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Are you working on a psychology research paper this semester? Whether or not this is your first research paper, the entire process can seem a bit overwhelming at first. But, knowing where to start the research process can make things easier and less stressful.While it can feel very intimidating, a research paper can initially be very intimidating, but it is not quite as scary if you break it down into more manageable steps. The following tips will help you break down the process into steps so it is easier to research and write your paper.
Are you working on a psychology research paper this semester? Whether or not this is your first research paper, the entire process can seem a bit overwhelming at first. But, knowing where to start the research process can make things easier and less stressful.
While it can feel very intimidating, a research paper can initially be very intimidating, but it is not quite as scary if you break it down into more manageable steps. The following tips will help you break down the process into steps so it is easier to research and write your paper.
1
Decide What Kind of Paper You Are Going to Write
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Before you begin, you should find out the type of paper your instructor expects you to write. There are a few common types of psychology papers that you might encounter.
Original Research or Lab Report
A report or empirical paper details research you conducted on your own. This is the type of paper you would write if your instructor had you perform your own psychology experiment. This type of paper follows a format similar to anAPA formatlab report. It includes a title page,abstract, introduction, method section, results section, discussion section, and references.
Literature Review
The format and sections of a literature review usually include an introduction, body, and discussion/implications/conclusions.
2Select an Idea for Your Research PaperHero Images / Getty ImagesOnce you have figured out the type of research paper you are going to write, it is time tochoose a good topic. In many cases, your instructor may assign you a subject, or at least specify an overall theme on which to focus.As you are selecting your topic, try to avoid general or overly broad subjects. For example, instead of writing a research paper on the general subject ofattachment, you might instead focus your research on how insecure attachment styles inearly childhood impact romantic attachmentslater in life.Narrowing your topic will make writing your paper easier because it allows you to focus your research, develop your thesis, and fully explore pertinent findings.
2
Select an Idea for Your Research PaperHero Images / Getty ImagesOnce you have figured out the type of research paper you are going to write, it is time tochoose a good topic. In many cases, your instructor may assign you a subject, or at least specify an overall theme on which to focus.As you are selecting your topic, try to avoid general or overly broad subjects. For example, instead of writing a research paper on the general subject ofattachment, you might instead focus your research on how insecure attachment styles inearly childhood impact romantic attachmentslater in life.Narrowing your topic will make writing your paper easier because it allows you to focus your research, develop your thesis, and fully explore pertinent findings.
Select an Idea for Your Research Paper
Hero Images / Getty Images
Once you have figured out the type of research paper you are going to write, it is time tochoose a good topic. In many cases, your instructor may assign you a subject, or at least specify an overall theme on which to focus.
As you are selecting your topic, try to avoid general or overly broad subjects. For example, instead of writing a research paper on the general subject ofattachment, you might instead focus your research on how insecure attachment styles inearly childhood impact romantic attachmentslater in life.
Narrowing your topic will make writing your paper easier because it allows you to focus your research, develop your thesis, and fully explore pertinent findings.
3Develop an Effective Research StrategyJohn Fedele / Blend Images / Getty ImagesAs youfind referencesfor your psychology paper, take careful notes on the information you use and start developing a bibliography. If you stay organized and cite your sources throughout the writing process, you will not be left searching for an important bit of information you cannot seem to track back to the source.So, as you do your research, make careful notes about each reference including the article title, authors, journal source, and what the article was about.
3
Develop an Effective Research StrategyJohn Fedele / Blend Images / Getty ImagesAs youfind referencesfor your psychology paper, take careful notes on the information you use and start developing a bibliography. If you stay organized and cite your sources throughout the writing process, you will not be left searching for an important bit of information you cannot seem to track back to the source.So, as you do your research, make careful notes about each reference including the article title, authors, journal source, and what the article was about.
Develop an Effective Research Strategy
John Fedele / Blend Images / Getty Images
As youfind referencesfor your psychology paper, take careful notes on the information you use and start developing a bibliography. If you stay organized and cite your sources throughout the writing process, you will not be left searching for an important bit of information you cannot seem to track back to the source.
So, as you do your research, make careful notes about each reference including the article title, authors, journal source, and what the article was about.
4Write an OutlineWestend61 / Getty ImagesYou might be tempted to immediately dive into writing, but developing a strong framework can save a lot of time, hassle, and frustration. It can also help you spot potential problems with flow and structure.If you outline the paper right off the bat, you will have a better idea of how one idea flows into the next and how your research supports your overallhypothesis.You should start the outline with the three most fundamental sections: the introduction, the body, and the conclusion. Then, start creating subsections based on your literature review. The more detailed your outline, the easier it will be to write your paper.
4
Write an OutlineWestend61 / Getty ImagesYou might be tempted to immediately dive into writing, but developing a strong framework can save a lot of time, hassle, and frustration. It can also help you spot potential problems with flow and structure.If you outline the paper right off the bat, you will have a better idea of how one idea flows into the next and how your research supports your overallhypothesis.You should start the outline with the three most fundamental sections: the introduction, the body, and the conclusion. Then, start creating subsections based on your literature review. The more detailed your outline, the easier it will be to write your paper.
Write an Outline
Westend61 / Getty Images
You might be tempted to immediately dive into writing, but developing a strong framework can save a lot of time, hassle, and frustration. It can also help you spot potential problems with flow and structure.
If you outline the paper right off the bat, you will have a better idea of how one idea flows into the next and how your research supports your overallhypothesis.
You should start the outline with the three most fundamental sections: the introduction, the body, and the conclusion. Then, start creating subsections based on your literature review. The more detailed your outline, the easier it will be to write your paper.
5Draft, Revise, and EditStefano Gilera / Cultura Exclusive / Getty ImagesOnce you are confident in your outline, it is time to begin writing. Remember to follow APA format as you write your paper and include in-text citations for any materials you reference. Make sure to cite any information in the body of your paper in your reference section at the end of your document.
5
Draft, Revise, and EditStefano Gilera / Cultura Exclusive / Getty ImagesOnce you are confident in your outline, it is time to begin writing. Remember to follow APA format as you write your paper and include in-text citations for any materials you reference. Make sure to cite any information in the body of your paper in your reference section at the end of your document.
Draft, Revise, and Edit
Stefano Gilera / Cultura Exclusive / Getty Images
Once you are confident in your outline, it is time to begin writing. Remember to follow APA format as you write your paper and include in-text citations for any materials you reference. Make sure to cite any information in the body of your paper in your reference section at the end of your document.
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SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Beins, BC & Beins, A. Effective Writing in Psychology: Papers, Posters, and Presentation. New York: Blackwell Publishing; 2011.
Sources
Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Beins, BC & Beins, A. Effective Writing in Psychology: Papers, Posters, and Presentation. New York: Blackwell Publishing; 2011.
Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Beins, BC & Beins, A. Effective Writing in Psychology: Papers, Posters, and Presentation. New York: Blackwell Publishing; 2011.
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