Research Paper Format Guide: Templates, Citation Styles, Cover Page & Title Page Tips

“Research is seeing what everybody else has seen and thinking what nobody else has thought", said Albert Szent-Györgyi, the famous Hungarian pharmacologist.

Research drives societal progress by generating knowledge and solving real-world problems. While early research was unstructured, modern academic work follows strict formatting conventions developed over centuries. 

There are various types of research paper writing formats. The most popular formats include the MLA, Chicago, and APA styles. Before we discuss the rules of these formats, it is crucial to understand what research papers are and the importance of proper research paper formatting. 

What are Research Papers?

Research papers are scholarly documents that present original, detailed information backed by in-depth research. These papers are written for various fields, including science, law, and academia, as they offer new findings and provide scope for their review and authentication. 

The researched information in these papers revolve around a specific topic. The main purpose of a research paper is analyse and investigate the topic in detail and to contribute new information to the existing knowledge. 

Why is Following the Proper Format of Research Report/Paper Essential?

Apart from providing a structured and organised way of writing, following the proper format of research report is essential to ensure that the concerned authorities review your research paper. If your research paper does not comply with standard formatting rules, reviewers may dismiss it.  

Writing a research paper can be challenging. However, once you understand the rules of research paper writing format, you can submit your research papers satisfactorily. 

Let us understand the essential rules of writing a research paper, including the proper formatting, font size for research paper and research paper reference format. 

The following sections discuss the various research paper format word rules. 

Quick Understanding of Different Research Paper Formats

• APA (American Psychological Association) Research Paper Format

APA stands for the American Psychological Association. This format is often used for writing research papers related to the sciences, including physical sciences such as physics and psychology.  

• MLA (Modern Language Association) Research Paper Format

MLA stands for the Modern Language Association. The MLA format is used for writing humanities research papers. This format can be applied to history, culture and literature subject research papers. 

• Chicago /Chicago Manual of Style (CMOS) Research Paper Format

Book publishers and academic papers often use CMOS formatting. This style is also known as Turabian, which is named after Kate L. Turabian, who wrote the first manual for this style.

APA Research Paper Format Rules at a Glance

The following are the most essential research paper format word rules for the APA style writing.

• Start your paper with a title page.
• Ensure that you use the title case for headings. For example, "Important Sites that Need the World Heritage Status.” 
• Use the font size of 12 pt Times New Roman or 11 pt Arial.
• Set your page to a 1-inch page margin.
• Use double-line spacing in your APA style research paper.
• Include a running head on each page (upper right-hand corner). It consists of the title in capital letters followed by the page number.
• Indent each new paragraph by a half-inch.
• Include the publication date in your in-text citations. For example, (Jones, 1952, p. 90). Here, the letter "p" refers to the page.  
• Use sentence case for titles of sources. 
• Make sure to use the author's last name and the first and middle initials when citing in-text references. 
• Remember to use the Oxford comma wherever required. The Oxford comma is used before "or" and "and" in a list. For example, "I bought an apple pie, hazelnuts, and bread for my breakfast."
• Your citations page at the end must be titled as "References.” 

MLA Research Paper Format Rules at a Glance

Here are the most essential rules, including the research paper citation format rule, for writing your research paper in MLA style:

• Use double-spaced lines.
• Indent each new paragraph by half an inch.
• Use the title case for headings, meaning all major words must be capitalised. For example, "How to Help a Dyslexia Patient." 
• Use a popular font. For example, Times New Roman or Arial. In fact, this rule applies to all research paper formatting styles.
• Make sure to use a one-inch margin on all sides. 
• Use Arabic numerals to number different sections of your paper.  
• Use a running head for each page. (upper right-hand corner). It comprises your last name and the page number.
• To use an in-text citation within the text, include the author's last name followed by the page number. E.g., “Two roads diverged in a yellow wood, and I took the one less travelled by.” (Frost 1)
• List the full name, book/periodical, and other information on the citations page. 
• Ensure that citations are listed alphabetically on a separate page at the end of the paper. Also, title it as “Works Cited.” 
• Use title case for source titles. For example, "Evolution of the Human Beings."

Chicago Research Paper Format Rules at a Glance

The most critical format rules for the Chicago research paper style include the following.

• Include a title page. It should be unnumbered. 
• Make sure to use double-line spacing.
• Indent every new paragraph by half an inch.
• Include the page numbers on the upper right-hand corner of your research paper page. Do not include the paper's title or your name here, as that is done in the APA and MLA styles.
• Use title case for sources and headings. 
• Remember that the Chicago style includes footnotes for citations. You must use a superscript for footnotes. These footnotes appear either at the document's end or at the page's bottom.   
• Though CMOS supports full and short notes, you are advised to use full notes. You can use a short note for any further reference to the same source. 

A Quick Summary of Citation Rules for APA, MLA and Chicago Research Paper Writing

When writing a research paper, using the correct citation style is very important. Here’s how the main styles differ:

• APA (American Psychological Association)

• Used mainly in psychology, education, and social sciences.

• Author-date format: (Smith, 2023)

• Reference page is titled "References".

• Requires year of publication right after the author’s name.

• MLA (Modern Language Association)

• Common in literature, arts, and humanities.

• Uses author-page format: (Smith 45)

• Works Cited page lists all references.

• No need to mention the publication year in in-text citations.

• Chicago Style

• Used in history, business, and some humanities subjects.

• Two systems: Author-Date and Notes-Bibliography (footnotes or endnotes).

• Footnote example: ¹John Smith, History of Trade (London: Penguin, 2021), 15.

• Bibliography lists full details alphabetically at the end.

Research Paper Templates

Using a research paper template can save time and help you comply to the set of formatting rules. Templates found online often follow popular styles like APA, MLA or Chicago. They come with ready-made sections such as title page, abstract, and references — so you don’t have to format each part manually. Sites like Microsoft Office or Google Docs offer trustworthy, free templates. 

Let us take the research paper template in Word, for example. A research paper template Word document is a pre-formatted Microsoft Word document. It is like a ready-made outline, which helps you write a research paper easily and with proper formatting. It includes:

• Title page (with spaces for your title, name, institution, etc.)
• Headings and subheadings (which are already set up)
• Margins, spacing, and font (according to academic standards like APA, MLA, etc.)
• Sections (for example, Introduction, Abstracts, etc.)

The research paper templates offer many benefits, but you must double-check that the template matches your institution’s requirements. You must avoid unverified sources, as incorrect formatting can affect your credibility. Remember, a good template is a smart head start, not a shortcut.

Research Paper Cover Page and Title Page Tips

The cover page or the research paper title page is the first step towards making your research paper look credible and polished. Keep it clean and minimal — include only essential details like the paper title, your name, institutional affiliation, course name, instructor’s name, and submission date according to the specific research paper writing style that you are following. Stick to the formatting rules of your citation style, whether it’s APA, MLA, or Chicago. Use a readable font, centre-align the text, and avoid decorative elements. Remember, your title page is the first thing your reviewer sees — make sure it sets the right tone without distracting from the actual content.

Basic Yet Important Guideline for Writing Research Papers

• While creating the first draft, do not worry about formatting. Stick to your thoughts and write freely. You can rearrange headings or sections later. You should first prepare the first draft and then apply the formatting rules, as that will not disrupt your thought process. 
• You can find some useful citation tools online. Use them to save your time and effort on citations. Some of these tools can be set to the preferred MLA, APA, or CMOS style of writing. 
• You should also use a plagiarism detector to remove any unintentional plagiarism.  
• Review and edit your research paper carefully. Check your research paper for any errors. Check for grammatical errors or spelling mistakes. Ensure that your research paper follows the right formatting style. 

FAQs

Q1: What is research paper format?

A1: A research paper format is the set structure used to organise a paper, including the title page, headings, citations, spacing, and references. It ensures the content looks professional and follows academic standards.

Q2: What are APA and MLA formats?

A2: APA and MLA are two popular citation styles. APA is mostly used in social sciences and follows an author-date format, while MLA is used in humanities and follows an author-page number style for in-text citations. 

Q3: How do I format a paper in APA Style?

A3: To format a paper in APA Style, follow these guidelines:

• Use 12 pt Times New Roman/ 11 pt Arial
• Set 1-inch page margins
• Use double-line spacing
• Add a title page
• Use a running head on each page when submitting your paper for publication)
• Indent each new paragraph by half an inch
• Cite your sources according to APA style 
• List all sources cited on a reference page at the end

Q4: How do I format a paper in MLA style?

A4: The main guidelines for formatting a paper in MLA style are as follows:

• Use the standard format, like the 12 pt Times New Roman
• Set 1-inch page margins
• Use double-line spacing
• Include a 4-line MLA heading on the first page
• Apply the centre alignment to the paper’s title
• Indent every new paragraph ½ inch
• Use title case capitalisation for headings
• Follow the right citation style 
• Add a "Works Cited" page at the end and list all sources cited there

Q5: How do I format a paper in Chicago style?

A5: To format a paper in Chicago style, follow these rules. 

• Use a standard font like 12 pt Times New Roman
• Use 1-inch margins or larger
• Use double-line spacing
• Indent every new paragraph by half an inch 
• Include a title page
• Place page numbers in the top right or bottom centre
• Cite your sources with author-date citations or Chicago footnotes
• Include a bibliography or reference list