A scholarly organized piece of writing on a chosen subject, fairly when documented with references to standard works on the subject is called a Research paper. It is otherwise called Literary paper, Term paper, Report, Thesis and Dissertation. It is an attempt to add original contribution to the knowledge of truth. It is therefore a search for accurate truth and new knowledge through arrangements and findings. It has an imaginative and intellectual unity. Research is the result of man’s deep urge to learn, to know to satisfy his thrust for knowledge about this world especially in a particular field of scholarship.

The Literary paper assigned in under graduate courses is most often labeled as a Research paper. The name Term paper refers to a project that summarizes or demonstrates mastery of  the work of a term or semester. Depending on the course, a term paper may are may not include formal Research. The word report generally refers to a thorough record or description of the results of first hand experiences or reading of primary sources. The word Thesis commonly refers to a substantial research project. As the word implies a thesis should draw and original conclusion based on information derived from Research. A Dissertation is a Research paper submitted by a candidate for the Doctoral degree. This paper requires more research and move extensive development of ideas than a master thesis.