HOW TO WRITE A PAPER

1 | P a g e o f 8 Dr. Doreen Rosenstrauch www.DrDoRo.com © all rights reserved DrDoRo®Institute 2021

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How To Write A Research Paper

A paper addresses seven dimensions (1-7):

Title page, Abstract page, Main paper, Paper format, References, Appendix

1. TITLE PAGE

• Paper should begin with a title page that follows APA format.

• The title should be interesting and inform the reader of the topic.

• It should make the reader want to read the paper.

2. ABSTRACT (complete this last!)

• An abstract page should include the page header. On the first line of the abstract page,

center the word “Abstract” (no bold, formatting, italics, underlining, or quotation marks).

• Beginning with the next line, write a concise summary of the key points of your

research/work. Do not indent.

• An abstract summarizes the research topic or topic of the issue to be examined,

questions, participants, methods, results, data analysis.

• It does not provide the conclusion but should inform the reader what is examined.

• An abstract should be a single paragraph double-spaced. An abstract should be between

150 and 250 words for a research paper, less words for an assignment paper.

• Key words to be added on the bottom of the abstract page.

HOW TO WRITE A PAPER

2 | P a g e o f 8 Dr. Doreen Rosenstrauch www.DrDoRo.com © all rights reserved DrDoRo®Institute 2021

This material is copyrighted and is licensed for personal, individual, and non-commercial use by students, faculty, and staff only.

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3. MAIN PAPER

• The main paper will have four distinct parts I-IV.

• Assure that the proportions of the paper’s word count breakdown

is approximately as follows:

I. Introduction and Thesis Statement: 15%

II. Background: 15%

III. Body 60%

IV. Conclusion 10%

I. INTRODUCTION

• In general, all papers should begin with an introduction that includes a

THESIS STATEMENT or WORKING HYPOTHESIS STATEMENT

• The most important part of an introduction is this statement.

• A thesis statement is a short statement, usually one sentence, that

summarizes the main point or claim of an essay or research paper.

• The thesis statement is the direction of the paper.

•The purpose of the introduction is the same as any research paper: briefly (no more

than one to two paragraphs; fewer words for a short assignment paper) introduce

and state the issue to be examined.

• The introduction always states what the writer is trying to prove/disprove in the

research paper or to analyze when performing a policy analysis, respectively.

II. BACKGROUND

• State why the topic is relevant.

• Address the motivation for the paper; include history and evolution of the topic.

HOW TO WRITE A PAPER

3 | P a g e o f 8 Dr. Doreen Rosenstrauch www.DrDoRo.com © all rights reserved DrDoRo®Institute 2021

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III. BODY

• The body of the paper addresses methods, results, data analysis and discussions.

• Each body paragraph should include a topic sentence.

• As a general guide, paragraphs for research papers have no less than four but no

more than six sentences.

• Topic sentences explain/summarize what will be addressed in the paragraph.

These either transition from previous paragraphs or set the premise for what is to

follow.

• These topic sentences also act as transitions to create a coherent argument.

• Transitions link paragraphs together and unite the overall position of an

argument.

• Major shifts in emphasis or focus should be indicated by a section head.

• Paragraphs support the thesis statement with metrics, data, statistics, examples,

evidence.

• The body of the paper should clearly show that the argument/critique/analysis is

moving in a certain direction. This is the direction that was outlined in the

introduction.

IV. CONCLUSION

The conclusion begins with the words “In conclusion” or “ In summary”

• Bring cohesion to the paper by clearly reiterating the main points.

• Summarize the themes and sub-points.

• Explain what was suggested in the body of the paper.

HOW TO WRITE A PAPER

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• Tie up the arguments and drive home the thesis statement.

A conclusion has three (3) parts as follows:

1. Restates the problem or issue or question addressed.

2. Summarizes the overall arguments or findings.

3. Suggests the key takeaways.

• An attempt should be made to show that the thesis has been proven or the issue

addressed.

• Draw conclusion based on cause-and-effect analysis (e.g., organizations that do

X experience Y outcome). Avoid the phrases “need to”, have to”, “must”, “should”

and such because these are opinions and are readily countered.

• Most importantly focus on the evidence in form of data, metrics, dollar amounts,

numbers.

4. PAPER FORMAT

• Paper length. Class assignments typically offer guidance on document length.

Generally: •For a research paper: 9-11 pages (not including title and reference pages).

•For an assignment paper 3-5 pages (not including pages with title,

abstract and references).

• 12-point font (prefer Times New Roman) with 1-inch margins. Double-spaced.

• Apply running head, which is the title of the paper and appears in uppercase letters at

the top left of each page of the paper.

• Use headings where appropriate.

HOW TO WRITE A PAPER

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• Uses a single source no more than five times.

5. REFERENCES AND CITATIONS

a) Main resource materials:

• Primary source documents e.g., books, scholarly articles: one to three must come

from recent peer reviewed publications, official government publications and

publications in high impact factor (IF) journals. Impact Factor is a measure of the

frequency with which the average article in a journal has been cited in a particular

year or period.

b) Ancillary resource materials:

• Use ≤ three of such. They should not be the focal point of the paper’s evidence.

• Cite think tanks, Federally Funded Research and Development Corporations

(Federally funded research and development centers: RAND Corporation, Anser,

Mitre) or policy organizations (e.g. Health Policy Think Tanks. Kellogg Family

Foundation, Commonwealth Fund, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, Pew

Charitable Trust).

• Popular writings of public health and healthcare (news media, trade publications.)

can serve as secondary sources.

• Wikileaks, Wikipedia and blogs are unacceptable sources.

• How many sources are needed for a research paper? Seven to approximately eleven

sources are needed and need to be worked into the paper.

• Note: Do not use in-class reading materials (e.g. power point presentations) as direct

sources. Suggestion: Do not overly rely on any single source.

HOW TO WRITE A PAPER

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c) In-Text Citations (APA Format):

• Rather than footnotes or endnotes, APA Format uses in-text citations.

• Avoid plagiarizing (including self-plagiarism) by deliberately using in-text citations

that identify ideas, information or words from a source in quotation marks.

d) References:

• Double spaced

• Hanging indent (use on computer: Control (Ctrl) T)

• No space between references

• Unless it is a classic reference (e.g., Maslow), should not be older than five years.

• Do not cite a resource without a date: avoid n.d.

6. Appendix

Add under appendix all graphs, figures, tables, visuals aids.

Be sure to include:

– a description under graphs, figures, tables and

– explain the data of the graphs, figures, tables within the main paper and

– cite the source of each graph, figure, table under references

7. Conflict of interest declaration

Add a disclosure of any potential conflict of interest. If there is no conflict of interest then

state as such.

HOW TO WRITE A PAPER

7 | P a g e o f 8 Dr. Doreen Rosenstrauch www.DrDoRo.com © all rights reserved DrDoRo®Institute 2021

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TIPS:

• Outline before beginning to write the paper.

• Complete the body of the paper first, then write the abstract.

• This is a public health administration (i.e. scientific) paper based on evidence, research and

science, not an opinion piece. Please utilize: Statistics and data published in most recent (less

than five years old) peer reviewed high IF journals, established guidelines of colleges and

professional associations, compendiums, best practices (BP), Standard Operating Procedures

(SOP’s), Good Laboratory Practices (GLP’s), policies and procedures, evidence-based practices

(EBP).

•As a rule, avoid writing in first or second person subject or possessive (singular or plural).

Instead write in the third person. The paper offers analysis based on broadly applicable facts, not

the author’s experience or observation:

• e.g. use: “it” instead of “I” or “we or you”;

• e.g. use: Evidence” suggests that most of healthcare administration students will have a positive

impact on U.S. healthcare.” instead of “I believe that healthcare administration students will have

a positive impact …”…or “We believe that healthcare administration students will have a

positive impact …”

•Stay away from phrases “this is very high”, “I believe”, “I feel”.

•If using words such as high, low, increased, decreased, then research the meaning within the

context of these words, empirically define the scope, and back up with data.

• Analyze the readings and stay organized.

• When creating graphs, tables and or using figures or pictures, assure proper and clear labels and

visibility.

HOW TO WRITE A PAPER

8 | P a g e o f 8 Dr. Doreen Rosenstrauch www.DrDoRo.com © all rights reserved DrDoRo®Institute 2021

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• Back up any statement with metrics: use data and statistics from the most recent peer reviewed

Journals in the field with a high IF, statistically significant publications (e.g. multi-center clinical

trials).

• Proofread for clarity, punctuation, spelling, and flow.

• Do not end sentences with a preposition.

• Avoid colloquial language and clichés!

• Think critically. Begin by questioning the validity and strength of any argument.

• Ask and answer “Is there evidence for this statement?” or “Is there proof for this argument?”

• Know about and apply the strengths and hierarchy of arguments from anecdotes/ case studies

over empirical knowledge to logical evidence.

• Check all facts. Again, please fact check statements in the paper.

• Avoid the use of contractions (e.g. use cannot for can’t and use do not for don’t)

• Suggest innovations and solutions. Stay non-judgmental and professional when introducing

disruptive ideas to healthcare. Suggest other areas of research.

• Assure that the paper does not overly rely on a one or two source documents. Instead, research

and utilize multiple credible sources.

• Safe the document with a file name following file naming practices: The file name code is:

(Last Name (comma) First Name Middle Initial (dot) Day Months Year Project Hour

Minute)

• Adhere to the due date of the paper.

• Plan for unforeseen technical difficulties when uploading the paper. Ensure the paper has been

uploaded properly and is visible. Keep a copy of proof of date and time the paper has been

uploaded/ submitted.

HOW TO WRITE A PAPER

9 | P a g e o f 8 Dr. Doreen Rosenstrauch www.DrDoRo.com © all rights reserved DrDoRo®Institute 2021

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• Start and complete the paper early: time management skills of busy professionals.

Enjoy the process of learning & study smART!

Additional resources:

• Purdue online writing lab:

https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/research_and_citation/apa_style/apa_formatting_and_

style_guide/apa_sample_paper.html

• Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association, 7. Edition:

https://apastyle.apa.org

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