Help for Your Analytical Research Paper

A big requirement in some college classes, and definitely in postgraduate classes, is the analytical research paper.  When first assigned, some students think it is similar to the papers they did in high school; but it’s not.

What it is

The analytical paper requires you to thoroughly explore a topic to answer a question posed by the teacher. Though you are free to choose your answer, you must support it with evidence found from your readings.

Because it is more difficult than a book report or a reaction essay, view the following tips or buy term papers online to help yourself with the writing.

1. Study the question well

A big error some students make is to quickly skim through the question and begin their paper.  Unfortunately, if you made a mistake understanding it, your paper will be incorrect.

Study the keywords in the question given which will tell you what you need to do.  They will also inform you of your paper’s boundaries.

2. Make an outline

Outlining today is a lost art.  Many students prefer to simply compose everything while typing.  However, if you are NOT good at writing, you may find that your paper is headed in the wrong direction.

A brief outline will include the main elements and serve as a guide as you write.  The outline doesn’t have to be perfect.  You can make adjustments as you read more.  So do try to make an outline as it really helps.

3. Find credible sources

Since an analytical paper is not an opinion paper, the arguments and counterarguments you present must be supported by credible sources (journals, published books, and newspaper articles). These should be properly cited.

4. Capture your reader’s attention

How you begin often sets the tone for your paper. Find a witty or inspiring quote, an exciting fact, or a puzzling question to excite your reader in the introduction.

5. Present the other side

A strong analysis always requires presenting the counterarguments to your position.  Without them, your essay becomes one-sided and weak as it may seem that your research was lacking or you are afraid of the strengths of the counterarguments.

The other side, however, should not take up the same amount of space as your support.  Defend your point and bring up the opposition, but refute them with logic and facts.  That is how you can prove your position (thesis statement) is correct.

6. Conclude strongly

The conclusion sums up what occurs in the body, strengthening your answer to the problem.  Do not repeat everything you said earlier (as the reader will get bored) and don’t introduce anything new (as the reader will get confused).

Similar to how the paper began, it helps if you have a powerful statement to end your paper. This further cements your position and helps the reader remember your point.

Summary

As a possible assignment in many of your classes in college or postgraduate studies, the analytical research paper is something that must be mastered.  Review again the pointers above to ensure an easier time when writing your paper.

Making a Scientific Research? Dealing with the Methods Section

If you are creating a scientific research paper, it is understandable to consider your discussion and results as very important.  That is where others discover whether your thoughts on the problem are correct.

However, just as important is the methods section.

The purpose

The methods section is important because this is where peers and superiors (such as your teacher!) determine if your research was valid.  It should contain these details:

– What steps did you take to answer the problems? Why?

– What experimental design did you use? Why?

– How did you analyze the results? Why?

Scientific research is very rigid.  For you to say that your research was done right, there should be no loopholes in the process, materials, or participants involved.  If not, your research will be dismissed by the scientific community.

Things to consider

For your paper to be accepted by your professor and peers, consider the following pointers.

1. Cite your sources

Since scientific research is often built upon the works of others, it is important to properly cite your sources.  Be sure to mention the authors of the study, the timeframe, and the parameters used.  Keep in mind the style guide (APA or something else) so that you don’t waste time revising it later on.

2. Describe the participants

To ensure the research was done correctly and for your study to be a reference in future studies, you need to describe the participants.  For human participants, the characteristics of both the study group and the control group need to be listed.  This may include age, gender, race, educational attainment, occupation, geographical location, and socioeconomic status.  If it is a medical study, the health status before starting the research should be recorded.  Depending upon the type of medical research, written consent may need to be secured.

If the study is on animals, the age, sex, and number of animals involved need to be recorded.  You must indicate how these animals were obtained and how you cared for them to ensure humane treatment.

Another important detail is why the human participants or animals were selected, and how many were removed from the study.  If groupings were made, the selection process must also be presented.

3.  Discuss the research design

It is necessary to describe how the study was conducted.  This includes preparations done, main equipment used, protocols followed, and the timeframe.

Furthermore, you must indicate the data collected and the measurement process.  The statistical tests used must also be mentioned, including the statistical software.

4. Strike a balance

Although details are very important, be careful not to be too detailed.  Reread your work to see if you have inserted unnecessary information which may distract, confuse, or bore your audience.

Summary

The methods section is crucial as this is where others can verify whether your methods were sound or if something was lacking.  Take care to do it well so that your research receives the approval and support of others in the scientific field.

Tackling Your Term Paper

A standard requirement in most high schools is a term paper.  It prepares students for the challenges of college by teaching them how to use a variety of resources and giving them academic writing practice.

Students should be thankful for the experience. However, since it is not an easy task, very few appreciate the process.  Thankfully, there are ways to make it easier.

Choose your topic well

Oftentimes, students have difficulty making a paper because they didn’t choose their topic well.  Even if you are not fond of your subject (Literature, History, Economics), it doesn’t mean that you can’t find something interesting to research.

Try looking at research papers in your library or online journals.  You can also take a look at magazines about the subject.  Be creative about your topic search because finding the right one will make the process more enjoyable.

Research thoroughly

Once a topic has been chosen, you’ll need to find a lot of resources to support your thoughts.  However, don’t just search for evidence for your position. You also need articles and books that go against your thoughts.  A good research shows both sides of the story.

Organize your thoughts

While researching, don’t just read and read.  Write down the important facts and sources so you can refer to them while writing.  As you are expected to have combed through many sources, it will be difficult to recall what you’ve read already if you did not take down notes.

Make an outline

Whether your teacher requires it or not, it is a good idea to have an outline of your paper. This should include a bit of your introduction, your main arguments, the counterarguments, and how you tie them all together.

Research papers are several pages long. The outline will help keep you on track while you write.

Attract your reader’s attention

A good paper entices a person to keep going as he or she reads.  So try to include powerful quotes, interesting facts, or thought-provoking ideas.  These are usually in the introduction as a way to initially grab the reader’s attention.  However, such details may also be interspersed in the discussion, results, or recommendation.

Present both sides well

As earlier mentioned, a good paper shows both sides.  Unfortunately, many students don’t want to be “wrong,” causing them to only support their position.  The point of a term paper is to become more knowledgeable about the problem, not to be “right.” If your position is disproved, you just have to explain why in the results.  Your readers will appreciate the honesty and professionalism.

Make good recommendations

After discussing the results, you must make recommendations.  Don’t brush this section off since good recommendations indicate that you understand what you discovered.

Edit your work

Placing that final period is very satisfying.  But don’t rest just because you finished writing.  It is expected that you may have made many errors such as wrong grammar and punctuation, repetition of vocabulary, or vague sentences and thoughts.  Double or triple-check your work to make sure everything is clear.

Summary

Yes, a term paper is not a walk in the park, but it is also not an impossible task.  If you put in the effort and consider these pointers, you might begin to see why teachers consider the term paper a great project for students.

Are you experiencing hardships with tackling your term paper and need to complete if faster than you can do it on your own? Here is an excellent custom term paper writing service where you’ll get the problem solved easily.