how to do paging in research paper

• Langson Library
• Science Library
• Grunigen Medical Library
• Law Library
• Connect From Off-Campus
• Accessibility
• Gateway Study Center

Email this link

Thesis / dissertation formatting manual (2024).

• Filing Fees and Student Status
• Submission Process Overview
• Electronic Thesis Submission
• Paper Thesis Submission
• Formatting Overview
• Fonts/Typeface
• Pagination, Margins, Spacing
• Paper Thesis Formatting
• Preliminary Pages Overview
• Copyright Page
• Dedication Page
• Table of Contents
• List of Figures (etc.)
• Acknowledgments
• Text and References Overview
• Figures and Illustrations
• Using Your Own Previously Published Materials
• Using Copyrighted Materials by Another Author
• Open Access and Embargoes
• Copyright and Creative Commons
• Ordering Print (Bound) Copies
• Tutorials and Assistance
• FAQ This link opens in a new window

Every page in your manuscript (except the Title and Copyright pages) must be numbered.

All page numbers should be centered at the bottom of each manuscript page.

See specific Pagination guidelines for the Preliminary Pages and the Text and Reference (Body) Pages .

Page size and margins

The final version of your thesis/dissertation must be on an  8.5" x 11" (letter size)  page.

All manuscript text, excluding manuscript page numbers, must fit within these specified margin requirements:

Minimum 1-inch margins  from the top, left, right, and bottom edges of each page

Tables, figures, graphs, photographs, and appendices are also included in these margin requirements. Materials may be reduced or enlarged, if necessary, to fit within the required margins. Pages may be rotated to landscape orientation to accommodate tables or illustrations .

Your manuscript must be  double-spaced,  with the exception of footnotes/endnotes, bibliographic entries, long quotations, data in lists and tables, lists in appendices and figure/table captions, all of which should be single-spaced.

• << Previous: Fonts/Typeface
• Next: Paper Thesis Formatting >>
• Last Updated: Aug 26, 2024 11:00 AM
• URL: https://guides.lib.uci.edu/gradmanual

Off-campus? Please use the Software VPN and choose the group UCIFull to access licensed content. For more information, please Click here

Software VPN is not available for guests, so they may not have access to some content when connecting from off-campus.

The Michael Schwartz Library

• Michael Schwartz Library
• Ask A Librarian

Q. How do I number pages differently in the various sections of my thesis or dissertation?

• 18 General (hours, borrowing, employment, etc)
• 10 Remote Access to Library Resources & Services
• 12 Research
• 16 Technical Support

Answered By: Jeff Beuck Last Updated: Apr 03, 2020     Views: 1478372

See Also:  How do I add page numbers in Microsoft Word?

To use different page numbering schemes in different sections of your Word document, there are two tricks: 1) you must include a "Section Break - Next page" between each section of your document where the numbering will change, and 2) you must "unlink" each section's footer from the one before it.

To start, temporarily turn on the viewing of hidden formatting symbols by clicking the "Show/Hide" symbol on the "Home" tab in the "Paragraph" box -- this will enable you to see the Section Breaks between sections of your document.

One of the required page numbering changes for your thesis or dissertation is that you need to use Roman numerals (e.g., "i, ii, iii") for your introductory sections (Abstract, Table of Contents), and then switch to Arabic numerals (e.g., "1, 2, 3") and begin the page numbering at "1" at the start of Chapter I of your main text.

If you do not already have a "Section Break" between these two sections of your document, you will need to add one.  Place your cursor at the very end of the text in the first section (after your Table of Contents and any Lists of Tables and Figures), being careful NOT to place it in the footer where the page number is (if the text above becomes grayed out, you are in the footer – try clicking higher).

Add a "Section Break – Next Page" by selecting the "Page Layout" tab on the menu, clicking the arrow next to "Breaks", and selecting "Next Page" under Section Breaks.

After doing this, you should see a "Section Break (Next Page)" code inserted into your document.  This tells Word that the next page begins a new section which may have a different header or footer.

Go down to the next page below the section break (in this example, the first page of Chapter I), and click on the page number in the Footer.  If your cursor is in the Footer, you should see "Footer -Section [#]-" to the left, and "Same as Previous" on the right.

You should also see a new tab appear on the menu, labeled "Header & Footer Tools: Design".  Select this.  (Be careful not to confuse this with another tab labeled "Design" between the "Insert" and "Page Layout" tabs.)  In the "Navigation" section of this tab, you will see a highlighted button labeled "Link to Previous" which tells Word to link the footer in this section to the previous section and to continue its page numbering scheme.  Click the "Link to Previous" button to UNSELECT it.

After clicking this, the "Link to Previous" button should no longer be highlighted.  The "Same as Previous" box to the right of your footer should also disappear.

Confirm your cursor is still next to the page number in the Footer, then go back to the Header & Footer Tools – Design tab on the menu, and in the "Header & Footer" section, select Page Number > Format Page Numbers.

The "Page Number Format" window will appear.  Select the appropriate "Number format" for this section ("1, 2, 3," or "i, ii, iii", etc.), and tell Word whether to continue the page numbering from the previous section or to start at "1" or another number.  In this example, we want Section 2 (which begins at Chapter I and contains the main text of our thesis or dissertation) to use Arabic numerals and to start numbering this section from page 1.  Click "OK" to finish.

You will notice that the page numbering for the current section has now been corrected, and if you unlinked it properly from the previous sections, the numbering in those sections should remain as it was before.

Next, you will need to change the page number format to lower-case Roman numerals (i.e., "i, ii, iii, ...") for the section with your Abstract and Table of Contents.  Click your cursor on the footer of your Abstract or Table of Contents page.

Open the "Format Page Numbers" window by going to the Header & Footer Tools – Design tab on the menu, and in the "Header & Footer" section, select Page Number > Format Page Numbers.

Next to "Number format", select the "i, ii, iii, ..." option for lower-case Roman numerals, then click "OK".

The page numbering for the section with your Abstract and Table of Contents should change to lower-case Roman numerals.  As long as you correctly unlinked the following section from this one, the page numbering in the following section, the main body of your text, should remain Arabic numerals starting with 1.

You will also need to remove page numbers completely from the title page and other preliminary pages of your thesis or dissertation.  To do this, you will use the same method as above, but delete the page numbers from the first section of your document.

Place your cursor at the very end of the last page which will not be numbered (probably your approval page, dedication, or acknowledgment), being careful NOT to place it in the footer where the page number is (if the text above becomes grayed out, you are in the footer – try clicking higher).

After doing this, you should see a "Section Break (Next Page)" code inserted into your document on the page before your Abstract.

Go down to the next page below the section break (in this example, the Abstract), and click on the page number in the Footer.  If your cursor is in the Footer, you should see "Footer -Section [#]-" to the left, and "Same as Previous" on the right. Be sure you are not in Section 1 of your document.

On the main menu, select the "Header & Footer Tools: Design" tab, then in the "Navigation" section of this tab, click the "Link to Previous" button if it is highlighted to UNSELECT it and unlink this section from the section above.  This will allow you to modify the page number in the first section without affecting this or subsequent sections.

Return to your Title Page (or any page in Section 1 which will not be numbered) and click on the page number in the footer.  Click-and-drag your cursor over the page number to select it.

Click the "Delete" key on your keyboard to delete the page number from this section.  As long as you removed the "Link to Previous" connection from the next section, you should the page number disappear from the first section, but remain in the following sections.

If your paper includes additional sections (for example, if your Approval Page was added as a separate section from your Title page), you may have to experiment with linking and unlinking sections from each other -- unlink a section if its page numbering will be different from the one before it, but link together any sections where the page numbering will continue from the one before it.  It is generally a good idea to start with the last section of your document and work your way backwards.

When you are finished, don't forget that you can hide the formatting symbols to make it easier to view your text by turning off the "Show/Hide" symbol on the "Home" tab in the "Paragraph" box.

Footer Sections and page numbering can be very complex, especially if your document has multiple sections.  If you need additional assistance getting your page numbering correct, contact Jeff Beuck at 216-523-7486 to set up an appointment.

• Share on Facebook

Was this helpful? Yes 0 No 0

Comments (378)

• Very helpful by Tashy on Nov 16, 2017
• Thank you so much!!! by Wraith on Feb 26, 2018
• Excellent and easy to follow instructions. Exactly what I needed. by Mira on Mar 12, 2018
• Thanks Sir So much. You are very kind to people. by Nur Alam on Apr 04, 2018
• Thank you so much! This was extremely helpful and a total time saver! by Brittany on Apr 10, 2018
• Thank you, it really is helpful by Sadia on Apr 29, 2018
• Wow impressive it was very helpful to me. Am glad with the informative words and direction. Shalom. by Josphine Gwehona on May 17, 2018
• EXTREMELY Helpful - Thank you so much. I learnt something too by TIM on May 25, 2018
• Interesting by Dawit Yosef on Jul 02, 2018
• Thank you, your article is very helpful http://glodoksafety.com by Andre Kurniawan on Aug 14, 2018
• it worked well for me..thank you sir.. by Kalya on Aug 18, 2018
• Useful for me. Thanks very much. by Kwesi on Aug 19, 2018
• This was of great help, thanks by Euny on Sep 12, 2018
• Very helpful, concise and comprehensive. Keeps it up Jeff! by Nawas on Sep 15, 2018
• Wow very informative and helpful. Thanks! by Uchy Masika on Sep 19, 2018
• You are so good, thank you by olanrewaju balogun on Oct 25, 2018
• super very helpful. I finally understood it. by Michael on Nov 22, 2018
• This has been very helpful. Thank you. by J on Nov 30, 2018
• Thank you so much for this, it is so helpful! by thankfulalmostmaster on Dec 04, 2018
• This post was a life saver. It was crunch time and I underestimated the pagination of my APA action research. "Hidden formatting symbol", "Section Break"? I NEVER would have thought to do those things. Thanks to you I submitted at 11:51 pm, lol, in the nick of time, lol. by KMo on Dec 13, 2018
• This really was the most useful ''how to'' on the topic - I really battled with the other sites. by Francois on Dec 28, 2018
• Very detail with clearly explained, simple and helpful by Dave T on Jan 06, 2019
• Very helpful.... by Reginescorner on Jan 08, 2019
• Thank you so much by Augustine on Jan 10, 2019
• EXCELLENT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! by Natasha on Jan 11, 2019
• Great tip. Thanks for adding. I had the same question for my thesis. by Manuel Duarte on Feb 08, 2019
• This was so helpful and clearly presented; I would have never figured it our otherwise - thank you!!! by Janice on Feb 26, 2019
• Great help 👍🏽👍🏽👍🏽 by Nge on Mar 01, 2019
• Spot on! Thanks! by Jonathan E on Mar 15, 2019
• awesome procedure. by Derick Musi on Mar 31, 2019
• Thank you! Saved me. by KK on Apr 01, 2019
• very helpful, thank you by silas on Apr 04, 2019
• Thank you for this elaborate explanation. Very helpful. by Prucy on Apr 18, 2019
• Brilliant! Got me a first ! by Bob on Apr 25, 2019
• noice by ye_boi on Apr 25, 2019
• very very helpful, thank you. by Lucy Jackson on Apr 28, 2019
• This was really helpful and straightforward. by Deeya on Apr 30, 2019
• Jeff Beuck is the Hero we deserve by anonymous on May 05, 2019
• Thank you from the University of Kansas! by Owen on May 14, 2019
• THANK YOU! your info help me a lot (",). by AURORA on May 15, 2019
• Exceptionally helpful - thank you! by Karin W on May 28, 2019
• Thanks! I watched a couple of youtube videos before seeing this and had been struggling with pages refusing to take any number at all. It's all useful, but the most satisfying statement here was "begin at the bottom". by Tracie Hall on Jun 04, 2019
• Life is saved! by Uki on Jun 05, 2019
• Useful by Naveed on Jun 08, 2019
• Very helpful indeed by Mwanakasale Muche on Jul 09, 2019
• So helpful! Thank you very much for the detailed tutorial. by Jes on Jul 17, 2019
• Very helpful by Shauri Mbugua on Jul 21, 2019
• Thank you very much. This is the best material I have ever read on this subject. The writer wrote in detail. by Abraham on Jul 26, 2019
• Thanks so much, very useful by Henlee on Jul 29, 2019
• Thank you Very helpful by Zayn on Aug 02, 2019
• Very very useful, i didnt have any idea to number different sections. by Rashid Mwatebela on Aug 07, 2019
• It resolve my querry.... really very helpful Great work👍 by Shikha on Aug 11, 2019
• very helpful and thank u😍 by madhushi on Aug 17, 2019
• Thanks,just got it. by Emmanuel on Aug 21, 2019
• Very helpful by Monseur on Aug 26, 2019
• I am so grateful for this important information. i have used it successfully insert preliminary pages in my report. I am so grateful. by Caroline N. Ateenyi on Aug 28, 2019
• Incredibly helpful. I looked at several different sites for an answer to this, and none of them mentioned the section break (I thought page break did this for me). Thank you for explicitly detailing every step. by Jeremy on Sep 07, 2019
• This was amazingly helpful and straight to the point. Other people have made fifteen minute long videos to explain what this post does in a quick five minute read. Thank you kindly for putting this online! by Kate F. on Sep 07, 2019
• Very helpful indeed by JOJO on Nov 04, 2019
• Very very helpful by Mbogora Malima on Nov 07, 2019
• A detailed step by step explanation. Thank you. by Kavitha Gopalakrishnan on Nov 11, 2019
• Very helpful find it hard to change page number by section but after i've seen this info its way more easier by now by Omni.shade on Nov 26, 2019
• it was very useful. by Esther on Dec 06, 2019
• Thank you ...really clear instructions saved me a lot of time. by Rich on Dec 14, 2019
• Thank you very much. Very helpful! by Dusan on Dec 16, 2019
• Super helpful, thanks. by PhD Student on Jan 24, 2020
• Very helpful, sorted out such a frustrating problem I couldn't work out. by Labeeb on Feb 10, 2020
• Thank you so much. This material was much more helpful than YouTube videos. Very detailed. God bless the writer. Totally time saving. by Judith on Mar 09, 2020
• Very helpful article indeed. This has solved a very important for my articles. Many thanks! by Jamil Ahmed on Mar 21, 2020
• This is very helpful. Thank you so much!! by Glen Parry on Mar 27, 2020
• Was very helpful. Thank you. by Hunja Amos on Apr 16, 2020
• Excellent description, it worked for me. Thank you !!! by Akshay on Apr 20, 2020
• Your information saved me some embarrassment. It works like a " where there is no doctor" strategy. I gratefully appreciate you. by DAMIAN BAKYENGA on Apr 26, 2020
• Very helpful, thank you! by Tugce on Apr 30, 2020
• Thank you SO MUCH for this easy-to-follow tutorial. You made my day! by Don, Graduate Student, CSUN on May 02, 2020
• This is very helpful and thank you a million. by Tafirenyika Gwenzi on May 12, 2020
• Thank You!! This was Helpful!!! by Kehinde Miracle Alabi on May 18, 2020
• So clear and helpful🧡 by Wel on May 25, 2020
• Very helpful indeed! by Havelinus Shemuketa on Jun 06, 2020
• These instructions were excellent - very clear and detailed - user friendly. I had viewed some videos here on Google and they were not as clear as these instructions. Thank you!! by Sharon W. on Jun 06, 2020
• Wow, unbelievable by Tito Titus on Jun 07, 2020
• very helpful. thank you very much by verah Tena on Jun 12, 2020
• This really helped me by Berto on Jun 12, 2020
• THANK YOU!! Very clear and helpful directions!! Thank you! by PhD Student on Jun 15, 2020
• Very Helpful. Thank you so much by Amanuel Zinare on Jun 17, 2020
• Does anyone know how to do this with page numbers in the main body of the document rather than the header/footer? by John on Jun 19, 2020
• Many thanks by Melosum on Jun 21, 2020
• Extremely helpful!!! by Esther on Jun 23, 2020
• Thank you so much for this. Very helpful for my dissertation. by Amelia on Jun 25, 2020
• Thank you so much by hadi on Jun 28, 2020
• Thanks a lot for evrything this saved me by Sasikafsal on Jul 03, 2020
• This was really helpful. Exactly what I needed. Thank you. 👍 by PAP on Jul 03, 2020
• This was very helpful. Thank you so much for providing such a detailed description. by Zainab on Jul 07, 2020
• Very useful. Thank you. by Issah on Jul 16, 2020
• Thank you so much....i have really been battling with numbering pages....your guide made it very smooth.. by Eben on Jul 16, 2020
• Great work. This is the best guide for inserting page numbers on thesis. Great relief for me. Thanks a lot. by abdul quddus on Jul 19, 2020
• Thanks alot by Yasser on Jul 24, 2020
• Easier to follow and so helpful. Thank you by Hawa on Jul 29, 2020
• Very clear and concise. It works exactly as explained. Many thanks indeed. by Adhiambo on Aug 06, 2020
• Very helpful! by Erin on Aug 07, 2020
• Wow, that was lovely. Thanks so much for the help by Emmanuel Macnelly on Aug 10, 2020
• Great resource and simple to understand by Valentine on Aug 20, 2020
• Thank you so much. very helpful by Ay on Aug 20, 2020
• What a wonderful piece, very easy to follow tutorial. Thanks alot. It is something I had failed to learn but now, I am good to go🙂 by Shalom. on Aug 21, 2020
• Wow!! This was super helpful.. I owe you a lot!! Wow!! Super easy to follow!! I never knew this before today.. Many many many thanks.. You're a life saver!! by Bileme Miller on Aug 25, 2020
• Thanks so much for dis, its really helpful 😍 Ave gone through a lot of troubles only to find dis here by Abby on Aug 28, 2020
• Thank you very much, this is so helpful by MoyinOlúwa on Aug 31, 2020
• wow, thanks so much. you can also tell us how to remove the empty pages that show up after the page break. Thanks by DCT on Aug 31, 2020
• Thanks for the remarkable advice and the step by step made it easy for me. by Lynette Wyatt on Sep 01, 2020
• Thank you so much! by Dene on Sep 04, 2020
• This was very very helpful by Ratakane Baptista Maime on Sep 07, 2020
• Wonderful step-by-step detailed explanation!! Wonderful and very helpful indeed!! by Rajsekhar Choudhury on Sep 07, 2020
• This my guy just saved me. Thank you by Andy on Sep 09, 2020
• This is so helpful... Many thanks! by Dieudonne on Sep 10, 2020
• Extremely helpful, many thanks! by Enesi on Sep 22, 2020
• Very easy to follow. Excellent work, thank you very much. by Vimbie on Sep 23, 2020
• This is absolutely educational, thank you so much by Ahadyson on Sep 25, 2020
• thank you so much.it has been very helpful by joan on Oct 02, 2020
• Bery helpful thanks by Kanjau on Oct 05, 2020
• Excellent Explanation by Jayanarasimha on Oct 07, 2020
• Very useful and clear explanation. It was very helpful. Thanks a lot by NJoshi on Oct 08, 2020
• thanks by blabla on Oct 09, 2020
• very helpful, thank you by Celestina Chinenye on Oct 09, 2020
• Thanks for the help, I'm very grateful. by Josephine on Oct 15, 2020
• Thank you so much! You are good in teaching! by Fanta on Oct 15, 2020
• Thankyou. Very nice. by Abd.k on Oct 17, 2020
• This was actually the MOST useful explanation I found on google. Thank you so much, you really deserve an award. by B on Oct 19, 2020
• Aww..it was really helpful. Thank you so much! by Nishinki on Oct 27, 2020
• You are blessed in simplifying things. Great! keep at it by Dtk on Nov 01, 2020
• Thank you so much for your help. I have been thinking of how to do this. by Dr Shamsuddeen Yusuf on Nov 04, 2020
• This is amazing. It worked perfectly. Thanks alot. by Majale_Jr on Nov 04, 2020
• Thanks a lot, really helped a lot. by AbdulWaahid on Nov 09, 2020
• Very very helpful...Thank you so much!!!! by Lucy.K on Nov 13, 2020
• Absolute legend, I spent hours onto microsoft helpdesk at the end of my dissertation to get this fixed. Completely forgot how to do it again for my next dissertation and this page had me sorted in 5 minutes. You are an total lifesaver, thank you!!! by James on Nov 14, 2020
• This was very helpful. Thank you very much. by Tony on Nov 16, 2020
• Wow.... This was really helpful......... Thanks a lot by Boo on Nov 16, 2020
• AMAZIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIING!! Very helpful, many thanks. by Wambui on Nov 18, 2020
• Oh my gosh - it worked! by SJCD on Nov 18, 2020
• It is best info thank you I have aquestion how to insert page number without the first three document page by nigus on Nov 18, 2020
• this was very helpful. thank you so much by Zakaa Zuamo Zechariah on Nov 19, 2020
• Exactly what I wanted. Thank you. by Sokiri Richard on Nov 22, 2020
• Thanks so much! This was extremely helpful! by Yembu on Nov 24, 2020
• This is the best explanation for inserting page numbers. Thanks for a lot for this. by Furqan on Nov 30, 2020
• Thank you very much. this has really helped me. by Mary Chioma on Dec 06, 2020
• Very helpful! Thank you so much! by Dhea on Dec 08, 2020
• Thank you, this was really helpful and easy to understand! by Christina on Dec 08, 2020
• This is on point and super helpful, and exactly what I needed. Thank you. by NB on Dec 23, 2020
• Thank you that was helpful by KellyMuchenje on Dec 30, 2020
• Very helpful. Thx by Aidah on Jan 02, 2021
• This information is fantastic and helpful✔ by https://delightedgloryservices.com.ng on Jan 05, 2021
• MANY MANY THANKS. THIS IS 100% ACCURATE AND VERY USEFUL. THANK YOU SO SO MUCH by God's grace on Jan 07, 2021
• This is very helpful...thanks a ton by Kenpaul on Jan 08, 2021
• been searching for a way to do this, and yours explanation was the one that really help me, thank you! by bel on Jan 11, 2021
• Many thanks. This is a very good guide! by Joe on Jan 11, 2021
• Very helpfull, thanks a lot. by cyrus on Jan 12, 2021
• Very helpful. At a glance I got scared when I saw its length, but this was resolved by including illustrations. They were quite useful. Thanks so much. by Emmanuel 12/01/2021 on Jan 12, 2021
• thank you, super helpful!! by aiyana on Jan 17, 2021
• Thank you very much! This helped a lot by Ibrahim on Jan 17, 2021
• Am greatful by Muhammad on Jan 18, 2021
• Thank you so much for this simple and clear explanation. by Jihene on Jan 19, 2021
• This was really helpful. It was by far the most useful bit of information I've found online. Thank you by Corey on Jan 23, 2021
• Very helpful. Thank you. by TRams on Jan 25, 2021
• I felt the need to write this message and thank you for your perfect explanation! I was struggling with numbering every section differently until I found this article of yours! thank you and God bless you! by Andrea on Jan 31, 2021
• thank you so much it was boring for me before i get this guidance keep it up for other difficulty also by betelhem on Jan 31, 2021
• Wonderful.Easy to follow.Thank you. by Esperanza Lizz on Feb 03, 2021
• This is so well explained. Thank you by Janet on Feb 07, 2021
• Thank you! ^_^ by Pranjal on Feb 07, 2021
• Thank you, than you, thank you!! I finally did it! Why did MS make this so convoluted? by GM on Feb 09, 2021
• Thanks for this explicit presentation of knowledge . It was apt and accurate. I deeply appreciate your time by Nsikak CICERO on Feb 15, 2021
• Thanks a lot for the guidance. It helped me a lot. by Sudeepa on Feb 17, 2021
• Extremely helpful, thank you so much! by Rasha on Feb 21, 2021
• This is really helpful by Abiodun on Feb 25, 2021
• At 1:00am, these instructions were a relief. Thank you! by Brandy on Feb 28, 2021
• Excellent service, am thankful by James Gachau on Mar 01, 2021
• Thanks, much better than microsoft help! by Bioprocess engineer on Mar 05, 2021
• Thanks a million! This was very helpful! by Esther on Mar 08, 2021
• Very systematic, informative and to the point steps. Thank you by Doris on Mar 09, 2021
• Very helpful thank you by Edgar on Mar 22, 2021
• The Guide is very beneficial. Thank you so much by Gideon Biwott on Mar 22, 2021
• Thanks. Very helpful indeed by Felix Wanjala on Mar 23, 2021
• Excellent ! This article helped me paginate my dissertation as expected. Thank you very much by Latha on Mar 24, 2021
• really helpful, totally a good guide by jann on Mar 25, 2021
• Excellent explanation, thank you! by Dionne on Mar 25, 2021
• Thanks a lot sir, this is cool, it helped me a lot by Sir Richard on Mar 30, 2021
• very helpful and easy to understand, thank you sir! by FASYA on Apr 02, 2021
• Just want to thank the person, who explained this so well! This is how it must be done, highly appreciated, thanks again! by Ilja on Apr 06, 2021
• Very helpful. Thank you! by Tobi on Apr 07, 2021
• You're a godsend, dont know why this isnt easier to do on word but I'm very happy that you uploaded this guide. My thesis is saved! by Josh Herrera on Apr 07, 2021
• Thank you so much ,it is very helpful by Suji on Apr 10, 2021
• Thank you very much. Was very stuck and I got it now by Yola on Apr 13, 2021
• Very useful information indeed. Thank you so much! by Anthony on Apr 15, 2021
• Thank you very much. Quite helpful, had been looking through YouTube videos, and something was still not showing on my word document, but your steps solved the problem. :) by Taflex on Apr 15, 2021
• Very useful. Thank you so much. by BangTanS on Apr 17, 2021
• wow, have been struggling with this for now, finally got help on my own pace, this is very helpful, thank you so much by ken on Apr 26, 2021
• This is really helpful. Thank you so much. by Swapnika on Apr 27, 2021
• Thank you so so much the data is so so helping by Mugizi Gilverse and Mugizi Ronnet on May 01, 2021
• well explained thank you! by RASH on May 05, 2021
• Thank you so much! by Just J on May 08, 2021
• Excellent by Balendran Nanthini on May 09, 2021
• On point. Well explained and easy to follow.Am impressed.🤗🤗🤗 by Proc on May 09, 2021
• This was very simple and easily understandable.I was amazed and respect your profession. by Aregawi on May 10, 2021
• Very simple and easy to follow! Thank you. by Yash on May 10, 2021
• Thank you so much! This was so easy to follow! by J Lee on May 13, 2021
• This is very helpful because of the detailed explanation. Thank you so much by Thank you so much on May 20, 2021
• Thank you so much. It has helped me by Naume on May 21, 2021
• Very helpful and very well done, congratulations and thank you for your help. by Cesare on May 29, 2021
• Thank you, that was vey helpful. by Rose P on Jun 02, 2021
• Very Very Helpful Cudos by Dipesh Bista on Jun 09, 2021
• Amazing by Sagar on Jun 09, 2021
• Bro.. om’gosh dude, this is amazing... I would legit pay someone 500$ to figure this out for me, but your website was free...yo how can I show my support, no cap, this is amazing.. by Bk on Jun 10, 2021
• Thank you so much for this! Very helpful and easy to follow - appreciate it! by MMason on Jun 15, 2021
• Thank you very much for these helpful tips and easily understandable. by Mathias Mahenge on Jun 26, 2021
• Woooow brilliante xplanation, you really helped by Fafie on Jun 27, 2021
• Whooohoo thank you so much for clear cut explanation saved almost a 6 hours by Ashok on Jul 01, 2021
• It has always been helpful to use this! by Alim on Jul 01, 2021
• This was completely Helpful by Kingsley on Jul 02, 2021
• Thank you!! super concise instructions!! :)) big thanks by d on Jul 04, 2021
• Wow! It was very helpful, God bless you for the wonderful explanations and easy guidance of yours by Lembao on Jul 05, 2021
• Perfect explanation by June on Jul 07, 2021
• Very helpful. Thanks by Smartoskylalasky on Jul 11, 2021
• Excellent and easy to follow instructions. Exactly what I needed. by Ahmad Hussain on Jul 13, 2021
• Wow!! Brilliant guide. This is really helpful by Racheal on Jul 19, 2021
• helpful thank you by Justin on Jul 20, 2021
• Thank you so much Mr Beuck for your excellent explanation / illustration, it’s so clear and helpful. It’s also heart-warming to see the many comments of gratitude (and relief!) above; you’ve helped so many people! Thank you! :) by Sinead on Jul 31, 2021
• very helpful.thank you by julia muteyo on Aug 08, 2021
• It was very helpful thank you by Ivy on Aug 23, 2021
• Thank you very much! Very detailed and helpful with screenshots. by Sasha on Aug 23, 2021
• Awesome👍👍 Your instructions are clear and precise, showing unparallel clarity! Thank you so much! by Manouri on Aug 25, 2021
• Very useful and easy to follow the steps! by Mo on Aug 25, 2021
• Thanks a million. This was highly helpful. by Mashazi Mahoto on Aug 30, 2021
• This is a MUST SAVE page!! I come back here every time I need to format my document. You are a life saver! Thank you! by Zoe on Sep 10, 2021
• Thanks by Caleb Onyango on Sep 12, 2021
• Thank you, this is very helpful and simple to follow. by Abdislam Rhebi on Sep 18, 2021
• Thank you so much so helpful by Beauty on Sep 18, 2021
• Thanks a lot! Helped a lot. Quick, easy and to the point explanation. :-) by Pragya on Sep 20, 2021
• Thank very much. Easy to understand by Nana Kwame on Sep 23, 2021
• The best guidance ever!!!!! by Godfridah on Sep 30, 2021
• Practical step-by-step guidance. This is easy to follow and simply can't forget by NICHOLAS GWENGI on Oct 04, 2021
• This was so explicit and clear. Thank you so much! by Manisha on Oct 08, 2021
• You have absolutely made my work easy by RICHK on Oct 10, 2021
• So helpful. Thank you. by Jade on Oct 11, 2021
• Thank you so much for the clear instructions! It was really helpful. by Nirmal HETTIARACHCHI on Oct 13, 2021
• Very easy and straightforward Thank you by Luke on Oct 13, 2021
• Very helpful thank you so much by Sabelo on Oct 16, 2021
• whao! thanks greatly.... it was straight and easy to grasp by geoeffy on Oct 21, 2021
• Used this for my undergrad thesis, still used it for my postgrad paper. So helpful, thank you. by Wambui on Oct 23, 2021
• Thank you very much. That was awesome. Really helpful by Phd Candidate on Nov 10, 2021
• Am grateful you are my mentor thank you so much may God Bless you for me by Calvince Juma on Nov 19, 2021
• Excellent, thank you so much! by Cristiana on Nov 21, 2021
• very helpful. thank you so much by Faith Ashley on Nov 26, 2021
• That was perfect. I have been writing reports for school for a couple years and this is by far the best explanation and demonstrations I have come across! Thank you!!! by Benjamin on Nov 27, 2021
• Simple and straight forward quick steps, totally helpful by Esther on Nov 29, 2021
• FANTASTIC, thorough, clear, and detailed instructions!! I am so grateful for this super helpful guidance during the horrendous last stages of dissertation defense! I hope the human that wrote this knows how much they are appreciated by stressed graduate students! by Brielle on Dec 03, 2021
• Very much helpful. Many thanks!! by Abebe on Dec 06, 2021
• Thank you so much. This was so helpful. by Faves on Dec 08, 2021
• thank you. it is very helpful. by Abdul Rehman on Dec 09, 2021
• Thank you so much. This was very helpful and easy to follow! by Chinedu Anyaji on Dec 21, 2021
• Very insightful. I've appreciated it. by Makuei Ghai Makuei on Dec 23, 2021
• The guide is perfect. I was almost resorting to go and ask at some business centre and low and behold I found this!! Thank you very much by Casserdy Magaya on Dec 31, 2021
• I liked the way it is "explained" in detail. I was able to understand. Thank you very much! by Vida Nunez on Jan 03, 2022
• Like everyone else in the comments, I would just like to say thank you for this saving grace of a post. So helpful and the visuals really made it so easy to use. by hanseoulo on Jan 03, 2022
• Very excellent,; precise and concise by Aliyu idris KANKARA on Jan 04, 2022
• Very helpful, thank you! by gshoffma on Jan 06, 2022
• The help topics on Microsoft website are useless. After struggling there I fortunately found this page. Thank you very much. by Firas on Jan 17, 2022
• Its so easy to use and very helpful. i doing it will easy after reading the comment..keep it up... by Mukoya Edward Rumeta on Jan 27, 2022
• Thank you very much Sir ,much appreciated this has been very very useful to me by Gimses on Feb 09, 2022
• Very wonderful how-to and appreciate the screenshots throughout. Helpful, succinct, excellent work by the librarians at CSU Ohio. I think I'll consider sending my son to this university as I can see they really care about solving problems and adding value to society. by Hugh Janus on Feb 09, 2022
• Correct and direct explanation. Thanks so much by Alexander Talam on Feb 15, 2022
• Amazing!! Thank you so much! by Angie on Feb 17, 2022
• Are you kidding. This was AWESOME!! I was doing all the right things for 4 days; but here, we completed this in literally less than 20 minutes. So cool, keep this website going, Thanks Ben!! by Pam on Feb 17, 2022
• Great Minds!!! Thank you very very helpful by Esther on Mar 10, 2022
• This is great help, exactly what I was looking for. Thanks a lot. Really appreciated. by Umar on Mar 12, 2022
• Thank you!! Wonderfully helpful!! by Andi on Mar 15, 2022
• Internet is undefeated because of people like you. Thanks a lot! by Arun on Mar 20, 2022
• Easy to follow, explained in a lucid manner. Was very helpful. by Ivin Tomy on Mar 23, 2022
• This was SOOOO darn helpful! Whew! by Kels on Mar 24, 2022
• Thank you! by Paul on Mar 27, 2022
• I hate numbering word pages but this is THE BEST and MOST HELPFUL guide ever!! by Melissa on Mar 27, 2022
• Thank you for the guide, super easy to follow and very helpful. by Minky Masombuka on Apr 10, 2022
• Very helpful, thanks indeed by Joel Oraku on Apr 13, 2022
• very very helpful and interesting . thank you very much by zubieda on Apr 23, 2022
• thanks ,very helpful. by Modester on Apr 26, 2022
• Thanks,this was helpful by Metuge on Apr 26, 2022
• Very helpful!! by Gladness on May 07, 2022
• OMG THE MOST HELPFUL POST. Thank you SO MUCH!! I have never seen a better tutorial.🤩🤩🤩 by Katerina on May 10, 2022
• Excellent really clear and so helpful.. Thanks by Queen Bee on May 13, 2022
• Thank you.. this was very helpful by F Abujalala on May 13, 2022
• Very helpful! Thanks! by MS on May 15, 2022
• Very explicit. Good by Divine on May 17, 2022
• You are the best. You just saved us from days of a headache around this pagination. Well explained with images. I salute you and your team. Thumbs up. by Ola on May 26, 2022
• Very helpful. Thanks a lot! by Beatrice on May 30, 2022
• Thank you soo much! Very useful. Clear and easy guidance by Chaminie on Jun 08, 2022
• Very helpful indeed. Easy to follow and understand by Wilson Maiyo on Jun 11, 2022
• You're the man Jeff by LeBron on Jun 23, 2022
• I love the simplification of this, very easy to understand. by Azenda Cephas Dajo on Jun 27, 2022
• I highly appreciate your sincere help by Bildad on Jun 29, 2022
• Exactly what i wanted and to the point without wasting much of the readers time. I salute you sir. by Steve on Jun 29, 2022
• This was incredibly helpful! I was so confused until I came across this, thank you so much!! by McKenna O'Shea on Jul 06, 2022
• Fantastic and detailed procedure this is. Keep it up! by Xquort on Jul 07, 2022
• Perfect explanation. Thanks very much for this. by Sylvain Mbuta on Jul 11, 2022
• This was helpful and easy to follow,thank you by Bree Hildah on Jul 12, 2022
• Can we also change the total number of pages? I tried using this and it does restart the page number but the total number of pages do not change. by Mayur on Jul 13, 2022
• You have been super helpful, thank you. by Chichi on Jul 13, 2022
• Thank you! It is really helpful by Andinet on Jul 17, 2022
• Very useful. Thanks by OLAOSEBIKAN on Jul 21, 2022
• Extremely useful, easy to follow. by KANDASWAMY CHENNIMALAI on Jul 22, 2022
• Thank you. Very helpful by Ife on Jul 24, 2022
• much appreciation. the step by step procedure was very helpful. by IAN ARABU on Aug 30, 2022
• thank you.easy to follow by chamunoorwa matanhike on Aug 30, 2022
• Thanks a lot it was very helpful by Amabel on Sep 05, 2022
• I am extremely grateful by Kwabena Agyare on Sep 07, 2022
• Thank you so much. it is conducive. by fatima tayyab on Sep 15, 2022
• Thank you so much, this is the most helpful explanation, i have received on this subject. Excellent job. by Law on Sep 15, 2022
• OMG amazing, thank you thank you!!! by Mariana on Sep 19, 2022
• It was really helpful. Thank you very much indeed. by Adeteju Adeniran on Oct 03, 2022
• This was very helpful. Thanks. by Stephen on Oct 10, 2022
• A very detailed response to the problem. Thank you so much for giving a procedure that is easy to follow by Gummadivalli Shiva Kumar on Oct 12, 2022
• it was very helpful and its very easy to follow because you have used very easy words to explain. Thank u sooo much (JazakAllah u Khaiira) by Osama Shabir on Oct 14, 2022
• very helpful!! Thank you. by Monsurat Raimi on Oct 20, 2022
• If I were to meet I'll give you a kiss, this really helped alot by Ahmad Nalado on Nov 06, 2022
• Thank you very much. Pretty easy steps to follow. by Nandila on Nov 06, 2022
• Thanks, it's very helpful by Adebayo R.O on Nov 12, 2022
• very helpful, thanks by Simiyu Omuriti on Nov 15, 2022
• Was very helpful, thank you very much by Eddy_Yang on Nov 19, 2022
• This was very very helpful. It was indeed very easy to follow. thank you so much for uploading this by Taiwo on Nov 22, 2022
• Easy steps to follow toward the target. A lot of thanks to you. Now nimeelewa ahsante kwa maelezo mazuri😇👏🤝🏼 by Fadhili on Nov 30, 2022
• I followed the instructions exactly as they are laid down, and voila, I got the page numbering right! by Cherry on Nov 30, 2022
• People like you make it possible to do everything in word and avoid latex. Cant thank you enough by Pranav on Dec 01, 2022
• Such a life safer!! by Flashy on Dec 07, 2022
• Thankyou. Jah Bless ! by Kalidou on Dec 16, 2022
• Very useful document ! by Cyprien on Dec 17, 2022
• One word, THANKS 😊 by Masher on Dec 18, 2022
• Thank you very much. Pretty easy steps to follow. google games by Smith on Dec 24, 2022
• Thank you so much for your help by Mshelia on Jan 05, 2023
• This is the most elaborate and clear help in page formatting I have ever received. Thank you. by Yunia on Jan 07, 2023
• Thanks, got to understand section break for different page number by Rashil Maharjan on Jan 08, 2023
• Very useful. Thank you! by Sara on Jan 10, 2023
• It is very interesting and helpful by Mohammed A on Jan 14, 2023
• Thank you very much.... Problem solved by Ian Yohane on Jan 18, 2023
• Very helpful. Thank you for the effort by Success on Jan 24, 2023
• thank you by kiya fikadu on Jan 26, 2023
• wao your illutrations makes the work so easy to follow. by ziizozi on Jan 30, 2023
• Very clearly expressed and helpful. Thank you! by Roland on Feb 09, 2023
• This was of great help to me today, thank you soo much. by Sevu Mueni on Mar 05, 2023
• I give it a 5 star, perfectly explained and elaborated!! thank you.... by cornelius Kiprotich on Mar 07, 2023
• This was well illustrated and clearly elaborated. Thank you, you have really saved my time. by RBI on Mar 17, 2023
• This was such a helpful and concise mind refresher thank you very. I am even more grateful that I could send my gratitude. So much better than listening to a whole 5 min YouTube video. Though also helpful. by Nomonde Foli on Mar 19, 2023
• Thank you so much. I struggled with this numbering on my previous degree, now I know. I am already applying the knowledge gained on my current thesis. Many thanks indeed! by Edmore on Mar 30, 2023
• it is very supportive and interesting ! by Andualem on Apr 01, 2023
• thank you by onyango on Apr 03, 2023
• Wow, this is exactly what I needed to number the pages of my dissertation. Amazingly clear instructions, thank you so much! by Jac on Apr 12, 2023
• Thank You Very Much😊 by Hardik on Apr 19, 2023
• Wow, I followed step by step and made it👍👍 Thanks for this information by Sseguya on Apr 21, 2023
• To the person who created this how-to guide, THANK YOU. This was perfect in every way. Thank you so much for making this available to us all. by supermegstar on Apr 23, 2023
• This is great for section numbering, for which I've added to the bottom of the page. Now, is it possible to add an overall document page number to the top of the page? Essentially, have two different page numbering systems in the same document. by Abbi on Apr 26, 2023
• Super helpful and saved so much time troubleshooting! I went through every step exactly and was able to finally get it! by Haley Cari on May 12, 2023
• Amazingly well explained...You have saved me a great amount of time dealing with page numbers writting my thesis... Thank you! by MS on May 14, 2023
• it is indeed helpful to me. I was about to pay for it to be done for me. I was reluctant to give out my work to an external person to avoid data misplacement. Thank you a million. by Adeduntan on May 20, 2023
• Thanks a lot. Best concise guide! by Stan on May 27, 2023
• Finally, with these instructions, I did it. Thanks by Bernice-kay on May 28, 2023
• Very helpful info! I'm grateful by Praise on May 31, 2023
• Thanks so much. I spent my time watching a YouTube but it did not work. Just two clicks and it's done. Thanks again by VANEN on Jun 06, 2023
• Amazing!! Thanks Jeff Beuck, this is very helpful. by Sine on Jun 07, 2023
• thank you so much by Lillian on Jun 11, 2023
• Starting a new format of paging after the preface was daunting. I tried for a long time to have it done until after got How to do pages differently in the previous section on Ask library. by Loding Joseph on Jun 12, 2023
• Thank you so much for this! It was easy to follow and exactly what I needed 😍 by Kate on Jun 13, 2023
• This is very good article. I followed the steps and succeeded 100% Thank you very much by Nakudo on Jun 18, 2023
• Just awesome writing. Its essential for all researches. by Khanom Popy on Jun 19, 2023
• Thank you very much! This was of such tremendous help while formatting my dissertation. by ts on Jun 26, 2023
• Thank you so much, you saved my life with this write-up... by Nosa on Jun 28, 2023
• very helpful thankyou so much by Mrs G on Jun 29, 2023
• Thank you so much for your online lessen. It is very easy to understand the way you presented. I used it at the time when I badly needed it. Nice and supportive material. by Eyob Getachew on Jul 02, 2023
• its working thank you very much. by aizak on Jul 04, 2023
• You, my man, are a lifesaver. Thank you so much for this. I needed this like yesterday and all other tutorials are just not working for me for some reason. Thank you and I hope you have a nice day or night wherever you are in the world. by Cw on Jul 11, 2023
• Thank you 😊, was a relief indeed. Perfect and comprehensive instructions. by Nana Akomea on Jul 29, 2023
• This was really helpful. Thank you so much by Divine Yancho on Aug 02, 2023
• This saves me from materials I've searched for decates. I really appreciate. by Mohammed Amin on Aug 12, 2023
• Thank you so much for the valuable tutorial! by Basil on Aug 16, 2023

Related Topics

Home / Guides / Citation Guides / APA Format / How to format APA page numbers

How to format APA page numbers

In an APA style paper, page numbers generally appear in three places:

• On every page in the upper right corner (pagination for the paper)
• APA in-text citations
• The reference list

Let’s review all three.

1. Pagination for the paper

Every page written in APA style needs to have the page number listed at the top right corner of the paper . It also needs to appear on every page. It should also appear on the title page of the paper, as well as every page of the appendices, footnotes, and other supplemental sections.

The page number should be in the same font and size as the rest of your paper. APA provides different font point sizes depending on the font. For example, 12-point for Times New Roman or 11-point for Arial.

To summarize, your APA page number needs to be:

• At the top of every page (including the title page, body, appendices, etc.)
• Placed in the header
• Flush against the right margin
• In the same font and size as the rest of your paper

It’s recommended that you use autogenerated page numbers in the “header” section of your paper. These features are available in most popular word processors.

2. In-text citations

APA style, page number are recommended (but optional) for paraphrasing, and required for direct quotations from sources with page numbers. When citing a website in APA , or other sources without page numbers, you can use paragraph numbers to mark the quote’s location instead.

In-text citation structure and example for one page:

Text (Author Last Name, Year Published, p. #)

“And in our heart—strange are the ways of evil!—in our heart there is the first peace we have known in twenty years.” (Rand, 2019, p. 32)

In-text citation structure and example for a page range:

Text (Author Last Name, Year Published, pp. #-#)

“It is not good to be different from our brothers, but it is evil to be superior to them” (Rand, 2019, pp. 12-13)

Reference list entry for both examples:

Rand, A. (2019). Anthem . Project Gutenberg. https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/1250 (Original work published in 1938)

Notice that unlike the in-text citations, the example reference list entry does NOT include page numbers. Whether a reference includes page numbers is not dependent on the in-text citation; it depends on the source type.

3. Reference list

Page numbers are only included in reference list entries when the following happens:

• The source has page numbers.
• The cited source is a smaller, complete work within a bigger work.

Common example sources:

• A journal article (smaller work) from a journal (bigger work)
• A newspaper article (smaller work) that was printed in a newspaper (bigger work)
• A magazine article (smaller work) in a printed magazine (bigger work)
• A chapter (smaller work) in an edited book (bigger work) where each chapter has a different author

Periodical/Article page numbers

Articles in periodicals (e.g., journals, newspapers, magazines, etc.) include page numbers in their references. The page number or page number range are formatted as the following:

Template and examples:

Notice that unlike in-text citations, there is no “p.” or “pp.” preceding the page numbers.

Example reference (journal article):

Gunn, R., Whear, R., & Douglas, L. (2012, June). A second recent canine burial from the Arnhem Land Plateau. Australian Archaeology , (74), 103-105. http://www.jstor.org/stable/23621527

Chapter in an edited book page numbers

Similar to in-text citations, page numbers are indicated by “p. #” or “pp. #-#” in the reference.

Example reference (chapter in an edited book):

Lisi, G. (2012). Uncalculated risk. In J. Brockman (Ed.), This will make you smarter (pp. 68-73). Harper Perennial.

Published October 28, 2020.

APA Formatting Guide

APA Formatting

• Annotated Bibliography
• Block Quotes
• et al Usage
• In-text Citations
• Multiple Authors
• Paraphrasing
• Page Numbers
• Parenthetical Citations
• Reference Page
• Sample Paper
• APA 7 Updates
• View APA Guide

Citation Examples

• Book Chapter
• Journal Article
• Magazine Article
• Newspaper Article
• Website (no author)
• View all APA Examples

You need not include page numbers in in-text citations unless you want to cite a particular page or page ranges of the source being cited. In such cases, you need to include the page information after the publication year.

If you want to cite a direct quotation, you do need to include the page information. To indicate you are quoting directly from a single page, use the abbreviation “p.” To indicate you are quoting from a continuous page range, use the abbreviation “pp.” and use an en dash between the page range (e.g., pp. 1-2). If the pages are discontinuous, use “pp.” but separate the page numbers with a comma, not an en dash (e.g., pp. 1, 3).

Below are examples of how to include page numbers in in-text citations when using direct quotations:

Narrative:        

Jones (1999) states, “It is important to study all children” (p. 47).

Neer et al. (2014) agree with his argument that “the behavior of working women changes drastically” (pp. 47, 49).

Blake and Garger (2002) assert “Humans fight for rights” (pp. 32–34).

Parenthetical:

The study performed in Alaska showed that “it is important to study all children” (Jones, 1999, p. 47).

According to the study, “The behavior of working women changes drastically” (Neer et al., 2014, pp. 47, 49).

“Humans fight for rights,” says the study (Blake & Garger, 2002, pp. 32–34).

The abbreviation “p.” refers to a single page, and “pp.” denotes multiple pages. When you want to cite a single page, use “p.” You can use “pp.” if you want to include a page range (e.g., pp. 45–57) or multiple pages that are not in a range (e.g., pp. 37, 39).

APA Citation Examples

Writing Tools

Citation Generators

Other Citation Styles

Plagiarism Checker

Upload a paper to check for plagiarism against billions of sources and get advanced writing suggestions for clarity and style.

Get Started

APA 7th Edition Style Guide: Pagination

• About In-text Citations
• In-Text Examples
• What to Include
• Volume/Issue
• Bracketed Descriptions
• URLs and DOIs
• Book with Editor(s)
• Book with No Author
• Book with Organization as Author
• Book with Personal Author(s)
• Chapters and Parts of Books
• Classical Works
• Course Materials
• Journal Article
• Magazine Article
• Multi-Volume Works
• Newspaper Article
• Patents & Laws
• Personal Communication
• Physicians' Desk Reference
• Social Media
• Unpublished Manuscripts/Informal Publications (i.e. course packets and dissertations)
• Formatting Your Paper
• Formatting Your References
• Annotated Bibliography
• Headings in APA
• APA Quick Guide
• NEW!* Submit your Paper for APA Review

General Rules for Pagination

Pagination is a required part of a reference to a book when you only use a specific part of the book for research. It indicates the specific point within a work at which the information to be referenced is located. Pagination is required in periodicals, but if a periodical has no page numbers it may be left out of the citation (this is sometimes the case with articles found on the Internet). You should make a reasonable effort to locate page numbers, they are often present in pdf documents.

If you are citing an entire book pagination is not necessary.

Pagination for part of a book consists of the beginning and concluding pages of the chapter or part.

Place pagination after the title, enclosed in parentheses, and followed by a period. Pagination follows edition and/or volume statements (when these are given). Use the abbreviation p. for one page and pp. for more than one page.

Margereson, C. (2003). The development of cardiothoracic surgical nursing. Cardiothoracic surgical nursing (pp. 21-55). Blackwell Science.

Journal articles  

Entire article:

Pagination consists of the first and last page of the article.

• If the pagination is continuous, separate pages by a hyphen.
• If the pagination is discontinuous, separate groupings of page numbers by a comma and space.
• If the publication has no page numbers, leave out pagination.

Retain page numbers as they appear in the publication, as XI, v-vii, N37-N49, 230s-252s.

Place pagination information after the volume/issue preceded by a comma.

Landau, H. (2010, September). Winning grants: A game plan. American Libraries, 41 (9), 34-36.

Pagination differs in newspaper articles. Precede the page numbers with p. or pp. as you would with books. Write the page numbers the same as they appear in the newspaper, most newspapers use a number and section letter (i.e. A1; 1H; B5-B7; 1D-2D, 7D).

• If the publication has no page numbers, leave out pagination.  

Roy, R., Garcia, J., & Kennedy, J. (2005, July 12). Dennis' trail of destruction - Panhandle sustains pockets of destruction; At least 4 dead. The Orlando Sentinel , p. A1.

• << Previous: Volume/Issue
• Next: Bracketed Descriptions >>
• Last Updated: Jul 17, 2024 5:15 PM
• URL: https://irsc.libguides.com/APA

Honors Guidelines: Page Numbering/Thesis Organization

• General Submission Guidelines/Approvals
• Submitting Your Project
• Page Numbering/Thesis Organization
• Support and Questions

Page Numbering Tips

There is no prescribed page numbering style for all honors project. We only ask that you do not print the page number on the title page.    The easiest way to format page numbers for different sections, for example using roman and arabic numbers, is to create section breaks in your document. Instructions for Word users.   . If you have difficulty with the page numbering appearing as would like, please do not hesitate to con tact us for help .

You may use the formatting style recommended by your discipline's style manual, or whatever style is acceptable to your advisor and department .  (For a list of print & online style manuals, see Style and Citation Guides, by Title or Subject .)  

You may also wish to view theses submitted by others in your department in previous years to get some ideas for formatting.

Below is an example of the order of pages, and the Roman or Arabic page numbering, as recommended in one of the style guides, Turabian’s  A Manual for Writers of Research papers, Theses, and Dissertations: Chicago Style for Students and Researchers, 8 th  ed. 

Not every thesis will contain all the parts listed below:

1.    Front Matter (preliminary pages):  use lower-case Roman numerals (i, ii, iii, iv, etc.) in this order:

Title Page (required):  counts as page i, but  the number is not printed on the page .  Title Page is  not  listed in the Table of Contents.

Dedication; Epigraph  (both optional): these count in sequence of Roman numerals, but the number is not printed on the page.  These are  not  listed in the Table of Contents.

Table of Contents (required for all papers divided into chapters; recommended for all)  Your Table of Contents would list all items shown below, IF your thesis includes them. (See  Chicago Manual of Style  for more about Tables of Content )

List of Figures, Tables, or Illustrations  (optional, but recommended if appropriate): should be listed in Table of Contents

Preface; Acknowledgments; List of Abbreviations or Glossary; Abstract  (all optional):  should be listed in Table of Contents

2.     Text:  includes everything between the front matter and the back matter; begins a new numbering sequence, using         Arabic numerals.   (Introduction, chapters and/or major sections typically are listed in the Table of Contents.)

Introduction  (optional): if included, this is page 1.

Chapters or Sections :  if no Introduction, Chapter 1 would be page 1.  Begin each new chapter on a new page.  Continue sequence of Arabic numbering.

 3.     Back Matter: continues numbering with Arabic numerals.   (List these parts in the Table of Contents.)

Illustrations  (optional)

Appendixes  (optional): this is where you could put black & white copies of color images from the body of the text.

Endnotes, Bibliography, or Reference List  (required in most papers): One of these lists will be the final section of the paper.

If you have difficulty with the page numbering appearing as would like, please do not hesitate to con tact us for help.

• << Previous: Submitting Your Project
• Next: Support and Questions >>
• Last Updated: May 13, 2024 8:22 AM
• URL: https://bowdoin.libguides.com/honors

Bowdoin College Library 3000 College Station Brunswick, ME 04011 207-725-3280 Ask Us! Report a Problem

Title Page Setup

A title page is required for all APA Style papers. There are both student and professional versions of the title page. Students should use the student version of the title page unless their instructor or institution has requested they use the professional version. APA provides a student title page guide (PDF, 199KB) to assist students in creating their title pages.

Student title page

The student title page includes the paper title, author names (the byline), author affiliation, course number and name for which the paper is being submitted, instructor name, assignment due date, and page number, as shown in this example.

Title page setup is covered in the seventh edition APA Style manuals in the Publication Manual Section 2.3 and the Concise Guide Section 1.6

Related handouts

• Student Title Page Guide (PDF, 263KB)
• Student Paper Setup Guide (PDF, 3MB)

Student papers do not include a running head unless requested by the instructor or institution.

Follow the guidelines described next to format each element of the student title page.

Professional title page

The professional title page includes the paper title, author names (the byline), author affiliation(s), author note, running head, and page number, as shown in the following example.

Follow the guidelines described next to format each element of the professional title page.

Purdue Online Writing Lab Purdue OWL® College of Liberal Arts

APA Formatting and Style Guide (7th Edition)

Welcome to the Purdue OWL

This page is brought to you by the OWL at Purdue University. When printing this page, you must include the entire legal notice.

Copyright ©1995-2018 by The Writing Lab & The OWL at Purdue and Purdue University. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, reproduced, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed without permission. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our terms and conditions of fair use.

In-Text Citations

Resources on using in-text citations in APA style

Reference List

Resources on writing an APA style reference list, including citation formats

Other APA Resources

How To Write A Research Paper

Step-By-Step Tutorial With Examples + FREE Template

By: Derek Jansen (MBA) | Expert Reviewer: Dr Eunice Rautenbach | March 2024

For many students, crafting a strong research paper from scratch can feel like a daunting task – and rightly so! In this post, we’ll unpack what a research paper is, what it needs to do , and how to write one – in three easy steps. 🙂 

Overview: Writing A Research Paper

What (exactly) is a research paper.

• How to write a research paper
• Stage 1 : Topic & literature search
• Stage 2 : Structure & outline
• Stage 3 : Iterative writing
• Key takeaways

Let’s start by asking the most important question, “ What is a research paper? ”.

Simply put, a research paper is a scholarly written work where the writer (that’s you!) answers a specific question (this is called a research question ) through evidence-based arguments . Evidence-based is the keyword here. In other words, a research paper is different from an essay or other writing assignments that draw from the writer’s personal opinions or experiences. With a research paper, it’s all about building your arguments based on evidence (we’ll talk more about that evidence a little later).

Now, it’s worth noting that there are many different types of research papers , including analytical papers (the type I just described), argumentative papers, and interpretative papers. Here, we’ll focus on analytical papers , as these are some of the most common – but if you’re keen to learn about other types of research papers, be sure to check out the rest of the blog .

With that basic foundation laid, let’s get down to business and look at how to write a research paper .

Overview: The 3-Stage Process

While there are, of course, many potential approaches you can take to write a research paper, there are typically three stages to the writing process. So, in this tutorial, we’ll present a straightforward three-step process that we use when working with students at Grad Coach.

These three steps are:

• Finding a research topic and reviewing the existing literature
• Developing a provisional structure and outline for your paper, and
• Writing up your initial draft and then refining it iteratively

Let’s dig into each of these.

Need a helping hand?

Step 1: Find a topic and review the literature

As we mentioned earlier, in a research paper, you, as the researcher, will try to answer a question . More specifically, that’s called a research question , and it sets the direction of your entire paper. What’s important to understand though is that you’ll need to answer that research question with the help of high-quality sources – for example, journal articles, government reports, case studies, and so on. We’ll circle back to this in a minute.

The first stage of the research process is deciding on what your research question will be and then reviewing the existing literature (in other words, past studies and papers) to see what they say about that specific research question. In some cases, your professor may provide you with a predetermined research question (or set of questions). However, in many cases, you’ll need to find your own research question within a certain topic area.

Finding a strong research question hinges on identifying a meaningful research gap – in other words, an area that’s lacking in existing research. There’s a lot to unpack here, so if you wanna learn more, check out the plain-language explainer video below.

Once you’ve figured out which question (or questions) you’ll attempt to answer in your research paper, you’ll need to do a deep dive into the existing literature – this is called a “ literature search ”. Again, there are many ways to go about this, but your most likely starting point will be Google Scholar .

If you’re new to Google Scholar, think of it as Google for the academic world. You can start by simply entering a few different keywords that are relevant to your research question and it will then present a host of articles for you to review. What you want to pay close attention to here is the number of citations for each paper – the more citations a paper has, the more credible it is (generally speaking – there are some exceptions, of course).

Ideally, what you’re looking for are well-cited papers that are highly relevant to your topic. That said, keep in mind that citations are a cumulative metric , so older papers will often have more citations than newer papers – just because they’ve been around for longer. So, don’t fixate on this metric in isolation – relevance and recency are also very important.

Beyond Google Scholar, you’ll also definitely want to check out academic databases and aggregators such as Science Direct, PubMed, JStor and so on. These will often overlap with the results that you find in Google Scholar, but they can also reveal some hidden gems – so, be sure to check them out.

Once you’ve worked your way through all the literature, you’ll want to catalogue all this information in some sort of spreadsheet so that you can easily recall who said what, when and within what context. If you’d like, we’ve got a free literature spreadsheet that helps you do exactly that.

Step 2: Develop a structure and outline

With your research question pinned down and your literature digested and catalogued, it’s time to move on to planning your actual research paper .

It might sound obvious, but it’s really important to have some sort of rough outline in place before you start writing your paper. So often, we see students eagerly rushing into the writing phase, only to land up with a disjointed research paper that rambles on in multiple

Now, the secret here is to not get caught up in the fine details . Realistically, all you need at this stage is a bullet-point list that describes (in broad strokes) what you’ll discuss and in what order. It’s also useful to remember that you’re not glued to this outline – in all likelihood, you’ll chop and change some sections once you start writing, and that’s perfectly okay. What’s important is that you have some sort of roadmap in place from the start.

At this stage you might be wondering, “ But how should I structure my research paper? ”. Well, there’s no one-size-fits-all solution here, but in general, a research paper will consist of a few relatively standardised components:

• Introduction
• Literature review
• Methodology

Let’s take a look at each of these.

First up is the introduction section . As the name suggests, the purpose of the introduction is to set the scene for your research paper. There are usually (at least) four ingredients that go into this section – these are the background to the topic, the research problem and resultant research question , and the justification or rationale. If you’re interested, the video below unpacks the introduction section in more detail. 

The next section of your research paper will typically be your literature review . Remember all that literature you worked through earlier? Well, this is where you’ll present your interpretation of all that content . You’ll do this by writing about recent trends, developments, and arguments within the literature – but more specifically, those that are relevant to your research question . The literature review can oftentimes seem a little daunting, even to seasoned researchers, so be sure to check out our extensive collection of literature review content here .

With the introduction and lit review out of the way, the next section of your paper is the research methodology . In a nutshell, the methodology section should describe to your reader what you did (beyond just reviewing the existing literature) to answer your research question. For example, what data did you collect, how did you collect that data, how did you analyse that data and so on? For each choice, you’ll also need to justify why you chose to do it that way, and what the strengths and weaknesses of your approach were.

Now, it’s worth mentioning that for some research papers, this aspect of the project may be a lot simpler . For example, you may only need to draw on secondary sources (in other words, existing data sets). In some cases, you may just be asked to draw your conclusions from the literature search itself (in other words, there may be no data analysis at all). But, if you are required to collect and analyse data, you’ll need to pay a lot of attention to the methodology section. The video below provides an example of what the methodology section might look like.

By this stage of your paper, you will have explained what your research question is, what the existing literature has to say about that question, and how you analysed additional data to try to answer your question. So, the natural next step is to present your analysis of that data . This section is usually called the “results” or “analysis” section and this is where you’ll showcase your findings.

Depending on your school’s requirements, you may need to present and interpret the data in one section – or you might split the presentation and the interpretation into two sections. In the latter case, your “results” section will just describe the data, and the “discussion” is where you’ll interpret that data and explicitly link your analysis back to your research question. If you’re not sure which approach to take, check in with your professor or take a look at past papers to see what the norms are for your programme.

Alright – once you’ve presented and discussed your results, it’s time to wrap it up . This usually takes the form of the “ conclusion ” section. In the conclusion, you’ll need to highlight the key takeaways from your study and close the loop by explicitly answering your research question. Again, the exact requirements here will vary depending on your programme (and you may not even need a conclusion section at all) – so be sure to check with your professor if you’re unsure.

Step 3: Write and refine

Finally, it’s time to get writing. All too often though, students hit a brick wall right about here… So, how do you avoid this happening to you?

Well, there’s a lot to be said when it comes to writing a research paper (or any sort of academic piece), but we’ll share three practical tips to help you get started.

First and foremost , it’s essential to approach your writing as an iterative process. In other words, you need to start with a really messy first draft and then polish it over multiple rounds of editing. Don’t waste your time trying to write a perfect research paper in one go. Instead, take the pressure off yourself by adopting an iterative approach.

Secondly , it’s important to always lean towards critical writing , rather than descriptive writing. What does this mean? Well, at the simplest level, descriptive writing focuses on the “ what ”, while critical writing digs into the “ so what ” – in other words, the implications . If you’re not familiar with these two types of writing, don’t worry! You can find a plain-language explanation here.

Last but not least, you’ll need to get your referencing right. Specifically, you’ll need to provide credible, correctly formatted citations for the statements you make. We see students making referencing mistakes all the time and it costs them dearly. The good news is that you can easily avoid this by using a simple reference manager . If you don’t have one, check out our video about Mendeley, an easy (and free) reference management tool that you can start using today.

Recap: Key Takeaways

We’ve covered a lot of ground here. To recap, the three steps to writing a high-quality research paper are:

• To choose a research question and review the literature
• To plan your paper structure and draft an outline
• To take an iterative approach to writing, focusing on critical writing and strong referencing

Remember, this is just a b ig-picture overview of the research paper development process and there’s a lot more nuance to unpack. So, be sure to grab a copy of our free research paper template to learn more about how to write a research paper.

Can you help me with a full paper template for this Abstract:

Background: Energy and sports drinks have gained popularity among diverse demographic groups, including adolescents, athletes, workers, and college students. While often used interchangeably, these beverages serve distinct purposes, with energy drinks aiming to boost energy and cognitive performance, and sports drinks designed to prevent dehydration and replenish electrolytes and carbohydrates lost during physical exertion.

Objective: To assess the nutritional quality of energy and sports drinks in Egypt.

Material and Methods: A cross-sectional study assessed the nutrient contents, including energy, sugar, electrolytes, vitamins, and caffeine, of sports and energy drinks available in major supermarkets in Cairo, Alexandria, and Giza, Egypt. Data collection involved photographing all relevant product labels and recording nutritional information. Descriptive statistics and appropriate statistical tests were employed to analyze and compare the nutritional values of energy and sports drinks.

Results: The study analyzed 38 sports drinks and 42 energy drinks. Sports drinks were significantly more expensive than energy drinks, with higher net content and elevated magnesium, potassium, and vitamin C. Energy drinks contained higher concentrations of caffeine, sugars, and vitamins B2, B3, and B6.

Conclusion: Significant nutritional differences exist between sports and energy drinks, reflecting their intended uses. However, these beverages’ high sugar content and calorie loads raise health concerns. Proper labeling, public awareness, and responsible marketing are essential to guide safe consumption practices in Egypt.

Submit a Comment Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

• Print Friendly

• How to write a research paper

Last updated

11 January 2024

Reviewed by

With proper planning, knowledge, and framework, completing a research paper can be a fulfilling and exciting experience. 

Though it might initially sound slightly intimidating, this guide will help you embrace the challenge. 

By documenting your findings, you can inspire others and make a difference in your field. Here's how you can make your research paper unique and comprehensive.

• What is a research paper?

Research papers allow you to demonstrate your knowledge and understanding of a particular topic. These papers are usually lengthier and more detailed than typical essays, requiring deeper insight into the chosen topic.

To write a research paper, you must first choose a topic that interests you and is relevant to the field of study. Once you’ve selected your topic, gathering as many relevant resources as possible, including books, scholarly articles, credible websites, and other academic materials, is essential. You must then read and analyze these sources, summarizing their key points and identifying gaps in the current research.

You can formulate your ideas and opinions once you thoroughly understand the existing research. To get there might involve conducting original research, gathering data, or analyzing existing data sets. It could also involve presenting an original argument or interpretation of the existing research.

Writing a successful research paper involves presenting your findings clearly and engagingly, which might involve using charts, graphs, or other visual aids to present your data and using concise language to explain your findings. You must also ensure your paper adheres to relevant academic formatting guidelines, including proper citations and references.

Overall, writing a research paper requires a significant amount of time, effort, and attention to detail. However, it is also an enriching experience that allows you to delve deeply into a subject that interests you and contribute to the existing body of knowledge in your chosen field.

• How long should a research paper be?

Research papers are deep dives into a topic. Therefore, they tend to be longer pieces of work than essays or opinion pieces. 

However, a suitable length depends on the complexity of the topic and your level of expertise. For instance, are you a first-year college student or an experienced professional? 

Also, remember that the best research papers provide valuable information for the benefit of others. Therefore, the quality of information matters most, not necessarily the length. Being concise is valuable.

Following these best practice steps will help keep your process simple and productive:

1. Gaining a deep understanding of any expectations

Before diving into your intended topic or beginning the research phase, take some time to orient yourself. Suppose there’s a specific topic assigned to you. In that case, it’s essential to deeply understand the question and organize your planning and approach in response. Pay attention to the key requirements and ensure you align your writing accordingly. 

This preparation step entails

Deeply understanding the task or assignment

Being clear about the expected format and length

Familiarizing yourself with the citation and referencing requirements 

Understanding any defined limits for your research contribution

Where applicable, speaking to your professor or research supervisor for further clarification

2. Choose your research topic

Select a research topic that aligns with both your interests and available resources. Ideally, focus on a field where you possess significant experience and analytical skills. In crafting your research paper, it's crucial to go beyond summarizing existing data and contribute fresh insights to the chosen area.

Consider narrowing your focus to a specific aspect of the topic. For example, if exploring the link between technology and mental health, delve into how social media use during the pandemic impacts the well-being of college students. Conducting interviews and surveys with students could provide firsthand data and unique perspectives, adding substantial value to the existing knowledge.

When finalizing your topic, adhere to legal and ethical norms in the relevant area (this ensures the integrity of your research, protects participants' rights, upholds intellectual property standards, and ensures transparency and accountability). Following these principles not only maintains the credibility of your work but also builds trust within your academic or professional community.

For instance, in writing about medical research, consider legal and ethical norms , including patient confidentiality laws and informed consent requirements. Similarly, if analyzing user data on social media platforms, be mindful of data privacy regulations, ensuring compliance with laws governing personal information collection and use. Aligning with legal and ethical standards not only avoids potential issues but also underscores the responsible conduct of your research.

3. Gather preliminary research

Once you’ve landed on your topic, it’s time to explore it further. You’ll want to discover more about available resources and existing research relevant to your assignment at this stage. 

This exploratory phase is vital as you may discover issues with your original idea or realize you have insufficient resources to explore the topic effectively. This key bit of groundwork allows you to redirect your research topic in a different, more feasible, or more relevant direction if necessary. 

Spending ample time at this stage ensures you gather everything you need, learn as much as you can about the topic, and discover gaps where the topic has yet to be sufficiently covered, offering an opportunity to research it further. 

4. Define your research question

To produce a well-structured and focused paper, it is imperative to formulate a clear and precise research question that will guide your work. Your research question must be informed by the existing literature and tailored to the scope and objectives of your project. By refining your focus, you can produce a thoughtful and engaging paper that effectively communicates your ideas to your readers.

5. Write a thesis statement

A thesis statement is a one-to-two-sentence summary of your research paper's main argument or direction. It serves as an overall guide to summarize the overall intent of the research paper for you and anyone wanting to know more about the research.

A strong thesis statement is:

Concise and clear: Explain your case in simple sentences (avoid covering multiple ideas). It might help to think of this section as an elevator pitch.

Specific: Ensure that there is no ambiguity in your statement and that your summary covers the points argued in the paper.

Debatable: A thesis statement puts forward a specific argument––it is not merely a statement but a debatable point that can be analyzed and discussed.

Here are three thesis statement examples from different disciplines:

Psychology thesis example: "We're studying adults aged 25-40 to see if taking short breaks for mindfulness can help with stress. Our goal is to find practical ways to manage anxiety better."

Environmental science thesis example: "This research paper looks into how having more city parks might make the air cleaner and keep people healthier. I want to find out if more green spaces means breathing fewer carcinogens in big cities."

UX research thesis example: "This study focuses on improving mobile banking for older adults using ethnographic research, eye-tracking analysis, and interactive prototyping. We investigate the usefulness of eye-tracking analysis with older individuals, aiming to spark debate and offer fresh perspectives on UX design and digital inclusivity for the aging population."

6. Conduct in-depth research

A research paper doesn’t just include research that you’ve uncovered from other papers and studies but your fresh insights, too. You will seek to become an expert on your topic––understanding the nuances in the current leading theories. You will analyze existing research and add your thinking and discoveries.  It's crucial to conduct well-designed research that is rigorous, robust, and based on reliable sources. Suppose a research paper lacks evidence or is biased. In that case, it won't benefit the academic community or the general public. Therefore, examining the topic thoroughly and furthering its understanding through high-quality research is essential. That usually means conducting new research. Depending on the area under investigation, you may conduct surveys, interviews, diary studies , or observational research to uncover new insights or bolster current claims.

7. Determine supporting evidence

Not every piece of research you’ve discovered will be relevant to your research paper. It’s important to categorize the most meaningful evidence to include alongside your discoveries. It's important to include evidence that doesn't support your claims to avoid exclusion bias and ensure a fair research paper.

8. Write a research paper outline

Before diving in and writing the whole paper, start with an outline. It will help you to see if more research is needed, and it will provide a framework by which to write a more compelling paper. Your supervisor may even request an outline to approve before beginning to write the first draft of the full paper. An outline will include your topic, thesis statement, key headings, short summaries of the research, and your arguments.

9. Write your first draft

Once you feel confident about your outline and sources, it’s time to write your first draft. While penning a long piece of content can be intimidating, if you’ve laid the groundwork, you will have a structure to help you move steadily through each section. To keep up motivation and inspiration, it’s often best to keep the pace quick. Stopping for long periods can interrupt your flow and make jumping back in harder than writing when things are fresh in your mind.

10. Cite your sources correctly

It's always a good practice to give credit where it's due, and the same goes for citing any works that have influenced your paper. Building your arguments on credible references adds value and authenticity to your research. In the formatting guidelines section, you’ll find an overview of different citation styles (MLA, CMOS, or APA), which will help you meet any publishing or academic requirements and strengthen your paper's credibility. It is essential to follow the guidelines provided by your school or the publication you are submitting to ensure the accuracy and relevance of your citations.

11. Ensure your work is original

It is crucial to ensure the originality of your paper, as plagiarism can lead to serious consequences. To avoid plagiarism, you should use proper paraphrasing and quoting techniques. Paraphrasing is rewriting a text in your own words while maintaining the original meaning. Quoting involves directly citing the source. Giving credit to the original author or source is essential whenever you borrow their ideas or words. You can also use plagiarism detection tools such as Scribbr or Grammarly to check the originality of your paper. These tools compare your draft writing to a vast database of online sources. If you find any accidental plagiarism, you should correct it immediately by rephrasing or citing the source.

12. Revise, edit, and proofread

One of the essential qualities of excellent writers is their ability to understand the importance of editing and proofreading. Even though it's tempting to call it a day once you've finished your writing, editing your work can significantly improve its quality. It's natural to overlook the weaker areas when you've just finished writing a paper. Therefore, it's best to take a break of a day or two, or even up to a week, to refresh your mind. This way, you can return to your work with a new perspective. After some breathing room, you can spot any inconsistencies, spelling and grammar errors, typos, or missing citations and correct them. 

• The best research paper format 

The format of your research paper should align with the requirements set forth by your college, school, or target publication. 

There is no one “best” format, per se. Depending on the stated requirements, you may need to include the following elements:

Title page: The title page of a research paper typically includes the title, author's name, and institutional affiliation and may include additional information such as a course name or instructor's name. 

Table of contents: Include a table of contents to make it easy for readers to find specific sections of your paper.

Abstract: The abstract is a summary of the purpose of the paper.

Methods : In this section, describe the research methods used. This may include collecting data , conducting interviews, or doing field research .

Results: Summarize the conclusions you drew from your research in this section.

Discussion: In this section, discuss the implications of your research . Be sure to mention any significant limitations to your approach and suggest areas for further research.

Tables, charts, and illustrations: Use tables, charts, and illustrations to help convey your research findings and make them easier to understand.

Works cited or reference page: Include a works cited or reference page to give credit to the sources that you used to conduct your research.

Bibliography: Provide a list of all the sources you consulted while conducting your research.

Dedication and acknowledgments : Optionally, you may include a dedication and acknowledgments section to thank individuals who helped you with your research.

• General style and formatting guidelines

Formatting your research paper means you can submit it to your college, journal, or other publications in compliance with their criteria.

Research papers tend to follow the American Psychological Association (APA), Modern Language Association (MLA), or Chicago Manual of Style (CMOS) guidelines.

Here’s how each style guide is typically used:

Chicago Manual of Style (CMOS):

CMOS is a versatile style guide used for various types of writing. It's known for its flexibility and use in the humanities. CMOS provides guidelines for citations, formatting, and overall writing style. It allows for both footnotes and in-text citations, giving writers options based on their preferences or publication requirements.

American Psychological Association (APA):

APA is common in the social sciences. It’s hailed for its clarity and emphasis on precision. It has specific rules for citing sources, creating references, and formatting papers. APA style uses in-text citations with an accompanying reference list. It's designed to convey information efficiently and is widely used in academic and scientific writing.

Modern Language Association (MLA):

MLA is widely used in the humanities, especially literature and language studies. It emphasizes the author-page format for in-text citations and provides guidelines for creating a "Works Cited" page. MLA is known for its focus on the author's name and the literary works cited. It’s frequently used in disciplines that prioritize literary analysis and critical thinking.

To confirm you're using the latest style guide, check the official website or publisher's site for updates, consult academic resources, and verify the guide's publication date. Online platforms and educational resources may also provide summaries and alerts about any revisions or additions to the style guide.

Citing sources

When working on your research paper, it's important to cite the sources you used properly. Your citation style will guide you through this process. Generally, there are three parts to citing sources in your research paper: 

First, provide a brief citation in the body of your essay. This is also known as a parenthetical or in-text citation. 

Second, include a full citation in the Reference list at the end of your paper. Different types of citations include in-text citations, footnotes, and reference lists. 

In-text citations include the author's surname and the date of the citation. 

Footnotes appear at the bottom of each page of your research paper. They may also be summarized within a reference list at the end of the paper. 

A reference list includes all of the research used within the paper at the end of the document. It should include the author, date, paper title, and publisher listed in the order that aligns with your citation style.

10 research paper writing tips:

Following some best practices is essential to writing a research paper that contributes to your field of study and creates a positive impact.

These tactics will help you structure your argument effectively and ensure your work benefits others:

Clear and precise language:  Ensure your language is unambiguous. Use academic language appropriately, but keep it simple. Also, provide clear takeaways for your audience.

Effective idea separation:  Organize the vast amount of information and sources in your paper with paragraphs and titles. Create easily digestible sections for your readers to navigate through.

Compelling intro:  Craft an engaging introduction that captures your reader's interest. Hook your audience and motivate them to continue reading.

Thorough revision and editing:  Take the time to review and edit your paper comprehensively. Use tools like Grammarly to detect and correct small, overlooked errors.

Thesis precision:  Develop a clear and concise thesis statement that guides your paper. Ensure that your thesis aligns with your research's overall purpose and contribution.

Logical flow of ideas:  Maintain a logical progression throughout the paper. Use transitions effectively to connect different sections and maintain coherence.

Critical evaluation of sources:  Evaluate and critically assess the relevance and reliability of your sources. Ensure that your research is based on credible and up-to-date information.

Thematic consistency:  Maintain a consistent theme throughout the paper. Ensure that all sections contribute cohesively to the overall argument.

Relevant supporting evidence:  Provide concise and relevant evidence to support your arguments. Avoid unnecessary details that may distract from the main points.

Embrace counterarguments:  Acknowledge and address opposing views to strengthen your position. Show that you have considered alternative arguments in your field.

7 research tips 

If you want your paper to not only be well-written but also contribute to the progress of human knowledge, consider these tips to take your paper to the next level:

Selecting the appropriate topic: The topic you select should align with your area of expertise, comply with the requirements of your project, and have sufficient resources for a comprehensive investigation.

Use academic databases: Academic databases such as PubMed, Google Scholar, and JSTOR offer a wealth of research papers that can help you discover everything you need to know about your chosen topic.

Critically evaluate sources: It is important not to accept research findings at face value. Instead, it is crucial to critically analyze the information to avoid jumping to conclusions or overlooking important details. A well-written research paper requires a critical analysis with thorough reasoning to support claims.

Diversify your sources: Expand your research horizons by exploring a variety of sources beyond the standard databases. Utilize books, conference proceedings, and interviews to gather diverse perspectives and enrich your understanding of the topic.

Take detailed notes: Detailed note-taking is crucial during research and can help you form the outline and body of your paper.

Stay up on trends: Keep abreast of the latest developments in your field by regularly checking for recent publications. Subscribe to newsletters, follow relevant journals, and attend conferences to stay informed about emerging trends and advancements. 

Engage in peer review: Seek feedback from peers or mentors to ensure the rigor and validity of your research . Peer review helps identify potential weaknesses in your methodology and strengthens the overall credibility of your findings.

• The real-world impact of research papers

Writing a research paper is more than an academic or business exercise. The experience provides an opportunity to explore a subject in-depth, broaden one's understanding, and arrive at meaningful conclusions. With careful planning, dedication, and hard work, writing a research paper can be a fulfilling and enriching experience contributing to advancing knowledge.

How do I publish my research paper? 

Many academics wish to publish their research papers. While challenging, your paper might get traction if it covers new and well-written information. To publish your research paper, find a target publication, thoroughly read their guidelines, format your paper accordingly, and send it to them per their instructions. You may need to include a cover letter, too. After submission, your paper may be peer-reviewed by experts to assess its legitimacy, quality, originality, and methodology. Following review, you will be informed by the publication whether they have accepted or rejected your paper. 

What is a good opening sentence for a research paper? 

Beginning your research paper with a compelling introduction can ensure readers are interested in going further. A relevant quote, a compelling statistic, or a bold argument can start the paper and hook your reader. Remember, though, that the most important aspect of a research paper is the quality of the information––not necessarily your ability to storytell, so ensure anything you write aligns with your goals.

Research paper vs. a research proposal—what’s the difference?

While some may confuse research papers and proposals, they are different documents. 

A research proposal comes before a research paper. It is a detailed document that outlines an intended area of exploration. It includes the research topic, methodology, timeline, sources, and potential conclusions. Research proposals are often required when seeking approval to conduct research. 

A research paper is a summary of research findings. A research paper follows a structured format to present those findings and construct an argument or conclusion.

Should you be using a customer insights hub?

Do you want to discover previous research faster?

Do you share your research findings with others?

Do you analyze research data?

Start for free today, add your research, and get to key insights faster

Editor’s picks

Last updated: 18 April 2023

Last updated: 27 February 2023

Last updated: 22 August 2024

Last updated: 5 February 2023

Last updated: 16 August 2024

Last updated: 9 March 2023

Last updated: 30 April 2024

Last updated: 12 December 2023

Last updated: 11 March 2024

Last updated: 4 July 2024

Last updated: 6 March 2024

Last updated: 5 March 2024

Last updated: 13 May 2024

Latest articles

Related topics, .css-je19u9{-webkit-align-items:flex-end;-webkit-box-align:flex-end;-ms-flex-align:flex-end;align-items:flex-end;display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;-webkit-flex-direction:row;-ms-flex-direction:row;flex-direction:row;-webkit-box-flex-wrap:wrap;-webkit-flex-wrap:wrap;-ms-flex-wrap:wrap;flex-wrap:wrap;-webkit-box-pack:center;-ms-flex-pack:center;-webkit-justify-content:center;justify-content:center;row-gap:0;text-align:center;max-width:671px;}@media (max-width: 1079px){.css-je19u9{max-width:400px;}.css-je19u9>span{white-space:pre;}}@media (max-width: 799px){.css-je19u9{max-width:400px;}.css-je19u9>span{white-space:pre;}} decide what to .css-1kiodld{max-height:56px;display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;-webkit-align-items:center;-webkit-box-align:center;-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center;}@media (max-width: 1079px){.css-1kiodld{display:none;}} build next, decide what to build next.

• 10 research paper

Log in or sign up

Get started for free

Reference management. Clean and simple.

How to start your research paper [step-by-step guide]

1. Choose your topic

2. find information on your topic, 3. create a thesis statement, 4. create a research paper outline, 5. organize your notes, 6. write your introduction, 7. write your first draft of the body, 9. write your conclusion, 10. revise again, edit, and proofread, frequently asked questions about starting your research paper, related articles.

Research papers can be short or in-depth, but no matter what type of research paper, they all follow pretty much the same pattern and have the same structure .

A research paper is a paper that makes an argument about a topic based on research and analysis.

There will be some basic differences, but if you can write one type of research paper, you can write another. Below is a step-by-step guide to starting and completing your research paper.

Choose a topic that interests you. Writing your research paper will be so much more pleasant with a topic that you actually want to know more about. Your interest will show in the way you write and effort you put into the paper. Consider these issues when coming up with a topic:

• make sure your topic is not too broad
• narrow it down if you're using terms that are too general

Academic search engines are a great source to find background information on your topic. Your institution's library will most likely provide access to plenty of online research databases. Take a look at our guide on how to efficiently search online databases for academic research to learn how to gather all the information needed on your topic.

Tip: If you’re struggling with finding research, consider meeting with an academic librarian to help you come up with more balanced keywords.

If you’re struggling to find a topic for your thesis, take a look at our guide on how to come up with a thesis topic .

The thesis statement is one of the most important elements of any piece of academic writing. It can be defined as a very brief statement of what the main point or central message of your paper is. Our thesis statement guide will help you write an excellent thesis statement.

In the next step, you need to create your research paper outline . The outline is the skeleton of your research paper. Simply start by writing down your thesis and the main ideas you wish to present. This will likely change as your research progresses; therefore, do not worry about being too specific in the early stages of writing your outline.

Then, fill out your outline with the following components:

• the main ideas that you want to cover in the paper
• the types of evidence that you will use to support your argument
• quotes from secondary sources that you may want to use

Organizing all the information you have gathered according to your outline will help you later on in the writing process. Analyze your notes, check for accuracy, verify the information, and make sure you understand all the information you have gathered in a way that you can communicate your findings effectively.

Start with the introduction. It will set the direction of your paper and help you a lot as you write. Waiting to write it at the end can leave you with a poorly written setup to an otherwise well-written paper.

The body of your paper argues, explains or describes your topic. Start with the first topic from your outline. Ideally, you have organized your notes in a way that you can work through your research paper outline and have all the notes ready.

After your first draft, take some time to check the paper for content errors. Rearrange ideas, make changes and check if the order of your paragraphs makes sense. At this point, it is helpful to re-read the research paper guidelines and make sure you have followed the format requirements. You can also use free grammar and proof reading checkers such as Grammarly .

Tip: Consider reading your paper from back to front when you undertake your initial revision. This will help you ensure that your argument and organization are sound.

Write your conclusion last and avoid including any new information that has not already been presented in the body of the paper. Your conclusion should wrap up your paper and show that your research question has been answered.

Allow a few days to pass after you finished writing the final draft of your research paper, and then start making your final corrections. The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill gives some great advice here on how to revise, edit, and proofread your paper.

Tip: Take a break from your paper before you start your final revisions. Then, you’ll be able to approach your paper with fresh eyes.

As part of your final revision, be sure to check that you’ve cited everything correctly and that you have a full bibliography. Use a reference manager like Paperpile to organize your research and to create accurate citations.

The first step to start writing a research paper is to choose a topic. Make sure your topic is not too broad; narrow it down if you're using terms that are too general.

The format of your research paper will vary depending on the journal you submit to. Make sure to check first which citation style does the journal follow, in order to format your paper accordingly. Check Getting started with your research paper outline to have an idea of what a research paper looks like.

The last step of your research paper should be proofreading. Allow a few days to pass after you finished writing the final draft of your research paper, and then start making your final corrections. The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill gives some great advice here on how to revise, edit and proofread your paper.

There are plenty of software you can use to write a research paper. We recommend our own citation software, Paperpile , as well as grammar and proof reading checkers such as Grammarly .

Have a language expert improve your writing

Run a free plagiarism check in 10 minutes, generate accurate citations for free.

• Knowledge Base
• Research paper

How to Create a Structured Research Paper Outline | Example

Published on August 7, 2022 by Courtney Gahan . Revised on August 15, 2023.

A research paper outline is a useful tool to aid in the writing process , providing a structure to follow with all information to be included in the paper clearly organized.

A quality outline can make writing your research paper more efficient by helping to:

• Organize your thoughts
• Understand the flow of information and how ideas are related
• Ensure nothing is forgotten

A research paper outline can also give your teacher an early idea of the final product.

Instantly correct all language mistakes in your text

Upload your document to correct all your mistakes in minutes

Table of contents

Research paper outline example, how to write a research paper outline, formatting your research paper outline, language in research paper outlines.

• Definition of measles
• Rise in cases in recent years in places the disease was previously eliminated or had very low rates of infection
• Figures: Number of cases per year on average, number in recent years. Relate to immunization
• Symptoms and timeframes of disease
• Risk of fatality, including statistics
• How measles is spread
• Immunization procedures in different regions
• Different regions, focusing on the arguments from those against immunization
• Immunization figures in affected regions
• High number of cases in non-immunizing regions
• Illnesses that can result from measles virus
• Fatal cases of other illnesses after patient contracted measles
• Summary of arguments of different groups
• Summary of figures and relationship with recent immunization debate
• Which side of the argument appears to be correct?

Don't submit your assignments before you do this

The academic proofreading tool has been trained on 1000s of academic texts. Making it the most accurate and reliable proofreading tool for students. Free citation check included.

Try for free

Follow these steps to start your research paper outline:

• Decide on the subject of the paper
• Write down all the ideas you want to include or discuss
• Organize related ideas into sub-groups
• Arrange your ideas into a hierarchy: What should the reader learn first? What is most important? Which idea will help end your paper most effectively?
• Create headings and subheadings that are effective
• Format the outline in either alphanumeric, full-sentence or decimal format

There are three different kinds of research paper outline: alphanumeric, full-sentence and decimal outlines. The differences relate to formatting and style of writing.

• Alphanumeric
• Full-sentence

An alphanumeric outline is most commonly used. It uses Roman numerals, capitalized letters, arabic numerals, lowercase letters to organize the flow of information. Text is written with short notes rather than full sentences.

• Sub-point of sub-point 1

Essentially the same as the alphanumeric outline, but with the text written in full sentences rather than short points.

• Additional sub-point to conclude discussion of point of evidence introduced in point A

A decimal outline is similar in format to the alphanumeric outline, but with a different numbering system: 1, 1.1, 1.2, etc. Text is written as short notes rather than full sentences.

• 1.1.1 Sub-point of first point
• 1.1.2 Sub-point of first point
• 1.2 Second point

To write an effective research paper outline, it is important to pay attention to language. This is especially important if it is one you will show to your teacher or be assessed on.

There are four main considerations: parallelism, coordination, subordination and division.

Parallelism: Be consistent with grammatical form

Parallel structure or parallelism is the repetition of a particular grammatical form within a sentence, or in this case, between points and sub-points. This simply means that if the first point is a verb , the sub-point should also be a verb.

Example of parallelism:

• Include different regions, focusing on the different arguments from those against immunization

Coordination: Be aware of each point’s weight

Your chosen subheadings should hold the same significance as each other, as should all first sub-points, secondary sub-points, and so on.

Example of coordination:

• Include immunization figures in affected regions
• Illnesses that can result from the measles virus

Subordination: Work from general to specific

Subordination refers to the separation of general points from specific. Your main headings should be quite general, and each level of sub-point should become more specific.

Example of subordination:

Division: break information into sub-points.

Your headings should be divided into two or more subsections. There is no limit to how many subsections you can include under each heading, but keep in mind that the information will be structured into a paragraph during the writing stage, so you should not go overboard with the number of sub-points.

Ready to start writing or looking for guidance on a different step in the process? Read our step-by-step guide on how to write a research paper .

Cite this Scribbr article

If you want to cite this source, you can copy and paste the citation or click the “Cite this Scribbr article” button to automatically add the citation to our free Citation Generator.

Gahan, C. (2023, August 15). How to Create a Structured Research Paper Outline | Example. Scribbr. Retrieved August 26, 2024, from https://www.scribbr.com/research-paper/outline/

Is this article helpful?

Courtney Gahan

Other students also liked, research paper format | apa, mla, & chicago templates, writing a research paper introduction | step-by-step guide, writing a research paper conclusion | step-by-step guide, get unlimited documents corrected.

✔ Free APA citation check included ✔ Unlimited document corrections ✔ Specialized in correcting academic texts

• Privacy Policy

Home » Research Paper – Structure, Examples and Writing Guide

Research Paper – Structure, Examples and Writing Guide

Table of Contents

Research Paper

Definition:

Research Paper is a written document that presents the author’s original research, analysis, and interpretation of a specific topic or issue.

It is typically based on Empirical Evidence, and may involve qualitative or quantitative research methods, or a combination of both. The purpose of a research paper is to contribute new knowledge or insights to a particular field of study, and to demonstrate the author’s understanding of the existing literature and theories related to the topic.

Structure of Research Paper

The structure of a research paper typically follows a standard format, consisting of several sections that convey specific information about the research study. The following is a detailed explanation of the structure of a research paper:

The title page contains the title of the paper, the name(s) of the author(s), and the affiliation(s) of the author(s). It also includes the date of submission and possibly, the name of the journal or conference where the paper is to be published.

The abstract is a brief summary of the research paper, typically ranging from 100 to 250 words. It should include the research question, the methods used, the key findings, and the implications of the results. The abstract should be written in a concise and clear manner to allow readers to quickly grasp the essence of the research.

Introduction

The introduction section of a research paper provides background information about the research problem, the research question, and the research objectives. It also outlines the significance of the research, the research gap that it aims to fill, and the approach taken to address the research question. Finally, the introduction section ends with a clear statement of the research hypothesis or research question.

Literature Review

The literature review section of a research paper provides an overview of the existing literature on the topic of study. It includes a critical analysis and synthesis of the literature, highlighting the key concepts, themes, and debates. The literature review should also demonstrate the research gap and how the current study seeks to address it.

The methods section of a research paper describes the research design, the sample selection, the data collection and analysis procedures, and the statistical methods used to analyze the data. This section should provide sufficient detail for other researchers to replicate the study.

The results section presents the findings of the research, using tables, graphs, and figures to illustrate the data. The findings should be presented in a clear and concise manner, with reference to the research question and hypothesis.

The discussion section of a research paper interprets the findings and discusses their implications for the research question, the literature review, and the field of study. It should also address the limitations of the study and suggest future research directions.

The conclusion section summarizes the main findings of the study, restates the research question and hypothesis, and provides a final reflection on the significance of the research.

The references section provides a list of all the sources cited in the paper, following a specific citation style such as APA, MLA or Chicago.

How to Write Research Paper

You can write Research Paper by the following guide:

• Choose a Topic: The first step is to select a topic that interests you and is relevant to your field of study. Brainstorm ideas and narrow down to a research question that is specific and researchable.
• Conduct a Literature Review: The literature review helps you identify the gap in the existing research and provides a basis for your research question. It also helps you to develop a theoretical framework and research hypothesis.
• Develop a Thesis Statement : The thesis statement is the main argument of your research paper. It should be clear, concise and specific to your research question.
• Plan your Research: Develop a research plan that outlines the methods, data sources, and data analysis procedures. This will help you to collect and analyze data effectively.
• Collect and Analyze Data: Collect data using various methods such as surveys, interviews, observations, or experiments. Analyze data using statistical tools or other qualitative methods.
• Organize your Paper : Organize your paper into sections such as Introduction, Literature Review, Methods, Results, Discussion, and Conclusion. Ensure that each section is coherent and follows a logical flow.
• Write your Paper : Start by writing the introduction, followed by the literature review, methods, results, discussion, and conclusion. Ensure that your writing is clear, concise, and follows the required formatting and citation styles.
• Edit and Proofread your Paper: Review your paper for grammar and spelling errors, and ensure that it is well-structured and easy to read. Ask someone else to review your paper to get feedback and suggestions for improvement.
• Cite your Sources: Ensure that you properly cite all sources used in your research paper. This is essential for giving credit to the original authors and avoiding plagiarism.

Research Paper Example

Note : The below example research paper is for illustrative purposes only and is not an actual research paper. Actual research papers may have different structures, contents, and formats depending on the field of study, research question, data collection and analysis methods, and other factors. Students should always consult with their professors or supervisors for specific guidelines and expectations for their research papers.

Research Paper Example sample for Students:

Title: The Impact of Social Media on Mental Health among Young Adults

Abstract: This study aims to investigate the impact of social media use on the mental health of young adults. A literature review was conducted to examine the existing research on the topic. A survey was then administered to 200 university students to collect data on their social media use, mental health status, and perceived impact of social media on their mental health. The results showed that social media use is positively associated with depression, anxiety, and stress. The study also found that social comparison, cyberbullying, and FOMO (Fear of Missing Out) are significant predictors of mental health problems among young adults.

Introduction: Social media has become an integral part of modern life, particularly among young adults. While social media has many benefits, including increased communication and social connectivity, it has also been associated with negative outcomes, such as addiction, cyberbullying, and mental health problems. This study aims to investigate the impact of social media use on the mental health of young adults.

Literature Review: The literature review highlights the existing research on the impact of social media use on mental health. The review shows that social media use is associated with depression, anxiety, stress, and other mental health problems. The review also identifies the factors that contribute to the negative impact of social media, including social comparison, cyberbullying, and FOMO.

Methods : A survey was administered to 200 university students to collect data on their social media use, mental health status, and perceived impact of social media on their mental health. The survey included questions on social media use, mental health status (measured using the DASS-21), and perceived impact of social media on their mental health. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and regression analysis.

Results : The results showed that social media use is positively associated with depression, anxiety, and stress. The study also found that social comparison, cyberbullying, and FOMO are significant predictors of mental health problems among young adults.

Discussion : The study’s findings suggest that social media use has a negative impact on the mental health of young adults. The study highlights the need for interventions that address the factors contributing to the negative impact of social media, such as social comparison, cyberbullying, and FOMO.

Conclusion : In conclusion, social media use has a significant impact on the mental health of young adults. The study’s findings underscore the need for interventions that promote healthy social media use and address the negative outcomes associated with social media use. Future research can explore the effectiveness of interventions aimed at reducing the negative impact of social media on mental health. Additionally, longitudinal studies can investigate the long-term effects of social media use on mental health.

Limitations : The study has some limitations, including the use of self-report measures and a cross-sectional design. The use of self-report measures may result in biased responses, and a cross-sectional design limits the ability to establish causality.

Implications: The study’s findings have implications for mental health professionals, educators, and policymakers. Mental health professionals can use the findings to develop interventions that address the negative impact of social media use on mental health. Educators can incorporate social media literacy into their curriculum to promote healthy social media use among young adults. Policymakers can use the findings to develop policies that protect young adults from the negative outcomes associated with social media use.

References :

• Twenge, J. M., & Campbell, W. K. (2019). Associations between screen time and lower psychological well-being among children and adolescents: Evidence from a population-based study. Preventive medicine reports, 15, 100918.
• Primack, B. A., Shensa, A., Escobar-Viera, C. G., Barrett, E. L., Sidani, J. E., Colditz, J. B., … & James, A. E. (2017). Use of multiple social media platforms and symptoms of depression and anxiety: A nationally-representative study among US young adults. Computers in Human Behavior, 69, 1-9.
• Van der Meer, T. G., & Verhoeven, J. W. (2017). Social media and its impact on academic performance of students. Journal of Information Technology Education: Research, 16, 383-398.

Appendix : The survey used in this study is provided below.

Social Media and Mental Health Survey

• How often do you use social media per day?
• Less than 30 minutes
• 30 minutes to 1 hour
• 1 to 2 hours
• 2 to 4 hours
• More than 4 hours
• Which social media platforms do you use?
• Others (Please specify)
• How often do you experience the following on social media?
• Social comparison (comparing yourself to others)
• Cyberbullying
• Fear of Missing Out (FOMO)
• Have you ever experienced any of the following mental health problems in the past month?
• Do you think social media use has a positive or negative impact on your mental health?
• Very positive
• Somewhat positive
• Somewhat negative
• Very negative
• In your opinion, which factors contribute to the negative impact of social media on mental health?
• Social comparison
• In your opinion, what interventions could be effective in reducing the negative impact of social media on mental health?
• Education on healthy social media use
• Counseling for mental health problems caused by social media
• Social media detox programs
• Regulation of social media use

Thank you for your participation!

Applications of Research Paper

Research papers have several applications in various fields, including:

• Advancing knowledge: Research papers contribute to the advancement of knowledge by generating new insights, theories, and findings that can inform future research and practice. They help to answer important questions, clarify existing knowledge, and identify areas that require further investigation.
• Informing policy: Research papers can inform policy decisions by providing evidence-based recommendations for policymakers. They can help to identify gaps in current policies, evaluate the effectiveness of interventions, and inform the development of new policies and regulations.
• Improving practice: Research papers can improve practice by providing evidence-based guidance for professionals in various fields, including medicine, education, business, and psychology. They can inform the development of best practices, guidelines, and standards of care that can improve outcomes for individuals and organizations.
• Educating students : Research papers are often used as teaching tools in universities and colleges to educate students about research methods, data analysis, and academic writing. They help students to develop critical thinking skills, research skills, and communication skills that are essential for success in many careers.
• Fostering collaboration: Research papers can foster collaboration among researchers, practitioners, and policymakers by providing a platform for sharing knowledge and ideas. They can facilitate interdisciplinary collaborations and partnerships that can lead to innovative solutions to complex problems.

When to Write Research Paper

Research papers are typically written when a person has completed a research project or when they have conducted a study and have obtained data or findings that they want to share with the academic or professional community. Research papers are usually written in academic settings, such as universities, but they can also be written in professional settings, such as research organizations, government agencies, or private companies.

Here are some common situations where a person might need to write a research paper:

• For academic purposes: Students in universities and colleges are often required to write research papers as part of their coursework, particularly in the social sciences, natural sciences, and humanities. Writing research papers helps students to develop research skills, critical thinking skills, and academic writing skills.
• For publication: Researchers often write research papers to publish their findings in academic journals or to present their work at academic conferences. Publishing research papers is an important way to disseminate research findings to the academic community and to establish oneself as an expert in a particular field.
• To inform policy or practice : Researchers may write research papers to inform policy decisions or to improve practice in various fields. Research findings can be used to inform the development of policies, guidelines, and best practices that can improve outcomes for individuals and organizations.
• To share new insights or ideas: Researchers may write research papers to share new insights or ideas with the academic or professional community. They may present new theories, propose new research methods, or challenge existing paradigms in their field.

Purpose of Research Paper

The purpose of a research paper is to present the results of a study or investigation in a clear, concise, and structured manner. Research papers are written to communicate new knowledge, ideas, or findings to a specific audience, such as researchers, scholars, practitioners, or policymakers. The primary purposes of a research paper are:

• To contribute to the body of knowledge : Research papers aim to add new knowledge or insights to a particular field or discipline. They do this by reporting the results of empirical studies, reviewing and synthesizing existing literature, proposing new theories, or providing new perspectives on a topic.
• To inform or persuade: Research papers are written to inform or persuade the reader about a particular issue, topic, or phenomenon. They present evidence and arguments to support their claims and seek to persuade the reader of the validity of their findings or recommendations.
• To advance the field: Research papers seek to advance the field or discipline by identifying gaps in knowledge, proposing new research questions or approaches, or challenging existing assumptions or paradigms. They aim to contribute to ongoing debates and discussions within a field and to stimulate further research and inquiry.
• To demonstrate research skills: Research papers demonstrate the author’s research skills, including their ability to design and conduct a study, collect and analyze data, and interpret and communicate findings. They also demonstrate the author’s ability to critically evaluate existing literature, synthesize information from multiple sources, and write in a clear and structured manner.

Characteristics of Research Paper

Research papers have several characteristics that distinguish them from other forms of academic or professional writing. Here are some common characteristics of research papers:

• Evidence-based: Research papers are based on empirical evidence, which is collected through rigorous research methods such as experiments, surveys, observations, or interviews. They rely on objective data and facts to support their claims and conclusions.
• Structured and organized: Research papers have a clear and logical structure, with sections such as introduction, literature review, methods, results, discussion, and conclusion. They are organized in a way that helps the reader to follow the argument and understand the findings.
• Formal and objective: Research papers are written in a formal and objective tone, with an emphasis on clarity, precision, and accuracy. They avoid subjective language or personal opinions and instead rely on objective data and analysis to support their arguments.
• Citations and references: Research papers include citations and references to acknowledge the sources of information and ideas used in the paper. They use a specific citation style, such as APA, MLA, or Chicago, to ensure consistency and accuracy.
• Peer-reviewed: Research papers are often peer-reviewed, which means they are evaluated by other experts in the field before they are published. Peer-review ensures that the research is of high quality, meets ethical standards, and contributes to the advancement of knowledge in the field.
• Objective and unbiased: Research papers strive to be objective and unbiased in their presentation of the findings. They avoid personal biases or preconceptions and instead rely on the data and analysis to draw conclusions.

Advantages of Research Paper

Research papers have many advantages, both for the individual researcher and for the broader academic and professional community. Here are some advantages of research papers:

• Contribution to knowledge: Research papers contribute to the body of knowledge in a particular field or discipline. They add new information, insights, and perspectives to existing literature and help advance the understanding of a particular phenomenon or issue.
• Opportunity for intellectual growth: Research papers provide an opportunity for intellectual growth for the researcher. They require critical thinking, problem-solving, and creativity, which can help develop the researcher’s skills and knowledge.
• Career advancement: Research papers can help advance the researcher’s career by demonstrating their expertise and contributions to the field. They can also lead to new research opportunities, collaborations, and funding.
• Academic recognition: Research papers can lead to academic recognition in the form of awards, grants, or invitations to speak at conferences or events. They can also contribute to the researcher’s reputation and standing in the field.
• Impact on policy and practice: Research papers can have a significant impact on policy and practice. They can inform policy decisions, guide practice, and lead to changes in laws, regulations, or procedures.
• Advancement of society: Research papers can contribute to the advancement of society by addressing important issues, identifying solutions to problems, and promoting social justice and equality.

Limitations of Research Paper

Research papers also have some limitations that should be considered when interpreting their findings or implications. Here are some common limitations of research papers:

• Limited generalizability: Research findings may not be generalizable to other populations, settings, or contexts. Studies often use specific samples or conditions that may not reflect the broader population or real-world situations.
• Potential for bias : Research papers may be biased due to factors such as sample selection, measurement errors, or researcher biases. It is important to evaluate the quality of the research design and methods used to ensure that the findings are valid and reliable.
• Ethical concerns: Research papers may raise ethical concerns, such as the use of vulnerable populations or invasive procedures. Researchers must adhere to ethical guidelines and obtain informed consent from participants to ensure that the research is conducted in a responsible and respectful manner.
• Limitations of methodology: Research papers may be limited by the methodology used to collect and analyze data. For example, certain research methods may not capture the complexity or nuance of a particular phenomenon, or may not be appropriate for certain research questions.
• Publication bias: Research papers may be subject to publication bias, where positive or significant findings are more likely to be published than negative or non-significant findings. This can skew the overall findings of a particular area of research.
• Time and resource constraints: Research papers may be limited by time and resource constraints, which can affect the quality and scope of the research. Researchers may not have access to certain data or resources, or may be unable to conduct long-term studies due to practical limitations.

About the author

Muhammad Hassan

Researcher, Academic Writer, Web developer

You may also like

Research Project – Definition, Writing Guide and...

What is a Hypothesis – Types, Examples and...

Conceptual Framework – Types, Methodology and...

Limitations in Research – Types, Examples and...

Data Verification – Process, Types and Examples

Literature Review – Types Writing Guide and...