Research paper
How to write a research paper, step by step
A US college research paper is not a longer essay — it's a documented argument built on primary and peer-reviewed sources. Below is the 9-step process our writers use for 8-25 page papers in APA 7 or MLA 9.
Step 1 — Pick a narrow topic (30 min)
Broad topic ('climate change') is a trap. Narrow to a testable question ('How has the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act shifted US utility-scale solar deployment?'). The narrower the topic, the fewer sources you need and the sharper the argument.
Step 2 — Draft a research question (20 min)
Format: 'How does X affect Y in context Z?' Your thesis will answer this question in step 4. See our post on thesis statement vs. research question for the difference.
Step 3 — Source discovery (2-4 hrs)
Start in JSTOR, EBSCO, or PubMed (nursing/health). Aim for 12-15 sources, prioritizing peer-reviewed articles from the last 5 years, plus 2-3 foundational works. Save every source with a full APA/MLA citation from the database's export tool — do not retype.
Step 4 — Build the thesis (30 min)
Read the top 3-4 sources deeply, then draft a thesis that takes a specific position on the research question. A weak thesis is the #1 reason papers grade a C — expect to redraft it 3-5 times.
Step 5 — Outline with source citations (1 hr)
Standard structure: Introduction, Literature Review, Methodology (if empirical), Findings/Analysis, Discussion, Conclusion, References. Under each section, list the sources you'll cite in that order. This is your paper's skeleton — get it right before drafting.
Step 6 — Draft the body (6-15 hrs)
Body sections first — lit review, then analysis, then discussion. Intro and conclusion last. Every claim needs a citation. Every citation needs a synthesis sentence explaining why that source supports your argument.
Step 7 — Format in the required style (1 hr)
APA 7 (most US programs): title page, running head, level 1-3 headings, in-text (Author, Year, p. X), references page with DOIs. MLA 9: Works Cited, in-text (Author p. X). See our APA 7 citation cheat sheet.
Step 8 — Cite ethically (30 min)
Every idea from a source is cited, even paraphrased. Every direct quote is in quotation marks with page number. No secondary citations for primary sources. Turnitin similarity under 15% is the safe target.
Step 9 — Revise and defend (2-3 hrs)
Read only the topic sentences to check argument flow. Then read the whole paper aloud. Ask: could I defend every citation if my professor asked in office hours? If not, cut it.
Frequently asked questions
How long should a research paper be?
US undergraduate research papers typically run 8-15 pages (2,500-4,500 words). Graduate research papers run 20-30 pages. Length is a floor, not a ceiling — quality of argument beats page count.
How many sources for a research paper?
Rule of thumb: 1-1.5 sources per page for undergrad, 2-3 per page for graduate. A 10-page undergrad paper wants 10-15 sources; a 25-page MSN paper wants 50-75.
APA 7 or MLA 9?
APA 7 dominates the sciences, nursing, education, business, and psychology. MLA 9 dominates English, humanities, and film studies. Chicago 17 dominates history. Check the syllabus.
Need help with a research paper?
We deliver research papers with a live source list and Turnitin report. Order at https://tutorsgallery.org/orders/stud/new, choose "Research paper." See also /services/research-paper-help and /write-my-research-paper.