (PDF)

Research Paper Example MLA

Another widespread research paper format is MLA. A few institutes require this format style as well for your research paper. Look at the example provided of this format style to learn the basics.

MLA Research Paper Sample (PDF)

Research Paper Example Chicago

Unlike MLA and APA styles, Chicago is not very common. Very few institutions require this formatting style research paper, but it is essential to learn it. Look at the example given below to understand the formatting of the content and citations in the research paper.

Chicago Research Paper Sample (PDF)

Research Paper Example Harvard

Learn how a research paper through Harvard formatting style is written through this example. Carefully examine how the cover page and other pages are structured.

Harvard Research Paper Sample (PDF)

Examples for Different Research Paper Parts

A research paper is based on different parts. Each part plays a significant role in the overall success of the paper. So each chapter of the paper must be drafted correctly according to a format and structure.

Below are examples of how different sections of the research paper are drafted.

Research Proposal Example

A research proposal is a plan that describes what you will investigate, its significance, and how you will conduct the study.

Research Proposal Sample (PDF)

Abstract Research Paper Example

An abstract is an executive summary of the research paper that includes the purpose of the research, the design of the study, and significant research findings.

It is a small section that is based on a few paragraphs. Following is an example of the abstract to help you draft yours professionally.

Abstract Research Paper Sample (PDF)

Literature Review Research Paper Example

A literature review in a research paper is a comprehensive summary of the previous research on your topic. It studies sources like books, articles, journals, and papers on the relevant research problem to form the basis of the new research.

Writing this section of the research paper perfectly is as important as any part of it.

Literature Review in Research Sample (PDF)

Methods Section of Research Paper Example

The method section comes after the introduction of the research paper that presents the process of collecting data. Basically, in this section, a researcher presents the details of how your research was conducted.

Methods Section in Research Sample (PDF)

Research Paper Conclusion Example

The conclusion is the last part of your research paper that sums up the writer’s discussion for the audience and leaves an impression. This is how it should be drafted:

Research Paper Conclusion Sample

Research Paper Examples for Different Fields

The research papers are not limited to a particular field. They can be written for any discipline or subject that needs a detailed study.

In the following section, various research paper examples are given to show how they are drafted for different subjects.

Science Research Paper Example

Are you a science student that has to conduct research? Here is an example for you to draft a compelling research paper for the field of science.

Science Research Paper Sample (PDF)

History Research Paper Example

Conducting research and drafting a paper is not only bound to science subjects. Other subjects like history and arts require a research paper to be written as well. Observe how research papers related to history are drafted.

History Research Paper Sample (PDF)

Psychology Research Paper Example

If you are a psychology student, look into the example provided in the research paper to help you draft yours professionally.

Psychology Research Paper Sample (PDF)

Research Paper Example for Different Levels

Writing a research paper is based on a list of elements. If the writer is not aware of the basic elements, the process of writing the paper will become daunting. Start writing your research paper taking the following steps:

• Choose a topic
• Form a strong thesis statement
• Conduct research
• Develop a research paper outline

Once you have a plan in your hand, the actual writing procedure will become a piece of cake for you.

No matter which level you are writing a research paper for, it has to be well structured and written to guarantee you better grades.

If you are a college or a high school student, the examples in the following section will be of great help.

Research Paper Outline (PDF)

Research Paper Example for College

Pay attention to the research paper example provided below. If you are a college student, this sample will help you understand how a winning paper is written.

College Research Paper Sample (PDF)

Research Paper Example for High School

Expert writers of CollegeEssay.org have provided an excellent example of a research paper for high school students. If you are struggling to draft an exceptional paper, go through the example provided.

High School Research Paper Sample (PDF)

Examples are essential when it comes to academic assignments. If you are a student and aim to achieve good grades in your assignments, it is suggested to get help from  CollegeEssay.org .

We are the best writing company that delivers essay help for students by providing free samples and writing assistance.

Professional writers have your back, whether you are looking for guidance in writing a lab report, college essay, or research paper.

Simply hire a writer by placing your order at the most reasonable price. You can also take advantage of our essay writer to enhance your writing skills.

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10 Page Research Paper Outline

• Research Paper Writing

At some point along your academic journey, your college instructors will require you to demonstrate good research paper writing skills.

The research paper is usually considered a higher level of writing that demands high competency and skills levels.

A good understanding of the steps for writing a research paper come in handy.

Organization

1. it enhances organization, 2. it helps avoid stagnation, 3. it helps in alignment, 4. it helps produce in-depth work, 5. it enhances motivation, 6. it acts as schedule, introduction (2 paragraphs: 125-140 words per paragraph), body (18 paragraphs: 3 sections, 6 paragraphs each), conclusion (2 paragraphs), introduction, summary of a 10 page research paper outline template, topic: lead poisoning.

• Step 1: Choosing the Topic[nbsp]

Step 2: Determining the Research Problem

Step 3: determining the audience, step 4: conducting research, step 5: creating the main category, step 6: creating the subcategories.

Note that one key element of research paper writing is proper organization.

In such organization, there is a particularly focus on the appropriate research paper format.

This organization is the basis of a well-developed research paper. An organized research paper should:

• Be focused on a thesis statement
• Use sources to support the thesis
• Apply different sources to use different ideas and information to support an argument
• Cite the sources used

Usually, a 10 page research paper should be crafted in a manner that optimizes the respective research paper topics.

This involves adopting an organization that enhances effective articulation of the different ideas supporting the research topics.

Such organization can be realized through the 10 page research paper outline.

It is important to note that college research papers could assume different formats.

Particularly, research papers in business and social sciences are likely to adopt different research paper formats from those in life and physical sciences.

Accordingly, the 10 page research paper outline is more common among business and social science research papers.

Importance of a 10 Page Research Paper Outline

The 10 page research paper outline plays an important role in developing the appropriate research paper format.

Adhering to this outline is likely to accord you some advantages throughout the process of writing your college research paper.

Some of these advantages include:

The outline is central to organization of ideas in the research paper.

Such organization helps to enhance the coherence of ideas in the research paper.

In this, the outline acts as a guide on the ideas to be included, how they will be developed, and their sequence.

It is acts as a solid guide on how to writer your college research paper.

The 10 page research paper outline is very effective in reducing incidences where you are likely to get stuck when writing the college research paper.

This is because it facilitates the development of a structure on how to navigate through the target research paper topics.

The outline is key in ensuring that you remain on course when writing the research paper.

Herein, it can act as research paper template that guides you through the writing process to ensure you remain within the context of the entailed research paper topics.

The outline comes in handy when you want to evaluate different perspectives in the research paper.

It is important to note that a good research paper should evaluate different ideas within a particular context.

As such, by relying on the outline, you can easily determine the most appropriate approach in the analysis of these perspectives.

The 10 page research paper outline can help you remain focused and motivated throughout the college research paper writing process.

With the outline, it is possible subdivide the research paper into sections and milestones, where achievement of each milestone can act as a source of motivation.

As noted above, the outline can be used to mark respective milestones in the writing process.

You can use it to mark and adhere to deadlines on the different tasks requisite to the whole writing process.

Note that in some cases, you may be required to submit the work in bits.

Structure of a 10-Page Research Paper

Breaking a 10-page research paper into smaller sections helps make the writing process easy.

Note that hypothetically, a ten-page paper should be between 20 and 22 paragraphs.

This is the same for a 10 pages essay.

So, how should a 10 page paper outline look like?

What sections should you include?

What should be the length of each section?

These are pertinent questions and their answers are explored below.

As evidenced in a typical 10 page research paper example, a research paper should have 3 main parts, including:

The breakdown of each part is as expounded below:

A 10 page paper outline should have a 2 paragraphs’ introduction.

An ideal paragraph should be about 125 words.

In some cases, it could be as much as 140 words.

As shown in a typical 10 page research paper example, the introduction should be between 250 and 280 words in total.

The first paragraph should:

• Stipulate the research question
• Provide a brief background and
• Explain what requires to be interpreted

The second paragraph should:

• Explain how the 10 page paper will answer the research question
• Highlight the thesis statement (in one sentence)  

The body of a 10 page essay or research paper should be divided into about 3 sections.

Accordingly, each section in a good 10 page paper outline should have up to 6 paragraphs.

• Section III

Section I could focus on one position of the argument.

Section II could explore the opposing position.

Section III could expound on how the conflict between the two positions was resolved.

Each paragraph of a 10 page paper body should begin with a topic sentence that aligns with both the section’s point/ argument and the research paper’s thesis.

To make writing easy and coherent, you should create a 10 page paper outline with about 18 topic sentences (6 for each section).  

As reflected in a good 10 page research paper example, the conclusion should have two paragraphs (125- 140 words each).

• Reiterate the thesis
• Show why the thesis presented the most effective way of exploring the evidence presented in the body.

The second paragraph should explain:

• Why the argument matters
• How the research paper and derived interpretations help understand the issue under study

Template of a 10 Page Research Paper Outline

A good research paper is founded on a solid template. The research paper template looks at different parts of the research paper.

Precisely, the template of a 10 page research paper outline covers three key areas. These areas include:

The introduction is usually two paragraphs in length. It encompasses a brief story about the entailed research paper topic, where it stipulates the reason why the story requires exploration.

The body should encompass different parts with clear subheadings.

For a 10 page research paper outline, the body could be in as many parts as 4, 5, or even more, depending on the number of ideas being advanced and their requisite depth. [nbsp]

The conclusion should be 2 paragraphs long. The first paragraph should recapture the thesis statement in relation to the evidence adduced in the college research paper.

On the other hand, the second paragraph should explain why the paper’s argument(s) is/are characteristic to the understanding of the entailed phenomenon.

General overview of the topic

Statement of relevance

Thesis statement

Transition to the first Body paragraph

Key argument #1

Topic sentence

Evidence (quote)[nbsp]

Transition to the next Body paragraph

Key argument #2

Evidence (quote)

Key argument #3

Transition to the Conclusion

Restatement of the thesis statement

Summary of the key points

Food for thought

Bibliography

Sample Research Paper Template

-Lead poisoning definition

-Importance of the study

-Key terms and their definitions

-Symptoms of lead poisoning

-Effects of lead poisoning

-Treatments for lead poisoning

-Summary of key points

-Recommendations (Handling lead poisoning hazards).

Steps in Developing a 10 Page Research Paper Outline

Developing the 10 page research paper outline is a systematic process. The process is defined by numerous steps as illustrated below.

Step 1: Choosing the Topic [nbsp]

This step requires you to identify the topic to write about or issue to investigate.

It is important to ensure that you choose a topic that is interesting to you. Where the topic is chosen for you, you can go ahead and determine the viewpoint you intend to assume.

After selecting the research topic, it is time to identify the main argument in your research paper.

This entails the point around which the research paper will be built around. To do this, you should sum up the point in a single short phrase.

Developing a good 10 page research paper outline requires you to clearly identify your target audience.

It is important to ensure that the target audience will relate with or appreciate your point of view.

A good outline must be founded on in-depth research. This research is supposed to give you a thorough idea on all issues relating to your topic.

In this step, you should investigate and note down different views about the topic. Collect adequate evidence on all these views.

With details on the topic, it is time to create the key categories that characterize the 10 page research paper outline.

This requires you to note down each of the major points you intend to cover in the research paper. These points should derive from the research earlier conducted.

This step entails developing a list of different points meant to support the major points.

The number of subcategories should be determined by the amount of details you intend to provide in the major points.

Sample Papers

This page contains sample papers formatted in seventh edition APA Style. The sample papers show the format that authors should use to submit a manuscript for publication in a professional journal and that students should use to submit a paper to an instructor for a course assignment. You can download the Word files to use as templates and edit them as needed for the purposes of your own papers.

Most guidelines in the Publication Manual apply to both professional manuscripts and student papers. However, there are specific guidelines for professional papers versus student papers, including professional and student title page formats. All authors should check with the person or entity to whom they are submitting their paper (e.g., publisher or instructor) for guidelines that are different from or in addition to those specified by APA Style.

Sample papers from the Publication Manual

The following two sample papers were published in annotated form in the Publication Manual and are reproduced here as PDFs for your ease of use. The annotations draw attention to content and formatting and provide the relevant sections of the Publication Manual (7th ed.) to consult for more information.

• Student sample paper with annotations (PDF, 5MB)
• Professional sample paper with annotations (PDF, 2.7MB)

We also offer these sample papers in Microsoft Word (.docx) format with the annotations as comments to the text.

• Student sample paper with annotations as comments (DOCX, 42KB)
• Professional sample paper with annotations as comments (DOCX, 103KB)

Finally, we offer these sample papers in Microsoft Word (.docx) format without the annotations.

• Student sample paper without annotations (DOCX, 36KB)
• Professional sample paper without annotations (DOCX, 96KB)

Sample professional paper templates by paper type

These sample papers demonstrate APA Style formatting standards for different professional paper types. Professional papers can contain many different elements depending on the nature of the work. Authors seeking publication should refer to the journal’s instructions for authors or manuscript submission guidelines for specific requirements and/or sections to include.

• Literature review professional paper template (DOCX, 47KB)
• Mixed methods professional paper template (DOCX, 68KB)
• Qualitative professional paper template (DOCX, 72KB)
• Quantitative professional paper template (DOCX, 77KB)
• Review professional paper template (DOCX, 112KB)

Sample papers are covered in the seventh edition APA Style manuals in the Publication Manual Chapter 2 and the Concise Guide Chapter 1

Related handouts

• Heading Levels Template: Student Paper (PDF, 257KB)
• Heading Levels Template: Professional Paper (PDF, 213KB)

Other instructional aids

• Journal Article Reporting Standards (JARS)
• APA Style Tutorials and Webinars
• Handouts and Guides
• Paper Format

View all instructional aids

Sample student paper templates by paper type

These sample papers demonstrate APA Style formatting standards for different student paper types. Students may write the same types of papers as professional authors (e.g., quantitative studies, literature reviews) or other types of papers for course assignments (e.g., reaction or response papers, discussion posts), dissertations, and theses.

APA does not set formal requirements for the nature or contents of an APA Style student paper. Students should follow the guidelines and requirements of their instructor, department, and/or institution when writing papers. For instance, an abstract and keywords are not required for APA Style student papers, although an instructor may request them in student papers that are longer or more complex. Specific questions about a paper being written for a course assignment should be directed to the instructor or institution assigning the paper.

• Discussion post student paper template (DOCX, 31KB)
• Literature review student paper template (DOCX, 37KB)
• Quantitative study student paper template (DOCX, 53KB)

Sample papers in real life

Although published articles differ in format from manuscripts submitted for publication or student papers (e.g., different line spacing, font, margins, and column format), articles published in APA journals provide excellent demonstrations of APA Style in action.

APA journals began publishing papers in seventh edition APA Style in 2020. Professional authors should check the author submission guidelines for the journal to which they want to submit their paper for any journal-specific style requirements.

Credits for sample professional paper templates

Quantitative professional paper template: Adapted from “Fake News, Fast and Slow: Deliberation Reduces Belief in False (but Not True) News Headlines,” by B. Bago, D. G. Rand, and G. Pennycook, 2020, Journal of Experimental Psychology: General , 149 (8), pp. 1608–1613 ( https://doi.org/10.1037/xge0000729 ). Copyright 2020 by the American Psychological Association.

Qualitative professional paper template: Adapted from “‘My Smartphone Is an Extension of Myself’: A Holistic Qualitative Exploration of the Impact of Using a Smartphone,” by L. J. Harkin and D. Kuss, 2020, Psychology of Popular Media , 10 (1), pp. 28–38 ( https://doi.org/10.1037/ppm0000278 ). Copyright 2020 by the American Psychological Association.

Mixed methods professional paper template: Adapted from “‘I Am a Change Agent’: A Mixed Methods Analysis of Students’ Social Justice Value Orientation in an Undergraduate Community Psychology Course,” by D. X. Henderson, A. T. Majors, and M. Wright, 2019,  Scholarship of Teaching and Learning in Psychology , 7 (1), 68–80. ( https://doi.org/10.1037/stl0000171 ). Copyright 2019 by the American Psychological Association.

Literature review professional paper template: Adapted from “Rethinking Emotions in the Context of Infants’ Prosocial Behavior: The Role of Interest and Positive Emotions,” by S. I. Hammond and J. K. Drummond, 2019, Developmental Psychology , 55 (9), pp. 1882–1888 ( https://doi.org/10.1037/dev0000685 ). Copyright 2019 by the American Psychological Association.

Review professional paper template: Adapted from “Joining the Conversation: Teaching Students to Think and Communicate Like Scholars,” by E. L. Parks, 2022, Scholarship of Teaching and Learning in Psychology , 8 (1), pp. 70–78 ( https://doi.org/10.1037/stl0000193 ). Copyright 2020 by the American Psychological Association.

Credits for sample student paper templates

These papers came from real students who gave their permission to have them edited and posted by APA.

10 Page Essay: Examples, Topics, & Word Count

What does a ten page essay look like? If you’re a student, you’ve probably asked yourself this question. 10 page essays are usually assigned to check one’s ability to formulate their thoughts. A ten page essay word count is 2450 to 2500 words (12 pt double-spaced). A paper of 10 pages usually consists of 25 to 33 paragraphs.

When choosing a topic for a 10 pages essay, remember that it is quite a short piece. That’s why your topic shouldn’t be too complicated. You might want to focus on football, speeding, COVID-19, or respect.

If you’re searching for 10 page essay examples, look at the list below. We’ve gathered a collection of A+ samples for you to get inspired. Knock them dead!

10-page Essay Examples: 4309 Samples

Problems of everyday addictions in society.

• Subjects: Health & Medicine Public Health
• Words: 3048

Policies and Procedures: Managing Harbor Staff

• Subjects: Business Management
• Words: 2704

The Impact of Globalization in Malaysia

• Subjects: Economics Globalization
• Words: 2857

The Second Industrial Revolution and Its Social Consequence

• Subjects: History World History
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Role of Technology in Business and Advertising

• Subjects: Business Case Study
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Green Consumers and Its Characteristics

• Subjects: Business Marketing
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Cultural and Racial Inequality in Health Care

• Subjects: Health & Medicine Medical Ethics
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McDonald’s Corporation: Analyzing Fast Food Industry

• Subjects: Business Industry
• Words: 2731

Singing River Education Association

• Subjects: Education Study Courses and Education Programs
• Words: 2744

The Evolution of Electricity

• Subjects: Physics Sciences
• Words: 2790

The Question of African Agency in Colonial Courts and Social Conflict

• Subjects: History Western Europe
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The Catholic Church and the Black Death in the 14th Century

• Subjects: History Medieval History
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Marketing the Human Microchip

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Organizational Behavior and Theory

• Subjects: Business Management Theories
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How Can Teachers Teach Critical Thinking?

• Subjects: Education Pedagogical Skills
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Branding as a Significant Business Strategy

• Subjects: Brand Management Business
• Words: 2763

Women in US Armed Forces

• Subjects: Gender Studies Sociology
• Words: 3133

A Modern Cinderella and Other Stories

• Subjects: Comparative Literature Literature
• Words: 2970

Trading on the Stock Markets

• Subjects: Economics Finance
• Words: 2684

Legal & Ethical Issues in Global Business: Shell and Topshop

• Subjects: Business Business Ethics
• Words: 2975

Comparative Analysis of Coca-Cola Company and PepsiCo

• Words: 2829

If Every Person in the World Understood Basic Principles of Psychology, the World Would Be A Better Place

• Subjects: Psychological Principles Psychology
• Words: 2703

Creationism vs. Evolution

• Subjects: Religion Religious Education
• Words: 2746

Contemporary Issues in the Middle East

• Subjects: Asia History
• Words: 3572

History of the Networking Technology

• Subjects: Internet Tech & Engineering
• Words: 2699

McDonald’s: Planned Change Project

• Subjects: Business Strategy
• Words: 3020

Work-Life Balance in the Military

• Words: 2732

The “Great” Humanitarian/Utopianist

• Subjects: Art Musicians
• Words: 2607

Theme of Knowledge in Frankenstein: The Modern Prometheus by Mary Shelley

• Subjects: British Literature Literature
• Words: 2934

Groupthink in a Virtual Environment Work Team

• Words: 2724

The Role of Marketing and Research in Managing Customers and Markets

• Words: 2946

Music in Pre-Reformation and Post-Tridentine Generation

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The Legacy of George W. Bush

• Subjects: American Ex-Presidents History
• Words: 2817

Strawberries History

• Subjects: Biology Sciences
• Words: 1484

Six Creative Positions on Production: The Role and Job Description

• Subjects: Design Fashion
• Words: 2595

Themes in A Farewell to Arms

• Subjects: American Literature Literature
• Words: 2743

Customer Service Coordination

• Words: 2654

US History of US health care

• Subjects: Government Politics & Government
• Words: 2769

Neo-liberalism in Latin America: Brazilian and Cuban Models

• Subjects: History Latin America
• Words: 2845

Improving Economic Opportunity of the US

• Subjects: Economic Systems & Principles Economics
• Words: 2752

Color and Sexual Attraction: The Clothes that People Wear

• Subjects: Psychology Psychology of Abuse
• Words: 2721

The changing nature of US in the global political economy

• Subjects: International Relations Politics & Government
• Words: 2951

The location of hazardous waste facilities in poor communities

• Subjects: Ecology Environment

Business Plan of Creation of Laptop Store Within the Campus

• Subjects: Business Company Missions
• Words: 2526

Advantages and Disadvantages of the Mail Advertising

• Subjects: Entertainment & Media Social Media Advertising
• Words: 2867

Purchasing or Leasing Computer Equipment: Advantages and Disadvantages

• Subjects: Computer Science Tech & Engineering

Should Huck Finn Be Banned in Schools? Huckleberry Finn Should Not Be Banned Essay

• Words: 2756

Theory of the Impacts of Scarcity on Modern Society

• Subjects: Sociological Issues Sociology
• Words: 3112

National Fuel Company

• Subjects: Business Company Analysis
• Words: 2720

Company Analysis

• Words: 2489

The Causes, Characteristics, and Aims of Revolutions

• Subjects: Politics & Government Social & Political Theory
• Words: 2900

The St. Croix Chippewa Ojibwa Indians and the Somali Population

• Subjects: Ethics Sociology
• Words: 2824

The Role of Teacher Improvement in Modern Education

• Subjects: Education Teacher Career
• Words: 2838

The Great Mosque of Cordoba or Mezquita

• Subjects: Design Worldwide Architecture
• Words: 2451

Women and Consumption in Japan

• Words: 2771

Organizational Psychology: Productive and Counterproductive Behaviors

• Subjects: Psychological Issues Psychology
• Words: 2791

Bipolar Disorder: Causes, Symptoms and Facts

• Subjects: Health & Medicine Psychiatry

The Concept of Environmental Sustainability in the Hotel Industry

• Subjects: Business Strategic Management
• Words: 2267

Innocence of Frankenstein’s Monster

• Words: 2984

Urbanization and the Environment

• Words: 2711

Family Influences on the Development of a Child’s Behavior

• Words: 2577

Developing Economy in Russian Federation After World War II

• Words: 2788

Assistive Technology in Education

• Subjects: Education Educational Resources
• Words: 2712

Black Codes, Jim Crow, and Segregation Impact on African Americans in the US

• Subjects: African American Studies History
• Words: 3108

American Education: A Critical Discussion of Values Education Trend

• Subjects: Culture and Education Education
• Words: 2978

Pearl Harbor: The Causes and the Aftermath

• Subjects: Warfare World War II
• Words: 2793

Economic Journal: Current Microeconomic Events

• Subjects: Economics Microeconomics
• Words: 3332

The Effects of Nuclear Weapons on Plants, Animals and Humans

The lightly heavy load: women in colonial america.

• Subjects: History Women Studies
• Words: 2777

North Korea’s and the United States’s International Relations

• Words: 3013

Balance of Power in International Relations

Napoleon bonaparte, his rise and fall.

• Words: 3123

How Technology Affects Our Lives – Essay

• Subjects: Tech & Engineering Technology Effect

The Film “One Flew Over Cuckoo’s Nest”

• Subjects: Entertainment & Media Movies
• Words: 2950

Hokkaido Island of Japan

• Subjects: Geography Sciences

The Role of Human Resource Management in the Implementation of Successful Total Quality Management in Hospitality Industry

• Words: 2825

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• Words: 2875

Overview on the World’s History

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US – Iran Conflict

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• Words: 2683

Historical US Relationships With Native American

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• Words: 1387

Biometric Technologies and Security

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Food Retailing Industry in Turkey: Self-Sufficient Economics

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New York Times vs. Sullivan Case

• Subjects: Entertainment & Media Journalism
• Words: 3189

American Dream and Unfulfilling Reality

• Subjects: Immigration Sociology
• Words: 2397

Recidivism and Incarceration

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How to Create a Structured Research Paper Outline | Example

Published on August 7, 2022 by Courtney Gahan . Revised on August 15, 2023.

A research paper outline is a useful tool to aid in the writing process , providing a structure to follow with all information to be included in the paper clearly organized.

A quality outline can make writing your research paper more efficient by helping to:

• Organize your thoughts
• Understand the flow of information and how ideas are related
• Ensure nothing is forgotten

A research paper outline can also give your teacher an early idea of the final product.

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Table of contents

Research paper outline example, how to write a research paper outline, formatting your research paper outline, language in research paper outlines.

• Definition of measles
• Rise in cases in recent years in places the disease was previously eliminated or had very low rates of infection
• Figures: Number of cases per year on average, number in recent years. Relate to immunization
• Symptoms and timeframes of disease
• Risk of fatality, including statistics
• How measles is spread
• Immunization procedures in different regions
• Different regions, focusing on the arguments from those against immunization
• Immunization figures in affected regions
• High number of cases in non-immunizing regions
• Illnesses that can result from measles virus
• Fatal cases of other illnesses after patient contracted measles
• Summary of arguments of different groups
• Summary of figures and relationship with recent immunization debate
• Which side of the argument appears to be correct?

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Follow these steps to start your research paper outline:

• Decide on the subject of the paper
• Write down all the ideas you want to include or discuss
• Organize related ideas into sub-groups
• Arrange your ideas into a hierarchy: What should the reader learn first? What is most important? Which idea will help end your paper most effectively?
• Create headings and subheadings that are effective
• Format the outline in either alphanumeric, full-sentence or decimal format

There are three different kinds of research paper outline: alphanumeric, full-sentence and decimal outlines. The differences relate to formatting and style of writing.

• Alphanumeric
• Full-sentence

An alphanumeric outline is most commonly used. It uses Roman numerals, capitalized letters, arabic numerals, lowercase letters to organize the flow of information. Text is written with short notes rather than full sentences.

• Sub-point of sub-point 1

Essentially the same as the alphanumeric outline, but with the text written in full sentences rather than short points.

• Additional sub-point to conclude discussion of point of evidence introduced in point A

A decimal outline is similar in format to the alphanumeric outline, but with a different numbering system: 1, 1.1, 1.2, etc. Text is written as short notes rather than full sentences.

• 1.1.1 Sub-point of first point
• 1.1.2 Sub-point of first point
• 1.2 Second point

To write an effective research paper outline, it is important to pay attention to language. This is especially important if it is one you will show to your teacher or be assessed on.

There are four main considerations: parallelism, coordination, subordination and division.

Parallelism: Be consistent with grammatical form

Parallel structure or parallelism is the repetition of a particular grammatical form within a sentence, or in this case, between points and sub-points. This simply means that if the first point is a verb , the sub-point should also be a verb.

Example of parallelism:

• Include different regions, focusing on the different arguments from those against immunization

Coordination: Be aware of each point’s weight

Your chosen subheadings should hold the same significance as each other, as should all first sub-points, secondary sub-points, and so on.

Example of coordination:

• Include immunization figures in affected regions
• Illnesses that can result from the measles virus

Subordination: Work from general to specific

Subordination refers to the separation of general points from specific. Your main headings should be quite general, and each level of sub-point should become more specific.

Example of subordination:

Division: break information into sub-points.

Your headings should be divided into two or more subsections. There is no limit to how many subsections you can include under each heading, but keep in mind that the information will be structured into a paragraph during the writing stage, so you should not go overboard with the number of sub-points.

Ready to start writing or looking for guidance on a different step in the process? Read our step-by-step guide on how to write a research paper .

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How To Write A Research Paper

Step-By-Step Tutorial With Examples + FREE Template

By: Derek Jansen (MBA) | Expert Reviewer: Dr Eunice Rautenbach | March 2024

For many students, crafting a strong research paper from scratch can feel like a daunting task – and rightly so! In this post, we’ll unpack what a research paper is, what it needs to do , and how to write one – in three easy steps. 🙂 

Overview: Writing A Research Paper

What (exactly) is a research paper.

• How to write a research paper
• Stage 1 : Topic & literature search
• Stage 2 : Structure & outline
• Stage 3 : Iterative writing
• Key takeaways

Let’s start by asking the most important question, “ What is a research paper? ”.

Simply put, a research paper is a scholarly written work where the writer (that’s you!) answers a specific question (this is called a research question ) through evidence-based arguments . Evidence-based is the keyword here. In other words, a research paper is different from an essay or other writing assignments that draw from the writer’s personal opinions or experiences. With a research paper, it’s all about building your arguments based on evidence (we’ll talk more about that evidence a little later).

Now, it’s worth noting that there are many different types of research papers , including analytical papers (the type I just described), argumentative papers, and interpretative papers. Here, we’ll focus on analytical papers , as these are some of the most common – but if you’re keen to learn about other types of research papers, be sure to check out the rest of the blog .

With that basic foundation laid, let’s get down to business and look at how to write a research paper .

Overview: The 3-Stage Process

While there are, of course, many potential approaches you can take to write a research paper, there are typically three stages to the writing process. So, in this tutorial, we’ll present a straightforward three-step process that we use when working with students at Grad Coach.

These three steps are:

• Finding a research topic and reviewing the existing literature
• Developing a provisional structure and outline for your paper, and
• Writing up your initial draft and then refining it iteratively

Let’s dig into each of these.

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Step 1: Find a topic and review the literature

As we mentioned earlier, in a research paper, you, as the researcher, will try to answer a question . More specifically, that’s called a research question , and it sets the direction of your entire paper. What’s important to understand though is that you’ll need to answer that research question with the help of high-quality sources – for example, journal articles, government reports, case studies, and so on. We’ll circle back to this in a minute.

The first stage of the research process is deciding on what your research question will be and then reviewing the existing literature (in other words, past studies and papers) to see what they say about that specific research question. In some cases, your professor may provide you with a predetermined research question (or set of questions). However, in many cases, you’ll need to find your own research question within a certain topic area.

Finding a strong research question hinges on identifying a meaningful research gap – in other words, an area that’s lacking in existing research. There’s a lot to unpack here, so if you wanna learn more, check out the plain-language explainer video below.

Once you’ve figured out which question (or questions) you’ll attempt to answer in your research paper, you’ll need to do a deep dive into the existing literature – this is called a “ literature search ”. Again, there are many ways to go about this, but your most likely starting point will be Google Scholar .

If you’re new to Google Scholar, think of it as Google for the academic world. You can start by simply entering a few different keywords that are relevant to your research question and it will then present a host of articles for you to review. What you want to pay close attention to here is the number of citations for each paper – the more citations a paper has, the more credible it is (generally speaking – there are some exceptions, of course).

Ideally, what you’re looking for are well-cited papers that are highly relevant to your topic. That said, keep in mind that citations are a cumulative metric , so older papers will often have more citations than newer papers – just because they’ve been around for longer. So, don’t fixate on this metric in isolation – relevance and recency are also very important.

Beyond Google Scholar, you’ll also definitely want to check out academic databases and aggregators such as Science Direct, PubMed, JStor and so on. These will often overlap with the results that you find in Google Scholar, but they can also reveal some hidden gems – so, be sure to check them out.

Once you’ve worked your way through all the literature, you’ll want to catalogue all this information in some sort of spreadsheet so that you can easily recall who said what, when and within what context. If you’d like, we’ve got a free literature spreadsheet that helps you do exactly that.

Step 2: Develop a structure and outline

With your research question pinned down and your literature digested and catalogued, it’s time to move on to planning your actual research paper .

It might sound obvious, but it’s really important to have some sort of rough outline in place before you start writing your paper. So often, we see students eagerly rushing into the writing phase, only to land up with a disjointed research paper that rambles on in multiple

Now, the secret here is to not get caught up in the fine details . Realistically, all you need at this stage is a bullet-point list that describes (in broad strokes) what you’ll discuss and in what order. It’s also useful to remember that you’re not glued to this outline – in all likelihood, you’ll chop and change some sections once you start writing, and that’s perfectly okay. What’s important is that you have some sort of roadmap in place from the start.

At this stage you might be wondering, “ But how should I structure my research paper? ”. Well, there’s no one-size-fits-all solution here, but in general, a research paper will consist of a few relatively standardised components:

• Introduction
• Literature review
• Methodology

Let’s take a look at each of these.

First up is the introduction section . As the name suggests, the purpose of the introduction is to set the scene for your research paper. There are usually (at least) four ingredients that go into this section – these are the background to the topic, the research problem and resultant research question , and the justification or rationale. If you’re interested, the video below unpacks the introduction section in more detail. 

The next section of your research paper will typically be your literature review . Remember all that literature you worked through earlier? Well, this is where you’ll present your interpretation of all that content . You’ll do this by writing about recent trends, developments, and arguments within the literature – but more specifically, those that are relevant to your research question . The literature review can oftentimes seem a little daunting, even to seasoned researchers, so be sure to check out our extensive collection of literature review content here .

With the introduction and lit review out of the way, the next section of your paper is the research methodology . In a nutshell, the methodology section should describe to your reader what you did (beyond just reviewing the existing literature) to answer your research question. For example, what data did you collect, how did you collect that data, how did you analyse that data and so on? For each choice, you’ll also need to justify why you chose to do it that way, and what the strengths and weaknesses of your approach were.

Now, it’s worth mentioning that for some research papers, this aspect of the project may be a lot simpler . For example, you may only need to draw on secondary sources (in other words, existing data sets). In some cases, you may just be asked to draw your conclusions from the literature search itself (in other words, there may be no data analysis at all). But, if you are required to collect and analyse data, you’ll need to pay a lot of attention to the methodology section. The video below provides an example of what the methodology section might look like.

By this stage of your paper, you will have explained what your research question is, what the existing literature has to say about that question, and how you analysed additional data to try to answer your question. So, the natural next step is to present your analysis of that data . This section is usually called the “results” or “analysis” section and this is where you’ll showcase your findings.

Depending on your school’s requirements, you may need to present and interpret the data in one section – or you might split the presentation and the interpretation into two sections. In the latter case, your “results” section will just describe the data, and the “discussion” is where you’ll interpret that data and explicitly link your analysis back to your research question. If you’re not sure which approach to take, check in with your professor or take a look at past papers to see what the norms are for your programme.

Alright – once you’ve presented and discussed your results, it’s time to wrap it up . This usually takes the form of the “ conclusion ” section. In the conclusion, you’ll need to highlight the key takeaways from your study and close the loop by explicitly answering your research question. Again, the exact requirements here will vary depending on your programme (and you may not even need a conclusion section at all) – so be sure to check with your professor if you’re unsure.

Step 3: Write and refine

Finally, it’s time to get writing. All too often though, students hit a brick wall right about here… So, how do you avoid this happening to you?

Well, there’s a lot to be said when it comes to writing a research paper (or any sort of academic piece), but we’ll share three practical tips to help you get started.

First and foremost , it’s essential to approach your writing as an iterative process. In other words, you need to start with a really messy first draft and then polish it over multiple rounds of editing. Don’t waste your time trying to write a perfect research paper in one go. Instead, take the pressure off yourself by adopting an iterative approach.

Secondly , it’s important to always lean towards critical writing , rather than descriptive writing. What does this mean? Well, at the simplest level, descriptive writing focuses on the “ what ”, while critical writing digs into the “ so what ” – in other words, the implications . If you’re not familiar with these two types of writing, don’t worry! You can find a plain-language explanation here.

Last but not least, you’ll need to get your referencing right. Specifically, you’ll need to provide credible, correctly formatted citations for the statements you make. We see students making referencing mistakes all the time and it costs them dearly. The good news is that you can easily avoid this by using a simple reference manager . If you don’t have one, check out our video about Mendeley, an easy (and free) reference management tool that you can start using today.

Recap: Key Takeaways

We’ve covered a lot of ground here. To recap, the three steps to writing a high-quality research paper are:

• To choose a research question and review the literature
• To plan your paper structure and draft an outline
• To take an iterative approach to writing, focusing on critical writing and strong referencing

Remember, this is just a b ig-picture overview of the research paper development process and there’s a lot more nuance to unpack. So, be sure to grab a copy of our free research paper template to learn more about how to write a research paper.

Can you help me with a full paper template for this Abstract:

Background: Energy and sports drinks have gained popularity among diverse demographic groups, including adolescents, athletes, workers, and college students. While often used interchangeably, these beverages serve distinct purposes, with energy drinks aiming to boost energy and cognitive performance, and sports drinks designed to prevent dehydration and replenish electrolytes and carbohydrates lost during physical exertion.

Objective: To assess the nutritional quality of energy and sports drinks in Egypt.

Material and Methods: A cross-sectional study assessed the nutrient contents, including energy, sugar, electrolytes, vitamins, and caffeine, of sports and energy drinks available in major supermarkets in Cairo, Alexandria, and Giza, Egypt. Data collection involved photographing all relevant product labels and recording nutritional information. Descriptive statistics and appropriate statistical tests were employed to analyze and compare the nutritional values of energy and sports drinks.

Results: The study analyzed 38 sports drinks and 42 energy drinks. Sports drinks were significantly more expensive than energy drinks, with higher net content and elevated magnesium, potassium, and vitamin C. Energy drinks contained higher concentrations of caffeine, sugars, and vitamins B2, B3, and B6.

Conclusion: Significant nutritional differences exist between sports and energy drinks, reflecting their intended uses. However, these beverages’ high sugar content and calorie loads raise health concerns. Proper labeling, public awareness, and responsible marketing are essential to guide safe consumption practices in Egypt.

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How to Write a 10-Page Research Paper

• Writing Research Papers
• Writing Essays
• English Grammar
• M.Ed., Education Administration, University of Georgia
• B.A., History, Armstrong State University

A large research paper assignment can be scary and intimidating. As always, this large assignment becomes more manageable (and less scary) whenever you break it down into digestible bites.

Start Early

The first key to writing a good research paper is starting early. There are a few good reasons to get an early start:

• The best sources for your topic might be taken by other students, or they might be located in a faraway library.
• It will take time to read the sources and write those note cards.
• You will find that every rewrite of your paper makes it better. Give yourself plenty of time to polish your paper.
• If you wait until the last minute, you could find that there is no information available to support your topic or thesis. You might need to find a new topic.

Write in Stages

The timeline below should help you get to the number of pages you desire. The key to writing a long research paper is writing in stages: You will need to establish a general overview first and then identify and write about several subtopics.

The second key to writing a lengthy research paper is to think of the writing process as a cycle. You will alternate researching, writing, reordering, and revising.

You will need to revisit each subtopic to insert your own analysis and arrange the proper order of your paragraphs in the final stages. Be sure to cite all information that is not common knowledge. Consult a style guide to make sure you are always citing properly.

Use a Timeline

Develop your own timeline with the tool below. If possible start the process four weeks before the paper is due.

• Strategies for Writing a 20-Page Paper
• What Is a Senior Thesis?
• Ethos, Logos, Pathos for Persuasion
• Research Note Cards
• What Is a Bibliography?
• How Long Should My Paper Be?
• Creating a Table of Contents
• Research Paper Writing Checklist
• How to Write a Solid Thesis Statement
• How Can You Stretch a Paper to Make it Longer?
• Writing an Annotated Bibliography for a Paper
• Revising a Paper
• Finding Sources for Death Penalty Research
• How to Write a Paper at the Last Minute
• How to Narrow the Research Topic for Your Paper
• 5 Steps to Writing a Position Paper