How to Write a Scientific Research Paper
It is always recommended that you know how to write a scientific research paper in order to enhance your performance in science assignments and term papers. Science is a discipline that is quite vast and writing standard research reports or papers is one of the best ways through which you can be able to effectively understand its various elements. Contrary to what some students may think, you can easily know how to write a scientific research paper by just following the simple guidelines and steps discussed herein. Besides, you will also find sample scientific research papers for motivation in writing good reports.
A scientific research paper is just like other academic papers when it comes to writing, despite a few key aspects that should be highlighted therein. A scientific research paper is mainly used to explore and identify issues regarding science. This means you are required to clearly explain a particular study, focusing on materials used, processes involved, results, suggestions, challenges and relevance to the subject of the paper.
The skills on how to write a scientific research paper can be applied in various areas where writing is involved, apart from just assignments and term papers. In fact, knowing how to craft a good scientific research report will also enhance your general writing skills.
Tips on How to Write a Scientific Research Paper
In high school, college and university, writing scientific research papers is a common assignment for students. Therefore, you should know how to create a unique and high quality paper in order to attain the best results. Besides, writing a good scientific report also entails focus on the study, proper organization and planning. The following tips will guide you on how to write a scientific research paper.
Choose a topic
In some cases students are often given topics to discuss in science papers. However, there are also others whereby you are given the freedom of choosing one for yourself. If asked to pick a topic or subject, always go for something that you can easily discuss into detail.
A good topic should be one that others can also research on and get information. Besides, it would also be advisable to go for a subject that you and your readers are interested in. Writing about something that you love would be enjoyable and also much easier. In case you are unable to pick an ideal topic, try seeking suggestions from others.
Do your research
Having settled on a topic for the paper, you can now get into finding information about it. There are various sources that you can obtain information from including website pages, articles, interviews, blog posts among others. In fact, you can do the research from both primary and secondary sources.
It is advisable that you research from a wide range of sources in order to get various views or perspectives of the research topic. Try to find sources that are reliable and can offer valid insights into your study. Scientific journals, articles or papers written by experts in the field could offer great ideas for writing research reports.
Note down the basic elements of the research
In writing a scientific research paper, there are certain key aspects that you will be required to clearly bring out in every report. Therefore, it would be ideal if you highlighted them while doing the research for easy reference. Some of the main points to be noted include:
- A description of the study, including statistics, facts and figures
- Methods used in conducting the research
- Results
- Interpretation of the outcomes
The ideas that you have identified for the above aspects should not be generated from just one source, instead, developed through a proper analysis of information from various sources. However, you can also add your own comments or opinions for use in writing the paper. Also remember to mark the sources of your information for easy reference.
Identify the goal of the report
A scientific research paper can either be argumentative or analytical depending on the given instructions. Knowing the particular type of research paper that you will be writing is important in determining the approach to take. It is also important that you consider the audience or target readers in order to come up with an argument and points that they can easily understand and relate to.
Create a thesis
Also known as hypothesis, a thesis statement is the basis of the report that tells readers about the specific focus of the paper and what they should expect. It is the key argument that your study will be looking towards proving. Made up of just about two to three sentences, an ideal thesis should highlight a unique view about the topic. However, it must be an argument or claim that you are able to effectively prove with evidence, in the paper.
Pick your main points
The thesis is to set the stage, so you can easily identify the key points to be mentioned and discussed in the body and conclusion paragraphs. Go through the information obtained from the research, and choose the outstanding points to support the thesis.
When determining the key ideas for the paper, you should also mark the evidences that will be used to further explain the given point. These can include facts, figures, and quotations among others.
Develop an outline
An outline is important in organizing your points for every section of the paper. Creating one will give you an easy time in writing since all the references can be made from it. The outline should clearly show your main points for the introduction, body paragraphs and conclusion in brief.
Steps on How to Write a Scientific Research Paper
Generally, a scientific research paper has three main sections; introduction, body and conclusion. The following procedures will direct you on how to write a scientific research paper.
Title
Include a short and clear title that describes the discussion of the study as will be presented in your report.
Introduction
Start writing the paper by giving a general overview of the topic of study so readers can know where your discussion is coming from. This should only be a bout two or three sentences long. Towards the end of the first paragraph, you should also write the thesis and give readers a plan on how the paper will be handled in the next paragraphs.
Body Paragraphs
This is the ‘meat’ of the report and should comprehensively discuss the research in a way that your audience can read and understand. It is the point whereby you are required present a logical explanation of the study with regards to the main argument.
Use a new paragraph for a fresh idea or point to support the thesis. Besides, you should also give examples to back up every argument presented in each paragraph. Always make sure that every remark made in the paper is supported by facts from the study.
A good body paragraph should not simply give points or facts but proceed into fully explaining each and making a commentary. Try to be creative in writing the body paragraphs so the paper does not sound blunt and boring.
Conclusion
The last paragraph of a scientific research paper should summarize the study and bring the discussion to a close. The three basic elements of the conclusion include restatement of the thesis, a recap of the key points covered in the paper and emphasis on the implications of the results of the study.
For clarity, you can choose to use sub-titles to highlight the different aspects of the study in the paper. This implies after introduction, you can include sub-headings highlighting the methods of the study, materials used, outcomes and discussion.
Examples of Scientific Research Papers
Reading well written sample scientific research papers can also offer you more ideas on how to write a scientific research paper. Below are some examples to refer to:
Example 1
Sample Research Paper, ‘’Running on Empty: The Effects of Food Deprivation on Concentration and Perseverance’’
‘’Many things interrupt people’s ability to focus on a task: distractions, headaches, noisy environments, and even psychological disorders. To some extent, people can control the environmental factors that make it difficult to focus…’’ Read the rest of the sample paper here.
Example 2
Sample Scientific Research Paper
‘’Just as animals around the world have evolved to better survive in their environments, botanical life everywhere has also been forced to grow and adapt to their habitats. Every plant, from the smallest strain of seaweed to the tallest redwood is the result of billions of years of competition for optimal growth conditions…’’
Follow this link to continue reading the sample.
Example 3
Sample Research Paper for a Science Fair Project, ‘’Which Battery Is Better?’’
‘’Batteries come in many shapes and sizes. Some are no longer than a pill while others are too heavy to lift, but most batteries have one thing in common-they store energy and change it into electrical energy. The cell is the basic unit that produces electricity…’’
Continue reading the sample here.
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References
https://writing.wisc.edu/Handbook/ScienceReport.html
http://www.wikihow.com/Write-a-Research-Paper
https://facultystaff.richmond.edu/~ggilfoyl/intermediate/writing.pdf
http://www.columbia.edu/cu/biology/ug/research/paper.html