How to prepare research papers
Knowing how to prepare research works is key during the academic period, since in many cases these are used as an evaluation method, both in secondary education and in higher education. It is also important in the workplace, as it serves to obtain relevant information for companies and to present it to colleagues and superiors. For this reason, it is important to acquire and strengthen a method of investigation and sample of the results.
The steps of a research work are:
- Identification of the need or needs asking ourselves what we want to know.
- Selection of the topic or problem to investigate, as detailed as possible.
- Documentation of previous research published on this topic.
- Establishment of a schematic or detailed work plan.
- Development of fieldwork.
- Drafting of the research paper.
- Elaboration of conclusions.
- Presentation of the work and communication of the conclusions.
Research can respond to different objectives and audiences, so it is important to have an organizational scheme with the most important points to be efficient and clear.
When selecting a topic, consider its originality and check how it has been treated by other research papers. The documentation process is decisive. In it, we can resort to publications, monographs, bulletins, professional magazines, data banks, reports, or technical projects.
Regarding the format, the presentation can be done in writing (the most common), but also in sound, visual or oral support. It can also be done in person or online.
The structure of the research work should consist of:
- Introduction: here it is indicated why the topic has been investigated and what is being sought with the research work.
- Development: it is the core, the place where data, concepts, and ideas are presented and contextualized. It is convenient to outline it in detail and enrich it with diagrams and infographics.
- Conclusions: collect the theses that can be extracted in light of the data and ideas obtained. Sometimes it is accompanied by recommendations, advice on the subject, and future lines of research.
After the title page, which serves as a presentation of the research work and must include both the title and the name of the author, it is essential to place an index on the next page that indicates the different sections into which the document is divided.
In the final part of the research work, after the conclusions, it is necessary to reserve a space dedicated to detailing the bibliography that has been used. This must be arranged in alphabetical order and in accordance with the general academic presentation rules. If citations from authors or other publications have been used in the main text, you can choose to enter them at the foot of each page or at the end of the text, in a separate section before the bibliography.
Regarding the style, it is necessary to use a formal language, although adjusted to the person or the audience that is going to receive it. It is advisable to write in the third person and avoid both the excessive use of textual citations and ambiguous terms. It is also not advisable to use too long sentences or abbreviations. Acronyms should always be used after accompanying, the first time they appear in the text, the word or set of words it represents.
