sample research paper junior high

Research Paper Examples for High School Students

Indigo Research Team

Are you about to write a research paper but staring at a blank page, confused and overwhelmed?

Well, you're not alone. Most students find themselves in this position, especially on their first paper.

You probably have questions like "How exactly should my sections be organized?" or "What should my biology research paper look like?

It's enough to make anyone feel lost.

This article provides a guiding light through the fog. In the next few minutes, we'll provide several research paper examples for high school students you can use as a guide.

Sound good? Then, let's dive right in!

What is a Research Paper?

A research paper is an academic paper that answers a specific question.

Writing a quality paper is a big deal in academia. It represents the highest level of academic study - where you dive deep into investigating a topic, analyzing information, and making an original argument supported by extensive research.

The goal is to further the boundaries of knowledge in your field. You challenge existing theories with new perspectives that could reshape the understanding of that topic area. It takes rigorous critical thinking and skills to synthesize mounds of information into meaningful conclusions that contribute new insights.

Writing research helps you grow as a scholar, too. The intense process of engaging deeply with a complex topic builds your research, analytical, and academic writing abilities. By sharing fresh ideas and findings with others, you stimulate the growth of knowledge in your discipline.

There are different types of research papers. It depends on your objective and methodology (how you conduct the research).

Analytical Research Paper

An analytical paper focuses on examining different viewpoints from published works on a topic. You evaluate the information to provide a comprehensive, unbiased understanding.

Argumentative or Persuasive Research Paper

An argumentative or persuasive paper takes a stand on a controversial issue and argues for that position. You try to convince the reader that your viewpoint is correct or best by using evidence and logic.

Experimental Research Paper

Experimental papers document the process and results of experiments the author performed. This details the step-by-step methodology, data collected, analysis done, and conclusions made. It's commonly used in scientific fields.

Survey Research Paper

Survey papers collect data directly from people about their thoughts, behaviors, or traits. The data gets analyzed to make inferences about the broader population sampled.

Comparative Research Paper

Comparative papers highlight similarities and differences between theories, policies, or phenomena. Comparing things leads to deeper understanding.

Cause and Effect Research Paper

Cause and effect papers explore reasons why some events happen, or conditions exist and outcomes that then emerge. The researcher tries to establish causal links between variables.

Review Research Paper

Finally, a review paper synthesizes all existing research on a topic to identify overarching trends, gaps, and consensus in that field or discipline.

As you can see, each research paper type serves unique aims and requires certain perspectives. Understanding these distinctions helps guide your approach when conducting and writing up studies. 

The landscape of academia progresses through work recorded in papers like these, driving innovation. They remain vital for spreading knowledge and encouraging a thoughtful culture of exploration.

The key is first to understand the purpose behind the specific research paper you aim to tackle. Get clear on the methodology and outcome goals upfront.

It takes time and skill to compose the best papers that contribute to knowledge.

Different Research Paper Examples for High School Students

Writing a quality research paper can feel intimidating at first. However, having solid sample research examples to guide you makes it much more manageable. The type of research paper you write depends on your area of study.

In this section, you’ll find several research examples across different disciplines written by our students here at Indigo Research:

Physics Research Paper Example

Physics explores the laws around motion, energy, and forces. You could investigate why objects fall at different speeds, how magnets work to attract metal, or how electricity flows through wires. Researching core concepts like gravity, friction, magnetic fields, or light waves reveals insights into the physics of how the world works.

Here is a good research paper example in physics. 

• Axions as a Model of Dark Matter

Biology Research Paper Example

Biology delves into the living world of animals, plants, cells, and ecosystems. You might study metamorphosis across a butterfly's life cycle stages, how pollution impacts forest health, or the intricate parts that make up a single cell. Understanding foundational building blocks like ecosystems, plant life cycles, cell anatomy, and more can yield fascinating discoveries.

Here are some well-written research papers on biology for guidance.

• A Stretchable and Tough Small-scale Magnetic Actuator for Biomedical Applications

Psychology Research Paper Example

Psychology aims to reveal why humans think, feel, and act the way we do through studying emotions, memory, development, and interactions. Investigating what triggers anger responses, factors impacting eye-witness memory, peer pressure effects on teens, or impacts of rap music lyrics on mood represents just a snippet of psychological research possibilities out there to captivate any burgeoning psychologist!

Here is a research essay example in psychology for guidance.

• Sustained Attention Outcomes of ADHD Traits and Typically Developing Participants

Economics Research Paper Example

Economics analyzes financial decision-making around supply, demand, trade, and resources. You could explore reasons for inflation, stock market trends, how governments intervene in markets, or why everyday goods' prices fluctuate over time. Real-world applications make economics research intriguing for unraveling modern money matters.

Here is an example of student research paper on economics for guidance.

• Impact of YouTubers on Cryptocurrency

AI and Machine Learning Research Paper Example

AI and machine learning study how to engineer computer systems and robots capable of “thinking" intelligently like humans. It's an exciting frontier with innovations like self-driving vehicles, personalized ads served by algorithms analyzing your browsing data, or AI programs winning strategy games against grandmasters.

Evaluation metrics for neural networks, implementing pattern recognition, and analyzing bias in data or code – the options for hands-on testing are vast enough to launch forward machine intelligence that enhances lives.

Here is a sample short research paper example on AI and Machine Learning.

• Personalized Hybrid Recommender System with Average Time Intervals

Computer Science Research Paper Example

Computer science underlies software, apps, video games, and websites, transforming modern life through coding languages and powering the technology we engage with daily. Possible investigations include modeling a mobile app, evaluating website security vulnerabilities, debugging video game mods you create, comparing software engineering code methods, or prototyping a computational art bot to generate poems.

Here is a free example of a research paper as a guide on computer science research.

• Accelerating and Improving Simulation Performance in Communication Systems Modeling through Parallel Computing and Clustering

History Research Paper Example

History research connects past and present events, social movements, and influential leaders' lasting impacts on modern life. Deeply exploring WWII's complex catalysts, how the civil rights movement unfolded through key milestones, the rippling influences of Ada Lovelace's innovations, or lessons we can learn from the Space Race era now in a renewed age of interstellar exploration can anchor history's meaningful life teachings in our memory.

Below is an example of a sample undergraduate research paper to write for history research.

• Yugo Wars: A Case Study on the Peacekeeping Efforts in Bosna-Hercegovina

Math Research Paper Example

Math research elucidates the world through numeracy, geometry, algebra, statistics, calculus, and more. You can consider comparing statistical methods, implementing probability theory, discovering patterns in prime numbers, demonstrating geometry theorems, or modeling applications of derivatives/integrals. The pure science of mathematics interlinks with every other domain, opening cross-disciplinary opportunities!

Here is an example of a math research paper to use as a guide.

• Paradoxes in Special Theory of Relativity

Law Research Paper Example

Law research examines legal principles, court precedents, and regulations upholding rights plus justice in societies. Analyzing Supreme Court decisions validating rights, evaluating the effectiveness of criminal procedures, or studying juvenile law complexities represents just a small sample of legal avenues to bolster understanding of ethical codes steering modern civilization.

Here is an example of a law research paper you can use as a guide.

• Mental Health Through the Lens of Law

Medicine Research Paper Example

Medical research aims to improve healthcare through clinical treatment insights, pharmaceutical advances, diagnostic technologies, vaccination developments, or surgical innovations against prevalent diseases and global epidemics. Choose burning topics like cancer immunotherapies, coronavirus variants analysis, anesthesiology during operations, the efficacy of antidepressants, post-stroke rehabilitation, or maternal health policies to drive life-saving medical revelations!

Here are examples of medical research papers for high school students.

• An Evaluation of Communication Methods for Community Outreach in Patients with Diabetes

Astronomy Research Paper Example

Ever wonder what's happening beyond Earth? In astronomy, you can dive into the vast universe! Write about planets, stars, galaxies, black holes, or even the Big Bang. Explain how stars are born, what planets contain, and how telescopes help us see faraway space objects. Imagine the mysteries you can uncover.

Here is an example of a written research paper on astronomy. 

• INTEGRAL mission - Automation of Transponder Swaps Scheduling and Schedule Validation

Media Research Suggestion Example

Movies, TV shows, social media – media is everywhere! Media research looks at how it influences us. Explore how advertisements try to persuade us, how social media impacts relationships, or how news channels shape world understandings. You could research on nearly everything. Like how special effects excite moviegoers, how influencers gain followers, or how to spot fake news online. The insights are endless.

Here is an example of a scholarly paper sample on Media for high school students.

• Role of Interactive Multimedia in Environment Awareness

A Sample Research Paper 

The potential of microbiome manipulation in honeybees to mitigate colony collapse disorder (ccd).

Honeybees fill the vital ecological roles of pollinating diverse wild and agricultural plant species globally. However, Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD) poses escalating threats by inflicting sudden population crashes where adult worker bees inexplicably abandon hives. While researchers have identified likely culprits, including pesticides, habitat loss, viruses, and mites, fully elucidating CCD’s triggers remains challenging. Recently, attention shifted to better understanding the links between honeybee digestive tract microbial communities and CCD susceptibility. Studies reveal alterations within gut microorganism populations of collapse-prone bee colonies. These discoveries inspired promising yet still emerging microbiome-focused interventions aiming to improve hive resilience like probiotics, prebiotics, and fecal transplants. If efficacious and scalable solutions emerge through further research, microbial amendments in apiculture could help mitigate CCD while benefiting ecosystems, agriculture, and food security worldwide.

Introduction

Bees’ extraordinary pollination services enable sexual reproduction for nearly 90% of wild plant species and over 70% of global food crops. This linchpin role of managed honeybees upholding ecosystem biodiversity and supporting agricultural productivity explains rising concerns over Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD). First reported in 2006, CCD describes mysterious honeybee hive abandonments where adult worker bees inexplicably disappear, leaving behind the queen, some nurses, and lingering honey and pollen reserves. Their unexplained failures to return disabled colonies cascaded into population crashes.

While global apiculture continually sustains some attrition, the accelerating rates and enigmatic characteristics of CCD-afflicted declines have alarmed farmers, conservationists and policy makers alike due to our interdependence with bees propagating crops, orchards, and botanical abundance. Investigations of the disorder’s erratic outbreaks gradually compiled causes ranging from pesticide exposures to inadequate nutrition. One relative newcomer on the list of contributing stress factors - alterations within bees’ digestive tract microbial communities – shows particular promise for explaining susceptibilities while offering potential mitigation opportunities through microbiome manipulation techniques.

Like humans and most creatures, bees rely on densely populated gut microbial communities aiding digestion, nourishing development, calibrating immunity, and mediating toxins. Swarming with bacteria, fungi and other microorganisms, a bee’s microbiome exhibits its own ecological equilibrium where different species carve distinct metabolic niches while also interacting cooperatively or competitively to stabilize overall population dynamics and hive functionality.

Research reveals that much like other mammals, individual bees initially acquire gut microbes through environmental transmission from adults, then continue inoculating colony members throughout their lives via ongoing physical contact and shared food. Colonies maintain somewhat consistent core microbial signatures across seasons and geographies. However, when examining CCD-decimated hives, scientists noticed stark microbiome composition deviations from the established baseline of healthy colonies with reduced bacterial diversity and framed the shifts as either potential causes or results of collapse events. Ongoing studies parse details, but abundant evidence already shows microbiome status correlates with disease susceptibility generally.

These revelations spurred inquiries into whether purposefully altering bee microbiomes through probiotics, prebiotics or fecal microbial transplants could boost hive hardiness and prevent the disorder's destructive outcomes. If such microbiome-focused solutions prove efficacious, they could offer more sustainable management practices curtailing CCD pandemics to safeguard ecological integrity and agricultural outputs.

Results/Cues

Probiotics provide targeted ingestible doses of live supplemental microbes conjectured to benefit organismal and even emotional health. Researchers demonstrated that administering certain Lactobacilli strains orally enhances honeybee cognitive capacities while increasing gut microbiome diversity. Monitoring energetically costly probiotic production and field application feasibility at commercial scales will fall to agriculture experts. But thus far, studies report colony productivity improvements, supporting further probiotic development to improve resistance to colony decline.

Prebiotics refer to fibrous nutritional compounds fed to animals to stimulate growth and reproduction among their naturally occurring microbial gut inhabitants. Studies confirm prebiotic supplementation bolsters digestive tract microbial density and diversity in managed bee colonies while appearing to reduce susceptibility to pathogenic infiltration. Confirming efficiency across seasons and geographies remains necessary before producers adopt the practice en masse. Additionally, scientists must rule out unintended side effects from systematically nurturing certain untargeted microorganisms alongside beneficial commensals before deeming the method safe.

Finally, fecal microbial transplantation, an approach more commonly applied to recalibrate human digestion, has recently provided promising proof of concepts for stabilizing honeybee colony health as well. Experiments demonstrated transplanting microbiota from healthy donor colonies to disturbed recipient hives caused the recipients’ microbial composition to shift toward donor equilibrium. This also corresponded with reduced indications of immunological distress and pathogenic infiltration while promoting colony growth. Refining techniques and safety profiles could further make bee-to-bee probiotic transfers part of common practice pending field studies at true operational scales.

Despite promising early results from these microbiome-based interventions, researchers still face challenges translating laboratory success into optimized therapeutic techniques for industry-level beekeeping operations. Significant knowledge gaps remain regarding how to identify which core microbes comprise healthy bee microbiomes for different environments and genotypes. 

Controlling for inadvertent contamination introduction also demands continued vigilance. Field studies spanning multiple seasons and geographies will help gauge the true costs, scalability, and efficacy of rolling out given interventions. Lastly, perhaps the greatest challenge entails convincing traditionally minded beekeepers to adopt progressive microbiome-minded practices through further demonstration of reliable returns on investment.

A growing body of research links honeybee microbiome status with colony health and functionality, lending credence to the idea that microbiome disruption intensifies Colony Collapse Disorder’s compounding stress factors to trigger sudden yet devastating hive failure. 

These revelations propelled recent initiatives testing targeted microbiome modifications like probiotics, prebiotics, and microbe-based transplantation methods to try inoculating resilience within delicate bee colonies against collapse. Developing these techniques to balance efficacy, safety, and scalability, which persist across diverse real-world scenarios, remains an ongoing work. 

But early results bolster hopes that microbial amendments could soon emerge as viable tools for sustainably managing honeybee health to preserve these species’ ecological contributions while also protecting global agriculture’s productive potential it relies upon. Perhaps harnessing the microbiome’s power will illuminate pathways toward securing food and habitat for all species, including our own.

Anderson, K. E., et al. (2013). Gut microbial communities of honey bees are linked to hive health and nesting ecology. PLoS ONE, 8(6), e64046.

Engel, P., & Moran, N. A. (2013). The gut microbiota of bees: potential impacts on individual and colony health. Current Opinion in Insect Science, 2(1), 30-34.

Kwong, W. K., & Moran, N. A. (2016). Gut microbial symbiosis in honey bees: the potential role of selected lactobacilli in colony health. PLoS One, 11(3), e0151028.

Raymann, K., Moran, N. A., & Reuter, M. (2017). Ecological drivers of gut microbiota composition in social bees. FEMS Microbiology Letters, 362(14), fnw254.

Mao, W., et al. (2017). RNA-seq reveals impact of glyphosate-induced gut microbiome dysbiosis on honey bee health. Gut Microbes, 8(3), 245-255.

Vásquez, A., et al. (2017). Gut microbiome modulation as a potential approach to enhance bee health. Microbial Ecology, 74(2), 407-420.

Kakutani, T., et al. (2016). Effects of prebiotics on gut Lactobacillus flora and fructosyltransferase activity in the honeybee (Apis mellifera L.). Journal of Veterinary Medical Science, 78(2), 219-225.

Zheng, H., et al. (2020). Fecal microbiota transplantation restores gut microbiota and promotes honey bee worker longevity. Apidologie, 51(3), 807-817.

Final Takeaway

The key when writing a research paper in any field is to convey clearly your entire research process. It's ethical to refer to examples on the paper you're to write on. That's why we've taken the time to show you several examples of student research papers across various disciplines so you'll know how to proceed with your paper. 

If you still find it really difficult to write your own research paper, even with the examples we've provided, start your research journey with Indigo Research! Not only we will show you how to write a publishable research paper, you will also learn the necessary skills that will benefit you in the future.

Research Basics for Junior and Senior High School Students: Write & Edit Your Paper

• Getting Started - Essay Type & Topic
• Find & Evaluate Sources
• Write & Edit Your Paper
• Presenting your research

Take Notes & Start Writing

On this page, you will learn how to:

• Co mpile a bibliography
• Write your paper using a 5 paragraph format

Note Taking Tips

Note Taking: As you are reading about your topic, it's important to take good notes. You will use your notes for better understanding and to support your writing.  Notes are most effective when you are actively writing (or typing) in your own words. There are different methods of note taking. Experiment and find one that works for you!

Writing resource - Purdue OWL

Purdue OWL (online writing lab) resources will help you learn how to use various citations and format styles. This link contains resources on in-text citations and Works Cited pages, as well as Modern Language Association ( MLA)  sample papers, slide presentations, and the MLA classroom poster.

How to Cite Sources (Bibliography)

Once you've gathered your resources, make your bibliography/citation page.

Watch how to give credit (cite) to your sources and why with North Carolina State University Libraries.

The Purdue OWL (online writing lab)

The Purdue Online Writing Lab has a Youtube playlist to help with the basics of paper formatting and citations. This playlist links to MLA style, but they have other styles as well.

5-paragraph essay outline

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How to Write a Research Paper as a High School Student

By Carly Taylor

Senior at Stanford University

6 minute read

Read our guide to learn why you should write a research paper and how to do so, from choosing the right topic to outlining and structuring your argument.

What is a research paper?

A research paper poses an answer to a specific question and defends that answer using academic sources, data, and critical reasoning. Writing a research paper is an excellent way to hone your focus during a research project , synthesize what you’re learning, and explain why your work matters to a broader audience of scholars in your field.

The types of sources and evidence you’ll see used in a research paper can vary widely based on its field of study. A history research paper might examine primary sources like journals and newspaper articles to draw conclusions about the culture of a specific time and place, whereas a biology research paper might analyze data from different published experiments and use textbook explanations of cellular pathways to identify a potential marker for breast cancer.

However, researchers across disciplines must identify and analyze credible sources, formulate a specific research question, generate a clear thesis statement, and organize their ideas in a cohesive manner to support their argument. Read on to learn how this process works and how to get started writing your own research paper, integrating skills like critical thinking and advanced academic writing.

How do I choose my topic?

Tap into your passions.

A research paper is your chance to explore what genuinely interests you and combine ideas in novel ways. So don’t choose a subject that simply sounds impressive or blindly follow what someone else wants you to do – choose something you’re really passionate about! You should be able to enjoy reading for hours and hours about your topic and feel enthusiastic about synthesizing and sharing what you learn.

We've created these helpful writing resources to inspire you to think about your own passion project . Polygence also offers a passion exploration experience where you can dive deep into three potential areas of study with expert mentors from those fields.

Ask a difficult question

In the traditional classroom, top students are expected to always know the answers to the questions the teacher asks. But a research paper is YOUR chance to pose a big question that no one has answered yet and figure out how to make a contribution to answering that question. So don’t be afraid if you have no idea how to answer your question at the start of the research process — this will help you maintain a motivational sense of discovery as you dive deeper into your research. If you need inspiration, explore our database of research project ideas and easy research topics for high school students.

Be as specific as possible

It’s essential to be reasonable about what you can accomplish in one paper and narrow your focus down to an issue you can thoroughly address. For example, if you’re interested in the effects of invasive species on ecosystems, it’s best to focus on one invasive species and one ecosystem, such as iguanas in South Florida , or one survival mechanism, such as supercolonies in invasive ant species . If you can, get hands on with your project.

You should approach your paper with the mindset of becoming an expert in this topic. Narrowing your focus will help you achieve this goal without getting lost in the weeds and overwhelming yourself.

Would you like to write your own research paper?

Polygence mentors can help you every step of the way in writing and showcasing your research paper

How do I prepare to write a research paper?

Conduct preliminary research.

Before you dive into writing your research paper, conduct a literature review to see what’s already known about your topic. This can help you find your niche within the existing body of research and formulate your question. For example, Polygence student Jasmita found that researchers had studied the effects of background music on student test performance, but they had not taken into account the effect of a student’s familiarity with the music being played, so she decided to pose this new question in her research paper.

Pro tip: It’s a good idea to skim articles in order to decide whether they’re relevant enough to your research interest before committing to reading them in full. This can help you spend as much time as possible with the sources you’ll actually cite in your paper.

Skimming articles will help you gain a broad-strokes view of the different pockets of existing knowledge in your field and identify the most potentially useful sources. Reading articles in full will allow you to accumulate specific evidence related to your research question and begin to formulate an answer to it.

Draft a thesis statement

Your thesis statement is your succinctly-stated answer to the question you’re posing, which you’ll make your case for in the body of the paper. For example, if you’re studying the effect of K-pop on eating disorders and body image in teenagers of different races, your thesis may be that Asian teenagers who are exposed to K-pop videos experience more negative effects on their body image than Caucasian teenagers.

Pro Writing Tip: It’s okay to refine your thesis as you continue to learn more throughout your research and writing process! A preliminary thesis will help you come up with a structure for presenting your argument, but you should absolutely change your thesis if new information you uncover changes your perspective or adds nuance to it.

Create an outline

A research paper outline is a tool for sketching out the structure of your paper by organizing your points broadly into subheadings and more finely into individual paragraphs. Try putting your thesis at the top of your outline, then brainstorm all the points you need to convey in order to support your thesis.

Pro Tip: Your outline is just a jumping-off point – it will evolve as you gain greater clarity on your argument through your writing and continued research. Sometimes, it takes several iterations of outlining, then writing, then re-outlining, and then rewriting in order to find the best structure for your paper.

What are some key tips when writing?

Introduction.

A research paper introduction should move the reader from your broad area of interest into your specific area of focus for the paper. It generally takes the form of one to two paragraphs that build up your thesis statement and give the reader an idea of the broad argumentative structure of your paper. After reading your introduction, your reader should know what claim you’re going to present and what kinds of evidence you’ll analyze to support it.

Topic sentences

Writing crystal clear topic sentences is a crucial aspect of a successful research paper. A topic sentence is like the thesis statement of a particular paragraph – it should clearly state the point that the paragraph will make. Writing focused topic sentences will help you remain focused while writing your paragraphs and will ensure that the reader can clearly grasp the function of each paragraph in the paper’s overall structure.

Transitions

Sophisticated research papers move beyond tacking on simple transitional phrases such as “Secondly” or “Moreover” to the start of each new paragraph. Instead, each paragraph flows naturally into the next one, with the connection between each idea made very clear. Try using specifically crafted transitional phrases rather than stock phrases to move from one point to the next which will make your paper as cohesive as possible.

In her research paper on Pakistani youth in the U.S. , Polygence student Iba used the following specifically crafted transition to move between two paragraphs: “Although the struggles of digital ethnography limited some data collection, there are also many advantages of digital data collection.” This sentence provides the logical link between the discussion of digital ethnography's limitations from the prior paragraph and the upcoming discussion of this technique’s advantages in this paragraph.

What is a research paper conclusion?

Your conclusion can have several functions:

To drive home your thesis and summarize your argument

To emphasize the broader significance of your findings and answer the “so what” question

To point out some questions raised by your thesis and/or opportunities for further research

Your conclusion can take on all three of these tasks or just one, depending on what you feel your paper is still lacking up to this point.

How do I cite my sources?

Last but not least, crediting your sources is extremely important. There are many different citation formats, such as MLA, APA, and Chicago style. Research online or consult an expert to make sure you know which citation style is standard in your field of interest.

You have several options for keeping track of your bibliography:

Use a notebook to record the relevant information from each of your sources: title, author, date of publication, journal name, page numbers, etc.

Create a folder on your computer where you can store your electronic sources

Use an online bibliography creator such as Zotero, Easybib, or Noodletools to track sources and generate citations

Under our Projects tab, you can read research papers by Polygence students. You can also explore other opportunities for high school research and writing contests .

If you’re interested in finding an expert mentor to guide you through the process of writing your own independent research paper, consider applying to be a Polygence scholar today!

Your research paper helps even you earn college credit , get published in an academic journal , contribute to your application for college , and improve your college admissions chances !

Feeling Inspired?

Interested in doing an exciting research project? Click below to get matched with one of our expert mentors!

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by Michelle Boyd Waters, M.Ed.  

A Plethora Of Writing Examples For Middle School (& High School)

October 14, 2014 in  Pedagogy

When I started my first job as a professional newspaper reporter (This job also served as an internship during my junior year in college — I just didn’t leave for about 6 years.), I quickly realized that all my experience, and all my years of journalism education had not been enough to help me write stories about drug busts, fatal car accidents and tornadoes. All the theoretical work I’d done, and all of the nifty little scholastic and collegiate stories I had done, did not prepare me for real world writing.

At that point, I had to find a solution quickly. After all, I had a deadline to meet, and it was only a few hours away.

One of my colleagues, who also served as a mentor, had the solution. She introduced me to the newspaper’s “morgue.” This was a room filled with filing cabinets in which we kept old — dead — stories arranged by reporter. Whenever I wasn’t’ sure how to write a story, all I had to do was check the morgue for similar stories. If I needed to write a story about a local drug bust, for example, I’d find another story on a similar incident, study its structure, and mentally create a formula in which to plugin the information I’d gathered.

Once I’d gained more experience, and had internalized the formula for that particular type of story, I felt free to branch out as the situation — and my training — warranted.

I do the same thing when I want to write a type of letter, brochure, or report that I’ve never written before.

This is what writing looks like in the real world.

Of course, if you’re a new teacher like me, there is one problem with providing mentor texts to my students: I have a dearth of middle school level writing sitting around in my file cabinets.

Fortunately, the Internet is full of sources, so I scoured the bowels of Google to find examples. I know how busy you are, so I’m sharing.

Expository writing examples for middle school

Below are several sources of expository writing samples for middle school students.

• The Write Source Expository Writing Samples
• Holt, Rinehart, Winston Expository Essay Models

Finally, here is an article in the New York Times that will help you teach your students  real-world expository writing skills .

Descriptive writing examples for middle school

• Descriptive Writing Samples from Novels
• Milwaukee Public Schools Descriptive Essay Samples (p. 137)
• Holt, Rinehart, Winston Descriptive Essay Models

Narrative writing examples for middle school

• Writing Samples by Steve Peha (PDF)
• The Write Source Narrative Writing Samples
• Oregon Department of Education Scored Writing Samples (Ideas and Organization)
• Oregon Department of Education Scored Writing Samples (Sentence Fluency and Conventions)
• Oregon Department of Education Scored Writing Samples (Voice and Word Choice)
• Oregon Department of Education High School Scored Narrative and Argumentative Writing Samples
• Holt, Rinehart, Winston Narrative Essay Models

Argumentative/persuasive writing examples for middle school

• The Write Source Persuasive Writing Samples
• Holt, Rinehart, Winston Persuasive Essay Models

Reflective writing examples for middle school

• Reflective essay examples from Lake Washington Girls Middle School

If you know of any other online writing example sources, please feel free to share them in the comments below.

Related topics: Argumentative Writing , Informative Writing , Mentor Texts , Narrative Writing

About the author 

Michelle Boyd Waters, M.Ed.

I am a secondary English Language Arts teacher, a University of Oklahoma student working on my doctorate in Instructional Leadership and Academic Curriculum with an concentration in English Education and co-Editor of the Oklahoma English Journal. I am constantly seeking ways to amplify students' voices and choices.

This is very, very helpful. Thank you for sharing!

As a new middle school teacher (coming from elementary) this was very helpful and encouraging.

Thank you very much for letting me know. I’m glad that I was able to help you!

Thank you! I’m glad I can help.

Your welcome

This is super helpful. Thank you!

These links are a fantastic help. Thank you!

This helped me BUNCHES! Thanks so much!

thanks so much!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! XD

These links are now dead 🙁

Thank you for notifying me! I have updated the post to include new (live!) links. Some of them are geared towards high school, but I think we can still use them as exemplars of what we want our students to aim for.

Comments are closed.

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100 Interesting Research Paper Topics for High Schoolers

What’s covered:, how to pick the right research topic, elements of a strong research paper.

• Interesting Research Paper Topics

Composing a research paper can be a daunting task for first-time writers. In addition to making sure you’re using concise language and your thoughts are organized clearly, you need to find a topic that draws the reader in.

CollegeVine is here to help you brainstorm creative topics! Below are 100 interesting research paper topics that will help you engage with your project and keep you motivated until you’ve typed the final period. 

A research paper is similar to an academic essay but more lengthy and requires more research. This added length and depth is bittersweet: although a research paper is more work, you can create a more nuanced argument, and learn more about your topic. Research papers are a demonstration of your research ability and your ability to formulate a convincing argument. How well you’re able to engage with the sources and make original contributions will determine the strength of your paper. 

You can’t have a good research paper without a good research paper topic. “Good” is subjective, and different students will find different topics interesting. What’s important is that you find a topic that makes you want to find out more and make a convincing argument. Maybe you’ll be so interested that you’ll want to take it further and investigate some detail in even greater depth!

For example, last year over 4000 students applied for 500 spots in the Lumiere Research Scholar Program , a rigorous research program founded by Harvard researchers. The program pairs high-school students with Ph.D. mentors to work 1-on-1 on an independent research project . The program actually does not require you to have a research topic in mind when you apply, but pro tip: the more specific you can be the more likely you are to get in!

Introduction

The introduction to a research paper serves two critical functions: it conveys the topic of the paper and illustrates how you will address it. A strong introduction will also pique the interest of the reader and make them excited to read more. Selecting a research paper topic that is meaningful, interesting, and fascinates you is an excellent first step toward creating an engaging paper that people will want to read.

Thesis Statement

A thesis statement is technically part of the introduction—generally the last sentence of it—but is so important that it merits a section of its own. The thesis statement is a declarative sentence that tells the reader what the paper is about. A strong thesis statement serves three purposes: present the topic of the paper, deliver a clear opinion on the topic, and summarize the points the paper will cover.

An example of a good thesis statement of diversity in the workforce is:

Diversity in the workplace is not just a moral imperative but also a strategic advantage for businesses, as it fosters innovation, enhances creativity, improves decision-making, and enables companies to better understand and connect with a diverse customer base.

The body is the largest section of a research paper. It’s here where you support your thesis, present your facts and research, and persuade the reader.

Each paragraph in the body of a research paper should have its own idea. The idea is presented, generally in the first sentence of the paragraph, by a topic sentence. The topic sentence acts similarly to the thesis statement, only on a smaller scale, and every sentence in the paragraph with it supports the idea it conveys.

An example of a topic sentence on how diversity in the workplace fosters innovation is:

Diversity in the workplace fosters innovation by bringing together individuals with different backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences, which stimulates creativity, encourages new ideas, and leads to the development of innovative solutions to complex problems.

The body of an engaging research paper flows smoothly from one idea to the next. Create an outline before writing and order your ideas so that each idea logically leads to another.

The conclusion of a research paper should summarize your thesis and reinforce your argument. It’s common to restate the thesis in the conclusion of a research paper.

For example, a conclusion for a paper about diversity in the workforce is:

In conclusion, diversity in the workplace is vital to success in the modern business world. By embracing diversity, companies can tap into the full potential of their workforce, promote creativity and innovation, and better connect with a diverse customer base, ultimately leading to greater success and a more prosperous future for all.

Reference Page

The reference page is normally found at the end of a research paper. It provides proof that you did research using credible sources, properly credits the originators of information, and prevents plagiarism.

There are a number of different formats of reference pages, including APA, MLA, and Chicago. Make sure to format your reference page in your teacher’s preferred style.

• Analyze the benefits of diversity in education.
• Are charter schools useful for the national education system?
• How has modern technology changed teaching?
• Discuss the pros and cons of standardized testing.
• What are the benefits of a gap year between high school and college?
• What funding allocations give the most benefit to students?
• Does homeschooling set students up for success?
• Should universities/high schools require students to be vaccinated?
• What effect does rising college tuition have on high schoolers?
• Do students perform better in same-sex schools?
• Discuss and analyze the impacts of a famous musician on pop music.
• How has pop music evolved over the past decade?
• How has the portrayal of women in music changed in the media over the past decade?
• How does a synthesizer work?
• How has music evolved to feature different instruments/voices?
• How has sound effect technology changed the music industry?
• Analyze the benefits of music education in high schools.
• Are rehabilitation centers more effective than prisons?
• Are congestion taxes useful?
• Does affirmative action help minorities?
• Can a capitalist system effectively reduce inequality?
• Is a three-branch government system effective?
• What causes polarization in today’s politics?
• Is the U.S. government racially unbiased?
• Choose a historical invention and discuss its impact on society today.
• Choose a famous historical leader who lost power—what led to their eventual downfall?
• How has your country evolved over the past century?
• What historical event has had the largest effect on the U.S.?
• Has the government’s response to national disasters improved or declined throughout history?
• Discuss the history of the American occupation of Iraq.
• Explain the history of the Israel-Palestine conflict.
• Is literature relevant in modern society?
• Discuss how fiction can be used for propaganda.
• How does literature teach and inform about society?
• Explain the influence of children’s literature on adulthood.
• How has literature addressed homosexuality?
• Does the media portray minorities realistically?
• Does the media reinforce stereotypes?
• Why have podcasts become so popular?
• Will streaming end traditional television?
• What is a patriot?
• What are the pros and cons of global citizenship?
• What are the causes and effects of bullying?
• Why has the divorce rate in the U.S. been declining in recent years?
• Is it more important to follow social norms or religion?
• What are the responsible limits on abortion, if any?
• How does an MRI machine work?
• Would the U.S. benefit from socialized healthcare?
• Elderly populations
• The education system
• State tax bases
• How do anti-vaxxers affect the health of the country?
• Analyze the costs and benefits of diet culture.
• Should companies allow employees to exercise on company time?
• What is an adequate amount of exercise for an adult per week/per month/per day?
• Discuss the effects of the obesity epidemic on American society.
• Are students smarter since the advent of the internet?
• What departures has the internet made from its original design?
• Has digital downloading helped the music industry?
• Discuss the benefits and costs of stricter internet censorship.
• Analyze the effects of the internet on the paper news industry.
• What would happen if the internet went out?
• How will artificial intelligence (AI) change our lives?
• What are the pros and cons of cryptocurrency?
• How has social media affected the way people relate with each other?
• Should social media have an age restriction?
• Discuss the importance of source software.
• What is more relevant in today’s world: mobile apps or websites?
• How will fully autonomous vehicles change our lives?
• How is text messaging affecting teen literacy?

Mental Health

• What are the benefits of daily exercise?
• How has social media affected people’s mental health?
• What things contribute to poor mental and physical health?
• Analyze how mental health is talked about in pop culture.
• Discuss the pros and cons of more counselors in high schools.
• How does stress affect the body?
• How do emotional support animals help people?
• What are black holes?
• Discuss the biggest successes and failures of the EPA.
• How has the Flint water crisis affected life in Michigan?
• Can science help save endangered species?
• Is the development of an anti-cancer vaccine possible?

Environment

• What are the effects of deforestation on climate change?
• Is climate change reversible?
• How did the COVID-19 pandemic affect global warming and climate change?
• Are carbon credits effective for offsetting emissions or just marketing?
• Is nuclear power a safe alternative to fossil fuels?
• Are hybrid vehicles helping to control pollution in the atmosphere?
• How is plastic waste harming the environment?
• Is entrepreneurism a trait people are born with or something they learn?
• How much more should CEOs make than their average employee?
• Can you start a business without money?
• Should the U.S. raise the minimum wage?
• Discuss how happy employees benefit businesses.
• How important is branding for a business?
• Discuss the ease, or difficulty, of landing a job today.
• What is the economic impact of sporting events?
• Are professional athletes overpaid?
• Should male and female athletes receive equal pay?
• What is a fair and equitable way for transgender athletes to compete in high school sports?
• What are the benefits of playing team sports?
• What is the most corrupt professional sport?

Where to Get More Research Paper Topic Ideas

If you need more help brainstorming topics, especially those that are personalized to your interests, you can use CollegeVine’s free AI tutor, Ivy . Ivy can help you come up with original research topic ideas, and she can also help with the rest of your homework, from math to languages.

Disclaimer: This post includes content sponsored by Lumiere Education.

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Published on: Jun 12, 2021

Last updated on: Jul 19, 2024

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Writing a research paper is the most challenging task in a student's academic life. researchers face similar writing process hardships, whether the research paper is to be written for graduate or masters.

A research paper is a writing type in which a detailed analysis, interpretation, and evaluation are made on the topic. It requires not only time but also effort and skills to be drafted correctly.

If you are working on your research paper for the first time, here is a collection of examples that you will need to understand the paper’s format and how its different parts are drafted. Continue reading the article to get free research paper examples.

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Research Paper Example for Different Formats

A research paper typically consists of several key parts, including an introduction, literature review, methodology, results, and annotated bibliography .

When writing a research paper (whether quantitative research or qualitative research ), it is essential to know which format to use to structure your content. Depending on the requirements of the institution, there are mainly four format styles in which a writer drafts a research paper:

Let’s look into each format in detail to understand the fundamental differences and similarities.

Research Paper Example APA

If your instructor asks you to provide a research paper in an APA format, go through the example given below and understand the basic structure. Make sure to follow the format throughout the paper.

APA Research Paper Sample (PDF)

Research Paper Example MLA

Another widespread research paper format is MLA. A few institutes require this format style as well for your research paper. Look at the example provided of this format style to learn the basics.

MLA Research Paper Sample (PDF)

Research Paper Example Chicago

Unlike MLA and APA styles, Chicago is not very common. Very few institutions require this formatting style research paper, but it is essential to learn it. Look at the example given below to understand the formatting of the content and citations in the research paper.

Chicago Research Paper Sample (PDF)

Research Paper Example Harvard

Learn how a research paper through Harvard formatting style is written through this example. Carefully examine how the cover page and other pages are structured.

Harvard Research Paper Sample (PDF)

Examples for Different Research Paper Parts

A research paper is based on different parts. Each part plays a significant role in the overall success of the paper. So each chapter of the paper must be drafted correctly according to a format and structure.

Below are examples of how different sections of the research paper are drafted.

Research Proposal Example

A research proposal is a plan that describes what you will investigate, its significance, and how you will conduct the study.

Research Proposal Sample (PDF)

Abstract Research Paper Example

An abstract is an executive summary of the research paper that includes the purpose of the research, the design of the study, and significant research findings.

It is a small section that is based on a few paragraphs. Following is an example of the abstract to help you draft yours professionally.

Abstract Research Paper Sample (PDF)

Literature Review Research Paper Example

A literature review in a research paper is a comprehensive summary of the previous research on your topic. It studies sources like books, articles, journals, and papers on the relevant research problem to form the basis of the new research.

Writing this section of the research paper perfectly is as important as any part of it.

Literature Review in Research Sample (PDF)

Methods Section of Research Paper Example

The method section comes after the introduction of the research paper that presents the process of collecting data. Basically, in this section, a researcher presents the details of how your research was conducted.

Methods Section in Research Sample (PDF)

Research Paper Conclusion Example

The conclusion is the last part of your research paper that sums up the writer’s discussion for the audience and leaves an impression. This is how it should be drafted:

Research Paper Conclusion Sample

Research Paper Examples for Different Fields

The research papers are not limited to a particular field. They can be written for any discipline or subject that needs a detailed study.

In the following section, various research paper examples are given to show how they are drafted for different subjects.

Science Research Paper Example

Are you a science student that has to conduct research? Here is an example for you to draft a compelling research paper for the field of science.

Science Research Paper Sample (PDF)

History Research Paper Example

Conducting research and drafting a paper is not only bound to science subjects. Other subjects like history and arts require a research paper to be written as well. Observe how research papers related to history are drafted.

History Research Paper Sample (PDF)

Psychology Research Paper Example

If you are a psychology student, look into the example provided in the research paper to help you draft yours professionally.

Psychology Research Paper Sample (PDF)

Research Paper Example for Different Levels

Writing a research paper is based on a list of elements. If the writer is not aware of the basic elements, the process of writing the paper will become daunting. Start writing your research paper taking the following steps:

• Choose a topic
• Form a strong thesis statement
• Conduct research
• Develop a research paper outline

Once you have a plan in your hand, the actual writing procedure will become a piece of cake for you.

No matter which level you are writing a research paper for, it has to be well structured and written to guarantee you better grades.

If you are a college or a high school student, the examples in the following section will be of great help.

Research Paper Outline (PDF)

Research Paper Example for College

Pay attention to the research paper example provided below. If you are a college student, this sample will help you understand how a winning paper is written.

College Research Paper Sample (PDF)

Research Paper Example for High School

Expert writers of CollegeEssay.org have provided an excellent example of a research paper for high school students. If you are struggling to draft an exceptional paper, go through the example provided.

High School Research Paper Sample (PDF)

Examples are essential when it comes to academic assignments. If you are a student and aim to achieve good grades in your assignments, it is suggested to get help from  CollegeEssay.org .

We are the best writing company that delivers essay help for students by providing free samples and writing assistance.

Professional writers have your back, whether you are looking for guidance in writing a lab report, college essay, or research paper.

Simply hire a writer by placing your order at the most reasonable price. You can also take advantage of our essay writer to enhance your writing skills.

Nova A. (Literature, Marketing)

As a Digital Content Strategist, Nova Allison has eight years of experience in writing both technical and scientific content. With a focus on developing online content plans that engage audiences, Nova strives to write pieces that are not only informative but captivating as well.

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