Most undergrads and postgrads perceive academic research paper writing as a mammoth task. From endless library visits to extensive online reading, countless drafts, and tight deadlines, the process is nowhere close to easy. But it doesn’t have to be overwhelming, especially if students understand the right approach.
Dr Pradnya Prabhu, the principal of K J Somaiya College of Science and Commerce, knows this process in and out. After all, she has been publishing chemistry research papers in reputed scientific journals for years. In a recent conversation, she revealed a step-by-step guide to help students confidently navigate the journey of writing and publishing a research paper.
Can you define a research paper?
Simply put, a research paper is a type of evidence-based academic writing. An individual or group can choose a topic, conduct in-depth research, and provide their original analysis, evaluation, interpretation, or argument in a written format. Researchers must use statistical data, previously published research and other reliable sources to support their findings. They must also give proper citations to improve the credibility of their article.
How long should a research paper be?
The length of research papers usually varies depending on the complexity of the topic and the amount of research required for it. On average, a research paper is around 4000-6000 words. However, students can write shorter documents of 2000 words or longer ones above 10,000 words, too.
Why is the research paper writing style formal?
Many students find research papers dull and drab, but there is a good reason for their formal language and tone. Students and professionals worldwide use published research papers to learn about specific topics or find reliable data to support their projects. To keep these papers authentic and widely accessible, the focus is on presenting the facts backed by solid evidence in the most formal, straightforward, and objective way. That’s why research papers have no room for personal opinions, biases, or creative writing.
Why should students learn to write research papers?
Research assignments help students build multiple skills that are crucial for professional success. They learn to gather and interpret data, information, and other raw materials. They also develop critical thinking, problem-solving, and communication techniques. Given that research paper writing involves time, hard work, and patience, completing a project significantly boosts confidence among students. On top of that, if students manage to publish their research papers, it is an excellent addition to their CVs. It opens doors to fellowships, grants, scholarships, job opportunities, and more!
How to write a research paper?
Writing a research paper is an easy 9-step process. Firstly, go through the assignment guidelines, including the research paper’s length, formatting requirements, and citation style. Fix a topic you are genuinely interested in researching and writing about—that will make the process much easier, especially when you attempt to write a research paper for the first time.
After you complete the first two steps, quickly move on to preliminary research. At this point, you must aim to gather maximum information from reliable resources. It will help you refine your topic and prepare your thesis statement—the one sentence that clearly states your research paper’s gist (topic, focus, scope).
At step five, it’s time to gather supporting evidence to include in your paper. You must review the sources you collected earlier and find information relevant to your topic. Remember to keep taking notes in an organised manner as you go about your research. Next, it’s time to open a document and prepare an outline to help organise your thoughts and determine your flow of information. Think of headings, subheadings, and bullet points—you want to create a structured framework for your research paper.
Once you have your thesis statement, research, and outline, you can start writing your research paper. When crafting your first draft, do not worry about perfection. The idea is to complete all parts of the research paper, including the introduction, literature review, methodology, findings, and conclusion. Then, finish adding citations correctly. The ninth and final step is thoroughly proofreading and finetuning your document for clarity and final submission.
What resources should students use for research?
Students can visit libraries to reference books, journals, newspapers, government publications, and archival material for their research. Depending on the topic, documentaries may also provide valuable insights. Additionally, they can use reliable online sources like peer-reviewed journals or academic papers on platforms like Google Scholar. That said, sources such as blogs, magazines, online forums, and general websites are usually inappropriate for scholarly research. So, students must avoid such references as much as possible.
How can students publish their research papers?
Students must identify a journal that aligns with their research area and will likely publish their paper. They must also consider factors such as the journal’s reputation, submission guidelines, review timeline, target audience, distribution, and accessibility. Once they choose a suitable journal, they must submit their manuscript along with a cover letter. After that, all they have to do is wait for a response. They can expect one of three outcomes—acceptance, rejection, or a request for revisions. Whether or not students end up publishing their research papers, they can expect valuable learnings from the process!
Can you discuss how K J Somaiya College of Science & Commerce promotes research activities among students?
K J Somaiya College of Science & Commerce has a dedicated research and *promotion committee as well as innovation-incubation cell to* promote innovative project-based learning in classrooms. *To establish the interdisciplinary research culture institute had various collaborations and MoU’s from leading institutions*. Students are encouraged to analyse and solve real-world problems or complex situations in groups over an extended period. This approach fosters a strong research mindset among students. They learn to work in teams, think critically, experiment, develop solutions, and present their findings.
Furthermore, our faculty members are actively involved in various research projects, nurturing an environment of innovation on campus. As of 2025, our institute has published *361 research articles, 07 startups, 104 books and chapters, presented in 28 proceedings, successfully completed 63 minor and 4 major research projects and secured 10 intellectual property rights (IPR).* We have contributed to *research in various fields of chemistry, microbiology, botany and zoology,* to name a few. Our students are free to assist faculty members with their research papers, which offers them valuable learning experience. It also inspires them to initiate their projects and work toward publishing their papers.
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