{"id":6552,"date":"2023-07-26T14:40:43","date_gmt":"2023-07-26T14:40:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/?p=6552"},"modified":"2025-09-24T13:03:13","modified_gmt":"2025-09-24T13:03:13","slug":"how-to-start-writing-a-research-paper-10-steps-you-should-not-skip","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/article\/how-to-start-writing-a-research-paper-10-steps-you-should-not-skip\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Start Writing a Research Paper: 10 Steps You Should Not Skip"},"content":{"rendered":"<figure id=\"attachment_6553\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-6553\" style=\"width: 2000px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-6553\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.researcher.life\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/front-view-young-confident-female-assistant-sitting-her-desk-holding-document-office.jpg\" alt=\"How to Start Writing a Research Paper: 10 Steps You Should Not Skip\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.researcher.life\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/front-view-young-confident-female-assistant-sitting-her-desk-holding-document-office.jpg 2000w, https:\/\/blog.researcher.life\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/front-view-young-confident-female-assistant-sitting-her-desk-holding-document-office-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blog.researcher.life\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/front-view-young-confident-female-assistant-sitting-her-desk-holding-document-office-1024x682.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/blog.researcher.life\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/front-view-young-confident-female-assistant-sitting-her-desk-holding-document-office-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/blog.researcher.life\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/front-view-young-confident-female-assistant-sitting-her-desk-holding-document-office-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-6553\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Knowing how to start writing a research paper is just the first step in a crucial and often challenging process. Image by KamranAydinov on Freepik<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Writing a research paper can be daunting; early career researchers often find themselves at a crossroads, not knowing how to start writing a research paper. Working on a research project, conducting experiments, and gathering data can be exciting work, but many tend to procrastinate when it comes to actually writing it all down and producing a quality research paper. Unfamiliarity with the language, inexperience with academic writing, and uncertainty about how to present data and information in a simple, accurate way are all real obstacles. Yet, writing a well-structured, compelling research paper is essential to communicate your findings, make an impact in your field, and grow your academic career. So in this comprehensive article, we\u2019ll walk you through how to start writing a research paper, from formulating a research question to organizing your thoughts and staying on track.<\/p>\n<p>Not all research papers are the same. Academic writing requirements can vary based on the type of article, its purpose, or even the field of research. Regardless, the basic steps in writing a research paper remain broadly the same. With proper planning and preparation, and consistent effort, you can overcome procrastination and become a better academic writer.<\/p>\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_68 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title \" >Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/article\/how-to-start-writing-a-research-paper-10-steps-you-should-not-skip\/#Define_a_clear_focused_research_question\" title=\"Define a clear, focused research question\">Define a clear, focused research question<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/article\/how-to-start-writing-a-research-paper-10-steps-you-should-not-skip\/#Conduct_a_thorough_literature_review\" title=\"Conduct a thorough literature review\">Conduct a thorough literature review<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/article\/how-to-start-writing-a-research-paper-10-steps-you-should-not-skip\/#Formulate_a_research_statement\" title=\"Formulate a research statement\">Formulate a research statement<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/article\/how-to-start-writing-a-research-paper-10-steps-you-should-not-skip\/#Create_a_strong_research_paper_outline\" title=\"Create a strong research paper outline\">Create a strong research paper outline<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/article\/how-to-start-writing-a-research-paper-10-steps-you-should-not-skip\/#Begin_working_on_the_first_draft\" title=\"Begin working on the first draft\">Begin working on the first draft<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/article\/how-to-start-writing-a-research-paper-10-steps-you-should-not-skip\/#Writing_a_compelling_Introduction\" title=\"Writing a compelling Introduction\">Writing a compelling Introduction<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/article\/how-to-start-writing-a-research-paper-10-steps-you-should-not-skip\/#Spend_time_on_your_Abstract_and_Title\" title=\"Spend time on your Abstract and Title\">Spend time on your Abstract and Title<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/article\/how-to-start-writing-a-research-paper-10-steps-you-should-not-skip\/#Wrap_up_with_a_well-rounded_Conclusion\" title=\"Wrap up with a well-rounded Conclusion\">Wrap up with a well-rounded Conclusion<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/article\/how-to-start-writing-a-research-paper-10-steps-you-should-not-skip\/#Align_with_the_target_journal_guidelines\" title=\"Align with the target journal guidelines\">Align with the target journal guidelines<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/article\/how-to-start-writing-a-research-paper-10-steps-you-should-not-skip\/#Revise_and_polish_your_academic_writing\" title=\"Revise and polish your academic writing\">Revise and polish your academic writing<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Define_a_clear_focused_research_question\"><\/span><strong>Define a clear, focused research question<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Knowledge without direction is like a boat on dry land. So, the first step in writing a research paper is to <a href=\"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/article\/how-to-craft-a-strong-research-question-with-research-question-examples\/\">craft a strong research question<\/a> that sets the foundation for your paper and guides your study\u2019s objectives. Consider your area of interest, review existing literature, and identify gaps or areas needing further exploration to craft a clear and focused research question.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Conduct_a_thorough_literature_review\"><\/span><strong>Conduct a thorough literature review<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Before diving into your research, <a href=\"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/article\/writing-a-good-literature-review\/\">conduct a comprehensive literature review<\/a> to gain insights into the existing body of knowledge on your topic and in related areas. This step will help you identify key theories, findings, and methodologies used in related studies, help you understand how your work fits into the broader academic landscape, and add credibility to your work as an expert.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Formulate_a_research_statement\"><\/span><strong>Formulate a research statement<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Your research statement serves as the core of your research paper, allowing readers to understand the main argument or purpose of your study. With the insights from your literature review, craft a concise and compelling research statement that encapsulates the essence of your research question and sets the direction for your paper.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Create_a_strong_research_paper_outline\"><\/span><strong>Create a strong research paper outline<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Now that you have a clear research question and statement in place, organize your research and data systematically. Create a cohesive outline that outlines the main sections of your research paper (the introduction, methodology, results, discussions, and conclusion) to ensure focus and coherence in your writing. Having a mind map of how information is to be presented in your article is a critical step in simplifying the process of writing a research paper.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Begin_working_on_the_first_draft\"><\/span><strong>Begin working on the first draft<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Don\u2019t expect perfection when you start writing a research paper; the first draft should focus on getting your research out onto paper. If you\u2019ve followed the steps so far, this becomes an easier task. You only need to focus on the outline and what you want to communicate in each section, then just fill in the gaps. While many researchers put off writing a research paper until they\u2019ve finished the study, experts suggest that working on your manuscript along with your research may actually help ensure all the details are captured accurately and completely.<\/p>\n<h2><a href=\"https:\/\/app.adjust.net.in\/9a5h9w2?campaign=R%20Blog&amp;adgroup=%20how-to-start-writing-a-manuscript-10-steps-banner1&amp;fallback=https%3A%2F%2Fdiscovery.researcher.life%2F%23content_marketing_adjust_blog\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-5349 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.researcher.life\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/03_RDiscovery_BlogBanner_640x139px.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"139\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.researcher.life\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/03_RDiscovery_BlogBanner_640x139px.png 640w, https:\/\/blog.researcher.life\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/03_RDiscovery_BlogBanner_640x139px-300x65.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/h2>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Writing_a_compelling_Introduction\"><\/span><strong>Writing a compelling Introduction<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>The introduction is your paper&#8217;s gateway, capturing the reader&#8217;s attention and setting the stage for what follows. Consider beginning with a hook or an engaging anecdote to pique the reader&#8217;s interest and entice them to delve deeper into your research. Be sure to clearly state the research question and statement, providing context and significance for your study. A well-crafted introduction will entice readers to delve deeper into your research.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Spend_time_on_your_Abstract_and_Title\"><\/span><strong>Spend time on your Abstract and Title<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>When writing a research paper, it\u2019s common to focus on the Methods, Results, and Discussion while neglecting the Title and Abstract. However, this is a sure way to fail. These two sections are often what a reader typically encounters of your paper, so spend enough time fine-tuning them. Ensure the title is clear, specific, and reflective of your research with the keywords to make sure your paper is found, read, and cited. Include the research question and main premise of your research when <a href=\"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/article\/research-paper-abstract-writing-a-practical-guide-for-authors\/\">writing the abstract<\/a>, which should effectively summarize your manuscript.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Wrap_up_with_a_well-rounded_Conclusion\"><\/span><strong>Wrap up with a well-rounded Conclusion<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>When writing a research paper conclusion, highlight the key points but take care not to include any concepts or points that have not been discussed in the body of your research paper. Ensure that in summarizing your work, you present the answer to your research question in an interesting, easy to understand way.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Align_with_the_target_journal_guidelines\"><\/span><strong>Align with the target journal guidelines<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>One of the most important final steps in writing a research paper is checking to ensure it aligns with journal guidelines. This not only ensures the likelihood of acceptance by the journal; it also reflects your commitment and professionalism as an academic. Double check that your research fits within the journal&#8217;s scope and aligns with its specific aims and objectives. Thoroughly review the journal&#8217;s website or guidelines document, paying attention to formatting requirements, citation styles, word limits, and preferred article structure. Confirm you have addressed requests for additional data or <a href=\"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/article\/ethical-declarations-for-journal-submission\/\">ethical declarations<\/a> to avoid potential delays or rejections.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Revise_and_polish_your_academic_writing\"><\/span><strong>Revise and polish your academic writing<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Poor language and comprehension is often one of the top reasons for manuscript rejection. So after you have completed the first draft, take time to edit and proofread your work. Avoid using too much jargon and technical terms and create simple, concise sentences to convey your message. Check for grammar errors, punctuation and spelling mistakes, correct word choice and sentence structure, and any unintended plagiarism.<\/p>\n<p>Knowing how to start writing a research paper is just the first step in a crucial and often challenging process. We hope the detailed steps listed above will help you overcome any hesitation and lay the foundation for a well-crafted, engaging, and impactful research paper, with the best chance of publication success.<\/p>\n<p><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">R Discovery is a literature search and research reading platform that accelerates your research discovery journey by keeping you updated on the latest, most relevant scholarly content. With 250M+ research articles sourced from trusted aggregators like CrossRef, Unpaywall, PubMed, PubMed Central, Open Alex and top publishing houses like Springer Nature, JAMA, IOP, Taylor &amp; Francis, NEJM, BMJ, Karger, SAGE, Emerald Publishing and more, R Discovery puts a world of research at your fingertips.<\/span><\/i><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Try R Discovery Prime FREE for 1 week or upgrade at just US$72 a year<\/span><\/i><\/b><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> to access premium features that let you listen to research on the go, read in your language, collaborate with peers, auto sync with reference managers, and much more. Choose a simpler, smarter way to find and read research \u2013 <\/span><\/i><b><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Download the app and <\/span><\/i><\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/r-discovery.onelink.me\/xKXe\/cu5iwy2e\"><b><i><span data-contrast=\"none\">start your free 7-day trial today<\/span><\/i><\/b><\/a><b><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">!<\/span><\/i><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Writing a research paper can be daunting; early career researchers often find themselves at a crossroads, not knowing how to start writing a research paper.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":6553,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_editorskit_title_hidden":false,"_editorskit_reading_time":0,"_editorskit_is_block_options_detached":false,"_editorskit_block_options_position":"{}","footnotes":""},"categories":[488,37],"tags":[12,628,508],"class_list":["post-6552","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-academic-writing","category-r-discovery","tag-academic-writing","tag-how-to-start-writing-a-research-paper","tag-tips-for-researchers"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v26.9 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>How to Start Writing a Research Paper: 10 Steps You Should Not Skip | Researcher.Life<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Knowing how to write a research paper that is well-structured, compelling, and impactful is critical for academics. Read about the 10 key steps to writing a research paper from formulating the research question to journal submission.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/article\/how-to-start-writing-a-research-paper-10-steps-you-should-not-skip\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"How to Start Writing a Research Paper: 10 Steps You Should Not Skip | Researcher.Life\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Knowing how to write a research paper that is well-structured, compelling, and impactful is critical for academics. Read about the 10 key steps to writing a research paper from formulating the research question to journal submission.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/article\/how-to-start-writing-a-research-paper-10-steps-you-should-not-skip\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2023-07-26T14:40:43+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2025-09-24T13:03:13+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/blog.researcher.life\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/front-view-young-confident-female-assistant-sitting-her-desk-holding-document-office.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"2000\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"1333\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Elizabeth George\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Elizabeth George\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"6 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/article\/how-to-start-writing-a-research-paper-10-steps-you-should-not-skip\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/article\/how-to-start-writing-a-research-paper-10-steps-you-should-not-skip\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Elizabeth George\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/34d742ccd9bc698f8f023f2b1ee13e1b\"},\"headline\":\"How to Start Writing a Research Paper: 10 Steps You Should Not Skip\",\"datePublished\":\"2023-07-26T14:40:43+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-09-24T13:03:13+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/article\/how-to-start-writing-a-research-paper-10-steps-you-should-not-skip\/\"},\"wordCount\":1213,\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/article\/how-to-start-writing-a-research-paper-10-steps-you-should-not-skip\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/blog.researcher.life\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/front-view-young-confident-female-assistant-sitting-her-desk-holding-document-office.jpg\",\"keywords\":[\"Academic Writing\",\"how to start writing a research paper\",\"tips for researchers\"],\"articleSection\":[\"Academic Writing\",\"R Discovery\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/article\/how-to-start-writing-a-research-paper-10-steps-you-should-not-skip\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/article\/how-to-start-writing-a-research-paper-10-steps-you-should-not-skip\/\",\"name\":\"How to Start Writing a Research Paper: 10 Steps You Should Not Skip | Researcher.Life\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/article\/how-to-start-writing-a-research-paper-10-steps-you-should-not-skip\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/article\/how-to-start-writing-a-research-paper-10-steps-you-should-not-skip\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/blog.researcher.life\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/front-view-young-confident-female-assistant-sitting-her-desk-holding-document-office.jpg\",\"datePublished\":\"2023-07-26T14:40:43+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-09-24T13:03:13+00:00\",\"author\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/34d742ccd9bc698f8f023f2b1ee13e1b\"},\"description\":\"Knowing how to write a research paper that is well-structured, compelling, and impactful is critical for academics. Read about the 10 key steps to writing a research paper from formulating the research question to journal submission.\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/article\/how-to-start-writing-a-research-paper-10-steps-you-should-not-skip\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/article\/how-to-start-writing-a-research-paper-10-steps-you-should-not-skip\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/article\/how-to-start-writing-a-research-paper-10-steps-you-should-not-skip\/#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/blog.researcher.life\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/front-view-young-confident-female-assistant-sitting-her-desk-holding-document-office.jpg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/blog.researcher.life\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/front-view-young-confident-female-assistant-sitting-her-desk-holding-document-office.jpg\",\"width\":\"2000\",\"height\":\"1333\",\"caption\":\"Image by KamranAydinov on Freepik\"},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/article\/how-to-start-writing-a-research-paper-10-steps-you-should-not-skip\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"Academic Writing\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/category\/academic-writing\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":3,\"name\":\"How to Start Writing a Research Paper: 10 Steps You Should Not Skip\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/\",\"name\":\"\",\"description\":\"Educational resources and simple solutions for your research journey\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/34d742ccd9bc698f8f023f2b1ee13e1b\",\"name\":\"Elizabeth George\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/592545aba4398ff1d59f4170318ee1c903598662ac2e65b173fe19a185c921ab?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/592545aba4398ff1d59f4170318ee1c903598662ac2e65b173fe19a185c921ab?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"caption\":\"Elizabeth George\"},\"url\":\"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/article\/author\/elizabeth-george\/\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"How to Start Writing a Research Paper: 10 Steps You Should Not Skip | Researcher.Life","description":"Knowing how to write a research paper that is well-structured, compelling, and impactful is critical for academics. Read about the 10 key steps to writing a research paper from formulating the research question to journal submission.","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/article\/how-to-start-writing-a-research-paper-10-steps-you-should-not-skip\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"How to Start Writing a Research Paper: 10 Steps You Should Not Skip | Researcher.Life","og_description":"Knowing how to write a research paper that is well-structured, compelling, and impactful is critical for academics. Read about the 10 key steps to writing a research paper from formulating the research question to journal submission.","og_url":"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/article\/how-to-start-writing-a-research-paper-10-steps-you-should-not-skip\/","article_published_time":"2023-07-26T14:40:43+00:00","article_modified_time":"2025-09-24T13:03:13+00:00","og_image":[{"width":2000,"height":1333,"url":"https:\/\/blog.researcher.life\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/front-view-young-confident-female-assistant-sitting-her-desk-holding-document-office.jpg","type":"image\/jpeg"}],"author":"Elizabeth George","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"Elizabeth George","Est. reading time":"6 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/article\/how-to-start-writing-a-research-paper-10-steps-you-should-not-skip\/#article","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/article\/how-to-start-writing-a-research-paper-10-steps-you-should-not-skip\/"},"author":{"name":"Elizabeth George","@id":"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/34d742ccd9bc698f8f023f2b1ee13e1b"},"headline":"How to Start Writing a Research Paper: 10 Steps You Should Not Skip","datePublished":"2023-07-26T14:40:43+00:00","dateModified":"2025-09-24T13:03:13+00:00","mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/article\/how-to-start-writing-a-research-paper-10-steps-you-should-not-skip\/"},"wordCount":1213,"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/article\/how-to-start-writing-a-research-paper-10-steps-you-should-not-skip\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/blog.researcher.life\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/front-view-young-confident-female-assistant-sitting-her-desk-holding-document-office.jpg","keywords":["Academic Writing","how to start writing a research paper","tips for researchers"],"articleSection":["Academic Writing","R Discovery"],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/article\/how-to-start-writing-a-research-paper-10-steps-you-should-not-skip\/","url":"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/article\/how-to-start-writing-a-research-paper-10-steps-you-should-not-skip\/","name":"How to Start Writing a Research Paper: 10 Steps You Should Not Skip | Researcher.Life","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/article\/how-to-start-writing-a-research-paper-10-steps-you-should-not-skip\/#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/article\/how-to-start-writing-a-research-paper-10-steps-you-should-not-skip\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/blog.researcher.life\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/front-view-young-confident-female-assistant-sitting-her-desk-holding-document-office.jpg","datePublished":"2023-07-26T14:40:43+00:00","dateModified":"2025-09-24T13:03:13+00:00","author":{"@id":"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/34d742ccd9bc698f8f023f2b1ee13e1b"},"description":"Knowing how to write a research paper that is well-structured, compelling, and impactful is critical for academics. Read about the 10 key steps to writing a research paper from formulating the research question to journal submission.","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/article\/how-to-start-writing-a-research-paper-10-steps-you-should-not-skip\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/article\/how-to-start-writing-a-research-paper-10-steps-you-should-not-skip\/"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/article\/how-to-start-writing-a-research-paper-10-steps-you-should-not-skip\/#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/blog.researcher.life\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/front-view-young-confident-female-assistant-sitting-her-desk-holding-document-office.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/blog.researcher.life\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/front-view-young-confident-female-assistant-sitting-her-desk-holding-document-office.jpg","width":"2000","height":"1333","caption":"Image by KamranAydinov on Freepik"},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/article\/how-to-start-writing-a-research-paper-10-steps-you-should-not-skip\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Academic Writing","item":"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/category\/academic-writing\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"How to Start Writing a Research Paper: 10 Steps You Should Not Skip"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/#website","url":"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/","name":"","description":"Educational resources and simple solutions for your research journey","potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/34d742ccd9bc698f8f023f2b1ee13e1b","name":"Elizabeth George","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/592545aba4398ff1d59f4170318ee1c903598662ac2e65b173fe19a185c921ab?s=96&d=mm&r=g","contentUrl":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/592545aba4398ff1d59f4170318ee1c903598662ac2e65b173fe19a185c921ab?s=96&d=mm&r=g","caption":"Elizabeth George"},"url":"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/article\/author\/elizabeth-george\/"}]}},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/blog.researcher.life\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/front-view-young-confident-female-assistant-sitting-her-desk-holding-document-office.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6552","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=6552"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6552\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":11642,"href":"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6552\/revisions\/11642"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/6553"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6552"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=6552"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=6552"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}