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A research paper goes under various names, but whether it is called a "research paper," documented paper," a "library paper," an "investigative paper," or a "reading report," it is based on a student's reading on a selected subject. The student chooses a topic, reads about it in books and periodicals, takes notes, and writes a long paper on his findings.

Depending on the time available for the project, the research paper may range in length from five to fifteen pages. The paper may be one of three types: a report, a thesis, or a solution to a problem.

The writer of a report wishes to find out the facts of the subject and present them in a clear, orderly, and detailed account; there is no requirement to make a judgment from the facts. For example, a student reporting the opinions of critics about one of Hemingway's novels must show what the criticism is and need not evaluate it.

The writer of a thesis paper is studying the facts of the subject to draw a conclusion from them. This conclulsion is the result of the writer's study and becomes the thesis of the paper. The whole paper is an explanation or justifiction of that thesis. For example, a student who has studied the text and criticisms of The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn and has decided that the final chapers weaken the novel begins with that thesis and develops it throughout the paper.

The writer attempting to solve a problem in a research paper first states and explains the problem, then identifies and evluates suggested solutions, and finally shows a preferred solution. That solution is a judgment, but the judgment need not be stated as an introductory thesis it may and probably will be with held until alternative solutions are considered.

Research paper writing is a skill that students develop in their education. It tests how they compose an intellectual discussion on a particular subject that have underwent a certain method that they have developed themselves or that they borrowed from previous studies. Research paper writing develops the students' skill in gathering and condensing researched data, interpreting it and putting it into documented work.

The first step for students to do is choosing the subject. This step seems to be quite an easy one, but actually it is not the way it seems. In a research paper - or a term paper - a subject needs to be selected carefully. A topic in a research or term paper is not to be too broad or too limited. And ideally, in research paper writing, a unique subject is encouraged.

After choosing the subject for the research or term paper, the next step is to gather information. Students are expected to maximize any available source such as books, journals, magazines, news articles, and the internet. It is not advisable to dwell only on a single source because it will delimit the topic into a single perspective.

After gathering the needed information, the next task to do is to organize the information. Note-taking is one of the most useful tools at this stage in the research. These notes will then be used in building the outline and creating the drafts and the final output.

Also, in research paper writing, it is important to avoid plagiarism or the act of copying and using ideas without citing the source. It is a strength to use outside information but it is a must to acknowledge the origin of the information.

If you need more info about research paper writing or other types of writing, please go to our Writing tips section