Research Paper- Defined

A research paper is the final outcome of a research process that involves synthesis
of research, critical analysis, evaluation of sources, organization, and composition.
To develop a research paper, one must have a strong knowledge of the topic along
with critical thinking and analytical skills. As a student, you may be required to write
different types of research papers like a survey research paper, argumentative
research paper, cause-and-effect research paper, analytical research paper, reports
research paper, interpretative research paper, experimental research paper, etc.
To get started with research paper writing, it is always better to draft a research
paper outline. Continue reading to know when and how to prepare a research paper
outline.

Preparing an Outline for Research Paper Writing

A rough representation of the research paper is called an outline. To prepare an
outline, the very first step is to finalize the best one from the best research paper
topics. Choosing a topic, undoubtedly, will be time taking and brain-wracking.
Thereafter, you have to move into an in-depth study of the chosen topic. This
means you have to look for data that can be from primary or secondary sources,
study previous research conducted on the topic which gives you background
knowledge on the topic, review the materials related to the topic and compile and
organize all the information you have collected. While researching, make sure you
conduct wide research and take into consideration the ones that are significant,
relevant, valid, and original.
Reviewing the related literature, you will come across a gap in previous studies, or
an issue that hasn’t been addressed. This helps in developing a strong research
question which in turn helps to craft a strong thesis statement.
So, after you have collected the relevant information, developed the research
question, and prepared a thesis, it’s time to organize everything into a formal
structure which is an outline. The outline adheres to a standardized format. But
mostly has the following components that are presented in form of headings and
points. Each heading and subheading contain a brief description of the same.

 Research Paper Abstract: A summary of your paper is written at the end of

your paper.
  Introduction: Contains the topic description, research problem, and thesis
statement.
 Literature Review: Contains the background information about the topic-
what has already been studied, and what has been found.
 Research Methodology: This contains the research methodology framework
you have designed that includes the approach, strategy, methods of data
collection, and analysis.
 Data Analysis: Contains what you are analyzing, and how you are analyzing.
This is a crucial step in your study as you have to examine every piece of data
in detail to develop or discover essential features or meanings.
 Results: Results are findings and implications that your analysis indicates.
 Conclusion: You once again go over the thesis statement and rest of the
paper in the conclusion paragraph. Restate the objectives and summarize
the findings and what the study has accomplished.
 References: Contains all the sources you have consulted according to the
citation format instructed.

Research Paper Example

Topic: The Correlation Between Anxiety and Academic Performance

Abstract: In the research paper abstract, the gist of the research paper is provided.
You briefly state the significance of your study, objectives of the study, research
methodology and outcomes.
The objective of this research was to observe the relationship between anxiety and
academic performance among postgraduate students. A total of 206 students were
chosen at random from different departments at a major university in Pahang. State
Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) was used to measure the level of anxiety. And the
performance of students was measured through the Grade Point Average (GPA). The Test
Anxiety Inventory was used to collect data (TAI). For data analysis, Pearson correlation,
regression analyses, and multivariate statistics were used. It was discovered that test
anxiety levels and achievement scores have a significant negative association. Academic
anxiety is caused more by a cognitive aspect (concern) than by affective factors,
according to the findings (emotional). As a result, it can be stated that test anxiety is one
of the variables contributing to students’ underachievement and poor performance, but
it may also be overcome.
Introduction: The introduction sets out to define the subject of the study. The
importance of the study is addressed here along with a thesis statement that
asserts the objective and position of the paper.
In our competitive environment, tests and examinations at all levels of education,
particularly at the higher education level, have been deemed a significant and powerful
tool for decision making, with people of all ages being evaluated on their achievement,
skills, and abilities. Students with anxiety disorders have a lethargic attitude toward their
academics, exhibiting a lack of enthusiasm in learning, poor exam achievement, and
poor assignment performance. Anxious students have a shorter memory span, lose
concentration, lack confidence, and have weak reasoning abilities. External elements
such as the examination hall setting; examiner behavior, and internal factors such as
the structuring of questions in a test, sufficient context explanation, and so on have all
been suggested by the researchers as ways to reduce anxiety associated with tests and
study. Despite these efforts, several studies have identified anxiety as one of the leading
causes of student underachievement and poor performance at various stages of their
educational careers.
Literature Review: If wondering how to write a literature review, let us tell you that
the background is where you start to discuss the topic in more detail. What
motivated you to research this topic? What are the previous research findings? Give
a review of the existing knowledge in the area of your study.
Anxiety is a psychophysiology issue. Symptoms include psychological, bodily, and
environmental difficulties. Excessive worrying, a sensation of fear, highly sensitive
responses, restlessness, and negative thinking are all examples of anxiety. Physiological
arousal and cognitive anxiety are two elements of study anxiety.
Students of higher levels have a responsibility for maintaining their peak academic
performance. This anxiety develops through an overdemanding syllabus or insensible
teaching. Studies depicted that students having higher levels of anxiety had a lower
academic performance. Studies have also revealed that anxiety has a detrimental effect
causing a decrease in memory and reasoning in students, consistent feelings of stress,
tension, and fear, and also affecting their nervous system. Previous research observed
that students’ academic performance is affected by personal efforts, peer interaction,
time management, environment, completion of assignments, study groups, teaching
style, and class attendance. Although, studies have also revealed that improved
academic performance relies on effective studying and motivation. Further studies
suggested that students who had a feeling of satisfaction and had low anxiety levels
performed better in academics.
Research Methodology: This is where you state how you have conducted your
research, thoroughly describe the procedure, sample, materials, and methods.
Participants: The sample in this study is postgraduate students at Pahang University.
Students having low academic performance were tested for measuring their anxiety
levels. A total of 206 students, 96 male and 110 female students with low academic
scores participated in the test. Students who participated were between the age of 22-26
and belonged to socioeconomic and diverse ethnic backgrounds.
Measurement: STAI was used to measure the level of anxiety. The STAI has 40 questions
with two subscales. The s-Anxiety scale (Form Y-1) contains 20 statements that quantify
how respondents feel about anxiety right now. In response to the T-anxiety scale (Form
Y-2) that contains 20 statements to evaluate how they generally feel about bei