Structure of a Research Paper

Structure of a Research PaperIt is usually assumed that writing a research paper outline follows a step-by-step process. That is not the case in most cases. Most outline writing is done at a very early stage of a project and does not always follow a pattern.Some projects develop so rapidly and so fast that it is not practical to write a research paper outline. Most projects, however, take a little time to develop. It is usually not until the final stages of the project that an outline can be written.An outline for a research paper, as well as for other projects, usually consist of three phases. The first phase of the outline consists of a basic outline of the project. A researcher, or writer, may need to write a statement of purpose (the B.S.)The second phase of the outline is where additional items are introduced. This phase usually deals with the summary of the facts presented in the body of the article. In some cases, the summary is treated as the whole article. In others, the wri ter may choose to include only the main points.The third phase of the outline is a vital and important part of the paper. It describes the conclusion. Sometimes, the writer may have a change of mind at this point and do away with the outline altogether. In most cases, however, the outline remains because it serves as the basis for planning the rest of the article.The structure of a research paper is fairly simple. While not everyone writes an outline, many people may be aware of the format. A simple outline is just that, a basic structure which should be followed during the writing of the research paper.The structure of a research paper is designed to direct the writer through the process of writing the article. Usually, the outline for a project includes a statement of purpose (sometimes called a B.S. ), related points, an explanation of the results of the research and a conclusion.To determine whether an outline is necessary, a researcher can check with his or her mentor or superv isor. Or, he or she can consult a copywriting book, which will have guidelines for writing an outline. This type of book is often consulted by the writer before beginning to write the research paper.