How to write academic papers (7 practical steps)

How to write academic papers (7 practical steps)

Writing academic papers require a rigorous and step by step process. It does not follow the format of a regular article. The stipulated procedures vary with institutions, faculties and departments and flexible to accommodate changes in the future. However, the following practical steps are very common in academic paper irrespective of the clime.

  • Choose a topic you are really interested in
  • You can decide to solve an existing problem
  • Widen the scope of your research
  • Follow the required procedure
  • Use the right terms
  • Conclude your research right
  • Acknowledge cited authorities

Choose a topic you are really interested about

·         Choose a topic from your area of specialization. Your course of study obviously has sub-fields. You may have developed interest in one or two of these sub-fields and they should inspire your choice of topic.

·         You can decide to solve an existing problem

·          Finish up an unconcluded research. You may decide to do a rehash of a topic that has a partial conclusion.

·         Or start a fresh research topic

Widen the scope of your research

·         Review related studies. This includes reviewing other research work that has been on your topic. It could be a PH.D thesis, a degree or master’s project, a seminar, a published journal etc.

·         Sample the opinion of scholars in your field of research. Take time to discuss the opinions of scholars for or against the topic you are writing about.

·         Back up your research with related theories (if necessary). When required, you can use two or more theories to back up your claims in your study.

Follow the required procedure

·         Take time and introduce the subject matter

·         State clearly the issue you have set to resolve

·         State your objectives

·         The research techniques

·         Your findings and conclusion

Use the right terms

·         Define related terms as will be applied in your academic paper. This simply means that for every term in your research that you will be using recurrently, you should give a definition that fits into the context of your study.

·         Choose terms that are related to your field of research. Recall that one terminology may mean several things to different fields of study. Pick terms that is specific to your field

Conclude your research right

·         Summarize your paper based on the research objectives

·         Draw conclusions based on your findings

·         Make recommendations if necessary

Acknowledge cited authorities

·         Include inside citations. Be sure to cite authorities properly inside your work as stipulated by your institution, otherwise, you will be committing academic theft

·         Biblograhpy. This may appear at the end of the paper after your conclusions.

·         References where applicable.

Edit your work

·         You can edit your work by yourself

·         A more experienced person can do it better

·         Consult your supervisor for assistance (if you have one)