COVID-19 pandemic is not just the talk-of-the-town today, it is the talk-of-the-world and is going to be for a long time.
The pandemic has been the single most significant and impactful event of our generation. So, what can be a more relevant topic for your research paper?
Although there have been thousands of research papers published on the COVID-19 topic, there is still a lot more to discuss and talk about.
Any research papers published around this topic are a great choice because the topic is relevant, topical, interesting, and evergreen. Plus, your research paper on COVID-19 is going to be shared and talked about a lot.
Another great thing about picking this topic is that you have lots of supporting documents now, to refer to the topic. And, most importantly, if your work can contribute to the greater good in some way, then nothing like it.
But, a big objection that you might be facing now is the sensitivity that prevails around this topic.
If you don’t get things done the right way, then your research paper can be perceived in a negative light, something that you definitely do not want.
So, let’s look at some things that you must keep in mind while working on your COVID-19 research paper.
Having these tips in mind, you will be more confident with the topic at hand and deliver your message in a much better way.
1. Know thy Audience
Knowing your audience is the first, most important step to working on your research paper. Without understanding the audience, your paper will not strike the right tone with your reader.
Or even worse, your paper might convey the wrong message. Something that you do not want for such a sensitive topic.
So, start by understanding who will be the primary audience for your paper. Is it addressed to academic scholars, teachers, CEOs, or the board of directors?
Are you writing this research paper on COVID-19 to score better grades? Or is it to deliver a solution to a pharmaceutical organization?
Whatever your primary audience may be, the tone and the content of your paper will be entirely different. Every part of your research paper is supremely important, and the first step to getting it right is by knowing your audience.
Depending on the type of audience, you will get an idea about what to add to your COVID-19 research paper in order to sound most rational to the readers. If you get this step right, there is a high chance to write a high-quality research paper.
Starting with an outline is also of utmost importance. Once you have decided on the type of audience and the rough contents of your paper, draft, and crystal clear outline.
Take time to think about your outline as this will be the reference point for your entire writing process.
Starting with an outline will help you maintain focus and consistency throughout the writing process when you are covering all the necessary topics.
2. Speak Visually
Adding visual elements to your COVID-19 research paper can make the world of difference. Why? Because speaking visually has a much greater impact on the audience as compared to explaining the same points with text.
Your research paper doesn’t have to be boring walls of text. You can also explain complicated concepts, findings, and points with the help of various kinds of visual content.
Graphs
Adding graphs and charts to your paper is a must-do to have an impactful research paper. So, you can create graph online and add it to your research paper. Doing this can instantly turn your paper into a more interesting read.
Moreover, your points and findings will be conveyed to your readers better, which is ultimately the point of any research paper. You can use a scientific graph maker to create graphs with ease.
Icons
Using icons can also be extremely helpful to illustrate your points better. Icons are interesting and add the much-needed break to big walls of text. You can use icons to come up with interesting illustrations and add them to your visuals.
Infographics
Infographics are the best forms of visual content that can completely transform your research paper, especially for a topic like COVID-19.
Remember all the infographics that were shared when we first heard about the Coronavirus?
This is because, using infographics, even a layman can easily understand complicated concepts. This can be extremely beneficial especially for topics like COVID-19 where spreading awareness is very important.
The first thing that would have cropped up in your mind when you think about infographics is expensive graphic designers. But worry not, you can do just fine without them.
An easy-to-use infographic and scientific graph maker such as Mind the Graph can help you create graphical abstracts and infographics with absolute ease. This will give space for your creativity, and your research paper will turn into something much more valuable and accessible.
Here are some examples of visual content that you can include in your COVID-19 research paper:
You can use an editable infographic template like the one below to create easy COVID-19 illustrations and infographics for your research paper. You can simply edit the template by using drag and drop, to add icons of your choice that can best complement your research paper.
Even complicated scientific findings can be illustrated by using such infographics. You too can create graph online such as the one given below:
3. Be Smart with What You Write
Since COVID-19 is a very sensitive topic to write about, hence you must be smart about what you write. You must be empathetic and have people’s emotions in mind.
These are testing times. Many have lost their loved ones and livelihood. So adding insensitive statements that might hurt readers’ emotions is not the wisest thing to do.
It is also very important to get your facts right. This, again, comes back to the point that you are picking a very sensitive topic to write about. Not everyone will take your paper with a pinch of salt. Hence, be 100% sure about getting your facts right.
Everything goes back to good research. Even before you start writing, have a clear overview of what exactly you want to include in your COVID-19 research paper.
Even a small piece of incorrect or insensitive information can portray your paper in the wrong light.
Also, try not to ask open-ended questions. Your research paper needs a conclusion. Hence, start writing your research paper with a definite and clear conclusion in mind. Have a proper structure with a clear conclusion in mind while writing your paper.
Another thing to keep in mind is to conclude your paper on a positive note. This can be either textually, factually, or visually. Without this, your paper will not look authoritative.
4. Add Geo-specific Data
You would know that different areas around the world have different levels of implications due to the COVID-19 outbreak. The pandemic has affected different locations in different ways.
Hence, you should consider adding relevant information and findings in your COVID-19 research paper. You can do this by doing enough research on the findings for different geographical locations.
When you add geo-specific information to your research paper, it will seem more relevant to everyone instead of sounding generic.
With research papers, it is also important to be mindful of what you are adding to your paper. Adding COVID-19 information is fine, but it is important to be relevant to the topic that you are covering.
For example, if you are talking about medicines, you should not meander your topic to irrelevant things like how COVID came to certain areas of the world unless it’s relevant. It is super important to stick to the point, no matter what.
5. Keep The Paper’s Tone Positive
Although keeping the tone positive is not always the objective with research papers, this is different. As mentioned above, the COVID-19 pandemic is still fresh on our minds.
Its ill effects are still prevalent. The pandemic has had a profound impact on many of our lives.
Hence, empathy and sensitivity are very important. You can do this by trying to keep the tone of your research paper as much positive as possible.
Try to show the light at the end of the tunnel. Evoke some hope in the minds of your readers.
You should try your best to add points and data that uplift the reader’s conscience. Your paper should give your readers a ray of hope reassuring in some way that we can come out of this pandemic quickly.
By keeping the tone of your COVID-19 research paper positive, you’ll be able to evoke positive reactions in your readers that can be really helpful to get the right attention for your research paper.
6. Talk to Experienced Individuals
COVID-19 is a pretty new topic to explore. Hence, not everyone will be the best person to give advice on this topic.
Without the right person to seek knowledge from, you may feel lost and stuck midway with your research paper.
If you get in touch with people who are just like you, working on the same research topic, then you wouldn’t get valuable insights for your research paper.
Hence, it is very important to find and speak to people who are well-experienced in this field.
So, do some research about the ongoing research on COVID-19. Find people who are experienced in this area and try to get in touch with them. You can do this by finding researchers on LinkedIn and reaching out to them.
You can also seek help from researchers through their emails. If your request is genuine and interesting enough, people will respond back and would be happy to provide you with valuable insights.
Talking to experienced researchers will give you the kind of exposure like nothing else will. It is one thing to read some experienced person’s research. But it is another thing to be able to talk to them and get insights specific to your research.
You can also cite these researchers and their insights in your research paper, this will add more credibility and value to your research.
7. Revise The Paper with The Help of Other COVID-19 Researchers
Apart from talking to other COVID-19 experts and researchers, you should also try to get your research paper reviewed by them.
If you get your paper revised by experts before submitting it to the concerned authorities, you’ll be able to work on a lot of missing points in your paper.
This last touch to your paper can be much needed, especially for topics like COVID-19.
You can first do a couple of rounds of proofreading, editing, and revising the paper yourself. You will be able to find many faults and missing pieces this way. This step is essential and without it, all your efforts might go to waste.
After that, you can get in touch with relevant researchers who are experts in your topic who can guide you through the last revision process for your research paper.
8. Here are a few Top Research Papers
Here are some top research papers on COVID-19 for your reference:
1. Remdesivir in adults with severe COVID-19: a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicentre trial
This is one of the top research papers related to the treatment of COVID-19 that has proven to be extremely helpful for treating Coronavirus patients. The paper has ample tables, charts, and representations to showcase the findings of their trial.
2. SARS and MERS: recent insights into emerging coronaviruses
This research paper provides valuable insights into the emerging Coronavirus that can help combat the effects of the pandemic.
The best things about this paper are the infographics that have been included. The infographics definitely are the most attractive aspect of the paper as they help to break down complicated concepts visually, and who wouldn’t want that!
3. Treatment options for COVID-19: The reality and challenges
This is, again, one of the top research papers related to the treatment of COVID-19. Although this paper does give us a reality check about the availability of treatment options, sadly, the paper ends on a not-so-positive tone.
4. Loss of Taste and Smell as Distinguishing Symptoms of Coronavirus Disease 2019
The best part about this research paper is that it is very relatable and relevant to the world right now. Loss of taste and smell as distinguishing COVID-19 symptoms was definitely a useful finding for the world.
Conclusion
Deciding to write a research paper on COVID-19 might be a challenging decision for you, as it is a super-sensitive topic to be addressed right now. Especially because the world’s sufferings due to the pandemic are still prevalent.
But, you should think about the positive side of it, and write a research paper that can be truly beneficial for the world right now.
Even your tiniest findings may be capable of bringing about a positive change in the world. But, it is important to keep certain things in mind because of the uncertainty and sensitivity around the topic.
So, take notes from this brief guide and write a truly transformative COVID-19 research paper using the tips provided here.
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