Video summary

5 Steps To Write A Research Paper In A Weekend | EXPLAINED BY PROFESSOR

Main summary

Key takeaways

Educational

Main ideas / lessons

  • Plan and prep all required materials before writing. Don’t start writing until you have the core components ready.
  • Don’t write the paper in a linear order. Writing straight from Introduction → Methods → Results → Conclusion often causes getting stuck.
  • Use a proven “inside-out” writing workflow:
    • Start with Methods
    • Then write Results
    • Next write the Conclusion
    • Finally write the Introduction
  • Treat the Conclusion as formulaic and structured. It has several parts that can be completed quickly.
  • Understand the Introduction’s structure (also formulaic) to reduce difficulty.
  • Prioritize progress over perfection. The first draft can be messy; refine later.

Method / step-by-step instructions (detailed)

Step 1: Get everything in place (pre-writing setup)

Prepare and have ready:

  • Your “heart” of the paper (core focus/argument)
  • Your findings
  • Figures
  • Tables

If you don’t have these ready, don’t start.

Avoid the common mistake:

  • Students try to write while still missing key project elements, which causes confusion and inefficiency.

Step 2: Write from the inside out (non-linear drafting)

Avoid writing start-to-finish in a straight line (Intro → Methods → Results → Conclusion).

Instead:

  • Write the Methods first
    • Presenting the methods is framed as often the easiest section to write.
    • Finishing this builds confidence and reduces “blank page” stalling.
  • Then write the Results
    • Describe results in order.
    • Use tables/figures and key findings.
    • Ensure tables/figures are organized to tell a clear, coherent story for:
      • readers
      • and journal editors (who will evaluate what the paper is showing).

Step 3: Write the Conclusion next (formulaic sections)

Write the conclusion with the following components:

  1. Paragraph 1: Recapitulate findings
    • Restate your main findings succinctly
    • Do not go into detailed explanations yet.
  2. Paragraph 2: Limitations
    • Explicitly list limitations.
    • Use the section to preempt reviewer criticisms by showing you anticipated issues.
    • The speaker suggests a simple list style (e.g., “first, second, third…”).
  3. Paragraph 3: Implications for future research
    • Explain what your results suggest for future work.
  4. Final component: Implications for policy/intervention or action (if applicable)
    • Discuss whether/how the work informs policy, interventions, or actions in the field.

Step 4: Write the Introduction last (three-part structure)

Structure the introduction in three parts:

  1. Why this conversation now / importance
    • Explain why the topic is important now.
    • Show why people care in your field or more broadly.
  2. What’s weak or missing in prior work
    • Identify the gap: what has not been addressed well.
    • Recommend doing a quick literature review to support claims.
    • Cite existing studies and emphasize what’s missing.
  3. Value added of your study
    • Explain how your study fills those gaps.
    • Clearly and succinctly state the value added / contribution.

Step 5: Don’t aim for perfection on the first pass

  • “Perfect is the enemy of the good.”
  • For drafting:
    • Your first pass may be messy (“vomit on the page” / “complete excrement”).
    • Use it to build the skeleton/bones of the paper.
  • Then iterate:
    • As you “climb the mountain,” keep polishing and editing toward the final version.

Speakers / sources featured

  • David Stuckler (stated as “hi this is david stuckler from fasttrack grad”) from Fast Track Grad / a professor-like presenter in the video.

Original video