Research Paper Structure: Basic Outline and Examples

A research paper describes the design and results of a study. It can be an academic assignment in undergraduate and postgraduate programs. Moreover, it is an integral requirement in doctoral programs, where postgrads’ research papers are published in reputable journals to add credibility to their research findings. In this post, we’ll cover the basics of research paper formatting and provide a template for a standard structure of a research paper to help organize your writing.

Why Is the Structure of a Research Paper Important?

Ordering different parts of a research paper is critical for fulfilling academic standards, streamlining your writing, and avoiding distractions and sidetracks. Although outlining may seem like a waste of time, it is the most efficient use of your time at the pre-writing stage, as it will help you order your thoughts and ideas and develop a plan of action to follow throughout the study. 

Standard Research Paper Structure (Overview)

The basic structure of research paper is standard across all disciplines and fields of study. Here’s a list of mandatory parts your paper should have:

1. Title page. The research paper title page format depends on the required formatting style:

• MLA does not require a separate title page (unless specifically requested). Instead, in the upper left-hand corner of the first page, type your name, your instructor’s name, course name, and date (each on a new line, double-spaced). After that, center the title of the page and include its text.
• APA requires a separate title page, which should include the title of the paper, your name and affiliation, as well as the course name and number, your instructor’s name, and the assignment’s due date. 

These are the mandatory parts of a research paper structure, but it may also include acknowledgments, a conflict-of-interest notice, and appendices, if necessary. Most student papers will not need them, unless you’re working on a thesis or dissertation.

Here’s a brief overview of the section and paragraph structure and estimated length to help you plan your writing:

Research Paper Structure Example

To give you a better understanding of how to structure a research paper for a real-world assignment, let’s reverse-outline for an article in Current Opinion in Psychology called “Social Media Use, Stress, and Coping”. Here are the major components of the study, based on the headings:

1. Abstract
2. Introduction
3. The transactional model of stress and coping
4. The functions of social media in the stress-coping process

• Social media as stressors
• Social media as resources
• Social media as coping tools
• The use of social media as coping tools
• The effectiveness of social media as coping tools

As you see, standard section titles, such as “Literature review” or “Methodology”, aren’t mandatory. You can substitute them with titles that better suit your paper’s logical flow. In this example, the introduction is combined with a literature review, while the third section, “The transactional model of stress and coping”, serves as a methodology section. However, you should ask your professor if it’s appropriate for your assignment. 

Common Research Paper Structure Mistakes

Reading guidelines is easier than following them. You might be tempted to ignore our tips and do it your way. But before you do, check out a few common writing mistakes you might be committing and think twice before you:

• Start writing without an outline. It’s the worst you can do to yourself. Even if developing a research paper structure feels like a waste of time, it’ll save you days on rewriting the parts that don’t fit.
• Get creative with the section order. Save your creativity for narrative or reflection pieces. Research papers follow a rigid structure for many reasons, including improved readability and objective assessment. So even if it feels boring or stale, stick to the basic outline, especially if you’re new to research paper writing.
• Ignore transitions between sections. Although they are separated by headings, they should not read like disjointed works. Make sure the beginning and end of each section support a logical flow.
• Forget about parallel headings. The same-level headings should follow a similar structure to maintain a cohesive flow. For example, every heading can be a full sentence in the present tense or a short noun-heavy phrase (like in the sample above).
• Go against formatting requirements. For example, APA papers typically include all figures and tables at the end. You can go against this and paste them throughout the paper, but you should consult your instructor first. Ignoring formatting rules on a whim is never a good idea. 
• Keep your outline to yourself. Getting feedback often is the most effective writing tactic. So when your outline is ready, show it to your TA, professor, or classmates to get a second opinion. This way, you’ll catch mistakes and inconsistencies early, saving your time in the long run.

Everything you need to know about structuring a research paper cannot fit into a single blog post. And even if you read a book on it, translating the knowledge into the real world takes patience and practice, which are a luxury you often don’t have. So, if you’re all out of time to finish the assignment, contact WritePaperForMe, and we’ll match you with a writer happy to do it for you.