How to Format a Proper Research Paper: A Beginner’s Guide
Formatting a research paper properly not only makes your work look professional—it also ensures clarity and consistency for readers, reviewers, or instructors. Whether you’re a student, scholar, or independent researcher, understanding the standard layouts and citation styles is essential. Here’s everything you need to know:
Common Research Paper Layouts
Depending on your field of study or publication guidelines, your paper may follow one of these standard structures:
1. IMRaD Format (Popular in Scientific & Technical Fields)
This structure is widely used in journal articles and lab reports.
- Introduction – States the problem and research question.
- Methods – Describes how the study was conducted.
- Results – Presents the findings without interpretation.
- Discussion – Interprets the results and connects them to broader implications.
- Optional: Abstract, Keywords, Conclusion, References, Appendices
2. Essay or Argumentative Format (Common in Humanities and Social Sciences)
Ideal for developing an argument or analyzing themes.
- Title Page (if required)
- Abstract (optional)
- Introduction – Includes your thesis statement.
- Body Paragraphs – Organized by points or themes with evidence and analysis.
- Conclusion
- References or Works Cited
3. Literature Review
Used when summarizing and evaluating existing research on a topic.
- Introduction
- Organized Review (by theme, chronology, or method)
- Discussion of Gaps or Conflicts
- Conclusion
- References
4. Case Study Format
Great for in-depth analysis of a particular instance or event.
- Title Page
- Abstract
- Introduction
- Case Background
- Methods
- Findings
- Discussion
- Conclusion
- References
Academic Citation & Formatting Styles
Different fields use different formatting and citation styles. Here are the most commonly used:
| Style | Fields | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| APA (7th ed.) | Psychology, Education, Social Sciences | Double-spaced, 1” margins, in-text citations (Author, Year), References page |
| MLA (9th ed.) | Literature, Language Arts, Humanities | In-text citations (Author page), Works Cited page |
| Chicago/Turabian | History, Humanities | Footnotes or endnotes + Bibliography |
| IEEE | Engineering, Computer Science | Numbered in-text citations [1], reference list ordered by citation |
| AMA | Medicine, Health Sciences | Superscript numbers for citations, numbered reference list |
| Harvard | Common in UK, Sciences, Business | Author-date citation format, like APA |
| ACS | Chemistry | Options for numbered or author-date citation styles |
| Vancouver | Biomedical Fields | Numbered citations, concise references |
Specialty and Institutional Formats
- LaTeX Templates – Preferred in math, physics, computer science (e.g., arXiv, ACM, IEEE publications).
- Thesis & Dissertation Guidelines – These follow school-specific requirements but typically include:
Title Page → Abstract → Acknowledgments → Table of Contents → Chapters → References → Appendices.
Tips for a Polished Research Paper
- Use consistent fonts and spacing (usually Times New Roman 12pt, double-spaced).
- Stick to 1-inch margins on all sides unless instructed otherwise.
- Follow citation rules carefully—automatic tools like Zotero, EndNote, or Google Docs citations can help.
- Always check journal or instructor guidelines before finalizing formatting.
Minor Notes & Nuances (Good to Know for 100% Precision):
- Harvard vs. APA:
- Harvard is a generic name for author-date styles used primarily in the UK and Australia. APA is a formalized version with stricter formatting rules. They’re similar but not identical.
- Chicago Style:
- Chicago offers two distinct systems:
- Notes and Bibliography (used in humanities—especially history)
- Author-Date (used in sciences and social sciences)
- Chicago offers two distinct systems:
- MLA Style:
- It’s primarily used for papers involving language, literature, and the arts, and it does not use a cover page unless specified by an instructor.
- IEEE Format:
- It doesn’t just number citations—it requires that references follow a specific order based on appearance in the text, with strict formatting in the references list.
- AMA Style:
- Common in medical journals, it uses superscripts in-text and a numbered reference list, but reference formatting is quite strict (e.g., abbreviating journal names according to Index Medicus).
- LaTeX Usage:
- While LaTeX is preferred in math and physics, many conferences and journals provide specific templates (e.g., Springer, Elsevier, ACM), so formatting rules vary.
- Dissertation/Thesis Formats:
- While the general order is correct, universities often have specific binding rules, page number placement, margin sizes (some require a wider left margin), and formatting for chapters, headers, etc.
Bottom Line
For formal submission (especially to a journal, university, or conference), it’s crucial to double-check their specific guidelines.