10 Simple Tips in Writing a Research Paper

THESIS or RESEARCH PAPER is one of the major requirements in higher education. It poses a significant challenge to many students especially for those who are not inclined into writing. But aside from putting the right words in the right place, there are many other requisites that will contribute on how to produce an excellent output in thesis writing.

The following simple tips are based on actual experiences as a STUDENT, THESIS ADVISER, PANELIST and as an aspiring WRITER:

1. TIMELINE AND CHECKLIST. "Failing to prepare is preparing to fail." This is true in THESIS WRITING. Creating the timeline is very important to manage your time properly, to avoid stress, and to produce quality research paper. Establishment of a checklist containing all the things needed and all the activities to be done is highly significant step.

2. TOPIC SELECTION. If you are given the privilege to choose your own TOPIC, it is an advantage to pick the one that you encountered along your area of WORK or STUDY or the one closes to your heart. In this way, the scope of your study is more extensive and fully comprehensive considering your familiarity with the subject. The recommendations of the study will provide greater impact to you and to all the stakeholders.  

3. CHOICE of WORDS. Crafting the title of your study should be carefully done particularly in choosing the right words. Use the words that perfectly match your subject. Understand what you write. Define the KEY WORDS in your title to provide you the clear understanding about your topic. As a result,  it will bring strong connection between you and the readers. It will clearly deliver the message while avoiding communication gap. Choice of words should be consistent from PAGE ONE until the last PAGE of your RESEARCH PAPER to maintain focus. Writing is about putting the right word in the right place. For example, if your study is about PERSONNEL or EMPLOYEE of one company. If you say "ADEQUACY OF PERSONNEL" in your problem statement, focus on the number or fill-up of people. Do not mix it up with "COMPETENCE". On the other hand, if you want to talk about competence, then your paper should focus on knowledge and skills, not about NUMBERS.

4. ALIGNMENT. Your paper should be aligned from the TITLE, PROBLEM STATEMENT, FRAMEWORK, RELATED STUDIES AND LITERATURE, INTERVIEW GUIDE QUESTIONS, SURVEY QUESTIONNAIRES, FINDINGS, CONCLUSION, AND RECOMMENDATION. Consider your PROBLEM STATEMENT as the HEART while the TITLE as the BRAIN of your paper. Everything in the paper should be in harmony with your TITLE and PROBLEM STATEMENT. 

5. FRAMEWORK. Selecting the right RESEARCH FRAMEWORK is one of the most significant steps in coming up with quality research paper. This is to extract maximum information and data. From the findings, the research framework is your tool in comprehensively transforming the gathered data into cohesive conclusion and doable recommendations. The thesis should have an action plan with complete timeline, identifying the implementing office, involved personnel and the resources to be used. TRIANGULATION METHOD is the most simple framework. It is gathering information and data using 3 ways (DOCUMENTS, CONDUCT OF INTERVIEW, and SURVEY) and analyzing the commonalities and differences to form part of the FINDINGS, CONCLUSION, and RECOMMENDATION. 

6. EXTENSIVE RESEARCH. Thesis is a STUDY to solve a problem or improve a system. It is the compelling reason why extensive research should be done to come up with reliable result. Gathering all the documents related to your topic such as laws, regulations, policies, ordinances, directives, previous studies, and other credible publications is the best starting point to come up with comprehensive paper. Online research, library research, and other form and ways of data gathering should be thoroughly exerted to avoid repetition of research and to come up with realistic, feasible, and implementable recommendations. 

7. INTERVIEW WITH THE EXPERTS. The most important phase in the interview is to identify credible experts. It is very important to identify people who can help you positively construct your paper. It is a disaster if you conduct interview with the wrong people. He/she will provide you the wrong insights and inputs that can be a source of disaster rather than solution. The determination of those credible experts should occupy a longer time in your timeline. After finding the right target, finalize your formulated questions aligned with the statement of the problem. For example if your study deals with personnel, procedure, and equipment, your interview questions should equitably include all the factors stated. Properly set and coordinate the schedule and prepare accordingly before and during the interview. Use a recorder not to miss all the details that may help in the development of a quality paper. During the interview, be sure to ask about observation, problems or challenges encountered about the subject matter, and the recommendations to solve the problems or to address the challenges.

8. PROOFREAD. Even the experts sometimes overlook some mistakes. Read several times your draft and even your final paper as long as the time permits and as long as you can. You do not need to pay a thesis editor or consultant. Certainly, there are people within your circle, friends and relatives, who have the knowledge, skills, experiences, and the willingness to review, proofread, or make suggestion on how to improve your paper. It will help a lot in ensuring a high quality output without spending much.

9. BACK-UP FILES. This is a very important part of the process. Although, this is not about writing and preparing the research paper but making several back-up files is HIGHLY NEEDED. One file in your USB, another file in your LAPTOP, another in a DESKTOP, and also a file in your email. This will ensure QUALITY RESEARCH PAPER because you will be preserving your inputs safely even if one or two files fail due to uncontrollable circumstances. 

10. TOTAL PACKAGING. After making sure that the contents of your paper are well-prepared, nicely written, thoroughly reviewed, painstakingly proofread,  carefully edited, and absolutely improved, it is also very important to package the PAPER into a very presentable manner. It should be absolutely impressive from substance to packaging.

GOODLUCK!!! YOU CAN DO IT!