What are the key differences between writing a research paper and an essay?
Many students new to academic writing often confuse research papers with essays, but the two serve different purposes and follow different formats. While an essay generally presents a personal argument or interpretation, a research paper is grounded in investigation, data analysis, and the use of scholarly sources.
Research papers require you to formulate a research question, review existing literature, apply a methodology, and analyze findings. They're typically more structured, often involving sections like an abstract, introduction, methodology, results, and conclusion. Citations are critical in both, but in research papers, the use of primary and secondary sources is even more important.
If you're looking at examples—whether in academic journals or from an online research paper writing service—focus on how authors present their arguments through data and evidence rather than opinion. Understanding this distinction is vital for academic success, especially at the university level.