To write a research paper from scratch, choose a focused question, gather and evaluate credible sources, build a thesis, outline the sections, draft, then revise and cite. Each stage makes the next one easier.
This page takes you through those stages with a structure table, a sample introduction, drafting tips, common mistakes and a checklist to run before you submit.
The Research Paper Process in Six Steps
- Narrow your topic into a researchable question.
- Find and evaluate scholarly sources.
- Write a working thesis that answers the question.
- Outline the paper section by section.
- Draft the body first, then the introduction and conclusion.
- Revise for argument, then edit for clarity and citations.
Step 1: Choose a Focused Topic
A good research topic is narrow enough to cover in depth and broad enough to have published research. Start broad, then narrow by population, place, time or angle.
Too broad: Social media and mental health.
Better: Social media and anxiety in teenagers.
Researchable question: How does night-time social media use affect sleep and anxiety in UK teenagers aged 13 to 17?
Run a quick database search before committing. If there are thousands of results, narrow further; if almost none, broaden one element.
Step 2: Find and Evaluate Sources
Use your library's subject databases and search with keywords and synonyms combined with AND and OR. Record what you search, as some assignments ask you to describe it.
Evaluating Credibility with the CRAAP Test
| Criterion | Question to ask |
|---|---|
| Currency | Is it recent enough for your topic? |
| Relevance | Does it address your question directly? |
| Authority | Who wrote it, and what expertise do they have? |
| Accuracy | Is it peer-reviewed and supported by evidence? |
| Purpose | Is it informing, or selling and persuading? |
Take structured notes as you read, with the full reference, key findings, method and page numbers for anything you might quote.
Step 3: Structure Your Paper
Many research papers follow the structure below. Some disciplines use the IMRaD format (Introduction, Methods, Results and Discussion); humanities papers often use themed sections instead.
| Section | Purpose | Key content |
|---|---|---|
| Introduction | Set up the question | Context, problem, research question, thesis, roadmap |
| Literature review or background | Show what is known | Themes in existing research and the gap |
| Methods (if applicable) | Explain how you researched | Design, sources or participants, analysis |
| Body or results | Present the evidence | Themed sections, each supporting the thesis |
| Discussion | Interpret the evidence | Meaning, links to literature, limitations |
| Conclusion | Answer the question | Restated thesis, implications, future research |
A Sample Introduction
Most teenagers in the UK now own a smartphone, and many use it in bed. Researchers have linked heavy social media use to anxiety, but the role of night-time use, when screen time may also cut into sleep, has received less attention. This paper asks how night-time social media use affects sleep and anxiety in teenagers aged 13 to 17. Drawing on recent survey and experimental research, it argues that disrupted sleep is a key pathway between night-time use and anxiety, which suggests that interventions should target bedtime habits rather than overall screen time. The paper first reviews research on social media and anxiety, then examines evidence on sleep disruption, before discussing implications for parents and schools.
The introduction moves from context to problem, states the question and thesis, and maps the paper. It does all of that in one paragraph.
Step 4: Write the Paper
Draft the body first, section by section, using your outline. Once you know what the body argues, the introduction and conclusion are much easier to write.
- Start each paragraph with a topic sentence linked to the thesis.
- Use evidence from several sources in each paragraph where you can.
- Follow every piece of evidence with your analysis of what it shows.
- Cite as you write, so nothing goes missing.
- Use headings if your discipline or brief allows them.
Step 5: Revise and Edit
Revise in two passes. First, check the big picture: does every section support the thesis, and does the argument flow? Then edit sentences for clarity, grammar and consistent citations.
Reading aloud catches clumsy sentences. Leaving a day between drafting and revising helps you see the paper as your reader will.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
| Mistake | Fix |
|---|---|
| A topic too broad to cover | Narrow by population, place, time or angle |
| Summarizing sources one by one | Group sources by theme and compare them |
| A thesis that only states the topic | Make a specific, arguable claim |
| Weak or unreliable sources | Use peer-reviewed and authoritative sources |
| Missing limitations | Acknowledge what your evidence cannot show |
Pre-Submission Checklist
- The research question and thesis are clear in the introduction.
- Each section supports the thesis.
- Sources are credible, relevant and recent enough.
- Evidence is analyzed, not just reported.
- Limitations are acknowledged.
- Every citation matches an entry in the reference list.
- Formatting, headings and word count meet the brief.
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Frequently Asked Questions
For most students, two to four weeks from topic to final draft, depending on length. Research and revision take longer than drafting.
It depends on length and level. A 3,000-word undergraduate paper often uses 10 to 15 scholarly sources; follow your brief.
A research paper relies more heavily on scholarly sources and often has a formal structure with a literature review. An essay may focus more on argument and interpretation.
Many writers draft the body first. Once you know what the paper argues, the introduction is easier to write accurately.
A structure used in sciences and social sciences: Introduction, Methods, Results and Discussion. Humanities papers rarely use it.
Some, if they are authoritative, such as government or international bodies. Most of your sources should be peer-reviewed.
Ask a focused question, combine sources in your own way, and draw your own conclusions about what the evidence shows.