example of a research paper for high school

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How to Write a Research Paper in High School

What’s covered:, how to pick a compelling research paper topic, how to format your research paper, tips for writing a research paper, do research paper grades impact your college chances.

A research paper can refer to a broad range of expanded essays used to explain your interpretation of a topic. This task is highly likely to be a common assignment in high school , so it’s always better to get a grasp on this sooner than later. Getting comfortable writing research papers does not have to be difficult, and can actually be pretty interesting when you’re genuinely intrigued by what you’re researching. 

Regardless of what kind of research paper you are writing, getting started with a topic is the first step, and sometimes the hardest step. Here are some tips to get you started with your paper and get the writing to begin! 

Pick A Topic You’re Genuinely Interested In

Nothing comes across as half-baked as much as a topic that is evidently uninteresting, not to the reader, but the writer. You can only get so far with a topic that you yourself are not genuinely happy writing, and this lack of enthusiasm cannot easily be created artificially. Instead, read about things that excite you, such as some specific concepts about the structure of atoms in chemistry. Take what’s interesting to you and dive further with a research paper. 

If you need some ideas, check out our post on 52 interesting research paper topics .

The Topic Must Be A Focal Point

Your topic can almost be considered as the skeletal structure of the research paper. But in order to better understand this we need to understand what makes a good topic. Here’s an example of a good topic:

How does the amount of pectin in a vegetable affect its taste and other qualities?

This topic is pretty specific in explaining the goals of the research paper. If I had instead written something more vague such as Factors that affect taste in vegetables , the scope of the research immediately increased to a more herculean task simply because there is more to write about, some of which is overtly unnecessary. This is avoided by specifications in the topic that help guide the writer into a focused path.

By creating this specific topic, we can route back to it during the writing process to check if we’re addressing it often, and if we are then our writing is going fine! Otherwise, we’d have to reevaluate the progression of our paper and what to change. A good topic serves as a blueprint for writing the actual essay because everything you need to find out is in the topic itself, it’s almost like a sort of plan/instruction. 

Formatting a research paper is important to not only create a “cleaner” more readable end product, but it also helps streamline the writing process by making it easier to navigate. The following guidelines on formatting are considered a standard for research papers, and can be altered as per the requirements of your specific assignments, just check with your teacher/grader!

Start by using a standard font like Times New Roman or Arial, in 12 or 11 sized font. Also, add one inch margins for the pages, along with some double spacing between lines. These specifications alone get you started on a more professional and cleaner looking research paper.

Paper Citations 

If you’re creating a research paper for some sort of publication, or submission, you must use citations to refer to the sources you’ve used for the research of your topic. The APA citation style, something you might be familiar with, is the most popular citation style and it works as follows:

Author Last Name, First Initial, Publication Year, Book/Movie/Source title, Publisher/Organization

This can be applied to any source of media/news such as a book, a video, or even a magazine! Just make sure to use citation as much as possible when using external data and sources for your research, as it could otherwise land you in trouble with unwanted plagiarism. 

Structuring The Paper

Structuring your paper is also important, but not complex either. Start by creating an introductory paragraph that’s short and concise, and tells the reader what they’re going to be reading about. Then move onto more contextual information and actual presentation of research. In the case of a paper like this, you could start with stating your hypothesis in regard to what you’re researching, or even state your topic again with more clarification!

As the paper continues you should be bouncing between views that support and go against your claim/hypothesis to maintain a neutral tone. Eventually you will reach a conclusion on whether or not your hypothesis was valid, and from here you can begin to close the paper out with citations and reflections on the research process.

Talk To Your Teacher

Before the process of searching for a good topic, start by talking to your teachers first! You should form close relations with them so they can help guide you with better inspiration and ideas.

Along the process of writing, you’re going to find yourself needing help when you hit walls. Specifically there will be points at which the scope of your research could seem too shallow to create sizable writing off of it, therefore a third person point of view could be useful to help think of workarounds in such situations. 

You might be writing a research paper as a part of a submission in your applications to colleges, which is a great way to showcase your skills! Therefore, to really have a good chance to showcase yourself as a quality student, aim for a topic that doesn’t sell yourself short. It would be easier to tackle a topic that is not as intense to research, but the end results would be less worthwhile and could come across as lazy. Focus on something genuinely interesting and challenging so admissions offices know you are a determined and hard-working student!

Don’t Worry About Conclusions

The issue many students have with writing research papers, is that they aren’t satisfied with arriving at conclusions that do not support their original hypothesis. It’s important to remember that not arriving at a specific conclusion that your hypothesis was planning on, is totally fine! The whole point of a research paper is not to be correct, but it’s to showcase the trial and error behind learning and understanding something new. 

If your findings clash against your initial hypothesis, all that means is you’ve arrived at a new conclusion that can help form a new hypothesis or claim, with sound reasoning! Getting rid of this mindset that forces you to warp around your hypothesis and claims can actually improve your research writing by a lot!

Colleges won’t ever see the grades for individual assignments, but they do care a bit more about the grades you achieve in your courses. Research papers may play towards your overall course grade based on the kind of class you’re in. Therefore to keep those grades up, you should try your absolute best on your essays and make sure they get high-quality reviews to check them too!

Luckily, CollegeVine’s peer review for essays does exactly that! This great feature allows you to get your essay checked by other users, and hence make a higher-quality essay that boosts your chances of admission into a university. 

Want more info on your chances for college admissions? Check out CollegeVine’s admissions calculator, an intuitive tool that takes numerous factors into account as inputs before generating your unique chance of admission into an institute of your selection!

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Research Paper Examples for High School Students

• Last modified 2024-08-13
• Published on 2024-08-15

Enhance Your Research Skills with Aralia’s Research Scholar Classes

1. what is a research paper.

A research paper is a form of academic writing that requires a student to explore and analyze a particular topic in-depth. It involves gathering information from various sources, presenting an argument or thesis, and supporting it with evidence. Research papers are essential for developing critical thinking, building research skills, and preparing for college and beyond.

A primary research paper consists of seven main sections :

• The Abstract, which is a brief summary of the hypothesis, results, and conclusions;
• The Introduction, which provides background information, summarizes prior research, and outlines the study;
• The Methods and Experiments section, detailing the research process, study design, and procedures;
• The Results section, presenting data and statistical outcomes;
• The Discussion section, where the author interprets the results, offers conclusions, and suggests future research;
• The References section, listing all sources used;
• And finally, Tables and Figures, which display the data discussed in the paper.

To read more about each section, please refer to How to Read Scientific Research Papers – High School Edition .

2. What Are the Types of Research Paper?

There are various types of scientific research papers, each with a unique writing style that helps students develop different reading approaches. Primary articles present original research data and conclusions, allowing students to understand how research is conducted and to verify its authenticity. Secondary research documents, such as review articles and systematic reviews, provide overviews of relevant topics and expert perspectives, helping students gain a well-rounded understanding. However, students should critically assess all viewpoints. Special articles include letters to editors, commentaries, and correspondences, offering short communications on topics of interest, often responding to or providing feedback on primary research. These can be useful for students seeking additional insights or clarifications on primary research papers.

Additionally, other common research papers include analytical papers , which break down a topic into its components for deeper understanding; argumentative papers , where the writer presents and supports a particular viewpoint; and experimental papers, which document the process and results of scientific experiments. Each type helps students develop critical reading and writing skills for academic success.

3. How To Do Research

Conducting research in high school is a valuable way to explore your academic interests, develop critical thinking skills, and contribute to the broader body of knowledge. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you get started:

• Identify Your Research Interest : Begin by exploring subjects that genuinely fascinate you. Whether it’s a specific scientific field, a historical event, or a social issue, choosing a topic that resonates with you will keep you motivated throughout the research process. For more tips on selecting a research focus, check out How to Pursue Research Interest in High School .
• Understand the Research Process : Familiarize yourself with the key steps in conducting research, from developing a research question to collecting and analyzing data. A structured approach will help you stay organized and ensure your research is thorough and methodical. To dive deeper into these steps, refer to the 8 Steps in the Research Process .
• Design Your Study : Once you have a research question, plan how you will investigate it. This might involve designing experiments, conducting surveys, or reviewing literature. Consider what data you need, how you will collect it, and how you will ensure the reliability and validity of your findings. The Guide to Do Scientific Research in High School provides detailed insights into creating a research plan.
• Conduct the Research : Execute your research plan and document your process and observations meticulously.
• Analyze the Results : Once your data is collected, analyze it to see if it supports your hypothesis or answers your research question.
• Present Your Findings : You can present your research in various formats, such as a research paper, a presentation, or even at a science fair or competition. Make sure to communicate your methodology, findings, and conclusions.
• Seek feedback from teachers, mentors, or peers to refine your work.
• Once you feel that your papers are ready, you can choose a research journal to submit your work to for publication. Here are 17 Research Journals for High School Students.

Aralia Students Are 4x More Likely to Publish a Research Paper

4. research paper topics.

• Historical Research Topics : Exploring significant events, influential figures, and cultural movements can provide rich material for research papers. For example, students might investigate the causes and effects of World War I, the impact of the Renaissance on modern art, or the role of women in the American Revolution. Check out more historical research topics .
• Scientific Research Topics : Science topics offer opportunities to explore the natural world, human health, and technological advancements. Examples include studying the effects of climate change on biodiversity, analyzing the efficacy of different cancer treatments, or researching the ethical implications of genetic engineering.
• Literary Research Topics : Students might analyze themes, characters, and symbolism in classic or contemporary works. Examples include exploring the representation of women in Shakespeare’s plays, the impact of the Harlem Renaissance on American literature, or the influence of mythology in modern fantasy novels.
• Psychology Research Topics : For students interested in psychology, exploring topics such as the effects of social media on mental health, the psychology of learning and memory, or the impact of childhood trauma on adult behavior can provide unique insights. Discover 10 unique psychology research ideas for high school students . 

5. Different Research Paper Examples for High School Students

Below, we will explore examples of high school research papers to help students understand how to structure and present their work effectively. We’ll be drawing from the Journal of Student Research (JSR), a reputable platform that publishes exemplary research conducted by high school students across a wide range of fields.

Neuroscience Research Paper

Neuroscience is the study of the nervous system and brain, focusing on how they influence behavior, cognition, and overall health. Combining insights from biology, psychology, and medicine, it offers an exciting and complex field for students to research, with the goal of developing innovative treatments for neurological and psychiatric conditions.

“Alpha-Synuclein Targeting Monoclonal Antibody Therapy Treatment for Parkinson’s Disease” research focuses on alpha-synuclein, a protein that aggregates and plays a key role in developing Parkinson’s.

Ethics Research Paper

Ethics examines moral principles that govern human behavior and decision-making. For students, researching ethics offers an opportunity to delve into complex moral dilemmas and explore how ethical theories apply to real-world issues.

“Exploring the Interplay Between Religious Music, Emotions, and Ethics in Cultures Worldwide” investigates how religious music affects people’s emotional well-being and ethical values. The study highlights how music influences moral and ethical standards within religious practices, fostering pro-social behavior and ethical decision-making.

Artificial Intelligence Research Paper

Artificial Intelligence (AI) involves creating systems that can perform tasks typically requiring human intelligence, such as learning, reasoning, and problem-solving. Delving into AI can spark interest in developing new solutions and understanding the implications of technology on society.

The Implementation of Artificial Intelligence in Breast Cancer Screening examines the role of AI in enhancing breast cancer detection through mammography. The study reviews various AI models and their effectiveness in diagnosing breast cancer, highlighting the potential of deep learning technologies.

In addition, students can go to 25 research opportunities for high school students to view a comprehensive list of research opportunities available to high school students, offering valuable insights into different fields and helping students find programs that align with their interests. 

6. Conduct Research With Aralia

Aralia Education offers a range of research opportunities for high school students, including mentorship programs and research projects. These programs are designed to help students develop their research skills and produce high-quality research papers. Consider participating in these to learn essential skills and prepare yourself to write research papers for competitions, college, and beyond!

Historical Research and Writing

Psychology Research Program

Business Research

AP Research

Aralia Economics Research Scholar Program

Aralia Education is an innovative online education platform for ambitious middle and high school students worldwide. Aralia’s instructors propel students forward by helping them build a strong foundation in traditional academic courses. They also actively engage and guide students in exploring personal interests beyond their school curriculum. With this holistic approach, Aralia ensures its students are well-prepared for college and equipped for success in their future careers.

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