How to write a research paper

Pick a topic in medicine, public health, biology, or a related healthcare field that genuinely interests you.

• Narrow your topic down. Broad topics are hard to write about well. Instead of "cancer," try "the role of BRCA1 mutations in hereditary breast cancer."
• Check if there is enough published research available on your topic. Use databases such as PubMed and Google Scholar.
• Make sure your topic is appropriate for the format. A literature review summarizes existing research, while an original research paper presents new findings or analysis.

• Search for peer-reviewed articles on PubMed, Google Scholar, or your school library database.
• Read abstracts first to determine if an article is relevant before reading the full paper.
• Take notes as you read. Record the key findings, methods, and limitations of each study.
• Track your sources carefully using a citation manager like Zotero or a spreadsheet.
• Aim for at least 8 to 15 high-quality sources for a strong literature review.

• Open with background context: what is the medical issue or question you are addressing, and why does it matter?
• Summarize the current state of knowledge in your area based on what you found in your literature review.
• Identify the gap in knowledge that your paper addresses.
• End your introduction with a clear, specific thesis statement or research question.
• Keep your introduction focused. It should be a roadmap, not an encyclopedia entry.

For a literature review

• Organize your findings thematically or chronologically.
• Each paragraph or section should address one major theme or argument.

For original research

Include a Methods section describing how you collected or analyzed data, a Results section explaining what you found, and a Discussion section explaining what your results mean.

For both

• Cite your sources in-text as you go. AMA or APA styles are common in health research.
• Be precise and objective. Use careful language when reporting findings, such as "suggests," "indicates," or "may contribute to."
• Avoid using Wikipedia or news articles as primary sources.

• Discuss what your findings mean in the context of the existing literature.
• Address limitations of your paper honestly: what could not be covered, and what are the weaknesses?
• Suggest directions for future research.
• End with a conclusion that restates your thesis and summarizes your key takeaways.
• Ask yourself, "So what?" Why does this matter to the reader or to the field?

• Write your References section, including all sources cited in-text. Use a consistent citation style. AMA is commonly used in medicine.
• Include an abstract at the top: a 150 to 300 word summary of your paper's purpose, methods, findings, and conclusion.
• Read your paper out loud to catch awkward phrasing and unclear sentences.
• Have a peer or mentor review your paper for clarity and accuracy.
• Check that every claim in your paper is supported by an appropriate citation.