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Writing & Publishing

Essential Elements of the Academic Research Paper

1. Introduction that explains the focus of your paper, your topic, and how you plan to organize the paper.

  • This doesn’t always mean saying the names of the sections, but rather, how you plan to discuss the topics. 

2. The body

  • Build your essay around points you want to make (i.e., don't let your sources organize your paper).
  • Integrate your sources into your discussion.
  • Summarize, analyze, explain, and evaluate published work rather than merely reporting it.

3. Conclusion

  • Summarize your argument.
  • Move from detailed to general – does your argument have a wider impact?
  • Suggest areas for more study.

5 Commandments of the Academic Research Paper

1. Do some background reading before you settle on a topic.

  • Sometimes the only way to find out what you are interested in is to become familiar with the literature and eliminate what you DON'T want to write about.

2. Create a clear research question; or, if it is more of a discussion paper, a clear topic of discussion.

  • You can use tools like PICO if your topic is more clinically oriented. You could also use the social science standard (you must ask how or why questions). Regardless of the form your question takes, you must make it clear.

3. Do REAL research.

  • Don’t just search the web.

4. Make an actual argument.

  • This is more important in a traditional research paper, as opposed to a discussion paper or a literature review. But all academic research papers must have a reason to exist. If that means linking different studies or making an argument, that will depend on the assignment.

5. Write well.

  • Present your logic, evidence, and discussions in a clear and structured manner. Leave yourself time to revise (at least 24 hours if you can).