Table of Contents
Those Are the Details That Make a Fine Whole
When pursuing an academic degree, most students inevitably face the task of writing research papers, which is not as easy as you may think. Nor is it too difficult as long as the structure of the paper is clearly understood.
One of the most frequent mistakes that occur with students when writing a research paper is equating the parts of a research paper to the structure of a traditional essay. However, research paper parts by far exceed the standard introduction–body–conclusion model, though preserving the tripartite model on the whole.
Parts of a research paper: The standard scheme
Depending on the requirements of your professor or school, the exact set of your research paper parts may vary. The most typical parts of a research paper are as follows:
- Title page. Standardly includes the title of the paper, the course information, the name of the student and professor, and the date submitted.
- Abstract. A research paper part containing a short summary of the whole paper discussing its goals and objectives, results, and conclusions.
- Introduction. Generally presents the background and motivation for the research problem; lays out the purpose and direction of the paper; and provides a short overview of the subsequent parts of a research paper. May include the thesis statement.
- Literature review. A critical evaluation of the previous research on the topic.
- Methodology. The description of the approaches, methods and tools best suited for the research paper.
- Analysis/Results. The most intriguing part of a research paper, presenting the research data and providing corresponding interpretation.
- Conclusion. A summary of the research outcomes in connection with the initial hypothesis.
- Bibliography. A list of references used for writing the paper.
It goes without saying that breaking a big assignment into several small ones makes it easier to cope with the whole task. Outlining and clearly understanding the number and follow order of research paper parts is one of the keys to success. Once the parts of a research paper are neatly laid out, it becomes easier to work on the paper itself.