Top 5 common mistakes in research paper writing

A research paper is an intimidating project, involving extensive reading, study design, and statistical analysis. And that’s before you consider all the writing mistakes you can make along the way. Today, we take the guesswork out of the writing process. We’ll introduce five common issues and explain how you can avoid each writing mistake. It’s easier than it seems!

What are common research paper mistakes?

There are dozens of mistakes to avoid when writing a research paper. Let’s start with the five most likely to cost you a good grade.

Making a Thesis Too Broad

Why it happens: When you have a free choice of a topic, it’s tempting to choose something generic. It’s easier to find sources for a vague thesis like “social media” than to focus on its impact on self-image among adolescents aged 12 to 15.

Why it matters: If your topic and thesis are too broad for the research paper scope, your academic writing will be bland and unfocused. You’ll have too many sources to sift through, and it will be harder to choose the best ones. In most cases, you won’t score a good grade.

Quick fix: Narrow down your thesis. Rinse and repeat. Add filters and limitations. Which social media do you want to cover? TikTok or Facebook? Will you focus on the echo chamber effect or self-image issues? Which period will you cover? Who are the subjects of your study? Don’t be afraid to make your thesis too narrow. That’s highly unlikely.

Example: “Social media and elections” vs “The effect of Facebook’s algorithm and its echo-chamber effect on the electoral decisions during the Presidential campaign of 2024”

Using weak sources

Why it happens: Ask ChatGPT and use the first three links it spits out. Or go old-school and use the first five Google search results. It’s easy and fast. So why bother with anything else?

Why it matters: Your research paper is only as good as your sources. Especially if you aren’t running an original study. So, you need to rely on the latest, most reliable data. If not, you’re making wrong conclusions based on faulty information. That’s not how you get good grades.

Quick fix: Swap Google for Google Scholar. There’s even the AI-powered Labs version that works just like ChatGPT. Only better, because it relies on research publications and peer-reviewed journals. Better yet, visit your campus library and ask a librarian for help looking for the right sources.

Failing to structure the paper

Why it happens: Outlining is a waste of time. That’s what many students believe. You’ve written a million papers. You know what goes where. And you can always move things around if they don’t work on the first try.

Why it matters: A solid structure of a research paper is a win-win for you and your readers. It helps you stick to the plan without wasting time. And it helps your readers follow your thinking without getting distracted by off-topic side notes. Every professor’s rubric has points for flow and structure.

Quick fix: Create a list in a new file. Let Introduction, Body, and Conclusion be your first-level items. Add second-tier ideas for each. Include one or two more levels where necessary. Order these points to make the most sense. Use it to guide your academic writing. You can also clean it up and submit it to the professor for grading, or at least ask for their feedback before you start writing.

Forgetting to cite references

Why it happens: Adding a citation after every quote and paraphrase gets old quickly. Why bother if there’s a reference list at the end? So what if you miss a couple of citations? No one cares about student papers anyway. That's a typical writing mistake.

Why it matters: At best, your professor will deduct points for poor formatting. At worst, you’ll raise all kinds of plagiarism red flags. Your paper will get rejected. You might even fail the class.

Quick fix: Add full publication information with any piece of data you copy from a source. Even if it makes your paper look ridiculous at first, it’s a glaring reminder to cite your references. If you can’t be bothered with formatting, use automatic citation generators, but always recheck the entries.

Ignoring formatting requirements

Why it happens: When your paper is ready right before the submission deadline, your first instinct is to turn it in immediately. It’s what your paper is about that matters, not how it looks. Right? Wrong!

Why it matters: Formatting is how you make a good first impression. It makes your paper readable. It helps your academic writing look professional. And it keeps you on your professor’s good side. Besides, if you plan to stick with academia, it’s good training for preparing your manuscripts for publishing.

Quick fix: If your school or department offers a paper template, use it. It’s the easiest way to format a paper. If not, learn the basics of APA, MLA, or Chicago style and create your own template in Word or Google Docs. It’ll serve you for years.

How to avoid these mistakes

There’s no universal academic writing algorithm to protect you from making wrong decisions. But these best practices can dramatically improve your chances of doing your best work and getting good grades:

• Read the paper requirements carefully and ask questions if something’s unclear.
• Get regular feedback from your TA or professor.
• Pay attention to research publications and use them to guide your writing.
• Develop a daily writing routine to avoid rushing through the task.
• Remember to edit and proofread the paper before submitting it for grading.
• Get professional write my research paper help if you’re running out of time.

Conclusion

How important can these five common mistakes in writing really be? Why don’t you try fixing them in your next assignment? You’ll see a dramatic increase in your grades. And if it’s already too late to put your newfound knowledge to good use, you’re welcome to our research paper writing services. We promise our writers know how to avoid these and dozens of other common writing mistakes.