Tips for Writing an Engineering Research Paper

Engineering research papers are different from the research papers you are used to writing in other classes. To write a good paper, you need to have strong engineering fundamentals and be able to express yourself clearly and concisely.

Writing your paper may seem daunting, but it is achievable with planning and forethought! These are a few tips for writing an engineering research paper.

Choose a Narrow Topic

One of the biggest mistakes students make when writing engineering research papers is choosing a topic that is too broad. Your paper will be more successful if you choose a narrower topic that you can adequately cover in the scope of the paper.

At the same time, you want to know that you can find enough information on the topic to write a complete paper. During the brainstorming process, ask yourself:

• Will I be able to perform the necessary experiments for this topic?
• Are there enough resources to learn more about this field of study?
• What will my professor or evaluator think of this topic?

Do Your Research

Once you have chosen a narrow topic, it is time to start doing your research. Keeping your research in a safe place like a bound engineering notebook can ensure you will not lose your data.

When researching an engineering paper, it is important to use only credible sources. The best place to find credible sources is through your college or university library website. When accessing articles through the library website, you can be sure they are peer-reviewed and trustworthy.

Another great place to find reliable sources is Google Scholar. Google Scholar only includes articles from credible sources in the search results, so you can be sure that any articles you find will be of high quality.

Create An Outline

Once you have done your research, it is time to start putting together an outline for your paper. A detailed outline will help keep your thoughts organized and make the writing process much easier.

Your outline should include an introduction, methods, materials, data, and discussions on your topic. Having this information in front of you will make it much easier to start writing your paper. Each of these sections should help to support your thesis statement.

Once you create an outline, you can start your first draft. Don’t be afraid to change your outline as you go along—this is just a starting point!

Revise Your Paper

After you have written a draft of your paper, put it away for a day or two before coming back to revise it. This break will help you see your essay with fresh eyes and catch any errors or areas that need further clarification.

Once you have revised your draft, have someone else read it and give feedback. Another set of eyes always helps! Finally, once you are happy with your final product, proofread it one last time for any remaining errors or typos before submitting it for grading.

Writing an engineering research paper may seem like a daunting task, but by following these simple tips, it doesn’t have to be! With careful planning and attention to detail, anyone can write a great engineering research paper.

Scientific Notebook has helped students with the research and writing process for years. Our quality engineering notebooks are the perfect place to keep your research organized and safe. Visit our website today to learn more!