The Right Way to Use a Research Paper Example

Example of Introduction in a Research Paper

Let’s consider the most important section of the research paper – the introduction – and give an academic research paper example of the introduction for a student. In this section, we will answer questions on how to write an introduction for a research paper, give an example, and find out what should be in the introduction of a student’s research paper.

To determine how to write an introduction for a research paper, it is necessary to consider the structure and plan for the introduction, as well as correctly formulate the relevance, subject, and object of the research, the purpose and objectives of the project, and the novelty and methods of research. Before we give an example of the formatting of the introduction of a research paper, we will consider in detail each point of the introduction. These examples concern the research papers of scholars and students.

What is reflected in the introduction section?

In the introductory chapter it is necessary to briefly present the main ideas of the research paper! An introduction is the first section of the research project, and is located on the third sheet after the contents page. It reveals the relevance of the topic, the purpose and objectives of the project, the object of research, the hypothesis (which is formulated when there is a practical part in the research paper), and the presence of experiments and observations.

The justification of the relevance of the research paper proves the importance, the novelty, and the need for the results of the conducted research. The goal of a research paper is also formulated with the model of the desired final result of research. It is also important to indicate the specific tasks of a research paper, which will have to be solved in the course of the entire work. In the introduction, you can also indicate the degree of development of this topic, and formulate the planned result of the study.

Structure of the Introduction of a Research Paper

Here is a simple research paper example plan for the introduction for a student:

• Relevance of the research topic
• The problem to which the study is directed
• Object and subject of research
• The purpose of the research paper
• Research tasks
• Hypothesis (assumption)
• The main stages of work, organization
• Methods of research
• Scientific novelty of the study
• Theoretical significance of the work
• Practical significance of the work
• Characteristics of the main sources of information

Each of the items listed above for the introduction is described in the new paragraph without numbering and without formatting in the form of a title. It is desirable to highlight the following words in bold, italic, and underlined font: the relevance of the work, the subject of research, the object of research, the purpose of the research, the research tasks, etc.

The volume of the introduction is usually 1-1.5 pages. This section is formatted in accordance with the rules for the formatting of a research paper. It is recommended to pay special attention to the introduction of a research paper: it is like a business card for your project, which briefly reflects the essence of your topic.

Example of an Abstract in a Research Paper

An abstract is a short summary of what was said, written, or read, concisely outlining the main thesis. An abstract is one of the types of abbreviated forms for the presentation of a research paper. In it, the tasks, hypothesis, original methods, results, conclusions, valuable sources of information used in the work, etc. are summarized.

An abstract includes everything that the researcher considers important, because an abstract is a statement of results of analysis and proof. It is important to emphasize the relevance of the research topic and the reason the author chose it.

The wording in the body of the abstract should be generalized, but informative, giving an opportunity to get acquainted with the content of the whole paper and determine the interest in it. An abstract is a summary of the main ideas of the text; it is not just a statement of the author’s thoughts in his own words, but also the allocation of only essential thoughts in the paper. Having excess volume of text in the abstract points to an inability to clearly and consistently expound a thought.

10 Mandatory Characteristics of a Good Abstract

1. It must accurately and adequately convey the content of the research paper.
2. It should be short and contain only the most important and valuable information.
3. Repetitions, detailed descriptions, and examples should be avoided.
4. After reading the abstract, a person unfamiliar with the research paper must understand the basic thought of the original text.
5. Quoting text from the research paper is not allowed.
6. If possible, the abstract should be written in the present tense.
7. Do not use personal pronouns to avoid confusion.
8. The abstract should not contain sentences that can be interpreted ambiguously.
9. Direct speech is reconstructed into indirect.
10. Personal opinion and self-assessment should not be included in the abstract.

An Abstract for an APA Research Paper Sample

This research paper was carried out on the topic of the impact of alkaline mineral water on the human body. This paper considers the action of mineral water on the human body as a whole, on its physiological processes, health, and the damage that can be caused by alkaline mineral water and its causes. The topic is relevant, as alkaline is in great demand among consumers, and is very popular in the USA, and often people do not know how to drink properly, which can cause serious consequences and disabilities in the body. In the case of excessive intake of mineral substances into the body, their uncontrolled synthesis and new biochemical reactions takes place as the “cocktail principle.”

Hypothesis of the paper: To make alkaline mineral water provide only a positive impact on the human body, it should be drunk properly, and in a reasonable manner. The hypothesis was proved during the research – alkaline mineral water, with proper use, has only a positive impact, and possible harm can be avoided.

The author of the research focuses on:

1. Striving for clarity and simplicity in the presentation of the text.
2. Aiming for a profound study of the topic.
3. Studying of the properties of alkaline mineral water from different points of view, revealing its benefits and harm.
4. Consideration of the properties of alkaline not just as water, but as a curative preventive drug, and the discovery of interesting facts.

A research paper on the topic of the impact of alkaline mineral water on the human body is proposed as a kind of instruction on the usage of alkaline and its properties. With the correct and normalized usage, mineral water has only a positive effect on the human body and the most important organs, and acts as a remedy.

Research Paper Outline Example

In this section, we will review the outline for a student research paper and its main sections for the implementation of individual research activities at high school, college, or university, with focus on writing and formatting of a research project to develop researching and creative skills of students. Also, we will describe in detail the contents of each item of the outline of the research paper and give important explanations and recommendations that will help correctly and competently outline and format the research work. We will try to give answers to questions on how to outline a research paper, give good research paper examples, as well as give each section of the student’s project.

1. Title page. The format of the title page is recommended to be carried out with the advice of the teacher – the head of the research work.
2. The content of the research paper. The content of the research paper is formalized strictly according to the model that you will be given.
3. Introduction section. In the introduction of a research paper, the relevance of the selected topic is substantiated, the object, the subject of research, and the main problems are determined, the goal and content of the tasks are formulated, and the novelty of the research (if any) is stated. Also in the introduction, research methods are determined, and the theoretical and practical significance (if there is a practical part) of the research paper or project is substantiated.
4. Historical background on the project issue. Historical reference on the problem of a research paper or a project is usually taken from the internet (Wikipedia or other resources) or from the literature of libraries and archives.
5. The main section of the research paper or project. Planning and writing a research paper in the main stage includes:

• The search for necessary information as knowledge for the research.
• The choice of ideas and options, and their rationale and analysis.
• Choice of material and methods for conducting research.
• Selection of equipment and organization of the workplace for research (if this is an experience).
• Description of the stages of the study.
• Safety in the performance of work (if this is an experience).

6. Conclusion. A conclusion of a research paper is a summary of the results of a research project – an assessment of the completeness of the solution of the tasks assigned. A conclusion of a research paper consistently outlines the results obtained, determines their correlation with the overall goal and specific tasks formulated in the introduction, and also gives a self-assessment of the work done. In some cases, you can specify ways to continue researching the topic, as well as specific tasks that must be addressed in this case. When planning and drawing up an outline for the research paper, it is very important to conclude the work, as it is necessary to pay special attention to it.
7. Literature used. According to the outline, after the conclusion it is acceptable to place a list of literature used for studying the material of the theoretical part of the research, such as what was conducted on the internet or archives. Each source included in the list should be reflected in the explanatory note. Do not include in this list sources that were not actually used in the research project.
8. Applications. Diagrams, graphs, photographs, tables, and maps are placed in the application section of the research paper. According to the outline, the application section is placed last in a paper. Auxiliary or additional materials that clutter the main body of a paper are placed in the applications section. Each application should start with a new sheet (page) with the word “Application” in the upper right corner and have a thematic title. If there is more than one application in the paper, they are numbered with Arabic numerals, and the numbering of the pages on which the applications are given must continue the general numbering of the main text.
If you clearly adhere to the research outline, your individual or group project will meet all the standards and requirements, and of course will be highly appreciated.

Research Paper Conclusion Example

We have prepared great research paper examples of phrases that you can use in your conclusion.

Conclusions on the chapters

• Based on all of the information provided, we can state …
• All of the stated information gives us the opportunity to draw the following conclusions: …
• Thus, we see …
• Consequently …
• It is obvious that …
• As can be seen from everything said before …
• From the previous information, it follows that …
• Summarizing the information given, it is necessary to note the following …
• Summing up Chapter 2, it is necessary to emphasize …
• Summing up the subtotals, we can say that …
• As a result of the study, we found out that …
• In conclusion, it should be noted …
• The conducted research allowed us to draw the following conclusions …
• The main conclusion made: …
• In the course of the study, it was revealed/found that …
• Thus, we are convinced …
• All of the information provided proves that …
• Based on the information provided, it is logical to assume that …
• All of the information provided convinces us that …
• The most plausible version for us is … because …
• The examples found and analyzed by us allow us to reveal the following regularity: …

Conclusion – prospects for further research

• We see prospects for further research of the problem in a more detailed study …
• In the future it would be interesting …
• In our opinion it would be interesting to study/explore/consider …
• Except …, considered in this paper, in our opinion it would be interesting to study …
• The paper considers only one aspect of the problem.
• Studies in this direction can be continued. It could be a study not only … but also …

Purpose of a paper

• The research can be useful and interesting for students who are addicted …, as well as to all who are interested …
• The results of our study could help students in …
• A paper may be of interest for …
• The results of the research can be used by teachers in the preparation of lessons/competitions/quizzes on the topic …
• The paper can be used for further research …
• With my paper I wanted to draw the attention of my classmates to the problem …
• The practical significance of the research lies in the fact that its results formed the basis for the rules I developed … / memos on … for …

What the paper gave the researcher

• In the process of writing the paper I learned/discovered/found out …
• The paper helped me understand/realize/solve the problem/take a fresh look …
• In the process of work on the study, I gained experience … I think that the knowledge I have gained will allow me to avoid mistakes/help me correctly …
• The results of the research made me think …
• Most of all, I had difficulties …
• The research radically changed my opinion/idea of …

Research Paper Title Examples

In the preparation of a research paper, an appropriate title plays an important role. An interesting and relevant title combined with strong research will draw the attention of the audience while a worn out, well-known topic will look uninteresting. All authors dealing with the problems of science face a similar problem, starting from school, and ending with a PhD.

The common components of any research paper consist of the problem, goal, tasks, object, subject, and topic. The problem involves posing a question that needs to be solved by research. The goal characterizes the desired result. The tasks reflect the steps that must be taken to achieve the goal. An object is the direction of research, reflecting its essence. The subject is part of the object on which a scientific paper is built. The theme for a research paper is a short expression of a single idea of the whole work, a peculiar foreshortening of research.

Competent wording of the topic for a research paper is very important, since it is the first thing that will be evaluated by the commission, and it will be its relevance and novelty as criteria for receiving awards or a high grade. Let’s figure out how to choose interesting titles for research papers.

First, you need to determine the general rules for selecting and formulating research paper topics.

1. The topic should be brief, concise, and complete. There is no need to copy the paragraph of a scientific paper into the title. When you take a look, such headlines are complex for a quick review and, in most cases, completely unreadable. The wording of scientific research topics usually includes five to eight words.
2. An interesting topic may contain a rhetorical question. Such headlines are widespread in journalism and their usage is characteristic of scientific papers of the humanitarian direction, where the question is initially posed, and in the course of the work, the analysis and preparation of conclusions are conducted.
3. The topic should cover clear boundaries and reflect the essence of the paper. If the topic of a research paper covers too much scope, and the work itself does not disclose the whole essence of the title, the commission may have questions. The same thing can happen if the topic is only a part of a scientific paper.
4. The theme should be feasible. If the author selects an interesting topic, he or she should be ready to search for information on it, as well as have the means to achieve the goal, which sometimes is difficult. In the search for information it is recommended to use all possible resources. The tool base can be provided by interested educational institutions or enterprises.
5. The topic, if possible, should be original. The most eye-catching topics contain an element of surprise, public importance, intriguing language, and controversial points. Original themes are most interesting. A short research paper example of a title is as follows: “Economic Transformations of Italy: A New Era or the Way to Oblivion.”
6. If it is necessary to present one of the parts of a larger scientific paper, then the topic should be interrelated with previous works. The most advantageous will be rephrasing one of the tasks of the main paper and using it as a topic.
7. The topic should be agreed upon by the supervisor. If possible, it is recommended that the research topic be reconciled with a more experienced supervisor.
8. The topic can contain two names – theoretical and creative ones. The theoretical name is formal and contains a logically constructed text. The creative name is more understandable to readers, contains images, and emotionally describes the work. A full research paper example of a title is as follows: “How to improve efficiency (estimation of the economic growth of an enterprise).” Also, explanations are possible, for example, “Estimation of the economic growth of an enterprise (by the example of LLC ‘Arena’).”
9. The theme of the work can be refined. During and after the writing of a research paper, it is possible to reformulate the topic, right up to a drastic change.
10. The choice of the topic of a paper can be conditioned by thematic, situational, and/or temporal factors. It is necessary to have a general idea of the relevance of the subject matter in the scientific community.
11. The topic should be interesting to the author himself or herself.

Now let’s move directly to the order of choosing interesting topics for research:

1. Choose the research direction. As a basis, you can use different classifiers which are close to the author. For example, “Physics and Mathematics: Laser Physics.”
2. Search for suitable information related to this topic. Acquaintance with primary sources is the initial stage of preparation of the research. In our case, you can use an internet search by entering the phrase “laser physics news.”
3. Having received several topics, it is necessary to assess the possibility of their implementation in practice in your research project. In addition, it is necessary to determine what kind of work will be done: the continuation of the study, the refutation of the hypothesis, the theoretical review, etc. Then the paper-theme relationship will be in three areas: fantastic (non-existent), empirical (experimental), and theoretical (analysis, research). A complete research paper sample of the most convenient theoretical topic is “The Physical Basics of Laser Operation.”
4. After selecting a common theme, the collection of material and the research begins.
5. Correct the topic according to the prepared material. After writing the paper and applying the rules for choosing the topic, based on the content, we received the following formulation of the research title: “Physical Basics of Fluid Lasers. Prospects and features of application.”

Finally, there are several secrets to choosing interesting topics for research:

1. Look at other people’s experiences. An analytical review of other achievements provides a good basis for choosing a topic. In addition, you will use promising modern achievements, which will be appreciated in the international scientific community.
2. Feel free to change the subject while you are writing the paper.
3. Watch for news trends. What is said in the news is relevant and often requires scientific review.

We hope that the presented material was of interest, and now you have an idea of how to deal with a research paper. The preparation of a quality research paper can be possible for you if you use the guide and samples presented on our blog. Our material will allow students to understand the question, “How to write a research paper outline and the its whole content?” and avoid the most frequent mistakes.  Here you can find environmental design examples.