McNair Research Paper Guidelines
Please submit your final research paper (electronically and as a paper version) to the
McNair Assistant Director by the due date indicated on the mentor/mentee contract.
Exceptions will only be made based on your mentor’s documented statement that you
will need an extension. Don’t forget to have your mentor approve your final draft and
sign-off on the Faculty Approval of Research Form.
The write-up should conform to your discipline standards and be ready for publication in
the University of Nevada, Reno McNair Scholars Research Journal. (NOTE: Your
mentor may require a lengthier paper, but your paper should at least meet our minimum
standards.)
The paper should be:
A word document
1” margins
7 to 10 pages in length, excluding title page, appendices, and bibliography
Times New Roman font, size: 12 point
Single spaced
You may indent or use block style
Double spaced after each paragraph
Tables, photos, and figures may be included within the body of the paper or grouped at
the end as an appendix
Your research paper should include the following sections*:
Title page: Provide the title of the research project, name of student, name of faculty
mentor, the department and college, and date of the report.
Abstract: Provide a summary of the research including highlights of results.
Approximately 200 to 300 words.
Introduction: Discuss the nature of the project, the issues, past research in this area, etc.
Objectives: Explain what you planned to accomplish.
Description of research: Describe how you reached the objectives of the project. Use
subheadings as necessary, i.e. methodology, results, etc. Present highlights of any
data you collected and explain analysis and interpretation of the results.
Conclusions: Summarize the important findings of your research and discuss the impact
of your findings.
Acknowledgements: Give credit to those who helped you conduct the research
including your faculty mentor. Include a statement that acknowledges any funding
sources, such as the McNair Scholars Program.
Bibliography/ Works Cited: List the references that you used and are cited in your
report.
*Adapted from the Office of Undergraduate Research.