How to Write a Research Paper: Steps, Outline and Example

Knowing how to write a research paper comes down to process: choose a focused research question, review the existing literature, decide on a method, collect and analyse your evidence, then write it up in a standard structure, usually Introduction, Methods, Results and Discussion (IMRaD), with an abstract and references. Most of the quality comes from the question and the plan, not the final draft.

This guide takes you through the process step by step, with an outline template, the share of words each section usually takes and a simple formula for the abstract. If you would like a specialist to review your question or draft, get research paper help from a tutor who works in your field.

How to write a research paper: 7 steps at a glance

1. Choose a narrow topic and a research question you can answer with the sources or data you have.
2. Review the literature and note the gap your paper addresses.
3. Outline the paper in IMRaD order, with a word budget for each section.
4. Write the introduction: context, gap, question and thesis or hypothesis.
5. Write the methods so another researcher could repeat your work.
6. Present the results in tables and figures, then describe them without interpreting yet.
7. Write the discussion, conclusion and abstract, then cite every source in your required style.

Each step is explained in detail below.

What is a research paper?

A research paper is an extended piece of academic writing that investigates a specific question using evidence, either from your own data (primary research) or from analysing published work (secondary research). It presents an argument or finding, explains how it was reached and places it in the context of existing knowledge, with every source cited.

At university, "research paper" can mean a coursework project, a module report in research format or a manuscript intended for a journal. The structure is similar, but the expectations differ:

Step 1: How do you choose a research paper topic and question?

Choose a topic you can answer with the time, data and sources you have, then narrow it to a single research question. A good question is specific, arguable and researchable: "How did remote work affect productivity in UK financial services between 2020 and 2023?" is answerable; "Is remote work good?" is not.

Test your question with three checks: Is there enough published evidence or accessible data? Can it be answered within the word limit? Would a reasonable person disagree with your answer?

Step 2: How do you do the literature review?

Search your library databases and Google Scholar for peer-reviewed work on the question, starting with recent review articles. Read for themes and debates, not just facts, and record what each source found, how and its limits. Your aim is to show what is already known and the gap your paper addresses.

A simple synthesis grid keeps notes usable:

Step 3: How do you write a research paper outline?

An outline maps each section to the point it makes and the evidence it uses before you draft. Start from your research question and thesis, list the sections of the standard structure, and under each write two to four bullet points. Most students who skip the outline end up rewriting the paper later.

A reusable outline template:

1. Title: the question or finding, with key variables.
2. Abstract: written last.
3. Introduction: context, the gap, the research question and the thesis or hypothesis.
4. Literature review: two to four themes, ending with the gap.
5. Methods: design, sample or sources, procedure and analysis.
6. Results: the findings, in tables and figures.
7. Discussion: interpretation, comparison with the literature, limitations.
8. Conclusion: the answer, implications and further research.
9. References.

Research paper example: from topic to thesis and outline

This short, fictional example shows how a broad interest becomes a focused paper. Each step narrows the scope until the paper can be answered with the sources and time you have.

Sample outline built from that thesis:

1. Introduction: why sleep matters for students; the gap in research on first-year students; research question and thesis.
2. Literature review: screen time and sleep; blue light; emotional arousal from social media; limits of earlier studies.
3. Method: survey of 120 first-year students (illustrative), sleep diary for one week, analysis plan.
4. Results: average sleep duration by level of night-time use, shown in a table and a chart.
5. Discussion: what the association means; delayed sleep onset as the main mechanism; limitations of self-reported data.
6. Conclusion: the answer to the question; one practical recommendation; one direction for future research.

The thesis is specific, arguable and testable, and every outline section exists to support or test it. That is what markers look for.

Research paper outline template you can copy

• Title: a specific statement of the topic and population.
• Abstract: question, method, main result and conclusion in 150–250 words, written last.
• Introduction: context, the gap in existing research, your research question and thesis.
• Literature review: the main debates and findings, grouped by theme, not source by source.
• Method: design, sample, materials and analysis, in enough detail to repeat.
• Results: findings in the order of your questions, with tables and figures.
• Discussion: interpretation, comparison with earlier studies, limitations.
• Conclusion: the answer, its importance and next steps.
• References: every source cited, in the required style.

For humanities papers without data, replace Method and Results with argument sections, each built around one claim, its evidence and a counter-argument.

How long should each section of a research paper be?

In a typical IMRaD research paper, the introduction and literature review take about a quarter of the word count, methods around 15%, results 20% and the discussion and conclusion the largest share, about 35 to 40%. Adjust for your discipline, because humanities papers often merge sections into a single argued structure.

Step 4: How do you write a research paper introduction?

The introduction moves from the broad context to your specific question in a few paragraphs. Establish why the topic matters, summarise what is known, identify the gap or problem, state your research question and thesis or hypothesis, and briefly explain how the paper is organised. Every sentence should lead the reader towards your question.

Step 5: How do you write the methods section?

The methods section explains how you answered the question, in enough detail to judge the evidence and, for empirical work, to repeat it. Describe the research design, the sample or sources and how they were selected, the data collection procedure, the analysis method and any ethical approval. Justify each choice briefly.

Step 6: How do you present the results?

Present the findings clearly and neutrally, using tables and figures for data, with each one numbered, captioned and referred to in the text. Report the key statistics or themes without interpreting them yet. For qualitative work, organise findings by theme and support each with short quotations or examples.

Step 7: How do you write the discussion and conclusion?

The discussion interprets your results: answer the research question, explain what the findings mean, compare them with the studies in your literature review and acknowledge limitations honestly. The conclusion restates the answer in a few sentences, gives the practical or theoretical implications and suggests specific further research.

How do you write a research paper abstract?

Write the abstract last, in 150 to 300 words, as a self-contained summary of the whole paper. A reliable formula is one or two sentences each for the background, the aim, the method, the main results (with key numbers) and the conclusion. Many journals and modules also ask for three to six keywords.

How do you cite sources in a research paper?

Cite every idea, data point and quotation that is not your own, in the text and in a reference list, using the style your department or target journal requires: APA in psychology and many social sciences, Harvard in many UK departments, IEEE in engineering and Vancouver in medicine. Reference managers such as Zotero or Mendeley reduce errors.

Common research paper mistakes

• A topic so broad that no clear question can be answered.
• A literature review that lists sources one by one instead of synthesising themes.
• Methods that are too vague to judge the quality of the evidence.
• Interpreting results in the Results section.
• Overclaiming: saying the data "proves" something rather than "suggests" or "supports".
• An abstract written first and never updated.

Need help writing a research paper? What a tutor can do

If you are unsure whether your question is researchable, which method fits, or how to make the discussion more analytical, a subject tutor can review your plan and draft and explain how to improve it. Typical help includes:

• narrowing a broad topic into a research question and a clear thesis
• planning the outline and the word count for each section
• finding and evaluating credible sources, and organising the literature review
• checking your method, analysis and how you present results
• feedback on drafts for argument, structure, clarity and referencing

FLN Tutors' research paper help connects you with specialists across sciences, social sciences and humanities. For longer projects, see our dissertation support. Related guides: how to write a literature review, how to write an abstract, how to structure an essay and Harvard referencing.

For trusted free guidance, see Purdue OWL's research paper guide, the official APA Style website and the UNC Writing Center's advice on thesis statements.

Our help is tutoring and feedback on your own work, in line with your university's rules and our academic integrity policy.

FAQs

How long is a research paper?

A university coursework research paper is often 2,000 to 6,000 words, while journal articles commonly run 4,000 to 8,000 words, depending on the field and the journal. Your brief or the journal's author guidelines set the actual limit, and they usually say what is excluded, such as references and appendices.

What are the main parts of a research paper?

The main parts are the title, abstract, introduction, literature review, methods, results, discussion, conclusion and references, sometimes with appendices. This IMRaD-based structure is standard in sciences and social sciences; humanities papers often use a continuous argued structure with headings instead.

What is the difference between a research paper and an essay?

An essay usually argues a position using existing sources and is written as continuous prose. A research paper investigates a defined question with a stated method, often using data, and follows a sectioned structure. Research papers place more weight on the method and on how the findings were reached.

How do you write a research question?

Start with a topic, identify what is debated or unknown, then phrase a single focused question that names the population, the variables or concepts and the context, such as place and time. Check that it can be answered with evidence you can actually access within your word limit and deadline.

How many sources should a research paper have?

It varies by level and length, but undergraduate research papers commonly cite 15 to 30 sources, and journal articles often cite more. Prioritise recent peer-reviewed sources and key texts in the field, and make sure each one is actually used in the argument rather than listed to increase the count.

Should a research paper have a thesis statement?

Yes, in most disciplines. In argument-based papers, the thesis statement is your central claim, stated at the end of the introduction. In empirical papers, its role is played by the research question and hypothesis. Either way, the reader should know your focus by the end of the first page.

What is the difference between a research paper and a research proposal?

A research proposal describes research you plan to do: the question, why it matters, the method and a timeline. A research paper reports research that has been done, including the results and discussion. Proposals are often required before a dissertation or funded project begins.

Can I write a research paper in first person?

Many fields now accept "we" or "I" when describing what the researcher did, especially in the methods, and some journals encourage it for clarity. Others prefer an impersonal style. Follow your module guidance or the target journal's style guide, and stay consistent throughout.

Can someone help me write my research paper?

Yes. A tutor can help you choose and narrow the question, plan the outline, find sources, and give feedback on each draft, while the research and writing stay your own. That is how FLN's research paper help works, in line with your university's academic integrity rules.

How do I start a research paper?

Start by reading the brief and marking criteria, then choose a topic you can narrow into one focused question. Do some background reading, write a working thesis and build an outline before drafting. Starting with the outline saves time, because each section then has a clear job.

How do I write a thesis statement for a research paper?

A thesis statement answers your research question in one or two sentences. Make it specific, arguable and supported by evidence you can find. For example, rather than saying social media affects sleep, say night-time social media use is linked to shorter sleep in first-year students.

How do I format a research paper in APA style?

APA style uses a title page, an abstract, Level 1 headings for main sections, double spacing, in-text citations with author and date, and a reference list in alphabetical order. Tables and figures are numbered and titled. Check whether your course uses APA 7 student or professional format.

How long does it take to write a research paper?

A short undergraduate research paper of 2,000 to 3,000 words usually takes two to four weeks, including reading, outlining, drafting and revising. Longer papers with data collection take more. Planning the reading and writing time per section in advance stops the work piling up near the deadline.

What makes a good research paper topic?

A good topic is narrow enough to cover in your word count, interesting to you, linked to your course and supported by enough credible sources. It should lead to a clear question rather than a general description. If you find too much material, narrow it by population, place or time period.

How long should a research paper abstract be?

Most abstracts are between 150 and 250 words, but follow your brief or the journal's limit. A good abstract covers the question, method, main result and conclusion in that order, uses no citations, and is written last, once you know exactly what the paper found.