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  2025-08-22

Research Paper Examples - Free Sample Papers for Different Formats

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A research paper writing is the crucial research-related skill that enables students and researchers to display their thoughts, arguments, and results in a more formatted way. Nevertheless, quite a number of people are unable to select the proper format, attribute their work in a structured manner or adhere to a particular form of citation. This is where research paper example will be of great significance. Looking at well-organized samples will allow the learners to see what it takes to develop a thesis, analyze it, and explain supporting evidence.

Not only do the examples illustrate the acceptable academic style, they also reveal differences in formatting, APA, MLA, Chicago or Harvard. Sample papers can be used as guidelines in researching at high school, college, professional levels as well as in conducting research. This set of free research paper examples is supposed to clarify various formats and topics and make student save their time and enhance the quality of writing. When it comes to the thesis paper help, anyone can write with a greater feeling of success and confidence in an academic style when given the appropriate exemplars.


What is a Research Paper?

A research paper is a professional academic report in which an in-depth analysis, interpretation or argument is presented and based on independent research. It is usually prepared to address a certain issue or question utilizing the findings of trustworthy sources (books, academic articles, experiments, or surveys). A research paper is designed to add something new to a body of knowledge, show how the writer has gained an understanding of an issue, and justify findings with logical arguments and clearly referenced data.

Research papers are the common papers in high school, colleges, and universities with varying level of complexity. The research paper structure consists of introduction, literature review, methodology, research findings, discussion, and conclusion. Also there are citation styles, i.e. APA, MLA, Chicago or any other one to provide credit to the original sources, otherwise there would be a problem of plagiarism.

Finally, a research paper is a means of learning and the means of sharing findings in the academic community.


Why Use Research Paper Examples?

The research paper examples are very useful to both students and researchers. The following are some of the reasons why it is greatly advantageous to consult sample papers:

  • Understanding Structure: Examples underline the structure that is fundamental to a History research paper or to any research paper; introduction, thesis statement, methodology, results, discussion and references. This assists writers to do their work in a structured manner.
  • Clarifying Formatting Styles: Formatting can present a challenge to students, whether APA or MLA formatting, Chicago or Harvard formatting. Example papers teach one to execute citation styles in a proper manner, limiting the chances of making a mistake.
  • Improving Quality: The example of a research paper reveal the common errors and also the most effective tactics of argumentation, transitions, and integration of evidence. Imitation of powerful elements can help in improving a writer.
  • Boosting Confidence: The visual guide ensures that you do not get too overwhelmed by the task at hand in case you are a first-time writer or wish to improve the presentation of your research.
  • Saving Time: The process of drafting and revision goes faster because students could see what is expected using well-chosen samples.

Research Paper Examples by Format

Research papers are available in various formats subject to the topic, discipline of study or the directives of the instructor. Knowing what their structure and conventions are can be of great difference to your paper in terms of its quality and its credibility. Examples of the most frequently used formats of research papers are given below.

APA Research Paper Example

Format Overview (APA 7th Edition):

  • Title Page: The title, author, institution, course, instructor, date
  • Abstract:  Short description (the number of words: 150-250)
  • Main Body: Introduction, Method, Results, Discussion
  • In-text Citations: (Author, Year)
  • References Page: Alphabetical list of sources

Example

Following is the apa research paper example for you:

Title: Impacts of Social Media on Mental Health of Adolescents

Abstract

Social media is now an ubiquitous aspect to the lives of the adolescent. The present paper discusses the correlation between mental health outcomes and the use of social media in relation to anxiety, depression, and self-esteem in teenagers.

Introduction

Increased popularity of such applications as Instagram and TikTok caused concern about the effects of their use on teenage health. Studies show that, potential excessive usage can be linked to more mental health problems (Twenge & Campbell, 2018).

Method

A sample of 300 high school students assessed the mean exposure to social media daily and the mean scores on some standard mental health scales: GAD-7 and PHQ-9 to measure anxiety and depression and the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale.

Results

The researcher noted that there is a strong connection between heavy social media use and worrisome levels of anxiety and depression (r = .52, p < .01) as well as low self-esteem (r = –.45, p < .01).

Discussion

All these findings are indicative that longer social media engagement can be harmful to the mental state of the adolescents. The self-reports and absence of the longitudinal format constitute limitations.

References

Twenge, J. M., & Campbell, W. K. (2018). Narcissism epidemic: life in the age of entitlement. Atria Books.

MLA Research Paper Example

Format Overview (MLA 9th Edition):

  • No title page (use a heading on the first page)
  • Header: Author’s last name and page number (top right)
  • In-text Citations: (Author Page)
  • Works Cited Page: Alphabetical list of sources
  • Font: Times New Roman 12 pt, double-spaced

Example

The mla format research paper example is mentioned below: 

The image of a woman as portrayed in the mainstream cinema has undergone a massive transformation in the 21 st century. Women who were used to play minor characters in the past are used more often as main, active actors. Smith et al. noted that the percentage of female speaking characters was only 34 percent even in the highest-grossing movies of 2019 (45). This figure points to improvements and what still remains to be done.

Movies like Captain Marvel and the Little Women directed by Greta Gerwig (2019) have been lauded specifically as movies which have shirked conventional gender-designs. The adapted version created by Gerwig recontextualizes Jo March not only as an aspiring writer but also as one who is opposed to the societal demands of settling in marriage. As Green argues, Jo is a redefinition of success: creative and personal freedom by Gerwig (102).

The barriers are still present behind the scene despite these improvements in representation. According to the Center study of women in television and film, women in the top 100 films only amounted to 21 percent of the directors, producers and writers (Jones). This disparity impacts story forms and whose voices are heightened.

Eventually, the change is coming to the cinema where depiction of women will improve but it has to be a systemic change, which can support and extend the trajectory.

Works Cited

Green, Jessica. Rewriting Her Story: Female Voices in Modern Film. Palgrave, 2020.

Jones, Anne. “Women in Film 2020 Report.” Center for the Study of Women in Television and Film, 2021.

Smith, Stacy L., et al. “Inclusion in the Director’s Chair?” Annenberg Inclusion Initiative, 2020.

Chicago Style Research Paper Example

Format Overview (Chicago Notes and Bibliography):

  • Title page
  • Main body with footnotes for citations
  • Bibliography at the end
  • Font: Times New Roman 12 pt, double-spaced
  • Margins: 1 inch all around

Example

Title: A Remote Revolution: How COVID-19 Changed the Workforce.

There was a drastic change in the way businesses ran due to the COVID-19 pandemic which encouraged the use of remote work faster in terms of industry. Big tech corporations like Twitter and Meta did not have a set limit on work-from-home options.¹

As of June 2021, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics indicates that approximately a quarter of employees worked at least partially via remote work environments.² Remote working increased levels of flexibility and savings on part of employers but questions have arisen regarding productivity and collaboration.³

A few studies report that knowledge-based employment is more productive offsite, but innovation can be impaired.? Major cities have experienced decreases in the value of commercial real estate because offices lay dormant.?

The long-term impact is just being fully realized but the fact is that work-from-home will not go away and the modern economy will be reshaped as a result.

Notes

  1. Jessica Huang, Work From Home Forever (New York: Beacon Press, 2021), 14.
  2. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, “Employment Situation Summary,” June 2021.
  3. Michael Rosen, “The Productivity Paradox,” Harvard Business Review, January 2022.
  4. Ibid.
  5. Laura Kent, Urban Economics After COVID-19 (Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2022), 89.

Scientific Research Paper Example

Format Overview (General Scientific Style):

  • Title
  • Abstract
  • Introduction
  • Methodology
  • Results
  • Discussion/Conclusion
  • References (APA-style unless otherwise specified)

Example

The scientific research paper example for your reference is as follows:

Title: Experiment to study the Effect of PH on Catalase

Abstract

The work focuses on the effect of pH level on enzymatic activity of catalase in the hydrogen peroxide breakdown.

Introduction

In most organisms, catalase (an enzyme) prevents the damage to the cells by breaking down hydrogen peroxide. The effectiveness of the enzyme is very susceptible to the pH.

Methodology

Potato samples were taken and subjected to catalase extraction and then set in 5% solution of hydrogen peroxide, at different pH (3, 5, 7, 9 and 11). Producers of oxygen had their measurements across 60 seconds coupled with the use of a gas syringe.

Results

An ideal pH that brought about optimal activity of the enzyme was at pH 7. The outcome was as follows (mean O? in mL/min):

  • pH 3 = 5.1
  • pH 5 = 12.8
  • pH 7 = 19.4
  • pH 9 = 11.0
  • pH 11 = 4.9

Conclusion

The best activity of catalase is with pH equal to neutral. Extreme acidic and basic levels denature the enzyme, or otherwise, its active site. Such results are applicable in other areas such as biotechnology and medicine where the activity of enzymes is of much essence.

Argumentative Research Paper Example 

Format Overview (Argumentative Style):

  • Introduction and a clear thesis
  • Argument and counterargument body paragraphs
  • Citations and Evidence
  • Conclusion that supports the position
  • Format: it can be MLA or APA, depending on the assignment

Example

To better understand let’s have a look at the argumentative research paper example discussed below:

Title: The Case of Free College Education in USA

The discussion on tuition-free college is heating up as student debt reaches a level of over 1.7 trillion. Advocates of such a notion believe that higher education qualifies as a public good and must grant access to all individuals, regardless of their earnings.

Low-income students especially would see the benefits of free college, as they are far fewer to attain a degree. In a 2021 report issued by The Education Trust, the researchers discovered that “low-income students are five times less likely to graduate with a bachelor degree in comparison to high ingredients students” (Smith 23). No-tuition would ease the playing field and decrease dropout rate.

The opponents say free college is too costly and could reduce the value of a degree in the minds of students. Nonetheless, European nations such as Germany provide free education in universities without experiencing a reduction in the level of academic competency or the level of production (Muller 102). In addition, the financial cost of doing nothing that is, the lost tax revenue and underemployment may be higher than the investment in tuition-free models.

Though its effects would need implementation on a systemic level, the reward of an even more educated and more equitable society would be worth the efforts. Basic education must not only be something the rich can afford.

Works Cited

Müller, Hans. European models of Education and Equality. Oxford UP, 2020.

Smith, Carla. The Debt and Dropout: Effects of Tuition on Completion. Education Trust, 2021.

Comparison Table


Examples of Research Paper Sections

The following is a structural and concise research paper outline example showing the structure and contents of the section.

Title Page Example

Title: The Effects of Social Media on Academic Performance of University Students.

Author: Jane Doe

Institution: College of Social Sciences, State University

Course: Research Methods in Psychology

Instructor: Dr. John Smith

Date: August 17, 2025

Abstract on research paper example

This paper is an examination of how using social media affects the performance of university students. In order to evaluate social media habits and GPA, a quantitative research design was applied, and data pertaining to 200 undergraduate students was collected using online survey. The findings have shown that there is a negative relationship between high social media usage and academic performance implying that high use of social media may reduce study time and concentration with respect to academic performance. The evidence shows a necessity to make students more responsible to manage the time and offer institutions educational awareness programs to respond to the problem of social media as possible distractors.

Research Paper Introduction Example

Social media such as communication platforms has become part of life, especially to the college students. Although it has many advantages including the development of communication and the possibility to gain information access, its use gives rise to several concerns about the fact that students feel distracted by it and lose their academic focus. The past studies have been inconclusive about its influence on academic performance, and it therefore needs a closer study. This research intends to understand the influence of the time spent on social media sites on the Grade point averages (GPAs) of students. Learning more about this relationship is essential to come up with strategies that will allow students to manage both social media and studies.

Methods Section Example

The study involved a quantitative correlational study to determine the correlation between academic performance and the use of social media. The sample population was comprised of 200 undergraduate students who were recruited in a state university through convenience sample. Respondents were sent a demographic survey with items pertaining to demographic data, self-reported hours of usage of social media daily, and a score based on their latest GPA. The research was carried out in March 2025 within a two week period of data collection. The statistical test included Pearson correlation to determine the strength of the relationship and direction between social media use and GPA.

Results Section Example

The implication of this analysis is that there was a significant negative correlation between use of social media and GPA (r = -0.45, p < 0.001). Students who spent more than three hours per day on social media had a 2.8 GPA as compared to 3.4 GPA in the group of students who spent less than one hour on social media daily. The findings imply that overuse of social media is linked to poor performance in school. The descriptive statistics regarding GPA according to various groups cuttings of social media use are expressed in Table 1.
 

Results Section Example

Social Media Usage (Hours/Day)

Mean GPA

Standard Deviation

Less than 1 hour

3.4

0.5

1 to 3 hours

3.0

0.6

More than 3 hours

2.8

0.7


 

Research Paper Conclusion Example

This study shows that students who use social media more have worse academic performance in the university. The observation helps to emphasize the need to support students in ensuring that they practice and observe self-control with regards to their social media self to support improved academic performance. Schools ought to think about providing awareness sessions and lectures regarding time management and digital literacy. Future studies may consider how certain forms of social media usage affect academic research and understand current moderating variables, including self-control and motivation.

References/Bibliography Example

American Psychological Association. (2020). Publication manual of the American Psychological Association (7 th ed.). APA.

Junco, R. (2012). The dependence between frequency of Facebook use, engagement in Facebook activities and involvement of the students. Computers & Education, 58 (1) 162-171.

Karpinski, A. C. & Duberstein, A. (2009). The account of Facebook utilization and grades in undergraduate and graduate students. Computers in Human Behavior, 25(4),1244-1252

Paul, J. A., Baker, H. M., Cochran, J. D. (2012). The impact of social networking in the academic performance of students. Computers in Human Behavior, 28, no. 6 (2012), 2117-2127.


Tips for Using Examples Without Plagiarizing

It is a good thing to use examples in research papers, yet, plagiarism is not permissible. The following are the main tips:

  • Paraphrase Thoughtfully: Do not copy and simply change words; describe ideas using your own words but still maintaining the original intent.
  • Use Quotation Marks: When you require the rather exact words of a source, put them between quotation marks and give reference to the source.
  • Always Cite Sources: Whether quoting, paraphrasing and/or summarising, refer with in-text citations and give full references.
  • Understand Before You Write: In order to avoid repetition, read the material, analyze and understand it, and then sum up the material.
  • Use Plagiarism Checkers: Such tools as Turnitin or Grammarly can enable scholars to avoid unintentional plagiarism prior to their submission.

These habits assist in keeping the integrity of the academia and enhance the reliability of your work.


Download Free Research Paper Templates

A research paper template may save your time, and make sure that your paper has the proper academic form. Templates of typical research papers can be found on the internet, such as APA, MLA and Chicago styles. Such templates normally have pre-designed title pages, headings, format of the in-text citations, a reference list, and even organized spaced areas.

They are available at credible educational sites, such as assignmentsgenius.com, or in university libraries. Make sure to select a template corresponding to the format required by your assignment and possessing the desired edition (e.g., APA 7th edition or MLA 9th version).

Template is particularly useful among students who do not know the rules of citations or the layout. But they are to be used with care- do not copy-paste example contents without due acknowledgements. The platform also provides Case study help to students who face difficulty in writing. 


Conclusion

Examples and templates of research papers are very effective in enabling students and researchers to write and remain organized, as well as adhering to the correct format. Writers can gain a clearer understanding of academic expectations by learning the various formats, which could either be a form of APA, MLA or Chicago, and by going through example sections like the abstracts, introduction, and methods. Also, responsible use of examples without plagiarizing guarantees both academic integrity and self-development. Free research paper samples and templates are good when you lack experience or just want to improve your writing to produce comprehensible, well-organized, and appropriately referenced work.