How to Write a Research Paper: A Guide to Proper Sourcing and Common Mistakes to Avoid

Writing a research paper can be daunting, especially if you’re unsure how to organize your thoughts, find credible sources, or properly cite your information. Whether you’re a high school student tackling your first major research project or a college student refining your academic writing skills, following a structured approach can make the process much smoother.

This guide will walk you through the essential steps of writing a strong research paper, show you how to correctly source your materials, and highlight common pitfalls to avoid.

Before you begin, it’s crucial to understand what your instructor expects from the paper. Misinterpreting the assignment can lead to unnecessary revisions and a lower grade.

Ask yourself the following questions:

✅ What is the purpose of the paper? Are you writing to inform, persuade, analyze, or argue a point? Understanding this will shape your research and writing approach.

✅ What citation style is required? Different academic disciplines use different citation styles. Common ones include:

• APA (American Psychological Association) – Typically used in psychology, education, and social sciences.
• MLA (Modern Language Association) – Common in humanities, literature, and arts.
• Chicago/Turabian – Used in history, business, and some social sciences.

✅ What are the formatting requirements? Pay attention to details like word count, font size, margins, and spacing. These might seem minor but can affect your final grade.

📌 Pro Tip: If anything is unclear, ask your instructor for clarification before you start writing. It’s better to get it right from the start than to rewrite entire sections later.

Picking the Right Topic

Your topic should be:
✔ Interesting to you – If you’re passionate about the subject, research and writing will be more engaging.
✔ Specific but not too narrow – A broad topic (e.g., “Climate Change”) is too vague, while an overly narrow topic (e.g., “How Climate Change Affects Coral Reefs in a Specific Town in Florida”) might not have enough research available. A well-balanced topic could be: “The Impact of Climate Change on Marine Ecosystems.”
✔ Researchable – Ensure there are enough credible sources available on your topic.

Finding Credible Sources

A strong research paper is built on reliable sources. Here’s where to look:

✅ Academic Journals: Google Scholar, JSTOR, PubMed, ResearchGate
✅ Books: University libraries, Google Books, Project Gutenberg
✅ Government & Educational Websites: Websites ending in .gov and .edu often provide well-researched data
✅ Reputable News Outlets: The New York Times, BBC, The Washington Post

🚫 Avoid unreliable sources like: Wikipedia (good for background knowledge but not for citations), personal blogs, and social media posts unless published by an expert in the field.

📌 Pro Tip: If you’re unsure about a source’s credibility, check the author’s credentials, the publication date, and whether the source cites its own references.

A well-structured research paper makes your argument clear and easy to follow. Here’s a breakdown of the standard structure:

1. Title Page (if required)

• Follow your assigned citation style (APA, MLA, Chicago).
• Include your paper’s title, name, date, course name, and institutional affiliation.

2. Abstract (if required)

• A 150-250 word summary of your research, including the research question, methodology, key findings, and conclusion.
• Usually required in APA-style papers and scientific research papers.

3. Introduction

• Introduce your topic and why it’s important.
• Present background information to help readers understand the context.
• Clearly state your thesis statement—this is the main argument or claim your paper will support.

4. Literature Review (if required)

• Summarize key research and studies related to your topic.
• Identify gaps in current knowledge and how your paper contributes to the discussion.

5. Methodology (for empirical research)

• Explain how you conducted your research (e.g., surveys, experiments, data analysis).
• Be detailed enough that someone else could replicate your study.

6. Results/Findings

• Present your data in an organized way.
• Use charts, graphs, or tables to enhance clarity if needed.

7. Discussion

• Interpret your findings.
• Compare them to previous research.
• Discuss potential limitations of your study.

8. Conclusion

• Summarize key points and restate your thesis.
• Suggest areas for further research or practical applications of your findings.

9. References/Bibliography

• List all sources used in the correct format (APA, MLA, Chicago).
• Double-check citations for accuracy.

📌 Pro Tip: Outlining your paper before writing can help you stay organized and ensure a logical flow of ideas.

Citing sources is crucial to avoid plagiarism and give credit to original authors. Here’s how different citation styles format references:

In-Text Citations:

✔ APA: (Smith, 2020)
✔ MLA: (Smith 45)
✔ Chicago (Footnotes): ¹John Smith, Book Title (Publisher, 2020), 45.

Reference List/Bibliography:

✔ APA: Smith, J. (2020). Book Title. Publisher.
✔ MLA: Smith, John. Book Title. Publisher, 2020.
✔ Chicago: Smith, John. Book Title. Publisher, 2020.

📌 Pro Tip: Use citation management tools like Zotero, Mendeley, or EndNote to keep track of sources and generate citations automatically.

Even well-researched papers can suffer from common mistakes. Here’s what to watch out for:

❌ 1. Plagiarism

• Copying text without proper citation can lead to serious academic consequences.
• Always paraphrase or quote sources correctly and provide citations.

❌ 2. Using Unreliable Sources

• Fact-check all sources. Avoid Wikipedia, personal blogs, and biased news sites.

❌ 3. Weak or Missing Thesis Statement

• Your paper should have a clear thesis statement that guides your argument. Without one, your paper may lack focus.

❌ 4. Poor Organization and Structure

• Use headings, logical transitions, and structured paragraphs to enhance readability.

❌ 5. Formatting Errors

• Double-check margins, font size, and citation styles before submitting.

❌ 6. Not Proofreading

• Grammar and spelling mistakes can undermine credibility.
• Use tools like Grammarly or Hemingway Editor to catch errors.

Writing a research paper requires careful planning, thorough research, and attention to detail. By following these steps, properly citing your sources, and avoiding common mistakes, you’ll be well on your way to producing a high-quality paper.

Take your time, stay organized, and don’t hesitate to seek help from instructors or writing centers if needed. Happy writing!