How to write a research paper

1. Turn a topic into a research question

'Climate policy' is a topic. 'Why did carbon-tax adoption stall in Canada between 2019 and 2023?' is a question you can answer in a set number of pages.

A workable question is narrow, answerable with available sources, and has genuine disagreement or uncertainty in it.

2. Build a source strategy before you search

• Start with a recent review article to map the debate quickly
• Use your library database, not only a general web search - paywalled work is usually free through your institution
• Mine reference lists of the best sources you find (backwards citation searching)
• Record the full citation the moment you save a source, not later

3. Keep notes that stay usable

For each source, write one line on what it argues, one on the evidence it uses, and one on how it relates to your question. Paraphrase in your own words at note-taking stage - most accidental plagiarism starts as a copied note that was never rewritten.

4. Use the structure your discipline expects

Science and social-science papers usually follow introduction, literature review, methods, results, discussion, conclusion. Humanities papers are argument-led with thematic sections. Check your rubric before assuming.

Introduction - question, why it matters, thesis
Literature review - what is known, where the gap is
Methods or approach - how you answer the question
Findings or analysis - the evidence, organised by theme
Discussion - interpretation, limitations
Conclusion - answer, implications, next questions

5. Write the sections in the easiest order

Methods and findings are the most mechanical sections, so draft those first to build momentum. Write the introduction and abstract last, when you know what the paper concluded.

6. Check citations mechanically at the end

• Every in-text citation has a reference entry, and vice versa
• Page numbers appear wherever your style requires them for direct quotes
• Reference list is alphabetised and consistently formatted
• Quotations over the length your style allows are set as block quotes