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Research Paper Outline Examples

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Below are examples of research paper outlines. Creating an outline is
the first thing you should do before starting on your research paper.

Research Paper Outline Examples

Once you've decided what topic you will be writing about, the next thing you should pay
attention to is the scope of your paper or what you will be including in your discussion.
The broader your topic is, the more difficult it is to discuss the full details. This is why you
should establish early on the scope and limitations of your paper which will provide the
foundation for your research paper outline.
Basically, your outline will constitute three main sections: the Introduction, the Body and
the Conclusion. But to make sure your paper is complete, consult your instructor for
specific parts they wants to be included in your research paper. Sample outlines for
research papers will follow. But first, let’s discuss the main sections of your paper and
what information each should cover.

Introduction

The introduction should contain your thesis statement or the topic of your research as

well as the purpose of your study. You may include here the reason why you chose that
particular topic or simply the significance of your research paper's topic. You may also
state what type of approach it is that you'll be using in your paper for the entire
discussion of your topic. Generally, your Introduction should orient your readers to the
major points the rest of the paper will be covering, and how.

Body

The body of your paper is where you will be presenting all your arguments to support
your thesis statement. Remember the “Rule of 3" which states that you should find 3
supporting arguments for each position you take. Start with a strong argument, followed
by a stronger one, and end with the strongest argument as your final point.

Conclusion

The conclusion is where you form a summary of all your arguments so you can arrive at
your final position. Explain and reiterate why you've ended up with the said conclusion.
 Research Paper Outline Examples

As mentioned earlier, here are some sample outlines for research papers:

Sample #1

Thesis Topic: A Study on Factors Affecting the Infant Feeding Practices of Mothers
in Las Pinas City

1. Introduction
1. Statement of the Problem
2. Definition of Terms
3. Theoretical Framework
4. Methodology
1. Type of Research
2. Respondents
3. Questionnaire
5. Hypothesis
6. Review of Related Literature
7. Scope and Limitations
8. Significance of the Study

2. Body
1.  Background of the Study
1. Benefits of Breastfeeding
2. WHO Recommendations
3. The International Code of Marketing of Breast Milk Substitutes
4. The Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative
5. The Innocenti Declaration on the Protection, Promotion and
Support of Breastfeeding
6. National Situationer
7. The Milk Code
8. BFHI in the Philippines
9. Milk Code Violations
10. Formula Feeding
11. Factors Influencing the Decision Regarding Infant Feeding
Method
12. Area Situationer
2. Presentation and Analysis of Data
1. Socio-economic Demographic Profile of Mothers
2. Information Regarding Current (Youngest) Infant
3. Current Infant Feeding Practices of Mothers
1. Exclusive Breastfeeding
2. Mixed Feeding
3. Formula Feeding
4. Previous Infant Feeding Practices
5. Maternal Knowledge
6. Correlation Tests

3. Conclusion
2. Concluding Statement
1. Analytical Summary
2. Thesis Reworded
3. Recommendations

Sample #2

Topic: Asbestos Poisoning

1. Introduction
1. Definition of Asbestos Poisoning
2. Significance of the Study
3. Definition of Terms

2. Body
1. Symptoms of Asbestos Poisoning
2. Effects of Asbestos Poisoning
3. Treatments

3. Conclusion
1. Conclusion
2. Recommendations
1. How to Deal with Asbestos Hazards

Sample #3
 Topic: Shakespeare Adapted from AResearchGuide.com.

1. Introduction
2. Body
1. Early Life
1. Family
1. Father
2. Mother
2. Marriage
1. Life of Anne Hathaway
2. Reference in Shakespeare's Poems
2. Works
1. Plays
1. Tragedies
1. Hamlet
2. Romeo and Juliet
2. Comedies
1. The Tempest
2. Much Ado About Nothing
3. Histories
1. King John
2. Richard III
3. Henry VIII
2. Sonnets
3. Other Poems
3. His Later Years
1. Last Two Plays
2. Retired to Stratford
1. Death
2. Burial

3. Conclusion
1. Analytical Summary
2. Thesis Reworded
3. Concluding Statement
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Explorable.com (Jan 6, 2009). Research Paper Outline Examples. Retrieved Oct 16,

2020 from Explorable.com: https://explorable.com/research-paper-outline-examples

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 Writing an Outline
 
An outline is a “blueprint” or “plan” for your paper.  It helps you
to organize your thoughts and arguments. A good outline can
make conducting research and then writing the paper very
efficient.  Your outline page must include your:
 
 Paper Title
 Thesis statement
 Major points/arguments indicated by Roman numerals (i.e., I, II,
III, IV, V, etc.)
 Support for your major points, indicated by capital Arabic numerals
(i.e., A, B, C, D, E, etc.)
 
Roman numeral I should be your “Introduction”.  In the
introduction portion of your paper, you’ll want to tell your reader
what your paper is about and then tell what your paper hopes to
prove (your thesis).  So an Introduction gives an overview of the
topic and your thesis statement.
 
The final Roman numeral should be your “Conclusion”.  In the
conclusion, you summarize what you have told your reader.
 
Following are 3 sample outlines, from actual student
papers.  YOUR outline can be MORE detailed, or might be LESS
detailed.  Remember that a good outline makes writing easier and
more efficient.
 
Sample Outline #1
 
 
Title: Frederick Douglass  
Thesis: Frederick Douglass played a crucial role in securing the abolition of slavery
and equality of African-American rights through his actions, ideas, and efforts as a
lecturer, author/publisher, and politician.
 
              I.     Introduction
A.    Thesis
B.    Roles/Arguments
            II.     Douglass as Lecturer
A.    History as slave and acquisition of education
 1)     He “experienced slavery”
2)     Literacy allowed expression
B.    Early lectures, including initial speech before Garrison
1)     Success of initial speech
2)     Goals for future speeches
C.    Effect of lectures on society
1)     Open eyes
2)     Encourage activism
          III.     Douglass as Author/Publisher
A.    Narrative’s success and effect
1)     Springboard for paper
B.    Goals/hopes for paper
C.    Garrison set-back and significance
D.    Significance of Paper
         IV.     Douglass as Politician
A.    Key trait for success
B.    Goal of political activism
C.    Efforts for Republican party
1)     Significance of efforts
D.    Black soldier enlistment crusade
E.     Joining of Republican party
1)     Significance of efforts
           V.     Conclusion
A.    Summarize arguments and efforts
 
 
 
Sample Outline #2
 
Title: The Federalist Papers’ Influence on the Ratification of the Constitution
Thesis: The Federalist Papers influenced the ratification of the Constitution by
making some of their most important arguments, including the importance of being in
a Union by having a Constitution, answering to the objections made by the Anti-
federalists about separation of powers, and defending opposing arguments made
against the characteristics of the executive and judicial branch as provided in the
Constitution.
 
 
            I.     Introduction
a.      Describe The Federalist Papers are and when they started
b.     Thesis:   The Federalist influenced the ratification of the Constitution
by making some of their most important arguments, including the
importance of being in a Union by having a Constitution, answering to
the objections made by the Anti-federalists about separation of powers,
and defending opposing arguments made against the characteristics of
the executive and judicial branch as provided in the Constitution.
          II.     Background
a.      State when The Federalist was printed and published.
b.     Discuss the intentions and purposes of The Federalist.
        III.     Argument for the benefit of a Union
a.      A Union would guard against external dangers
b.     A Union would guard against internal dangers
A.    The “extended sphere” argument about how it will control
factions. (Federalist 10)
       IV.     Argument of the problem with complete separation of powers
a.      Anti-federalists wanted a complete separation of the judicial,
executive, and legislative branches
b.     The Federalist said the maxim of complete separation of powers is
misunderstood. (Montesquieu)
c.      The branches need some limited power of the other branches to protect
themselves from encroachment of the other branches (Federalist 51)
A.    The branches need to have the interests of maintaining their
powers, and not letting the other branches take that away.
         V.     Argument for a single executive, and against a plural executive
a.      Anti-federalists didn’t want a single executive, too much like a
monarch
b.     The Federalist need the executive to be “energetic” and a plural
executive would make this impossible (Federalist 70)
A.    It would take too long for the people in the executive position
to make decision in an emergency, because they might
disagree.
B.    In a plural executive, it is hard to tell who is responsible for a
wrongdoing because they can all blame each other, so a
single executive would lead to more responsible behavior
       VI.     Argument in favor of judicial review and terms of good behavior for judges
a.      Anti-federalists didn’t like judicial review and the term of good
behavior
b.     The Federalist argued that judicial review was necessary to protect the
judicial branch from the Legislature.
c.      A term of good behavior was necessary to get qualified people for the
positions; it would also give them time to develop knowledge.
     VII.     Conclusion
a.      Thesis
b.     The dates of the ratification of the Constitution by the States
c.      The Federalist’s influence beyond the ratification
 
 
 
 
Sample Outline #3
 
Title: Common Sense and Its Impact on American Political Thought
Thesis: Thomas Paine’s Common Sense articulated the anti-British sentiments of
the Colonies in a way so unprecedented that it permanently changed the face of
political thought in America.
 
 
I.                 Intro:
 A.    Thesis: Thomas Paine’s Common Sense articulated the anti-British
sentiments of the Colonies in a way so unprecedented that it
permanently changed the face of political thought in America.
 
II.               What did Common Sense say that was so different?
A.    It denounced both the monarchy and the English Constitution, which
had previously been looked upon as a brilliant political document.
Americans realized the inherent fallacies of hereditary government
(specifically monarchy) as well as the English Constitution which
protected the monarchy.
B.    It called for Americans to disconnect themselves from the flawed
British system and create a new one for themselves. Common
Sense questioned the long-standing belief that residents of the colonies
were inseparably connected to England. It gave them a new identity –
Americans rather then Britons.
C.    It also outlined the benefits of a republican government, which would
go on to influence the ideas of the Founding Fathers as they created a
new government for their new country.
 
III.             What was Common Sense’s immediate effect on the Colonies?
A.    The debate in the American Colonies shifted from that of
reconciliation with England to that of independence.
B.    It was read by an unprecedented number of colonists and united a great
majority of them behind independence.
C.    It inspired American intellectuals with its call for independence,
leading to the composition of the Declaration of Independence a mere
six months later.
 
IV.            What were Common Sense’s long term effects?
A.    It changed the connotation of the word “revolution” to something that
looked to the future. “Revolution” became a word of innovation rather
than renovation.
B.    It permanently cemented the idea of a republican, non-hereditary
government into the heads of Americans. Common Sense’s design for a
republican government, and its basic principles were carried on to the
Constitution.
 
V.              Conclusion
A.    Common Sense’s eloquent, articulate, and unprecedented arguments
led to a permanent change in American political thought.