research paper format help please?

In general, a research paper is double-spaced throughout, printed on one side of the page only, with one-inch margins, and with a cover page that includes the name of the paper, names of the authors, the name of the educational institution, and the date submitted. The paper has an introduction, a body, and a conclusion, and is followed by a list of references, which are written according to requirements of the specified format, and listed in alphabetical order. Some formats require a "running header" and page numbers on all but the first page are usually included. Citations in the paper are sometimes parenthetical, sometimes foot-noted, sometimes end-noted -- depending on the format you are using.

There is no way to know how long your paper should be. A research paper should cover the topic adequately, and should not include redundancies. Some research papers are 3 pages, not including cover and references; some are 300 pages.

If your teacher wants a specific format, he/she probably would have told you what to use. Most humanities classes use MLA format; details of that format can be reviewed at:

https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/747/01...

In addition to MLA, there are other formats: APA, Turabian, and Chicago Citation. There are also subject-specific formats (i.e., horticulture) that are defined by the primary publication journals in that specific field of study.

I need to know if the teacher wants the paper in MLA, APA, or another format. That's a crucial point before starting to write.