It happens that a student brings an excellent research paper to the teacher, and the teacher does not accept the work because it is improperly formatted. It is especially frustrating to get such a surprise before the exam, which without valid research is not allowed. So, the design of a research paper is not a trifle.
However, there is nothing complicated about the rules for completing a research paper. Problems usually arise with first-year students who do not yet know how to properly execute a research paper (because they were too lazy to find out before handing it in). But this article will help those who did not take the methodology from the department and thought about the registration the night before handing in the paper – agree, a common situation! If you are unsure if your research paper is in the proper format, the edit my paper service can help you. Contact the best online writing service for students to get qualified help. With their help, you will be confident in your paper, and then you will relax.
Sometimes mishaps with the proper research paper registration happen to beginner students. Deciding to work part-time, the beginner student thinks that it is enough just to write the work, and is very upset when the customer with a scandalous demand for improvement: the design is not up to standard. So it seems to us that this article will also be useful for students.
General Rules for the Research Paper Formatting
There are several types of research papers, but in this case, we mean the academic paper format. It is a work that can be called a smaller, simpler version of a term paper. Therefore, the academic research paper is designed generally in the same way as term papers and diplomas.
In many universities and even more so in schools the design of research papers is less strict, allowing small deviations from the standard. Some departments have their own rules regarding the design of papers. Especially cover sheets (in addition to studying the general rules described below, it is advisable to take the methodology from the department; sometimes special requirements are invented by teachers just to check – have you read this methodology or not?)
But in general, it is enough to follow the basic rules concerning the choice of font, footnotes, numbering, content, list of references, and the title page.
It is best if you study the rules of research paper design, which correspond to the standards of registration of more serious research papers. Even if your instructor is not very demanding, these skills will not be superfluous.
How to Properly Format a Research Paper?
The text is printed only on one side of the sheet. The back side must remain clean. By the way, a common mistake among beginners, who often write on both sides, as in a notebook.
Numbering is put from the third sheet (from the introduction). The 1st and 2nd sheets (title page and table of contents), are not numbered but are counted in the tally. Simply put, on the first two sheets at the bottom there are no numbers, on the sheet with the introduction – already put “3”. Annexes are not numbered.
The table of contents is on page 2 and includes the names of all parts (introduction, chapters, and paragraphs of the main part, conclusion, and list of references (sometimes with the allocation of the list of sources, and applications).
For each of the elements, except for the appendices, a page number is indicated. Appendices are not numbered, as they can be not only sheets but also folders of materials, disks, etc.
At the top of the sheet is written: “Table of Contents” (without quotation marks, upper case). It is followed by paper elements information with formatting on the left edge, but the pages are listed opposite, with formatting on the left (use the TAB key).
The introduction begins the paper. As a rule, all academic research papers contain this part, similar to term papers and diplomas. The main part of the research paper is divided into chapters. Sometimes there are paragraphs (or paragraphs) within the chapters. The chapters start on a new page. Sometimes paragraphs start on a new page (check the methodology). A tacit rule of thumb is that the concluding portion of a chapter must occupy at least a quarter of a page.
The conclusion also begins on a separate page. The titles of the structural elements of the research paper (introduction, conclusion, list of references, chapter titles) are designed uniformly. The formatting is centered. Usually – upper case. Additional use of bold (bold) is possible. It is not allowed to use upper case for one item, and lower case for another.
Exception: Paragraphs and paragraphs, if they do not begin on separate sheets, maybe in lowercase and bold when the chapter titles are in uppercase. In this case, they are considered to be an integral part of the chapters. This nuance is better to clarify with the teacher.
A list of references is executed on a separate sheet. In a research paper the number of materials used is small, so the groups in the reference list, as a rule, do not stand out (however, it depends on the requirements of the department and the supervisor). But if the list of references contains sources, and not only scientific research, the allocation of groups is necessary. This is true for historians, lawyers, philosophers, and several other specialties. The list of references is lined up alphabetically.
Format the list of references according to the rules of bibliographic design sources.
