How to Write a Good Research Paper

A research paper is always the key to your grade. If it is sharp, original and well-defended, it boosts your grade. Nevertheless, many papers are badly written and are hard to understand. That is why some students get poor grades and the good ideas that they have go under-appreciated.
1. Finding a Research Topic
Good and feasible topics comprise one of the most important parts of writing a research paper. While some professors may give you a list of possible topics that you can choose from, other professors may ask you to find your own subject matter. Please you should avoid choosing too general or too narrow topics.
Keep in mind to:
• Make sure that you understand your professor’s expectations
• Relate your topic to the content of the course
• Narrow your topic
Have adequate materials before making your last decision about your research topic
2. Information to Help You before Starting a Research Paper
Make an appointment and talk to your professor or your teaching assistant about your interests and ideas. Regularly make an appointment with a subject librarian whose expertise is on the topic that you are researching. You may use search Engines such us Google always help you get started with research.
3. Contents of the Research Paper
Usually research papers are 10-15 pages long and consist of the following parts:
 Introduction (1 page)
 The Main Text:
 The Problem (1 page)
 Literature Review (2 pages)
 Concepts and Hypothesis (2 pages)
 Research Design (2 Page)
 Findings (1 page)
 Conclusion (1 page)
The Introduction: It describes your problem and states your contribution to the solution of the problem. In the introduction, you should point out what your thesis statement is.
In the Main Text: Here, you start conveying your ideas. First, clearly present the gist of your idea. What is the main problem/question that you are dealing with in this paper? What are the goals of your research?
The Conclusion: Briefly summarize the main text of your paper. When the reader stops reading the conclusion, h/she should have a clear idea of what your
4. Academic Honesty and Citing Your Resources: How to Avoid Plagiarism
While writing a research paper, you need to be very careful about academic honesty. The rules regarding academic honesty may be very different in different country than the rules in your home country. Don’t plagiarism.
5. Quick Check – Planning is essential to a successful paper
Carefully check the syllabus for your courses, mark the deadlines for submitting your papers on your calendar.
Remember to do the following:
• Submit your paper by the deadline
• Keep with the format requirement
• Always use a spell check
Read your paper out loud, doing this will always help you check on the clarity of your writing. It will help you discover if you are missing any part of your thesis, argument or conclusion.