Research Paper Examples: A Guide to Improved Structure

It’s easy to feel lost in the middle of a research assignment. A strong topic and a general idea of your argument might not always be enough to pull everything together. That's exactly where a little structure can make a big difference.

Below, you'll find clear research paper examples in some of the most common academic formats. And if you're still not sure where to begin after reading this article, EssayPro can always help. You can buy research papers on our trusted platform and get professional feedback to submit well-polished papers every time.

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Research Paper Examples: Format Differences

In this section, we'll cover examples based on four commonly used citation styles: APA, MLA, Chicago, and Harvard. Each example shows how formatting and structure change depending on the style you're using.

APA Research Paper Example

APA stands for the American Psychological Association format. It’s mostly used in the social sciences (psychology, education, sociology, and public health). The APA style follows a simple structure with four main sections: title page, abstract, main body, and references. One of the most important features is the use of section headings so each part of the paper is clearly organized. In-text citations include the author’s name and the year of publication. APA has a more scientific feel, especially compared to other formats. Papers are structured to support evidence-based arguments.

MLA Research Paper Example

MLA stands for the Modern Language Association format. This style shows up most often in the humanities, especially in literature, philosophy, and cultural studies.

You won't see a title page or abstract in MLA research papers. Instead, the first page starts with the basic information, which is placed at the top of the first page: your name, the instructor's name, the course, and the date. Citations look different here, too: MLA uses parentheses and includes the author’s last name and page number for in-text citations, and all sources appear on a “Works Cited” page.

The body of the paper flows without any section headings, and the focus stays on close textual analysis. This format works well for essays built around interpretation and analysis rather than data or experiments.

Chicago Style Research Paper Example

Chicago style comes from The Chicago Manual of Style. It's often used in history, art history, and some social sciences. There are two versions of this format: the Notes and Bibliography system is more often used in the humanities. It uses superscript numbers that link to footnotes or endnotes, with every source listed in a bibliography at the end. The Author-Date system, on the other hand, is used in the sciences and social sciences. It cites sources in the text using the author’s name and year, with a reference list at the end.

Chicago-style papers often include a title page and may also use block quotes for longer excerpts. If your research involves multiple primary sources or historical records, the Chicago style gives you room to list everything clearly.

Harvard Research Paper Example

Harvard style is a widely used citation system, especially in the UK and Australia. It’s popular in business, law, economics, and health sciences. A Harvard-format paper includes a title page, headings, and often an executive summary at the beginning. References go at the end under a “Reference List.” Much like APA, in-text citations list the author's last name and publication year, but Harvard style is a bit more flexible.

One thing to keep in mind: Harvard style doesn’t have a single rulebook, so slight variations exist between institutions. Still, its core elements (clear headings, date-focused citations, and logical structure) remain consistent.

Research Paper Outline Template

You can save a lot of time and stress during the writing process by investing in creating a detailed outline for your paper. It helps you organize your thoughts and stay on track while you're writing, so you don't get lost halfway through. Here's how all the parts should fit together before you start building your paper:

Title: [Insert your paper’s title here]
Thesis Statement: [Clearly state what your main point or argument will be]

I. Introduction
A. Start with something that grabs attention
B. Share a little background so readers understand the topic
C. Explain why this topic matters
D. End with your thesis statement

II. Literature Review
A. Summarize what other researchers have said about your topic
B. Point out anything that hasn’t been fully explored
C. Mention how your paper fills that gap

III. Methodology
A. What kind of research you’re doing
B. How you’re collecting your data
C. What tools or resources you’re using
D. How you’ll analyze the results

IV. Results (if you have them)
A. What you found out
B. What those results mean

V. Discussion
A. What your results tell us about the topic
B. Why it matters
C. Any limitations you ran into

VI. Conclusion
A. Revisit your thesis in light of everything you covered
B. Share a final thought
C. Suggest what could be done next

Research Paper Sections with Examples

Each part of a research paper has its own job to do. Let's go through the examples for each important section so you can get a clear idea of what they're supposed to look like.

Research Proposal

The research proposal explains what question you're trying to answer with your research and how exactly you plan to do it. This is basically your pitch: you tell your instructor or advisor why the topic you chose matters and what kind of methods you'll use to answer the research question. The research proposal is also what determines whether you get your funding.

Abstract

The abstract is a short summary that goes right at the beginning of your paper. It gives your reader an idea of what your paper is about: what the research question is and how you answered it. Even though almost all research papers open with an abstract, most people write it last, simply because it's easier to

Literature Review

The literature review pulls together what other people have written about your topic. You go through the existing research on the topic, point out patterns, and pinpoint what's still missing so your own research can fill the gaps. Reviewing existing literature helps you show how your paper adds something new to the conversation.

Methodology

This section walks the reader through how exactly you conducted your research. Talk about what kind of study you did and what methods you used to collect your data. The Methodology also describes what tools or materials you used for your study and how you figured out what the results meant. You need to be clear enough that someone else could follow the same steps and get the same results.

Conclusion

The concluding paragraph obviously wraps everything up. In this section, you'll revisit your main point and reflect on what your findings mean, but in a way that is not repetitive. Finally, you should leave the reader with something to think about. You might also suggest ideas for future researchers based on your results. It doesn’t need to be long, but it should feel complete.

The first step of writing any research paper is to pick a strong topic to research. Here's our article about good research topics so you can get started with your project.

Examples of Research Papers for Different Fields

Research papers don’t all follow the same formula. The way a student in psychology builds an argument will look very different from how a historian develops theirs. Let's take a look at sample research papers across different disciplines to see how the structure and tone change.

History Research Paper Sample

A history paper often begins with a specific moment or figure, then digs into the broader meaning behind it. You mostly rely on materials like personal records, government documents, or archived news, but you need to go beyond just listing sources and connect the dots. A strong history paper reveals patterns over centuries and examines the context of historical events.

Sociology Research Paper Sample

Sociology writing focuses on the systems people live within and how those systems influence behavior. Researchers might gather interviews or spend time observing communities, but the value isn’t just in the data: it’s in how the data reveals something deeper about everyday life. These papers often dig deep into complicated or emotional topics, so the writing needs to be both clear and sensitive.

Check out our list of sociology topics to find inspiration for your next research paper.

Science Research Paper Sample

Science papers usually center around a focused question. When you conduct a scientific study, you need to describe how you initially approached the problem, what you found, and how it contributes to the bigger picture. The structure is tight and doesn't give room for much flexibility, but the goal here isn't just to report cold, hard facts; you have to walk the reader through your entire thought process. Just because it's technical writing doesn't mean that there isn't a story being told.

Psychology Research Paper Sample

Psychology's goal is often to understand the way people think or act. Studies in this field might focus on a single theory, a study, or simply a pattern that's been noticed over time. But what makes for a strong psychology research paper is the combination of research and interpretation. You need to back your claims up with concrete evidence, but there's also reflection: an attempt to understand human behavior.

Final Thoughts

No matter the subject, crafting a research paper takes more than just gathering facts. It's not even enough to ask the right questions and choose a clear angle unless you have a clear structure to follow during the writing process. Here's a quick recap of what matters most:

• Research papers don’t follow a single mold. Each subject brings its own structure and expectations.
• Strong writing depends on understanding what your discipline values. Some papers focus on data, others on argument or interpretation.
• Non-generic topics make your paper stand out and allow for a deeper analysis.
• Real-world examples show how even overlooked details can lead to meaningful research.
• Consistency in structure and clear language are what give papers impact.

If you're feeling overwhelmed or simply want to focus your attention on more important things, there's nothing wrong with paying someone to write your research paper. EssayPro's expert writers can give you the right academic support whenever you need a hand with outlines and deadlines.