Why Write a Research Paper?
This question is asked, at least inwardly, by every high school, college or university student who’s required to write one. The task of compiling an academic research paper may seem meaningless, daunting, tedious, like “busy work,” something there will likely never be a need to do again, once that diploma is firmly in hand. So why do those teachers and professors assign it?
Here are a few reasons:
• Developing one’s writing skills is a vital part of our education. The ability to communicate our thoughts clearly in writing is essential in nearly every occupation as well as in daily living. As we write, we organize our thinking, making ourselves understandable to our readers.
• Improving our ability to read and comprehend complicated texts enables us to understand more sophisticated ways of thinking and self-expression.
• Finding deep enjoyment and satisfaction in the very act of learning as we discover more and more about the topic we’ve chosen, or that was assigned, brings a sense of deep fulfillment.
• Learning to do serious, scholarly research creates the ability to enhance critical thinking skills. Knowing how to find and evaluate sources of information, to discern the difference between verifiable, well-documented studies and random rumors and speculative reflections, helps us to detect fraud, bias, and falsehoods.
• Figuring out how and when to cite our sources teaches us the importance of attribution. When we quote or cite other writers, we’re giving them the credit due for their scholarly work.
• Exploring and synthesizing ideas from multiple sources, then coming up with a unique interpretation of the results, allows us to offer, from our own perspective, our contribution to the world’s knowledge.
Keep these points in mind when you’re next asked to write a paper, and it will emerge not as a dull task, but as an adventure in creativity.
Questions? Comments? Reflections? I’m here…just click on the link!
~Judy Clarence, M.L.I.S., GMU Librarian | 
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