how to write a research paper on serial killers

CRJU 420: Analyzing Homicide

Search tips & strategies: keywords, search tips & strategies: constructing your search, search tips & strategies: search example.

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Library resources like Find It @ USC and article databases search differently from Google or other internet search engines.  One of the biggest differences is that they search best by using keywords that describe the most important concepts in your research question. 

What are the most important concepts in your research question?  What terms can you use to describe the concepts? 

Thinking through this process will provide you with a list of keywords that you can use when beginning to search Find It @ USC, article databases, as well as other library resources.  Here is an example:

Here is an example of how to construct a search in article databases and Find It @ USC's Advanced Search:

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Putting Methods to the Madness

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Serial Killer Statistics

Written by Taylor Stacy:

Introduction

Americans seem to have a strange fascination with serial killers. For decades, we as a nation have been enthralled by the idea of someone who kills for pleasure. In 1979, the trial of Ted Bundy was among the first to be televised nationally and was watched by millions of Americans. In the twenty-first century, documentaries chronicling the murders of America’s most prolific killers are some of the most watched shows on streaming services. The most recent example is “Dahmer – Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story,” the dramatic retelling of the life of Milwaukee serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer. Netflix reported that the show is their second most-watched series of all time. There are many theories surrounding why we are fascinated by serial killers. There’s also extensive research about serial killers themselves, their methods of killing, and why they wound up killers to begin with. Researchers seem to be equally interested in both kinds of data, but this article will focus on the latter kind.

Searching for Stats

Radford University and Florida Gulf Coast University have a jointly operated database that keeps track of serial killers, their years of operation, their victims, and their methods of execution. Each year, the team behind the database releases an annual report on serial killer data. They somewhat playfully refer to this data as Serial Killer Statistics.

The database tracks serial killings all the way back to 1900 and includes serial killers from over 115 countries. The U.S. leads the rest of the world in documented serial killers, with a whopping 3,613 serial killers as of 2020 (England is not-so-close second, with known 176 serial killers as of 2020). The data tracks the number of serial killers that have been active each year too, with 1986 being the peak in the U.S. Generally, murders by serial killers in the U.S. was at its highest between 1970 and 1990, which is when some of the most sensationalized killers were active (think Bundy, Dahmer, Ramirez, Gacy, and Kemper, among many more). That number, though, has steadily declined in recent years, although the wealth of content about them could fool you.

Gender(ed) Differences

To anyone who has ever studied crime (or even just listened to every episode of a true crime podcast), it is no surprise that most serial killers are male. A leading theory for this phenomenon is that men are simply more violent than women. In the world, men are arrested at almost four times the rate as women for violent crimes . Another theory regarding why there are more male serial killers rests on the recurring finding in clinical psychology that men are more likely to have paraphilias (atypical “turn-ons”) than women.  This theory is especially pertinent in cases where sexual desire appears to have been a prime motive. Only 8.6% of known U.S. serial killers are female. In terms of motive, composited data shows that almost 70% of female serial killers acted for financial gain. In contrast, only 28.8% of male serial killers were motivated by financial gain. This is still the largest single motive for all serial killing, but close behind is killing for sexual pleasure, which comes in at 27.3%. For both male and female serial killers, involvement in organized crime (including gangs, mobs, etc.) was the lowest recorded reason for serial killing, comprising 6.2% of known male serial killers and 0.5% of known female serial killers.

Despite the current interest in studying serial killers, serial killings have drastically decreased in the last couple of decades. As the face of sensationalized crime continues to change, the serial killers of the twentieth century continue to capture the attention of millions. Social scientists continue to be right behind it all, collecting data and trying to figure out why these crimes occur–and why we love to watch.

Psychopathy

The dysfunctional integration of serial killers in society, serial killers defy our “collective consciousness.”.

Posted August 24, 2020

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According to the functionalist theoretical perspective of sociology introduced by the ground-breaking theorist Emile Durkheim in the nineteenth century, society is defined by a “collective consciousness” in which the members of society are invested and work together to protect.

In his classic research, Durkheim identified two concepts that he called “social facts"—integration and regulation—which offer powerful insights into the meaning of serial homicide in the modern world. More specifically, a lack of functional integration at the individual level and regulation at the societal level can help to explain the terrible actions of serial killers.

It must be remembered that Durkheim did not attribute social problems such as suicide or serial homicide to personal or individual-level pathologies. On the contrary, he attributed such phenomena to problematic conditions in society. Let’s explore the importance of integration and regulation to our understanding of serial homicide.

Integration, simply stated, is the strength of the individual’s attachment to society. Many institutions provide for the development and strength of integration, including religion, marriage , family, military service, and other organizations that give an individual a sense of purpose and belonging. Social clubs, charities and professional associations provide other opportunities for meaningful connections.

These important institutions and organizations increase integration, strengthen attachment to society and, thereby, help to prevent unwanted, disruptive behavior by individuals. Durkheim also said that certain galvanizing moments in the history of a civilization can lead to powerful social integration.

He used the term “collective effervescence” to describe a society’s jubilant reaction to key historical events. Powerful examples of collective effervescence in the U.S. were manifested in the patriotic fervor of the public during World War II and in the aftermath of the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

Durkheim believed that individuals who are not properly integrated into society or its key institutions such as religion, work and family are particularly at risk to engage in deviant or criminal behavior. He said that individuals who lack functional integration are not protected from the temptations or strains of society that lead to deviance and crime .

I believe that Durkheim’s perspective offers important insights into the actions of serial killers in the modern world because such criminals typically feel disconnected both emotionally and psychologically to society. For example, Richard Ramirez , David Berkowitz, Aileen Wuornos, and Joel Rifkin who were serial killers, as well as dysfunctional loners and misfits, all demonstrated a lack of social integration.

Even serial killers who outwardly appear to be properly integrated such as Ted Bundy or Dennis Rader generally shun society and its major institutions. They may mimic normalcy and appear to be well adjusted but are really obsessed with murder. Thus, a lack of social integration is an important characteristic of modern-day serial homicide.

In contrast to a lack of integration, Durkheim stated that excessive social integration can result in obsessive attachments that can also lead a person to carry out antisocial or even criminal behavior. Excessive integration can foster a belief that certain criminal activity is in the best interests of society as a whole. Unnatural and misguided attachments are evident in the actions of terrorists and suicide bombers, for example, and the perpetrators of hate crimes against homosexuals.

Excessive integration can be seen in the actions of certain serial killers, too. For example, mission-oriented serial killers who seek to improve the world by killing specific types of people they abhor often demonstrate excessive attachment to twisted or misguided social norms. A mission-oriented killer will justify his murders as being necessary to rid the world of a group of people he believes to be undesirable or evil. Such groups may include prostitutes, the homeless, or those who are different from the killer in terms of race, ethnicity , religion, or sexual orientation .

The second social fact identified by Durkheim in his classic research, i.e., regulation, or the degree of external constraints on people is also crucial to an understanding of deviant behavior. Antisocial and criminal activity including serial murder can occur when societal regulation is either too low or too high.

It must be remembered that serial killers are cunning and opportunistic. They are predators in every sense of the word. Serial killers will strike when they perceive law enforcement presence and regulation to be weakest because those conditions dramatically increase the chance of successfully committing murder and evading capture.

Highly organized serial killers such as Ted Bundy and John Wayne Gacy plan their murders meticulously in advance and consider the likelihood of success before launching an attack. Such serial killers will often make multiple contingency plans in the event of unforeseen problems and have several predetermined escape routes. They may also delay an attack until they believe that the circumstances and timing are just right for murder.

Durkheim also noted that excessive regulation and oppressive authority can actually serve as a stimulus for crime in certain individuals and circumstances. Among arrogant and psychopathic serial killers, for example, excessive and highly visible regulation can provide an attractive challenge. Psychopathic killers are generally grandiose, narcissistic , and reject the laws of society.

For example, Dennis Rader (BTK) was a psychopathic predator who believed that he was intellectually superior to his police pursuers. A malignant narcissist such as BTK will strike regardless of the level of police regulation pitted against him because he believes that he is invulnerable. BTK was so convinced of his superiority to law enforcement authorities in Wichita that he amused himself over the years by sending letters to them boasting of his exploits and offering clues to his unsolved crimes.

Intelligent and cunning serial predators of the organized variety are not the only category of killer that may be undeterred by police regulation, however. In contrast to the meticulous and organized BTK, a mentally unstable, disorganized serial predator such as Jack the Ripper will also commit murder regardless of the presence or strength of regulatory forces, but for different reasons. Unlike a cold and calculating organized killer in the vein of BTK, a disorganized killer such as the Ripper will strike whenever the need to kill becomes insatiable simply because he cannot control himself. In fact, no level of regulation will deter him.

Such are the peculiarities of serial killers.

Scott Bonn, Ph.D., is a criminologist, TV news commentator, and best-selling author of Why We Love Serial Killers: The Curious Appeal of the World's Savage Murderers.

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How To Write A Research Paper

Step-By-Step Tutorial With Examples + FREE Template

By: Derek Jansen (MBA) | Expert Reviewer: Dr Eunice Rautenbach | March 2024

For many students, crafting a strong research paper from scratch can feel like a daunting task – and rightly so! In this post, we’ll unpack what a research paper is, what it needs to do , and how to write one – in three easy steps. 🙂 

Overview: Writing A Research Paper

What (exactly) is a research paper.

• How to write a research paper
• Stage 1 : Topic & literature search
• Stage 2 : Structure & outline
• Stage 3 : Iterative writing
• Key takeaways

Let’s start by asking the most important question, “ What is a research paper? ”.

Simply put, a research paper is a scholarly written work where the writer (that’s you!) answers a specific question (this is called a research question ) through evidence-based arguments . Evidence-based is the keyword here. In other words, a research paper is different from an essay or other writing assignments that draw from the writer’s personal opinions or experiences. With a research paper, it’s all about building your arguments based on evidence (we’ll talk more about that evidence a little later).

Now, it’s worth noting that there are many different types of research papers , including analytical papers (the type I just described), argumentative papers, and interpretative papers. Here, we’ll focus on analytical papers , as these are some of the most common – but if you’re keen to learn about other types of research papers, be sure to check out the rest of the blog .

With that basic foundation laid, let’s get down to business and look at how to write a research paper .

Overview: The 3-Stage Process

While there are, of course, many potential approaches you can take to write a research paper, there are typically three stages to the writing process. So, in this tutorial, we’ll present a straightforward three-step process that we use when working with students at Grad Coach.

These three steps are:

• Finding a research topic and reviewing the existing literature
• Developing a provisional structure and outline for your paper, and
• Writing up your initial draft and then refining it iteratively

Let’s dig into each of these.

Need a helping hand?

Step 1: Find a topic and review the literature

As we mentioned earlier, in a research paper, you, as the researcher, will try to answer a question . More specifically, that’s called a research question , and it sets the direction of your entire paper. What’s important to understand though is that you’ll need to answer that research question with the help of high-quality sources – for example, journal articles, government reports, case studies, and so on. We’ll circle back to this in a minute.

The first stage of the research process is deciding on what your research question will be and then reviewing the existing literature (in other words, past studies and papers) to see what they say about that specific research question. In some cases, your professor may provide you with a predetermined research question (or set of questions). However, in many cases, you’ll need to find your own research question within a certain topic area.

Finding a strong research question hinges on identifying a meaningful research gap – in other words, an area that’s lacking in existing research. There’s a lot to unpack here, so if you wanna learn more, check out the plain-language explainer video below.

Once you’ve figured out which question (or questions) you’ll attempt to answer in your research paper, you’ll need to do a deep dive into the existing literature – this is called a “ literature search ”. Again, there are many ways to go about this, but your most likely starting point will be Google Scholar .

If you’re new to Google Scholar, think of it as Google for the academic world. You can start by simply entering a few different keywords that are relevant to your research question and it will then present a host of articles for you to review. What you want to pay close attention to here is the number of citations for each paper – the more citations a paper has, the more credible it is (generally speaking – there are some exceptions, of course).

Ideally, what you’re looking for are well-cited papers that are highly relevant to your topic. That said, keep in mind that citations are a cumulative metric , so older papers will often have more citations than newer papers – just because they’ve been around for longer. So, don’t fixate on this metric in isolation – relevance and recency are also very important.

Beyond Google Scholar, you’ll also definitely want to check out academic databases and aggregators such as Science Direct, PubMed, JStor and so on. These will often overlap with the results that you find in Google Scholar, but they can also reveal some hidden gems – so, be sure to check them out.

Once you’ve worked your way through all the literature, you’ll want to catalogue all this information in some sort of spreadsheet so that you can easily recall who said what, when and within what context. If you’d like, we’ve got a free literature spreadsheet that helps you do exactly that.

Step 2: Develop a structure and outline

With your research question pinned down and your literature digested and catalogued, it’s time to move on to planning your actual research paper .

It might sound obvious, but it’s really important to have some sort of rough outline in place before you start writing your paper. So often, we see students eagerly rushing into the writing phase, only to land up with a disjointed research paper that rambles on in multiple

Now, the secret here is to not get caught up in the fine details . Realistically, all you need at this stage is a bullet-point list that describes (in broad strokes) what you’ll discuss and in what order. It’s also useful to remember that you’re not glued to this outline – in all likelihood, you’ll chop and change some sections once you start writing, and that’s perfectly okay. What’s important is that you have some sort of roadmap in place from the start.

At this stage you might be wondering, “ But how should I structure my research paper? ”. Well, there’s no one-size-fits-all solution here, but in general, a research paper will consist of a few relatively standardised components:

• Introduction
• Literature review
• Methodology

Let’s take a look at each of these.

First up is the introduction section . As the name suggests, the purpose of the introduction is to set the scene for your research paper. There are usually (at least) four ingredients that go into this section – these are the background to the topic, the research problem and resultant research question , and the justification or rationale. If you’re interested, the video below unpacks the introduction section in more detail. 

The next section of your research paper will typically be your literature review . Remember all that literature you worked through earlier? Well, this is where you’ll present your interpretation of all that content . You’ll do this by writing about recent trends, developments, and arguments within the literature – but more specifically, those that are relevant to your research question . The literature review can oftentimes seem a little daunting, even to seasoned researchers, so be sure to check out our extensive collection of literature review content here .

With the introduction and lit review out of the way, the next section of your paper is the research methodology . In a nutshell, the methodology section should describe to your reader what you did (beyond just reviewing the existing literature) to answer your research question. For example, what data did you collect, how did you collect that data, how did you analyse that data and so on? For each choice, you’ll also need to justify why you chose to do it that way, and what the strengths and weaknesses of your approach were.

Now, it’s worth mentioning that for some research papers, this aspect of the project may be a lot simpler . For example, you may only need to draw on secondary sources (in other words, existing data sets). In some cases, you may just be asked to draw your conclusions from the literature search itself (in other words, there may be no data analysis at all). But, if you are required to collect and analyse data, you’ll need to pay a lot of attention to the methodology section. The video below provides an example of what the methodology section might look like.

By this stage of your paper, you will have explained what your research question is, what the existing literature has to say about that question, and how you analysed additional data to try to answer your question. So, the natural next step is to present your analysis of that data . This section is usually called the “results” or “analysis” section and this is where you’ll showcase your findings.

Depending on your school’s requirements, you may need to present and interpret the data in one section – or you might split the presentation and the interpretation into two sections. In the latter case, your “results” section will just describe the data, and the “discussion” is where you’ll interpret that data and explicitly link your analysis back to your research question. If you’re not sure which approach to take, check in with your professor or take a look at past papers to see what the norms are for your programme.

Alright – once you’ve presented and discussed your results, it’s time to wrap it up . This usually takes the form of the “ conclusion ” section. In the conclusion, you’ll need to highlight the key takeaways from your study and close the loop by explicitly answering your research question. Again, the exact requirements here will vary depending on your programme (and you may not even need a conclusion section at all) – so be sure to check with your professor if you’re unsure.

Step 3: Write and refine

Finally, it’s time to get writing. All too often though, students hit a brick wall right about here… So, how do you avoid this happening to you?

Well, there’s a lot to be said when it comes to writing a research paper (or any sort of academic piece), but we’ll share three practical tips to help you get started.

First and foremost , it’s essential to approach your writing as an iterative process. In other words, you need to start with a really messy first draft and then polish it over multiple rounds of editing. Don’t waste your time trying to write a perfect research paper in one go. Instead, take the pressure off yourself by adopting an iterative approach.

Secondly , it’s important to always lean towards critical writing , rather than descriptive writing. What does this mean? Well, at the simplest level, descriptive writing focuses on the “ what ”, while critical writing digs into the “ so what ” – in other words, the implications . If you’re not familiar with these two types of writing, don’t worry! You can find a plain-language explanation here.

Last but not least, you’ll need to get your referencing right. Specifically, you’ll need to provide credible, correctly formatted citations for the statements you make. We see students making referencing mistakes all the time and it costs them dearly. The good news is that you can easily avoid this by using a simple reference manager . If you don’t have one, check out our video about Mendeley, an easy (and free) reference management tool that you can start using today.

Recap: Key Takeaways

We’ve covered a lot of ground here. To recap, the three steps to writing a high-quality research paper are:

• To choose a research question and review the literature
• To plan your paper structure and draft an outline
• To take an iterative approach to writing, focusing on critical writing and strong referencing

Remember, this is just a b ig-picture overview of the research paper development process and there’s a lot more nuance to unpack. So, be sure to grab a copy of our free research paper template to learn more about how to write a research paper.

Can you help me with a full paper template for this Abstract:

Background: Energy and sports drinks have gained popularity among diverse demographic groups, including adolescents, athletes, workers, and college students. While often used interchangeably, these beverages serve distinct purposes, with energy drinks aiming to boost energy and cognitive performance, and sports drinks designed to prevent dehydration and replenish electrolytes and carbohydrates lost during physical exertion.

Objective: To assess the nutritional quality of energy and sports drinks in Egypt.

Material and Methods: A cross-sectional study assessed the nutrient contents, including energy, sugar, electrolytes, vitamins, and caffeine, of sports and energy drinks available in major supermarkets in Cairo, Alexandria, and Giza, Egypt. Data collection involved photographing all relevant product labels and recording nutritional information. Descriptive statistics and appropriate statistical tests were employed to analyze and compare the nutritional values of energy and sports drinks.

Results: The study analyzed 38 sports drinks and 42 energy drinks. Sports drinks were significantly more expensive than energy drinks, with higher net content and elevated magnesium, potassium, and vitamin C. Energy drinks contained higher concentrations of caffeine, sugars, and vitamins B2, B3, and B6.

Conclusion: Significant nutritional differences exist between sports and energy drinks, reflecting their intended uses. However, these beverages’ high sugar content and calorie loads raise health concerns. Proper labeling, public awareness, and responsible marketing are essential to guide safe consumption practices in Egypt.

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125 Murder Essay Topics & Title Ideas about Homicide

If you’re a criminal justice student or a true crime fan searching for the best murder essay topics, look no further! StudyCorgi has created a list of engaging murder titles and questions you can use for your argumentative essay, research paper, speech, dissertation, story, debate, or other writing assignments. Read on to get inspired!

🔝 Top-10 Murder Essay Topics

👮 serial killer research paper topics, ✍️ murder essay topics for college, 😨 intriguing serial killer research topics, 👍 good murder research topics & essay examples, 📘 true crime topics to write about, 🎓 most interesting homicide research topics, 💡 simple murder title ideas, ❓ research questions about homicide.

• Rhetorical Strategies in Mobley’s “Justice or Murder?”
• Homicide Perception in Ancient Greece and Rome
• The Case of Justice Through Revenge in Murder on the Orient Express
• Aaron Hernandez’s Murder Trial
• The Assassination of Julius Caesar
• Should Children Be Tried as Adults for Murder?
• The Murder of Caesar: Brief Analysis
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• “Anatomy of a Murder” by Preminger: A Critical Analysis
• Kitty Genovese’s Murder and the Bystander Effect

Serial killers are surrounded by the curiosity of millions of people worldwide, with documentaries chronicling their crimes and becoming some of the most-watched shows. According to Radford University and Florida Gulf Coast University, worldwide, there are over 5,752 documented serial killers as of 2023 . While the number of active killers has been declining over the years, public fascination with the topic remains high.

Here are the top 5 serial killer research paper topics that may come in handy:

• Comparative analysis of serial killers from different countries.
• The sociological routine of a serial killer and its peculiarities.
• How does the media portray serial killers in the US?
• The key motivations of a serial killer.
• Serial killers and their impact on community psychology.
• Notion of Evil and Media Influence on Public’s View on Serial Murder Being an “evil” person differs from simply being “bad”. Evil is unforgivable, while “badness” is expected to be found in many.
• Suicide, Homicide, and Psychological Theories Suicidal attempts do not always result in death because the nature of some of them can be reversed. It is important to administer proper treatment to a suicidal person.
• Different Accounts of the Assassination of Malcolm X In the paper, the description of two primary persons, Malcolm X, and his killer Thomas Hagan is organized in sequence including their age, social status, and race.
• Florida’s vs. California’s Homicide Statutes The essay compares Florida’s and California’s statutes concerning homicide and examine their impact on homicide occurrence in respective states.
• Causes the Murder and Homicide Briefly, it is possible to state that murder is often a result of genetic predisposition combined with an unfavorable social environment.
• Can We Consider the War a Form of Murder This paper discusses whether war is a form of murder, emphasizing human intentions and incidences leading to fights and serial killing.
• Brains of Persons Who Have Committed Murder The human brain is amongst the most compound and most significant organs in the body, comprising more than a hundred nerves.
• Jeffrey Macdonald Murder Case Jeffrey Macdonald is an American serial killer who became notorious after murdering his entire family. At an early age, MacDonald showed no signs of violent behavior.
• Homicide in Puerto Rico: Analysis of the Situation The continuous worsening of the criminological situation in Puerto Rico reflects country policy-makers lack of conceptual understanding of what causes people to criminal behavior.
• Unethical Conduct of Homicide Detectives Although homicide investigators are highly competent and specially trained, the pressure to resolve and incriminate a culprit often pushes them to operate unethically.
• Cognitive Bias in Robin Adams’ Murder Case The case of Robin Adams presented several cognitive biases. Contextual bias surfaced in taking into account the rumored information.
• Emmett Till Murder Analysis as a Critical Incident Ochberg provides an efficient model that can help analyze critical incidents. It is possible to apply the method to consider the Emmett Till murder case.
• The Assassination of Abraham Lincoln Abraham Lincoln is remembered as the 16th President of the USA and the first president of the country ever to be murdered. The Assassination of Lincoln has become an important historical event.
• Interconnection of Ethics and Murder The paper states that the morality of murder is a controversial topic in human history, for it is up to each individual to decide whether he can forgive himself.
• The Multi-Agency Team Involvement in the Case of the Child’s Murder The evaluation of the actions of the multi-agency team involved in the case of the child’s murder shows that there was an insufficiently effective collaboration among the parties.
• The Importance of Evidence in John Ramsey Homicide Case The crime-scene investigation’s primary aim is to recognize, collect, and document pieces of evidence. The collected proofs form the basis of these cases during judgment.
• Homicide Rates in the United States Using data from the Uniform Crime Report, this paper discusses the peculiarities of the homicide rate in the United States and its changes over time.
• Homicide Investigations and Forensic Evidence Forensic evidence can be defined as the information at a crime scene such as DNA, blood, body tissues among others found at a crime scene.
• The Criminal Act Component of Murder Murder is a violation that contains the elements of criminal behavior. The criminal act component of murder is defined as conduct that kills the victim.
• How a Folk Singer’s Murder Forced Chile to Confront Its Past: Victor Jara Story Victor Jara is still regarded as a national legend in Chile, and his death was a tragic incident in that country’s history.
• Reflection Essay on Memories of Murder Released in 2003, the film failed miserably at the box office, but this did not prevent the film from gaining cult status over time.
• What Led Up to the Assassination of Julius Caesar Gaius Julius Caesar was an ancient Roman politician who transformed the Roman Republic into the Roman Empire. Caesar became an outstanding general, orator, writer, and reformer.
• Intimate Partner Violence and Homicide in Greece This paper discusses the rising rates of intimate partner violence and homicide in Greece. The author tells about several cases of men’s deadly assaults on their female partners.
• “Murder of a President”: Analysis of Documentary After watching the documentary about President Garfield, I believe that he could have become one of the greatest presidents of the United States.

Still have not found the topic on serial killers that suits you best? Do not fret – we have got you covered! Read the following paragraphs to find a lot of fresh insights!

What Makes a Serial Killer?

In general, a serial killer is someone who murders at least three victims over a month, with breaks in between. These killings are separate events, often motivated by a desire for power or enjoyment. Serial killers typically lack empathy and remorse, which makes them self-centered and potentially psychopathic. They may project a standard facade to blend in and even appear friendly despite their hidden darkness.

Psychological State of Serial Killers

Hollywood loves depicting serial killers as crazed geniuses or deranged psychopaths. This common misconception can obscure the true complexity of their actions and the factors that contribute to their crimes since real serial killers are more ordinary than you might think. Most of them, while exhibiting personality disorders, are legally sane and possess average intelligence, just like the general population.

Criminal Profiling of Serial Killers

Criminal profiling helps catch serial killers by analyzing crime scenes and offender behavior. Profilers, who are specialists in criminal psychology, use crime scene traits, including the evidence of torture, specific victim, weapon at the scene, etc., to predict the killer’s characteristics and narrow down the suspect range. The external features of the suspects also play an important role as most serial killers tend to have similar characteristics: white, from 25 to 34 years old, intelligent, charismatic, and interested in police work.

Are Serial Killers Born or Made?

Various factors could contribute to an individual’s reasons for committing multiple murders, including childhood abuse, personality disorder, violent tendencies, and so on. However, genetics can also provoke aggressive and risk-taking behaviors. According to neuroscientist Jim Fallon, there are 3 high-risk genetic factors that serial killers may have: brain damage, having the MAOA gene, and overexposure to serotonin in the womb.

What Are the Top Motives for Serial Killers?

Serial killers have a variety of twisted motivations. Some seek power, like historical dictators whose violent fantasies played out on a grander scale. Others crave notoriety or utilize their killings as an opportunity to seek revenge against the people who wronged them. Perhaps the most disturbing motive is the enjoyment some killers derive from inflicting pain and taking lives.

• British Army Against the Northern Ireland: The Morality of Murder in Wartime The paper sets the task of investigating the question of the morality of murder in wartime. The confrontation of the British Army against the Northern Irish was taken as a basis.
• Mysteries about President John F. Kennedy Assassination The paper seeks to discuss the aspect that the gunman was not alone, the magic bullet that shot JFK and the reasons why the CIA kept the events of that day as a secret.
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• The Legality of Bin Laden’s Assassination President Obama didn’t have the legal authority to order Operation Geronimo and execute the plan for Bin Laden’s assassination, so it became a rude violation of international laws.
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True crime is a non-fiction genre that focuses on real-life crimes, such as murders, kidnappings, robberies, and other criminal activities. It explores motivations and psychological factors driving criminal behavior and its consequences, and it can be found in various forms, such as books, podcasts, TV shows, and documentaries.

The top 5 true crime topics are already waiting for you below:

• Why is true crime so popular in film and TV?
• The key features of true crime writing.
• Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story and the reasons behind its popularity.
• The power of storytelling in the true crime genre.
• Romanization of murder in true crime shows.
• The Racially Motivated Murder of Michael Brown
• Analysis of Aaron Hernandez Murder
• The Holocaust Was the Systematic and Bureaucratic Murder
• Hitler and the Nazi’s Victims of Persecution and Murder
• The First Murder Recorded by Biblical History
• Psychological Coping With Murder in American Society: The Clint Lamebear Story
• Holocaust Was the Mass-Murder of Six Million Jews
• Punishments for First Degree Murder
• Women Murder and Representation
• The Lizzie Borden Murder Trial: Victorian Values Over Murder
• Forensic Soil Science Solving Murder
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• The West Memphis Three Murder Trial
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• Psychology, Childhood, Trauma, and Murder: Rethinking Justice
• Overview Causes and Prevention of Murder
• Should the Mandatory Life Sentence for Murder Be Abolished?
• Intent and the Classification of Murder
• Understanding Industrialized Murder During the Holocaust in Nazi Germany
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• Torture and Murder Jews and Its Human Nature
• The Gangster Life and Murder of Paul Castellano
• Were the Conspirators Right to Murder Julius Caesar?
• The Civil Rights Movement and the Emmett Till´s Murder
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• State Executions, Deterrence, and the Incidence of Murder
• Young Persons Who Commit Murder Should Be Tried as Adults
• “Race, Class, Violence, and Denial: Mass Murder and the Pathologies of Privilege” by Tim Wise
• The Police During the Murder Investigation of Steven Lawrence
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• President Kennedy’s Unsolved Murder
• The Evidence That Stewart and Matthew Smith Are Not Guilty of Conestoga Indian’s Murder
• Justifying Murder Through Non-consequentialist Means
• The Race, Gender, and Murder of Oklahoma During the 1920s
• Why Do People Commit Murder?
• The Labor and Mass Murder Camps Built During the Holocaust
• Should Women That Kill Their Abusive Husbands Be Punished for Murder
• The Different Perspectives Why People Commit Murder
• West Bank Israeli Americans Murder
• Can Religion Justify Murder?
• Did the Germans Who Voted for Hitler Realize That They Were Voting for War and Mass Murder?
• What Impacts and Consequences Do Murder and Death by Natural Circumstances Have on Those Around It?
• Why Is the Homicide Rate in Canada Dropping?
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• What Determines a Homicide?
• How Does Homicide Affect the Economy?
• What Is the Most Serious Form of Homicide?
• What Are the Types of Criminal Homicide Related to an Unlawful Killing Without Justification or Excuse?

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StudyCorgi. (2022, January 16). 125 Murder Essay Topics & Title Ideas about Homicide. https://studycorgi.com/ideas/murder-essay-topics/

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StudyCorgi . "125 Murder Essay Topics & Title Ideas about Homicide." January 16, 2022. https://studycorgi.com/ideas/murder-essay-topics/.

StudyCorgi . 2022. "125 Murder Essay Topics & Title Ideas about Homicide." January 16, 2022. https://studycorgi.com/ideas/murder-essay-topics/.

These essay examples and topics on Murder were carefully selected by the StudyCorgi editorial team. They meet our highest standards in terms of grammar, punctuation, style, and fact accuracy. Please ensure you properly reference the materials if you’re using them to write your assignment.

This essay topic collection was updated on October 5, 2024 .

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The Nine Things That Make A Serial Killer

The accused Gilgo Beach murderer fits the chilling profile of a serial killer, according to criminal psychologist Rachel Toles who shared her insights with Newsweek .

Rex Heuermann , who was first arrested in July 2023, stands accused of the brutal murders of six sex workers whose bodies were discovered along Long Island more than a decade ago.

"We often dismiss serial killers as bad seeds, born this way, psychopathic," the host of the true-crime podcast Psychology of Serial Killers told Newsweek . "In all my research, I have yet to find one that was simply born this way. There are nine cumulative factors that make a serial killer."

Toles explained that the criteria ranges from parental influence to bullying and head trauma.

These factors must align concurrently, making serial killers a rare phenomenon. She emphasized that not everyone who experiences one or two of these factors becomes a serial killer, underscoring the complexity of their formation.

The 60-year-old Heuermann first faced charges for the grisly murders of Melissa Barthelemy, Megan Waterman, Amber Lynn Costello, and Maureen Brainard-Barnes —infamously known as "The Gilgo Four."

Their bodies, discovered in burlap sacks along New York's Ocean Parkway over a decade ago, shocked the nation. Just last week, Heuermann's potential victim list grew longer with fresh charges for the murders of Sandra Costilla and Jessica Taylor .

Toles talked about how genetics have played into serial killers in different ways in the past.

"How big or small that is, we just don't know," Toles said. "We just know that there's what people call aggressive, unfavorable genes that sometimes get activated in certain environments."

She referenced Charles Whitman, who became known as the "Texas Tower Sniper," had a brain tumor that was found during an autopsy.

On Aug. 1, 1966, Whitman used knives to kill his mother and his wife in their respective homes. He then went to the University of Texas at Austin with multiple firearms. He shot at people indiscriminately shooting, killing three people inside UT Austin's main building. He then went to the observation deck and fired at random people for 96 minutes.

Austin Police Department patrolmen Houston McCoy and Ramiro Martinez shot and killed Whitman.

While nothing can be definitively said, the cancerous cells could have caused him to kill 17 victims, according to a psychiatric evaluation. Forensic investigators theorized that the tumor pressed against Whitman's amygdala, which is related to fight-or-flight responses.

Toles said the brain tumor almost activated otherwise benign factors within Whitman's head.

While not a lot about Heuermann's mother, Dolores, is known, Toles does know she was a single mother and must have contributed to her son's unstable upbringings.

"She is just a part of the cumulative factors," Toles said. "I just don't know how she played a role yet, but I can guarantee that Rex's mother did something because his rage was directed at women."

The hunt for the alleged Gilgo Beach serial killer started in 2010 when 11 sets of human remains were found in Suffolk County. The search first turned up the remains of Barthelemy, Waterman, Costello and Brainard-Barnes and Taylor. Valerie Mack, who was mentioned in recent court documents but has not been linked to Heuermann, was also in the area. All the women were sex workers in their mid-20s.

Toles said this was not simply because of Heuermann's "sexual preference."

This relates directly to Ted Bundy, a serial killer that was rejected by his mother. His maternal grandparents raised him so that social stigma wouldn't hit the family since Bundy was born out of wedlock.

Bundy went on to become a serial killer who kidnapped and raped dozens of the young women he murdered during the 1970s. He confessed to 30 murders between 1974 and 1978.

While being transported from jail to a courthouse for a preliminary hearing, he visited the courthouse's law library and escaped through a window. He was a fugitive for six days. He also later escaped through the ceiling of his jail later the same year. He committed additional homicides and assaults while on the run.

Bundy was executed in the electric chair on Jan. 24, 1989.

For Heuermann, his father, Theodore, was a big factor in his serial killer upbringing, Toles said. While his dad died when Heuermann was just 11 years old, the now alleged Gilgo Beach murderer suffered from physical, emotional and potentially sexual abuse at the hands of his father, Toles said.

"He was extremely withdrawn, which is signs of abuse," Toles said.

Toles said almost every sexual sadist serial killer has a link back to sexual abuse in some way. The issue, however, often goes under reported, particularly with boys.

Author Eric Hickey reported in 1997 that among a group of 62 male serial killers, 48% had been rejected as a child by a parent or some other important person in their lives.

"That's a big one that we don't talk about a lot, but it can be massive," Toles said.

Toles calls these repressed issues "unresolved."

For Jeffrey Dahmer, for example, he described his father, Lionel, as a "good father, as caring and concerned as any child would wish." Even still, many experts including Toles do not believe this. Lionel and his first wife were accused of neglecting Dahmer during his childhood.

Dahmer went on to become the "Milwaukee Cannibal." He murdered and dismembered 17 men between 1978 and 1991. Many of his later murders also involved cannibalism and necrophilia.

Dahmer was sentenced to 16 lives in prison. In 1994, he was beaten to death by another inmate at the Columbia Correctional Institution in Wisconsin.

Bad upbringings have had a role in many serial killer's backgrounds, including Brazilian Pedro Rodrigues Filho, who was also known as "Killer Lil' Pedro."

His skull had been bruised from his father kicking his mother's pregnant belly during a fight. Rodrigues Filho claimed he first felt the urge to kill someone at 13 during a fight with his cousin.

As a teenager, he killed suspected criminals. He was officially sentenced for 71 murders. He served 34 years in prison prior to his release in 2007.

In 2011, Rodrigues Filho was in jail again for inciting riots. After a second release from prison, he said he was reformed and became a celebrated YouTuber. He was fatally shot in 2023 in a drive-by shooting.

The factor of home life can come into play in multiple ways, Toles said, including abuse.

"There was a lot of disfunction that was involved," Toles said. "There were a lot of signs of this escalating."

The home becomes an unsafe place for many, especially those who grew up to become serial killers.

They're also taught the idea of externalization, Toles said. The blame is never on an individual, which is why many serial killers will go on to say their home life as a child was "perfectly fine."

"They didn't get a sense of accountability," Toles said. "It was the world's fault."

Rex Heuermann's brother, Craig, also went to jail, Toles said. As a young child, Rex Heuerman got in trouble for shoplifting too.

"When people cross boundaries like this, it is a complete confession that somebody early on crossed boundaries with them over and over," Toles said.

Ages 3 to 5

There are two age ranges that seem to have great influence in a serial killer's upbringing. The first is around the ages of three to five.

"There's always a traumatic event that happens during this time," Toles said.

This is also around the time when a paraphilia, or intense sexual obsession is formed Toles said.

"Every serial killer has one," Toles said.

Enzo Yaksic, who runs the Atypical Homicide Research Group, told Newsweek Heuermann is a "prototypical sexual sadist." Toles called this obsession a "splitting" of one's psyche.

Dr. Robert Schug, a forensic psychologist and criminology professor, said the murders could suggest Heuermann's sexual idealization was "spiraling out of control."

"I'm wondering if and why murder became a problem-solving tool for him," Schug told Newsweek . "The homicidal behavior is solving some function in their lives."

Yet, Toles noted that majority of rapes go underreported. Somebody like Bobby Joe Long, a serial killer in Florida, would try to "get rid of the evidence" after he was caught for rape.

Long abducted, sexually assaulted and murdered at least eight women in the Tampa Bay area in Florida in 1984.

Forensic evidence included clothing, carpet fibers, semen, strangulation marks and rope knots. He was sentenced to death for two of the eight murders.

He was executed by lethal injection on May 23, 2019.

Brain injury

The criteria don't necessarily happen in the exact same order for each case. Head traumas could come from a variety of incidents, such as in utero, if the baby is shaken, if the child is beaten or even sexually abused. They can also happen in adulthood.

Toles mentioned serial killer Gary Heidnik, who was often taunted as a child with phrases like "football head."

Heidnik was a serial rapist who would kidnap and torture women. He raped six of them and murdered two while holding them captive in a self-dug pit in his basement in Philadelphia. He was sentenced to death and executed by lethal injection in 1999.

Heidnik later claimed he was emotionally abused by his father, returning to another of Toles' criteria.

"But every single one of them has a brain injury of some kind," Toles said. "It's also often more than one (brain injury)."

Toles said Heuermann's injuries are apparent from his face, which is "completely misshapen." She believes he was hit at least once to his head, if not multiple times.

After Amber Costello, one of the original "Gilgo Four," went missing, a witness told police a man, who is later thought to be Heuermann, looked like an "ogre."

"I don't like speaking ill of anyone," Toles said. "But that was the first thing that struck me. I could hardly look at his photograph."

Charles Manson was apparently bullied by a teacher on his first day of school and ran home in tears. His uncle forced him to return to school the next day dressed as a little girl. At age 9, Manson set his school on fire. He was sent to a strict reform school, the Indiana Boys School, where other students allegedly raped Manson with encouragement from the staff.

Manson became a cult leader in California that committed a series of at least nine murders, including the actress, Sharon Tate.

Similar to Manson, Toles thinks this criterion was potentially the most influential in Heuermann's serial killer development. No one stepped in to support him. A teacher once told students to stop, but that only diminished the physical abuse, Toles said she read about Heuermann.

Toles is also writing a book on what makes a mass shooter and has found similar links to bullying. About 20% of students said they were bullied at school during the 2019-20 year, according to a study conducted by the Pew Center for Research. Being made fun of or called names was the second most common form of bullying.

Even still, fewer than half, 46%, of middle and high schoolers who were bullied in the 2019-20 school year notified a teach or another adult about it.

"Bullying is across the board," Toles said. "You're just dousing them in gasoline and they're already on fire."

Toles said she has learned this creates both internalized and external trauma for Heuermann, from the abuse he suffered from his father to the taunts and fights from his own peers.

"He was just relentlessly picked on as a kid, from elementary all the way even through high school," Toles said. "They already have PTSD from their home life so then they go to school and kids and sniff out their insecure nature so then we're talking PTSD on top of PTSD on top of PTSD."

Ages 8 to 11

As a child, serial killer Richard Ramirez, the "Night Stalker," endured brutal beatings from his father. Ramirez, who began smoking marijuana and drinking alcohol by the age of 10, was introduced to the world of crime and drugs by his older cousin.

Ramirez's cousin showed him photos of women he claimed to mutilate and murder while in Vietnam. His cousin, Michael Ramirez, later shot and killed his wife in front of Ramirez, who was 13 at the time. He told Ramirez not to tell anyone.

Ramirez went on a killing spree of his own in Los Angeles and San Francisco, which resulted in the murders of at least 14 people between April 1984 and August 1985. He was sentenced to death in 1989 and died while awaiting execution in 2013.

This goes on to suggest that the second influential life segment for serial killers takes place around the ages of eight and 11, Toles said.

Toles said sexual abuse for upcoming serial killers often take place around age eight. It can happen earlier, though.

Severe bullying could also be prevalent during this period. A person starts to develop within themselves, and when others abuse or bully the developing serial killer, the world altogether feels like it's against them.

"It's another huge event," she said, adding that it typically is sexual abuse but can be severe bullying. "The whole world feels hostile."

The issues during this time often make a person withdraw and become insecure, she said.

The split in the person's psyche from ages three to five gets worse during the eight to 11 time period. A potential serial killer "acts like a compliant son or the compliant husband or the compliant neighbor."

"There's this whole other side of them," Toles said.

The serial killer goes on to create "their own murder over and over again," Toles said. The sex workers, in Heuermann's case, represents how the serial killer feels about themselves: "discardable, not loved, not wanted."

The neurodevelopment of a person may play into a serial killer's making, Toles said.

"You have a pressure cooker of all of these things happening and then the hormones happen and boom," Toles said.

There are no known studies that have linked sexually motivated serial killers to having higher testosterone levels, which is often linked to aggression. Studies have found that an enzyme linked to serotonin and dopamine, called monoamine oxidase A, can be linked to violence. Men with low monoamine oxidase A are more likely to be convicted of a violent crime.

Some researchers have called this an "urge" that serial killers cannot fight. During his childhood, serial killer Edmund Kemper is said to have harmed animals. He apparently even buried a cat alive. He later dug it up, decapitated it and put the animal's head on a spike.

Between 1964 and 1973, Kemper killed 10 people, including his mother and grandparents. Most of his murders included necrophilia, decapitation and dismemberment.

Kemper requested the death penalty. He instead received eight concurrent life sentences and has been incarcerated in the California Medical Facility since 1973.

In a 1993 study of more than 60 serial murderers, psychological and physical abuse were pervasive characteristics in a serial killer's childhood. The study did not name specific serial killers it analyzed, but discussed the different disorders serial murderers may have, including a damaged prefrontal cortex, which controls emotional impulses.

"All humans aren't that different," Toles said. "It's just that some people get pushed because of circumstances and things over certain lines ."

Do you have a story that Newsweek should be covering? Do you have any questions about the Gilgo Beach serial killings? Contact [email protected]

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About the writer

Monica is a Newsweek reporter based in Boston. Her focus is reporting on breaking news. Monica joined Newsweek in 2024. She is a graduate of Clark University, with a master's from both Clark University and Northwestern University. She was part of the team named a finalist for the Goldsmith Prize for Investigation as well as a winner of the George Polk award for their work uncovering Phillips Respironics wrongdoings with their breathing machines.

You can get in touch with Monica by emailing [email protected]. Languages: English.

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The Ultimate Guide to Writing a Research Paper

Few things strike more fear in academics than the accursed research paper , a term synonymous with long hours and hard work. Luckily there’s a secret to help you get through them. As long as you know how to write a research paper properly, you’ll find they’re not so bad . . . or at least less painful. 

In this guide we concisely explain how to write an academic research paper step by step. We’ll cover areas like how to start a research paper, how to write a research paper outline, how to use citations and evidence, and how to write a conclusion for a research paper. 

But before we get into the details, let’s take a look at what a research paper is and how it’s different from other  writing . 

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What is a research paper?

A research paper is a type of  academic writing that provides an in-depth analysis, evaluation, or interpretation of a single topic, based on empirical evidence. Research papers are similar to analytical essays, except that research papers emphasize the use of statistical data and preexisting research, along with a strict code for citations. 

Research papers are a bedrock of modern science and the most effective way to share information across a wide network. However, most people are familiar with research papers from school; college courses often use them to test a student’s knowledge of a particular area or their research skills in general. 

Considering their gravity, research papers favor formal, even bland language that strips the writing of any bias. Researchers state their findings plainly and with corresponding evidence so that other researchers can consequently use the paper in their own research. 

Keep in mind that writing a research paper is different from  writing a research proposal . Essentially, research proposals are to acquire the funding needed to get the data to write a research paper. 

How long should a research paper be? 

The length of a research paper depends on the topic or assignment. Typically, research papers run around 4,000–6,000 words, but it’s common to see short papers around 2,000 words or long papers over 10,000 words. 

If you’re writing a paper for school, the recommended length should be provided in the assignment. Otherwise, let your topic dictate the length: Complicated topics or extensive research will require more explanation. 

How to write a research paper in 9 steps

Below is a step-by-step guide to writing a research paper, catered specifically for students rather than professional researchers. While some steps may not apply to your particular assignment, think of this as more of a general guideline to keep you on track. 

1 Understand the assignment

For some of you this goes without saying, but you might be surprised at how many students start a research paper without even reading the assignment guidelines. 

So your first step should be to review the assignment and carefully read the writing prompt. Specifically, look for technical requirements such as length , formatting requirements (single- vs. double-spacing, indentations, etc.) and citation style . Also pay attention to the particulars, such as whether or not you need to  write an abstract or include a cover page. 

Once you understand the assignment, the next steps in how to write a research paper follow the usual  writing process , more or less. There are some extra steps involved because research papers have extra rules, but the gist of the writing process is the same. 

2 Choose your topic

In open-ended assignments, the student must choose their own topic. While it may seem simple enough, choosing a topic is actually the most important decision you’ll make in writing a research paper, since it determines everything that follows. 

Your top priority in how to choose a research paper topic is whether it will provide enough content and substance for an entire research paper. You’ll want to choose a topic with enough data and complexity to enable a rich discussion. However, you also want to avoid general topics and instead stick with topics specific enough that you can cover all the relevant information without cutting too much.  

3 Gather preliminary research

The sooner you start researching, the better—after all, it’s called a research paper for a reason.

To refine your topic and prepare your thesis statement, find out what research is available for your topic as soon as possible. Early research can help dispel any misconceptions you have about the topic and reveal the best paths and approaches to find more material. 

Typically, you can find sources either online or in a library. If you’re searching online, make sure you use credible sources like science journals or academic papers. Some search engines—mentioned below in the Tools and resources section—allow you to browse only accredited sources and academic databases. 

Keep in mind the  difference between primary and secondary sources as you search. Primary sources are firsthand accounts, like published articles or autobiographies; secondary sources are more removed, like critical reviews or secondhand biographies. 

When gathering your research, it’s better to skim sources instead of reading each potential source fully. If a source seems useful, set it aside to give it a full read later. Otherwise, you’ll be stuck poring over sources that you ultimately won’t use, and that time could be better spent finding a worthwhile source. 

Sometimes you’re required to submit a  literature review , which explains your sources and presents them to an authority for confirmation. Even if no literature review is required, it’s still helpful to compile an early list of potential sources—you’ll be glad you did later.  

4 Write a thesis statement

Using what you found in your preliminary research, write a  thesis statement that succinctly summarizes what your research paper will be about. This is usually the first sentence in your paper, making it your reader’s introduction to the topic. 

A thesis statement is the best answer for how to start a research paper. Aside from preparing your reader, the thesis statement also makes it easier for other researchers to assess whether or not your paper is useful to them for their own research. Likewise, you should read the thesis statements of other research papers to decide how useful they are to you. 

A good thesis statement mentions all the important parts of the discussion without disclosing too many of the details. If you’re having trouble putting it into words, try to phrase your topic as a question and then answer it . 

For example, if your research paper topic is about separating students with ADHD from other students, you’d first ask yourself, “Does separating students with ADHD improve their learning?” The answer—based on your preliminary research—is a good basis for your thesis statement. 

5 Determine supporting evidence

At this stage of how to write an academic research paper, it’s time to knuckle down and do the actual research. Here’s when you go through all the sources you collected earlier and find the specific information you’d like to use in your paper. 

Normally, you find your supporting evidence by reading each source and taking notes. Isolate only the information that’s directly relevant to your topic; don’t bog down your paper with tangents or unnecessary context, however interesting they may be. And always write down page numbers , not only for you to find the information later, but also because you’ll need them for your citations. 

Aside from highlighting text and writing notes, another common tactic is to use bibliography cards . These are simple index cards with a fact or direct quotation on one side and the bibliographical information (source citation, page numbers, subtopic category) on the other. While bibliography cards are not necessary, some students find them useful for staying organized, especially when it’s time to write an outline. 

6 Write a research paper outline

A lot of students want to know how to write a research paper outline. More than informal essays, research papers require a methodical and systematic structure to make sure all issues are addressed, and that makes outlines especially important. 

First make a list of all the important categories and subtopics you need to cover—an outline for your outline! Consider all the information you gathered when compiling your supporting evidence and ask yourself what the best way to separate and categorize everything is. 

Once you have a list of what you want to talk about, consider the best order to present the information. Which subtopics are related and should go next to each other? Are there any subtopics that don’t make sense if they’re presented out of sequence? If your information is fairly straightforward, feel free to take a chronological approach and present the information in the order it happened. 

Because research papers can get complicated, consider breaking your outline into paragraphs. For starters, this helps you stay organized if you have a lot of information to cover. Moreover, it gives you greater control over the flow and direction of the research paper. It’s always better to fix structural problems in the outline phase than later after everything’s already been written. 

Don’t forget to include your supporting evidence in the outline as well. Chances are you’ll have a lot you want to include, so putting it in your outline helps prevent some things from falling through the cracks. 

7 Write the first draft

Once your outline is finished, it’s time to start actually writing your research paper. This is by far the longest and most involved step, but if you’ve properly prepared your sources and written a thorough outline, everything should run smoothly. 

If you don’t know how to write an introduction for a research paper, the beginning can be difficult. That’s why writing your  thesis statement beforehand is crucial. Open with your thesis statement and then fill out the rest of your introduction with the secondary information—save the details for the body of your research paper, which comes next. 

The body contains the bulk of your research paper. Unlike  essays , research papers usually divide the body into sections with separate headers to facilitate browsing and scanning. Use the divisions in your outline as a guide. 

Follow along your outline and go paragraph by paragraph. Because this is just the first draft, don’t worry about getting each word perfect . Later you’ll be able to revise and fine-tune your writing, but for now focus simply on saying everything that needs to be said. In other words, it’s OK to make mistakes since you’ll go back later to correct them. 

One of the most common problems with writing long works like research papers is connecting paragraphs to each other. The longer your writing is, the harder it is to tie everything together smoothly. Use  transition sentences to improve the flow of your paper, especially for the first and last sentences in a paragraph. 

Even after the body is written, you still need to know how to write a conclusion for a research paper. Just like  an essay conclusion , your research paper conclusion should restate your thesis , reiterate your main evidence , and summarize your findings in a way that’s easy to understand. 

Don’t add any new information in your conclusion, but feel free to say your own personal perspective or interpretation if it helps the reader understand the big picture. 

8 Cite your sources correctly

Citations are part of what sets research papers apart from more casual nonfiction like personal essays . Citing your sources both validates your data and also links your research paper to the greater scientific community. Because of their importance, citations must follow precise formatting rules . . . problem is, there’s more than one set of rules!

You need to check with the assignment to see which formatting style is required. Typically, academic research papers follow one of two formatting styles for citing sources:

• MLA (Modern Language Association)
• APA (American Psychological Association)

The links above explain the specific formatting guidelines for each style, along with an automatic citation generator to help you get started. 

In addition to MLA and APA styles, you occasionally see requirements for  CMOS (The Chicago Manual of Style),  AMA (American Medical Association) and  IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers). 

Citations may seem confusing at first with all their rules and specific information. However, once you get the hang of them, you’ll be able to properly cite your sources without even thinking about it. Keep in mind that each formatting style has specific guidelines for citing just about any kind of source, including photos , websites , speeches , and YouTube videos .

9 Edit and proofread

Last but not least, you want to go through your research paper to correct all the mistakes by  proofreading . We recommend going over it twice: once for structural issues such as adding/deleting parts or rearranging paragraphs and once for word choice, grammatical, and spelling mistakes. Doing two different editing sessions helps you focus on one area at a time instead of doing them both at once. 

To help you catch everything, here’s a quick checklist to keep in mind while you edit:

Structural edit:

• Is your thesis statement clear and concise?
• Is your paper well-organized, and does it flow from beginning to end with logical transitions?
• Do your ideas follow a logical sequence in each paragraph?
• Have you used concrete details and facts and avoided generalizations?
• Do your arguments support and prove your thesis?
• Have you avoided repetition?
• Are your sources properly cited?
• Have you checked for accidental plagiarism?

Word choice, grammar, and spelling edit:

• Is your language clear and specific?
• Do your sentences flow smoothly and clearly? 
• Have you avoided  filler words and phrases ?
• Have you checked for proper grammar, spelling, and punctuation? 

Some people find it useful to read their paper out loud to catch problems they might miss when reading in their head. Another solution is to have someone else read your paper and point out areas for improvement and/or technical mistakes. 

Revising is a separate skill from writing, and being good at one doesn’t necessarily make you good at the other. If you want to improve your revision skills, read our  guide on self-editing , which includes a more complete checklist and advanced tips on improving your revisions. 

Technical issues like grammatical mistakes and misspelled words can be handled effortlessly if you use a spellchecker with your word processor, or even better, a digital writing assistant that also suggests improvements for word choice and tone, like Grammarly (we explain more in the Tools and resources section below). 

Tools and resources

If you want to know more about how to write a research paper, or if you want some help with each step, take a look at the tools and resources below. 

Google Scholar

This is Google’s own search engine, which is dedicated exclusively to academic papers. It’s a great way to find new research and sources. Plus, it’s free to use. 

Zotero is a freemium, open-source research manager, a cross between an organizational CMS and a search engine for academic research. With it, you can browse the internet for research sources relevant to your topic and share them easily with colleagues. Also, it automatically generates citations. 

FocusWriter

Writing long research papers is always a strain on your attention span. If you have trouble avoiding distractions during those long stretches, FocusWriter might be able to help. FocusWriter is a minimalist word processor that removes all the distracting icons and sticks only to what you type. You’re also free to choose your own customized backgrounds, with other special features like timed alarms, daily goals, and optional typewriter sound effects. 

Google Charts

This useful and free tool from Google lets you create simple charts and graphs based on whatever data you input. Charts and graphs are excellent visual aids for expressing numeric data, a perfect complement if you need to explain complicated evidential research. 

Grammarly goes way beyond grammar, helping you hone word choice, checking your text for plagiarism, detecting your tone, and more. For foreign-language learners, it can make your English sound more fluent, and even those who speak English as their primary language benefit from Grammarly’s suggestions. 

Extremely Insensitive, Shockingly Misleading and Dangerous: Exploring the Implications of Romanticizing Serial Killers in Film

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I Asked A Psychiatrist What Makes A Serial Killer, And His Response Shook Me To The Core

Emily Sturgess

Graphic content warning: This article contains references to violence and murder.

I stupidly watched  Making A Serial Killer  late at night by myself, and for some strange reason, I couldn’t get to sleep . (I wonder why?!)

If you haven’t heard of it, Making A Serial Killer is a true crime documentary series that examines what makes these compulsive killers commit crimes. Each episode charts a murderer and their victims and asks why they did it. The series is free to stream on PEDESTRIAN TELEVISION via 9Now.

All I could think about as I stared at the ceiling was how an innocent baby could later be capable of killing someone, let alone taking multiple lives with little or no remorse. 

To learn more, I asked specialist forensic psychiatrist Dr Michael Schirripa that exact question. His expertise includes assessing and treating psychiatric patients who have committed a range of crimes, including murder. Dr Schirripa has also jut published his first novel, Mindhunt — a psychiatric thriller written with the lived experience of a forensic psychiatrist. He shares real-world insights as a mysterious patient turns up after the sudden death of a billionaire’s mentally ill daughter.

PEDESTRIAN.TV: Hi, Dr Schirripa could you tell us what made you want to become a psychiatrist? 

Dr. Schirripa: I became a psychiatrist because I was fascinated by the human mind and how it worked. I especially wanted to understand what happens when the human mind goes wrong and how to rectify that. 

I knew in medical school that I was more interested in working with people rather than on people, and this is exactly what psychiatry allows.

What’s your definition of a serial killer?

A serial killer is a person who has deliberately committed multiple homicides, usually three or more, typically with some time gap between each killing (as opposed to a “mass murderer” who may kill several people all at once or in a very short space of time, such as a mass shooter). 

A serial killer typically plots and plan their homicides and the time frame between killings may range from several days to several years or even decades. 

There is usually a predatory component to serial killers as they seek out and “select” certain victims based on particular attributes rather than a “random” decision to kill. 

What is your experience with serial killers?

I had always been struck by the psychopathic nature of serial killers and the complete lack of remorse or guilt that they have for their crimes. You can feel quite “cold” when you are in the presence of a serial killer, as they have no warmth or empathy whatsoever. As such, it can be quite a chilling and unnerving experience as there is not the usual “human” connection that you would typically make. 

It needs to be remembered that the vast majority of serial killers are not psychiatrically ill but have very disordered, psychopathic personalities. As such, there is no real psychiatric treatment that is effective or can be offered to them.

Do you think serial killers share a similar brain trait?

Typically, serial killers are linked in the sense that they exhibit a psychopathic personality style or disorder. 

This is a personality disorder that is characterised by a lack of empathy for others, a lack of remorse or guilt and, importantly, the desire to exert total control and power over others. Serial killers can view murder as the “ultimate control” over another human being. 

It is fascinating to note that most serial killers (and those with a psychopathic personality) have experienced significant childhood abuse (such as physical, emotional or sexual). There is strong research evidence that such childhood abuse physically damages a certain part of the brain called the amygdala. This is often known as the “fear centre” or the “brain’s alarm”, and damage to this region can lead to quite severe emotional dysregulation as the abused child grows into an adolescent and then an adult. 

Why do you think people kill?

Most people kill due to a conscious desire for ultimate revenge against another individual, to silence another individual, to conceal another serious crime, out of sudden fury or rage, or in the context of alcohol and drug intoxication.

Usually, a person kills due to a “perfect storm” of very particular circumstances, including access to a weapon, all coming together at a very specific time. 

It is fascinating to note that most people who kill only ever do it once and often may not have a prior formal criminal record. This also emphasises that murder is due to a person finding themselves in a very specific set of circumstances that are unlikely to appear again.

What makes killers become repeat offenders?

The presence of a psychopathic or antisocial personality disorder is a significant risk factor for an individual to become a repeat offender. This is because they [typically] have no remorse or care for others and have little or no guilt for their actions. 

They are not discouraged by the threat of criminal sanctions against them, such as the risk of being sent to prison. They are also driven by the desire for power, which is not diminished. 

Those who also associate with criminal subcultures, where violence and murder are normalised, are also far more likely to become repeat offenders. Those who have significant substance use problems, especially with alcohol, are far more likely to become repeat offenders. 

Is the amount of homicides in Australia decreasing or increasing?

The homicide rate in Australia is typically quite low compared to other nations, such as the US, Russia and South Africa for example, primarily due to the significant limitations on gun ownership in this country. 

Are there any active serial killers right now?

It is highly likely that in any society around the world, there are active serial killers who are operating at any point in time. It needs to be remembered that serial killers can be very patient and calculating and can wait years or even a decade between killing people, which can make their crimes very hard to track. 

Serial killers can often function as “normal” members of society in between times and, for example, hold down jobs and even have families. Often, they do not commit more minor crimes in between killings, which also can make them much harder to detect.

It is impossible to know with accuracy just how many serial killers may be operating or at large as the numbers of such serial killers are very low. 

What do crime shows get right, and what do they get wrong?

Many TV crime shows do seem to accurately capture the interplay between the psychopathic personality and crime such as murderers who are sadistic. They often do demonstrate that lack of empathy and lack of guilt very well. They also capture the “planning” of the serial killer and how they can be quite patient. 

On the other hand, there still can be some inaccurate and stigmatising portrayals of mental illness on some of the TV crime shows, which can over-emphasise the link between mental illness and crime, especially homicide. 

Why do you think people enjoy true crime?

I think people enjoy true crime for several reasons. I think the human mind is very analytical and obsessional and humans want to try to understand the behaviours of others as much as they can. True crime shows allow for that understanding to happen as we all watch the “pieces of the puzzle” come together. This allows us to learn from the behaviours of others.

I also think that true crime shows are very much a “warning” for all of us. We are engineered to survive as humans, and we want to be wary of the risks around us and the potential dangers. So, by watching or reading about true crime, we can better understand the risks and dangers and keep ourselves and our loved ones safe. 

You can watch Making A Serial Killer for free on PEDESTRIAN TELEVISION , streaming via 9Now.

Home / Guides / Writing Guides / Paper Types / How to Write a Research Paper

How to Write a Research Paper

Research papers are a requirement for most college courses, so knowing how to write a research paper is important. These in-depth pieces of academic writing can seem pretty daunting, but there’s no need to panic. When broken down into its key components, writing your paper should be a manageable and, dare we say it, enjoyable task.

We’re going to look at the required elements of a paper in detail, and you might also find this webpage to be a  useful reference .

Guide Overview

• What is a research paper?
• How to start a research paper
• Get clear instructions
• Brainstorm ideas
• Choose a topic
• Outline your outline
• Make friends with your librarian
• Find quality sources
• Understand your topic
• A detailed outline
• Keep it factual
• Finalize your thesis statement
• Think about format
• Cite, cite and cite
• The editing process
• Final checks

What is a Research Paper?

A research paper is more than just an extra long essay or encyclopedic regurgitation of facts and figures. The aim of this task is to combine in-depth study of a particular topic with critical thinking and evaluation by the student—that’s you!

There are two main types of research paper: argumentative and analytical.

Argumentative  — takes a stance on a particular topic right from the start, with the aim of persuading the reader of the validity of the argument. These are best suited to topics that are debatable or controversial.

Analytical  — takes no firm stance on a topic initially. Instead it asks a question and should come to an answer through the evaluation of source material. As its name suggests, the aim is to analyze the source material and offer a fresh perspective on the results.

If you wish to further your understanding, you can  learn more here .

A required word count (think thousands!) can make writing that paper seem like an insurmountable task. Don’t worry! Our step-by-step guide will help you write that killer paper with confidence.

How to Start a Research Paper

Don’t rush ahead. Taking care during the planning and preparation stage will save time and hassle later.

Get Clear Instructions

Your lecturer or professor is your biggest ally—after all, they want you to do well. Make sure you get clear guidance from them on both the required format and preferred topics. In some cases, your tutor will assign a topic, or give you a set list to choose from. Often, however, you’ll be expected to select a suitable topic for yourself.

Having a research paper example to look at can also be useful for first-timers, so ask your tutor to supply you with one.

Brainstorm Ideas

Brainstorming research paper ideas is the first step to selecting a topic—and there are various methods you can use to brainstorm, including clustering (also known as mind mapping). Think about the research paper topics that interest you, and identify topics you have a strong opinion on.

Choose a Topic

Once you have a list of potential research paper topics, narrow them down by considering your academic strengths and ‘gaps in the market,’ e.g., don’t choose a common topic that’s been written about many times before. While you want your topic to be fresh and interesting, you also need to ensure there’s enough material available for you to work with. Similarly, while you shouldn’t go for easy research paper topics just for the sake of giving yourself less work, you do need to choose a topic that you feel confident you can do justice to.

Outline Your Outline

It might not be possible to form a full research paper outline until you’ve done some information gathering, but you can think about your overall aim; basically what you want to show and how you’re going to show it. Now’s also a good time to consider your thesis statement, although this might change as you delve into your source material deeper.

Researching the Research

Now it’s time to knuckle down and dig out all the information that’s relevant to your topic. Here are some tips.

Make Friends With Your Librarian

While lots of information gathering can be carried out online from anywhere, there’s still a place for old-fashioned study sessions in the library. A good librarian can help you to locate sources quickly and easily, and might even make suggestions that you hadn’t thought of. They’re great at helping you study and research, but probably can’t save you the best desk by the window.

Find Quality Sources

Not all sources are created equal, so make sure that you’re referring to reputable, reliable information. Examples of sources could include books, magazine articles, scholarly articles, reputable websites, databases and journals. Keywords relating to your topic can help you in your search.

As you search, you should begin to compile a list of references. This will make it much easier later when you are ready to build your paper’s bibliography. Keeping clear notes detailing any sources that you use will help you to avoid accidentally plagiarizing someone else’s work or ideas.

Understand Your Topic

Simply regurgitating facts and figures won’t make for an interesting paper. It’s essential that you fully understand your topic so you can come across as an authority on the subject and present your own ideas on it. You should read around your topic as widely as you can, before narrowing your area of interest for your paper, and critically analyzing your findings.

A Detailed Outline

Once you’ve got a firm grip on your subject and the source material available to you, formulate a detailed outline, including your thesis statement and how you are going to support it. The structure of your paper will depend on the subject type—ask a tutor for a research paper outline example if you’re unsure.

Get Writing!

If you’ve fully understood your topic and gathered quality source materials, bringing it all together should actually be the easy part!

Keep it Factual

There’s no place for sloppy writing in this kind of academic task, so keep your language simple and clear, and your points critical and succinct. The creative part is finding innovative angles and new insights on the topic to make your paper interesting.

Don’t forget about our  verb ,  preposition , and  adverb  pages. You may find useful information to help with your writing!

Finalize Your Thesis Statement

You should now be in a position to finalize your thesis statement, showing clearly what your paper will show, answer or prove. This should usually be a one or two sentence statement; however, it’s the core idea of your paper, and every insight that you include should be relevant to it. Remember, a thesis statement is not merely a summary of your findings. It should present an argument or perspective that the rest of your paper aims to support.

Think About Format

The required style of your research paper format will usually depend on your subject area. For example,  APA format  is normally used for social science subjects, while MLA style is most commonly used for liberal arts and humanities. Still, there are thousands of  more styles . Your tutor should be able to give you clear guidance on how to format your paper, how to structure it, and what elements it should include. Make sure that you follow their instruction. If possible, ask to see a sample research paper in the required format.

Cite, Cite and Cite

As all research paper topics invariably involve referring to other people’s work, it’s vital that you know how to properly cite your sources to avoid unintentional plagiarism. Whether you’re paraphrasing (putting someone else’s ideas into your own words) or directly quoting, the original source needs to be referenced. What style of citation formatting you use will depend on the requirements of your instructor, with common styles including APA and  MLA format , which consist of in-text citations (short citations within the text, enclosed with parentheses) and a reference/works cited list.

The Editing Process

It’s likely that your paper will go through several drafts before you arrive at the very best version. The editing process is your chance to fix any weak points in your paper before submission. You might find that it needs a better balance of both primary and secondary sources (click through to find  more info  on the difference), that an  adjective  could use tweaking, or that you’ve included sources that aren’t relevant or credible. You might even feel that you need to be clearer in your argument, more thorough in your critical analysis, or more balanced in your evaluation.

From a stylistic point of view, you want to ensure that your writing is clear, simple and concise, with no long, rambling sentences or paragraphs. Keeping within the required word count parameters is also important, and another thing to keep in mind is the inclusion of gender-neutral language, to avoid the reinforcement of tired stereotypes.

Don’t forget about our other pages! If you are looking for help with other grammar-related topics, check out our  noun ,  pronoun , and  conjunction  pages.

Final Checks

Once you’re happy with the depth and balance of the arguments and points presented, you can turn your attention to the finer details, such as formatting, spelling, punctuation, grammar and ensuring that your citations are all present and correct. The EasyBib Plus  plagiarism checker  is a handy tool for making sure that your sources are all cited. An EasyBib Plus subscription also comes with access to citation tools that can help you create citations in your choice of format.

Also, double-check your deadline date and the submissions guidelines to avoid any last-minute issues. Take a peek at our other grammar pages while you’re at it. We’ve included numerous links on this page, but we also have an  interjection  page and  determiner  page.

So you’ve done your final checks and handed in your paper according to the submissions guidelines and preferably before deadline day. Congratulations! If your schedule permits, now would be a great time to take a break from your studies. Maybe plan a fun activity with friends or just take the opportunity to rest and relax. A well-earned break from the books will ensure that you return to class refreshed and ready for your next stage of learning—and the next  research paper  requirement your tutor sets!

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Call for Papers on "Literature and the Posthuman" for the journal, Research and Criticism

Call for Papers

The Department of English at Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, India, invites submissions for the upcoming issue on  Literature and the Posthuman  of its journal,  Research and Criticism.  

Punk Scholars Network USA and Canada 3rd Annual Conference

March 2 & 3, 2025

The Punk Rock Museum – Las Vegas, Nevada

Theme: Punk on Display

Following the success of our second in-person conference in August 2024, we are excited to announce our third in-person conference sponsored by PSN Canada and PSN USA. This year, the conference will be held on March 2 and 3 at The Punk Rock Museum in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Conference for Young Adult Literature Louisiana (CYALL) Call for Proposals

The Conference for Young Adult Literature Louisiana (CYALL) is accepting proposals for papers, slide presentations, lightning talks, and 20x20 sessions. The conference is a forum to discuss, demonstrate, and champion learning strategies in teaching young adult literature. College faculty, graduate students, librarians, authors, K-12 educators, and scholars are invited to submit proposals for papers and presentations on all aspects of YA literature and media.

The deadline for submitting a proposal is February 15, 2025 

The conference will be held on April 11, 2025 and will be onsite.

CFP: 32nd Annual NINE Spring Training Conference

The 32nd Annual NINE Spring Training Conference (March 5-8, 2025) invites original unpublished papers that study all aspects of baseball, with particular emphasis on history, literature, and social policy implications. Abstracts only, not to exceed 300 words, should be submitted by November 11, 2024, to co-directors Willie Steele ( [email protected] ) and David Pegram ( [email protected] ) for the abstract committee’s consideration. Following the submission deadline, authors will be notified as quickly as possible whether their papers have been accepted.

Call for Chapters on FX Channel Original Documentary and Reality TV Series

This is a call for chapters on the following FX Channel documentary and reality TV series: Morgan Spurlock's  30 Days  (2005) , New York Times Presents  (2020-2023) , AKA Jane Roe  (2020) , Welcome to Wrexham  (2022-present) ,  and  The Secrets of Hillsong  (2023) for an edited book collection (The FX Reader), which is under a two-volume book contract with Syracuse University Press.  This collection will serve as a valuable resource for TV scholars and educators on FX’s history and its most critically acclaimed, noteworthy series.

Call for papers: Indigenous ecologies and literary responses: Knowledge and rethinking sustainable development

Call for Papers for the special issue of Environment, Space, Place (University of Minnesota Press)

Indigenous ecologies and literary responses: Knowledge and rethinking sustainable development

Special issue editor:  Goutam Karmakar ,  Durban University of Technology, South Africa

Call for Abstracts: The Effects of Community on Game Play and Design

Communities and the discourses they foster play a crucial role in shaping how games are both designed and experienced. Salen and Zimmerman (2004) describe how games are cultural artefacts engaged with dynamic exchanges of meaning with their surrounding cultural contexts. These open cultural contexts influence can transform both games and their environments. Consalvo (2007) expands this understanding by discussing how videogame paratexts, such as guides and fan-created content, serve as vital pedagogical tools that shape how players approach and engage with games.

Family Fictions: Generations and Genealogies in European Culture

Family Fictions Generations and Genealogies in European Culture

15- 17. 05. 2025, KU Leuven

Keynotes: Prof. Stefan Willer (Humboldt University) Prof. David Amigoni (Keele University) Dr. Jennie Bristow (Canterbury Christ Church University)

Extended CFP: Serial Killers: Fact into fiction

There is no denying that contemporary audiences have an insatiable appetite for killers: myth, legend, and reality. The soaring success, and continued demand, for fictions and nonfictions that document the dealings of serial killers and murders provide ample evidence for this. We are fascinated by their narratives and by their psychologies, and it is perhaps this need or want to understand the killer’s thinking that, in part, makes them so attractive to read and view. However, delineation between fiction and nonfiction continues to be a greyscale area. There are no longer certainties in crime fiction, nor in true crime writing, when it comes to the factual and the fictive.

The Reception of the Book of Job in Medieval and Early Modern Literature

The open-access journal “Terminus” invites submissions for a special issue on the reception of the Book of Job in medieval and early modern literature. We welcome contributions from scholars in literature, theology, history, and related disciplines.

Important Information

• Access policy: open access
• Languages of publication: English, Polish
• Peer review policy: double-blind peer review process
• Article processing charges: free of charge 

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