Free academic writing and research guides
Clear, exact guides from editors: thesis statements, literature reviews, APA 7, systematic reviews, statistics and getting published. Each one teaches you to do it yourself.
How to Write a Thesis Statement: Definition, Steps and Examples
A thesis statement tells your reader what you will argue and why it matters.
Read the guideHow to Write a Literature Review: Steps, Structure and Examples
A literature review shows what is already known about your topic, where the evidence disagrees and what is still missing.
Read the guideAPA Format (7th Edition): A Complete Guide With Examples
Everything you need to set up a paper in APA format: margins, fonts, spacing, headings, title pages, citations and the reference list, checked against the APA 7th edition rules.
Read the guideAPA In-Text Citations and Quotes: Rules and Examples (APA 7)
How to cite sources in the text of an APA 7 paper: parenthetical and narrative citations, every author pattern, quotations with page numbers, block quotes, secondary sources and missing dates.
Read the guideAPA Title Page (Cover Page): Student and Professional Formats
How to build an APA 7 title page, element by element, for a student assignment or a journal manuscript, with worked examples, running head rules and a template to copy.
Read the guideAPA Table Format: Rules, Notes and a Worked Example (APA 7)
How to format tables in APA 7, from the bold table number to the probability note, with a fully worked example table, the border rules and a short guide to…
Read the guideWhat Is an Annotated Bibliography? Format, Types and APA Examples
An annotated bibliography lists your sources with a short paragraph under each one that summarizes, evaluates or explains its relevance.
Read the guideResearch Question Examples: Types, Criteria and How to Write One
A good research question decides your design, your data and your contribution.
Read the guideHow to Write the Methods Section of a Research Paper (With Examples)
The methods section tells readers exactly what you did, so they can judge your results and repeat your study.
Read the guidePhD Thesis Structure: A Chapter-by-Chapter Guide with Outline Template
Most PhD and master's theses follow the same logic: introduce a problem, review what is known, explain your method, present findings and argue what they mean.
Read the guideWhat Is Copy Editing? Copy Editing vs Proofreading Explained
Copy editing, proofreading, line editing and developmental editing each fix different problems at different stages.
Read the guideWhat Is a Systematic Review? Definition, Steps and Protocol Template
A systematic review answers one focused question by finding, appraising and synthesizing all eligible studies with methods set out in advance.
Read the guideWhat Is a Scoping Review? Definition, Methods and Examples
A scoping review maps the evidence on a broad topic: what has been studied, how and where, and what is missing.
Read the guidePRISMA Flow Diagram (2020): How to Fill In Every Box
The PRISMA flow diagram shows how many records you found, screened, excluded and included in a systematic review.
Read the guideMeta-Analysis vs Systematic Review: What Is the Difference?
A systematic review is a method for finding and appraising all relevant studies; a meta-analysis is the statistics that combine their results.
Read the guideThematic Coding and Thematic Analysis: A Step-by-Step Guide
Thematic coding is how qualitative researchers label meaningful features of their data and build those labels into themes.
Read the guideCross-Sectional Research: Study Design, Examples, Strengths and Limitations
A cross-sectional study measures exposures and outcomes in a population at a single point in time.
Read the guideOne-Way vs Two-Way ANOVA: When to Use Each, with a Worked Example
Both tests compare group means. A one-way ANOVA uses one grouping factor; a two-way ANOVA uses two and can test whether they interact.
Read the guideThe Regression Equation: Linear Regression Formula, Example and Interpretation
The linear regression equation ŷ = b0 + b1x describes the straight line that best predicts an outcome from a predictor.
Read the guideHow to Publish a Research Paper in a Journal, Step by Step
Publishing a research paper follows a predictable sequence: choose a journal, prepare the manuscript to its guidelines, submit with a cover letter, respond to peer review and approve the proofs.
Read the guideHow to Write a Response to Reviewers (Template and Examples)
A response to reviewers letter explains, comment by comment, how you revised your manuscript.
Read the guideResearch Poster Template and Guide: Size, Layout and Examples
A good research poster tells one clear story in under five minutes.
Read the guideAcademic CV for Grad School: Format, Sections and a Science Curriculum Vitae Sample
An academic CV is the document graduate programs, fellowships and labs use to judge your readiness for research.
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