Often, students are offered the trite advice to write as many words as are necessary to express one’s ideas with clarity. Does this imply that a four-hundred page would be accepted by your faculty? Also, could a ten-page essay be considered the ideal paper length if it covers all the relevant details?

Read on for answers to various questions regarding the AP research paper length to overcome any confusion you had regarding your research paper.

How long is a research paper?

The length of a research paper may vary depending on the faculty instructions and the complexity of the topic in discussion. Complex topics may require intricate research and detailed research methods to derive meaningful results and thus yield a longer paper than their simpler counterparts.

Common research papers range between fifty to a hundred pages. Although the page count may not be stipulated in the research paper guidelines, you can approximate the ideal length by checking previous papers submitted to your faculty and faculty instructions for research papers.

However, don’t focus on reaching a particular word count. instead, use the word count as a guide for your research, identifying the number of issues that you ought to discuss within your paper.

Length of research paper sections

The research paper is divided into sections including the abstract, the literature review, an introduction, a methods section, a results section, a discussion, and a conclusion.

Research paper abstract length

The abstract is a crucial part meant to give your reader a gist of your overall arguments. This section should thus sum your essay to five or six sentences and tackle key phrases for easy ranking on search engines.

The abstract should range between 200- 300 words to avoid irrelevant information. We recommend that you write your abstract last and that you consult outlines for various sections to identify the gaps in your research, the methods used and their relevance, results, and their implications to your field.

Literature review length

The literature review should make up around 25% to 30% of your total paper length. This section bears great importance in structuring your topic and highlighting the gaps you intend to address within the larger topic.

Research paper intro length

Like the abstract, your introduction serves to make the reader aware of the scope of your research paper. Contrary to the abstract, however, the introduction is focused on the background information, and establishing your research questions and thesis statement.

Your introduction may thus take up 10 percent of your total word count, allowing you to orient your reader to your points of view and justification for your research and the selected research methods. 

Methods and results length

The methods and result section make up between fifteen and twenty-five percent of your research paper length. Unlike other sections, these chapters should be stated directly to ensure easy replication of your research.

Discussion length

The discussion should make up the bulk of your paper as this section carries your arguments about the topic. This chapter thus makes up between twenty-five and thirty percent of your total word count.

Longer papers may be chunked into subsections to make your paper easy to read and to organize ideas in a manner that is easy for a reader to follow. 

Conclusion length

The conclusion ties up your key arguments and recommendations in between five and ten percent of your total word count. 

Research paper paragraph length

Like all written work, academic papers should be split into paragraphs to ensure easy readability. Ideally, each paragraph of your paper should carry between sixty and eighty words. 

How to add length to a research paper

If you fall short of your word count, it does not always imply that you change your topic. there are multiple ways through which you can expand your paper’s word count without compromising your paper’s meaning. 

Some of these methods include:

• Expanding various contraptions e.g., can’t, won’t. etc. 
• Writing out numbers within your work in words.
• Performing further research to expand on ideas that have been expressed shallowly.
• Adding transitional phrases to each paragraph of your essay.

The most daunting task for students, however, is selecting a topic for their research paper. Often, students may select topics that are either very shallow, too broad, or complex. As a result, students struggle with meeting the word count prescribe for a paper and also in researching a broad and complex topic. 

This article will highlight the tips for writing a sociology research paper to help you overcome the common stumbling blocks for students. We will also highlight some research topics in sociology to guide you in your topic selection, helping you avoid various issues in the latter writing stages.

How to write a sociology research paper

Like all academic papers, sociology papers call for an organized approach to yield a quality paper. Some of the steps for writing a sociology research paper include:

1. Topic selection

Before you embark on research, it is great to have a clue about your topic, reducing confusion on the ideas on which to base your essay. For this, start off by brainstorming ideas you are familiar with regarding the general topic. 

Next, check some topic suggestions and the emerging issues within your topic. This will allow you to settle for a topic that you are interested in, giving you the drive to manage the challenging aspects of writing a research paper. 

2. Research

After selecting a topic, conduct extensive research to identify the extent to which the topic has been covered and gaps in the existing research. This step allows you to determine the structure of your literature review and to familiarize yourself with various perspectives for analyzing your selected topic. 

Also, research allows you to identify the acceptable sociology research methods that could apply to your topic. during your research, jot down points relating to your topic and possible arguments you could make for your stance. 

3. Outlining 

After research, group your research into various sections based on the subject of each idea. Next, sort the ideas into a coherent paper with each idea within your work building to the next. 

Preferably, your outline should indicate the sentences for each paragraph, allowing you to gauge gaps that require further examination. Unlike free writing, outlining helps you overcome various conflicting ideas, retaining your focus on the major claims within your paper.

4. Drafting

After writing your outline, expand on your ideas to form a coherent essay. When writing your paper, use transition words in each paragraph, leading your reader through the arguments within your paper. 

Also, countercheck your outline when starting each paragraph to avoid spending much time on unnecessary arguments and ideas. 

5. Editing

Before submitting your paper, check the references, style, and word count among other rules outlined in your essay guidelines. When working on a long paper, consider seeking editing help to fix your paper as you focus on other aspects of your research paper. 

Sociology research topics list: ideas to inspire your writing

Good sociology research topics

1. What effects does divorce have on kids? 
2. the issues caused by domestic abuse.
3. Is solo parenting challenging?
4. the topic of gender stereotypes 
5. Impacts of the environment on society 

Sociology research topics on family

6. Child support and custody
7. Men’s participation in family
8. Step fathering
9. Discuss how divorce affects families
10. Talk about the effects of a spouse’s passing on a family

Sociology research topics on mental health

11. The contribution of parenting to children’s development of healthy mental health 
12. How do male friendships affect men’s mental health? 
13. How and why can sleep deprivation affect emotional and mental well-being? 
14. Are there more mental health disorders affecting women than men? 
15. Is sexual abuse’s impact on mental health permanent? 

Sociology topics to research

16. Should LGBT rights be legalized everywhere? 
17. Is isolation a result of the Internet? 
18. What leads to racial issues? 
19. Music instruction needs to be required
20. social media’s impact on youths

Topics for sociology research paper

21. Children’s advertising’s negative effects
22. Efficiency and leadership in the workplace
23. effects of excessive social media use
24. Is blogging a legitimate career? 
25. Eating disorders and sexual abuse: a causal link? 

This article will analyse the APA structure and highlight various elements to have in mind as you edit an APA paper.

What is APA structure?

APA is a common method of presenting your research or thesis question. This type of format is usually reserved for social sciences, psychology, anthropology, education, and criminal justice.

Before you begin your paper it is always better to outline your work and get an idea of what you are going to be presenting.

A guideline helps lead your research and helps you with each section to be covered by the research paper.

For an APA paper, each section follows the other. Each section requires a title centered on the page .when citing an APA we use an in-text citation style that uses the author’s last name and year of publication.

A proper APA-style paper has several sections that are important and should never be skipped no matter the rush you are in to finish.

Read on to properly understand how to organize an APA research paper. The following are components of an APA paper structure:

• Title page

Should be interesting and inform your reader of your topic.

• Abstract

This should include a page header, and the word abstract should be centered.

• Main paper

Includes the introduction which is one or two paragraphs. These paragraphs should introduce what is being proven or disproven.

It also includes the thesis statement. This shows the direction of your paper and is underlined.

It also has the body. Each body paragraph includes a topic sentence. All topic sentences should be underlined. It should be no more than 6 sentences and no less than 4 sentences.

Each topic sentence explains what will be covered in the paragraph. They also help transition and link paragraphs together.

The body of your argument should clearly show the direction of your argument.

It also includes the conclusion. This brings cohesion to your paper and helps summarize your themes and sub-points.

• Paper format

This includes the total number of pages excluding the pages with the title and reference. It also includes the font size and margins.

• References and citations

This includes the main and ancillary source materials. The main source materials include primary source documents such as books and scholarly articles.

The ancillary materials include; cited think tanks, and popular writings and should have no less than 7 sources.

When using in-text citations one should identify words or ideas from a particular source.

• Tables and figures

A proper APA table format follows the following rules. A topic in bold above the table, a brief title under the table number.

It should have no vertical lines. It should only have horizontal lines where necessary for clarity.

The figures should be in bold. Any relevant notes should be below the figures.

Other rules on how to organize an APA research paper

There are other rules that all scholars using the APA format must follow universally. All APA research document texts should be double-spaced and a margin of one inch observed on all sides. The title needs to be centered on the title page, the fonts should be legible and no paragraph should be indented.

An example of an APA outline for a research paper has all the above components and guides one on how to organize an APA research paper.

Each section of your research paper holds different types of information about your study.

The division of the information helps address all your research and helps explain your thesis question.

What is the results section of a research paper in APA?

This is the part of your research paper that explains what the researcher found after analyzing their data. The main purpose is for the collected data to answer the research question probed in the introduction. This is done even if the findings challenge the hypothesis.

This section is where you put the details of your data analysis and interpretation. It should give a clear indication of what you expect to get out of your research. You also report the findings of your study based on the methods used to gather information. 

Parts of an APA paper 

Some of the chapters of an APA paper include: the abstract, a literature review section, the introduction, the methods section, the results, discussion and a conclusion.

Final take

Organizing your APA paper requires a little finesse and understanding of your topic or research. As this is mostly a social science paper, you should avoid writing in the first or second-person subject. We recommend that you check an example of APA outline for research paper to better familiarize yourself with the APA format.

But do you know there are different types of papers? Do you also know that each of them has their own style of writing and format? Well, knowing this helps you to come up with a masterpiece and an unambiguous piece. Therefore, it is best to accurately interpret every topic assigned by your tutor to know the requirements and expectations. Below are the seven types of research papers and requirements.

1. Argumentative paper

In an argumentative paper, the writer talks about two highly debatable subjects, chooses a stance, and tries to defend it using facts and figures. You will have to first present unbiased facts from both sides of the issue and analyze them before choosing a position. For example, you may be asked to write on “nature and nurture, which has a powerful influence on a child’s development”? In this situation, you have to pick a stance on the topic, yet, you need to give background information on both sides. Afterward, you develop your points as to why you believe one has a stronger influence than the other.

2. Analytical paper

In an analytical paper, the writer factually analyses two or more viewpoints without adding his/her opinion. He/she analyses previous research on the topics and uses the same for their findings.

3. Definition paper

Here, all the writer does is describe the subject factually devoid of opinions and biases without analyzing it. You have to rely on information from different sources for only factual information on the topic.

4. Compare and contrast papers

Mostly used in literature courses, compare and contrast paper analyzes works or authors from the same genre to determine the impact/influences of their works. In social sciences, it is used to compare theoretical opinions, while in philosophy, it is used to compare ideologies held by politicians, religious and business leaders, among others.

5. Cause and effect papers 

This research type is used in both education and business fields to trace possible results from a specific action. Aside from outlining the results of the action, it can also predict possible outcomes of that same situation.

6. Reports

Report paper is usually assigned to outline the reasons for a particular situation or phenomenon. A report is generally commissioned by a business entity, government agency, or any other to assess critical situations or happenings around, including human resource, risk assessment, or viability of a business venture. Reports writing must always be factual and represent the situation on grounds. No emotions must be attached when writing such papers.

7. Interpretive papers 

Interpretive papers require students to apply the theoretical knowledge acquired in their course of study in particular situations. Such papers should be evidence-based backed by data to support the findings.

What is a research introduction?

The introduction paragraphs serve as the opening to your paper. It is where you introduce your topic, present your research statement, and give some background to your research. The introduction is the first thing your audience reads before deciding to continue or quit. Therefore, it should be exciting and attract the reader’s attention. 

How to Write a Research Paper Introduction?

As mentioned above, it is an excellent idea to write your introduction after completing the research paper. Also, you can just buy college paper online at a low price and get rid of troubles with introduction writing. It helps you identify the main points and gives you a broader perspective of the paper to include in your introduction. That aside, it makes the introduction very strong and fact-based to attract attention. Now here are things also to consider:

State your topic

The first paragraph of your introduction should contain your topic and a little background to it. It is good to be broad on the subject at the introduction level and later narrow it down to where you want to specialize.

Stay Unique

Don’t follow the masses and the standard template of writing an introduction. Try to be innovative by adding a touch of style and staying different. You can start your introduction with a quotation if you are in the humanity field. In the field, you can begin with something interesting or unknown facts. This creates some enthusiasm among readers.

Make it clear

Bear in mind that not all your readers are from academia or your field of study; hence, be clear and concise. Every key term you use should be well explained or broken down for easy understanding.

Shouldn’t be too long

Your introduction is just a gateway to your thesis; therefore, it should be brief but filled with critical information. You should be able to explain your main points without keeping it too long. A good introduction shouldn’t be more than 1000 words.

Make mention of your keywords

Your keywords or phrases should have a place in your introduction. It makes your work easy to search online.

Be coherent

Your introduction should flow, and each sentence must agree with the former. A coherent sentence is easy to read and understand.

Conclusion

Having your introduction intact, on point, and engaging is necessary if you want to create an impressive research paper. Don’t forget that the opening paragraph is what gets your readers wanting to read more or less. These and more reasons are why you should get it right. A perfect intro should boldly present your topic, have a strong research statement, an engaging background, and highlight the research’s aims and objectives.