A research paper is a written document that presents the results of an investigation on a specific topic. It typically includes an introduction, literature review, methodology, results, discussion, and conclusion. Researchers use this format to communicate their findings to others in the academic community, contributing to the body of knowledge in fields such as science, social studies, or humanities. The purpose of a research paper is to explore a question or hypothesis through systematic study and analysis. It often involves gathering data from various sources, including books, journals, and experiments, and requires proper citation to acknowledge the work of other scholars.