Four Research Paper Shortcomings to Avoid

If you avoid these four fundamental shortcomings, you will be rewarded with a research paper that not only requires less editing but also an assignment that exhibits quality and intelligence throughout. By simply following a proper procedure when composing your paper, the overall style and flow will be increased noticeably. Here are the four most common foundational errors made in most academic research papers.

Poor Structure

Establishing a clear, concise layout that includes all of the components necessary to represent your point is essential to attaining a good grade. Planning should be the first step that you undertake when writing a research paper. Procrastination often leads to a rushed paper. Your haste and lack of planning is evident through the structure shown in your work. You must pay proper attention to piecing together your findings logically and clearly.

Broken or Non-Existent Transitions

Every paragraph must contain a logical association to all paragraphs proceeding and following. This ensures a sequential flow of ideas. Ensure that your paragraphs relate to each other, introducing new ideas and providing a basis of information where necessary. By ensuring that your paragraphs relate to your structure and each other, your research paper will be easy to read and understand. It also clearly exhibits your thought process in motion, allowing your evaluator to better assess your individual assignment.

Failure to Support Your Thesis Statement

Your thesis statement or hypothesis must be intelligently represented. Make certain that your hypothesis reflects the point of your work. It must highlight the significance of the research at hand. Do not view your thesis statement as simply a summary of your information. Form your hypothesis in such a way that it makes a declaration directly connected to the point of your research. It should raise an argument that clearly shows why your work is relevant and what your research paper was created for.

Weak Citations

If at any point during your research paper you find yourself using the ideas, motivations, thoughts or research of another in any way, make certain that you include a citation for your source. If you do not cite the appropriate originating source for any of the elements of your paper, you are committing plagiarism. It is always better to over-cite when in doubt. You can be penalized for not citing a reference, but the chance of being down-graded for over-citing is negligible at best. Do not forget that when running low on space you can also cite through footnotes on your page.