Research reports are less rigidly structured and then lab reports but still need to be very clearly laid out. Your aim is to present factual information in an unbiased way.

Start by writing and outline. Decide what your topics main points are, and note your findings for each point. Plan an introduction for the beginning and a wrap-up for the end.

The introduction or first section is the most important. It is your chance to make the interesting aspects of the research immediately known to your readers. In one page (or less), summarize what you’ve discovered about a given topic: the most important issues and your conclusions about them.

Have a section (with a number and the title) for each main point. Readers will then be able to find a particular subject easily.

Write carefully and concisely. People do not have the time to read pages of unnecessary information.

You may be communicating quite advanced scientific or technical knowledge. Know your audience. Prepare a report that your readers can understand, without "talking down" to them.

Unless you have been asked for your opinion on an issue, try to keep to the facts.

In your final section, summarize your findings and what they mean.

Credit your sources in a complete list of references.

When planning a position paper you may either start with a position on an issue, and then conduct research to support your position, or start by researching a particular topic and then decide on a position in light of your research.

State your position in the beginning of your article and then supported with the results of your research. You do not have to balance your paper with contrary views, but you should be aware of other positions on the issue, and try to refute their arguments. However, it is very discourteous consult those holding opposing views. Support your arguments with evidence, reasoning, and logic.