College research paper is a complex project that includes thorough research, analysis, collection of information, and the ability to draw logical conclusions. In general, a research paper has a standard outline and structure. Nonetheless, there are differences based on the discipline and the topic you’re working on.
When it comes to writing a research paper for college, many undergrads tend to do the same mistakes. For that reason, it is important to eliminate each before your professor sees your work.
Here is a list of the most typical errors found in college research papers. Take them into account and avoid them in your next research-based project.
Underestimate the Importance of Introduction
Your introduction is one of the key sections of your research paper. It either attracts your readers or make them put your work aside for a while or for good. The introduction part sets the tone of your project, which means you have to include a clear thesis statement and provide some referrals to the paper’s main arguments. What is more, you should also let your readers know why research on a particular issue is important and what potential results mean for your field.
Misusing Citations
If you include someone’s words in your research paper, use quotes to frame them and wrap them with a correct internal citation. Even if you decide to paraphrase, you still have to let your readers know you don’t own this information.
Lack of Research
Sometimes, when too busy, students tend to think, “I have to do my research paper as fast as I can.” As a result, they lose their connection with the topic and the paper content, which in turn becomes catastrophic for the overall project success. Conducting good research and choosing to work on the topic that you’re passionate about are two crucial steps you have to take when it comes to writing a solid statement and, as a result, a winning research project.
Messy Structure
The structure of a research paper varies from subject to subject. However, there are some rules that can’t be broken. If you include your methods in the introductory section or mention your results in the discussion part, there’s no chance for high scores.
Make sure to take your time to work on the structure of your research paper before you start writing:
- Introduction (the opening part of the project that states your research question).
- Methods (let your readers know how you answered your research question).
- Results (describe what you achieved or observed).
- Discussion (explain what you think the results of your work mean).
Wrong Verb Tense
If you use the wrong verb tense in your research paper, you let your readers know that your writing skills leave a lot to be desired. What is more, it actually affects their understanding of your message. For instance, the use of the wrong tense may confuse your readers because they can take already known information as something that has been just discovered.
In general, research paper writing projects require using past tense when it comes to events that have already happened, the procedures you performed in the process of research, and results that you obtained. Besides, you should also use past tense to provide reference to results of this or that study. When it comes to present tense, it goes well with generally accepted facts.
Irrelevant Information
No matter what you choose to state in your project, make sure it is relevant to your topic and the field of study. Don’t provide too broad information to fill the void. Ensure to include only the facts that are relevant to your topic and let your readers follow your actions to the logical conclusions. For instance, if you’re writing a research paper about Jeanne d’Arc, don’t start with discussing French history from A to Z.
In case with the research paper, use objective voice and avoid any oversimplifications or superlatives. It’s possible that other scientists may read your work, so sentences like, “We thought that the reaction would render the volcano inert,” means you’re not sure about your studies and says nothing to your readers.
It goes without saying that a research paper must be flawless including solid facts and proper formatting. Ensure to perform thorough research and come up with a clear thesis statement. Scan your work for grammar, style, and punctuation mistakes. Make sure all tenses are used properly and add to general readability of your research paper.
