Online Guide to Writing and Research

Chapter 4: The Research Process

Planning and Writing a Research Paper

Creating good research writing is demanding, challenging, and exciting. Mastering this complex academic skill prepares you to enter the discourse community of your chosen specialization. Many students struggle with assembling a research paper because it seems overwhelming and mysterious, but the following 10 steps in the process can be practiced and learned.

1. Find a Topic and Get an Overview
2. Survey the Literature
3. Ask a Research Question
4. Manage Your Resources
5. Work Your Sources into Your Research Writing
6. Cite Sources
7. Outline
8. Decide Your Point of View, or Role, for Your Research
9. Collect Evidence
10. Draw Conclusions