The research paper format depends on the guidelines of relevant educational institutions
Doing research involves the writing of a thesis or a dissertation and is a task that is undertaken by those doing a research degree like an M.Phil. or Ph.D. The research paper format followed, depends on the specifications outlined either by the educational authority that awards the research degree or by the professor/teacher who acts as the guide and mentor to the research scholar.
There are quite a few styles of writing that are followed today while doing a dissertation. Each university or college follows a particular style and instructs students on the choice of system. The research paper could be in any one of the styles that are mentioned below, depending on the types of research papers written:
1) Harvard
2) APA
3) MLA
These are some of the most commonly used styles. Apart from the three mentioned above, there are other formats too that are used.
It is important to know the particular kind of research paper format mainly because there is a certain methodology that needs to be followed while inserting references and citations. In some cases, there are numbers that are written as superscripts, which are then explained below either at the end of each page or at the end of the complete work. These are called footnotes and endnotes respectively.
When an English essay is written, the person who acts as the mentor can use his discretion while guiding the student on the research paper format. For instance, the scholar may have to do an assignment for submission wherein the topic is a comparative study of the works of two important poets. In this case, he will be asked to follow a format that could have the following sections:
• Introduction
• Purpose of study and developmental context
• Main body of essay a.k.a. core, wherein the terms of comparison are clearly explained
• Examples or case study – in this case, the poems of the two writers will be quoted and compared extensively
• Observations and hypotheses
• Conclusion
• References used
Once the specific format is explained to the students and writing is begun, it is important to submit the first draft to the guide or mentor who will check whether or not the format has been adhered to. This format is very important because the grades obtained by the student depend also on the format followed. Of course, there are those who would aver that the content is more important than the format. This is not entirely true. Having a collection of thoughts on a particular topic is not the same has having the same put into a particular format that makes it more coherent and focussed.
Over a period of time the research scholar is able to adhere to the research paper format without the watchful eye of the guide. Of course, a lot depends on the research paper topic that is chosen. Unless these standard procedures are used it would become quite difficult to judge the essay and evaluate it based on pre-specified criteria.
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