Term Papers vs. Graduate Research Papers

Graduate research paper significantly differs from an undergraduate research paper. Similarly, there is a significant difference between a graduate research paper and term papers. Writing a graduate research paper requires in-depth understanding about the topic of study from students. Student should also be aware of the fact that there is a less room for error if he or she is going to write a graduate research paper.

Before knowing the difference between a graduate level research paper and term paper, you should know how to write a graduate research paper effectively. Therefore, here are a few tips for students in order to help them a little about graduate research papers writing:

• At first, a student should discuss the topic with his/her supervisory in order to clarify any concept which student might have about the topic of research.
• Student should have an initiative for the research in order to begin his/her research about the topic.
• In order to explore the topic, student has to utilize his/her imagination and thinking skills in order to broaden knowledge about the topic.
• Making an outline for a graduate school research paper help students in collecting ideas and information for the paper effectively; thus students are able to jot down ideas; consequently they can organize the information effectively.

Now, let’s come to the point and observe the noteworthy differences between term papers and graduate research papers. Here is how a graduate research paper differs from the term paper:

1. Average Length of a term paper is about 20-30 pages and follows one chapter, in general. As compared to the term paper, a graduate school research paper has an average length of 100-300 pages and follows 3-5 chapters, in general.
2. Topic is usually suggested by the course supervisor or a graduate assistant for a term paper. In case of a graduate research paper, it is the job of a researcher to select the topic and present it to the committee for its review and approval.
3. Research regarding the term paper involves secondary sources where as graduate research papers require original research from students that involve the both, primary and secondary sources.
4. Time that a term paper takes from the student to complete is about one semester while writing a graduate research paper takes 1 to 3 years from students to get completed.
5. Who reviews? Term paper is generally reviewed by the course supervisor or graduate assistance while a graduate level research paper is reviewed by the panel of professors.
6. Outcome: Term paper assists students to attain a specific grade whereas graduate research papers aid students to obtain a degree.

By now, you would have realized how graduate research papers differ from term papers. In a nutshell, students should keep the preceding distinction in their minds for coming up with an effective outcome for a term paper or graduate research paper.