10 tips for good academic research and writing

Academic writing is an official way of discussing events and experiences. It’s a form of writing that follows scientific methods. Academic essays observe, describe, and propose solutions. Writing psychology research papers require patience and expertise.

Every discipline has its particularities. There’s no universal instruction manual. However, there are some basic rules — general standards that ensure integrity. Essentially, every essay has arguments and evidence. Researching is key to writing a good paper. You can’t write without sufficient information.

The other factor in writing a good paper is experience. Only by practicing can you develop top writing skills. An excellent way to gain knowledge is by reading. Study other authors in your area of interest to get an idea. Even their critics can provide helpful feedback. Just make sure not to copy other people. Plagiarism is one of the worst mistakes you can make.

Here are some useful ideas to keep in mind for good academic research and writing:

1. Pick a common subject

Choose a topic that isn’t too complicated. Pick something that interests you. This way, you’ll be motivated until the end. Think about an issue that’s relevant to you. Make sure you’re comfortable speaking about it. Having some prior knowledge will serve as a foundation. For instance, there’s no point in writing about physics if you’re not good at math.

Selecting an exciting subject might push you to investigate more. And make you go that extra mile. Besides, you’re more likely to maintain interest in something you like. As opposed to an issue you find dull.

2. Read publications

Search the “competition” and read some published papers. Pay attention to the structure. Underline relevant paragraphs. After reading some examples, you should have a sense of what you want. Sketch down the main chapters of your essay. Start an outline and imagine discourse. Use other authors as inspiration but don’t copy their work. Always remember to cite, reference, and credit properly.

3. Dedicate enough time

Writing an essay isn’t something you do in an hour or two. It’s a difficult task that requires several days. It would be best if you planned it out ahead. Consider creating a daily schedule with deadlines. Set aside time for research, planning, and actual writing. A simple calendar can be a great research paper writing help. Try to exceed your deadlines.

4. Know your audience

For whom are you writing? What’s their level of education? These questions will help you recognize your type of readers. And most importantly, how to write for them. A good rule is to use simple language. Aim to write for audiences with less knowledge than your target reader. This way, you’ll make sure that people understand you.

5. Organize information

Before writing, you should sequence your statistics and data. Make a separate list with all the facts you’re going to use. Evidence helps sustain your arguments.

Construct your logic in a way that simple and effective. Use connective words to connect sentences. They indicate the relationship and order of ideas. Let’s consider the main categories:

• Addition: also, furthermore, besides, equally important, etc.
• Time: presently, next, finally, in the meantime, etc.
• Order: first, second, from here on, as soon as, hence, etc.
• Space: above, below, here, there, on the other side, etc.
• Examples: for instance, to illustrate, similarly, etc.
• Results: hence, as a consequence, therefore, for this reason, etc.
• Goal: to this end, with this in mind, etc.
• Comparison: in the same manner, similarly, etc.
• Contrast: conversely, still, nonetheless, on the other hand, etc.
• Conclusion: to repeat, in summary, finally, in conclusion, etc.

6. Get straight to the point

Compose your writing as straightforward as possible. Use clear sentences, simple words, and small paragraphs. So, avoid long periods and intricate terms.

Creating an outline is useful to decide sentence order. Put yourself in the reader’s shoes. Imagine you’re reading the text for the first time. Would you understand it easily?

7. Reason through data

Convincing arguments point to data, statistics, and studies. It’s important to use reason and proof when trying to make a case. Furthermore, not every piece of evidence is the same. It’s up to you to analyze the quantity and quality of the data. Try to ensure that the evidence is pertinent and sufficient.

8. Correct grammar errors

Grammar errors suggest negligence. Also, avoid slang as it’s unprofessional. Not to mention it’ll severely diminish your credibility.

Use last resources for proofreading words, punctuation, and formatting. It’s best to ask for help when editing the final version. Fresh eyes can provide valuable input. Consider writing the draft version in dedicated apps such as Grammarly. Similar software offers editing tools and plagiarism checkers.

9. Add findings in contents

Give your outcomes a prominent place on the contents page. Results and findings are necessary to sum-up the paper. Mention meaningful results in conclusion, as well. Also, verify your document contains:

• Title;
• Abstract;
• Intro;
• Body;
• Conclusion;
• Methods;
• Findings;
• Discussion;
• References;
• Data;
• Tables;
• Statistics;

10. Explain your methods

You should clearly state the methods you used. Keep the discussion brief. But explain the general approach. Additionally, a comprehensive statement includes the authors’ personal views and beliefs.

Writing a research paper demands time and energy. Before writing, it’s best to pick a grasped topic. Next, know your audience. After consulting existing literature, you can sketch an outline. The final written work must be clear and concise. Arguments are logical and always relate to data. Finally, proofread the final document and compile it according to general standards.

Abstract

The following article reviews ten tips for good academic research and writing. More precisely, ten ideas to consider when writing and researching an academic essay. All the advice in the list is compliant with English standards. However, the report isn’t exhaustive. The editorial gives guidance for writing a generic research paper.