Research writing exists in a variety of different forms. For example, academics, journalists, or other researchers write articles for journals or magazines; academics, professional writers and almost anyone create web pages that both use research to make some sort of point and that show readers how to find more research on a particular topic.
All of these types of writing projects can be done by a single writer who seeks advice from others, or by a number of writers who collaborate on the project.
Generally speaking, the process of writing involves:
- Coming up with an idea (sometimes called brainstorming, invention or “pre-writing”);
- Writing a rough draft of that idea;
- Showing that rough draft to others to get feedback (peers, instructors, colleagues, etc.);
- Revising the draft (sometimes many times); and
- Proof-reading and editing to correct minor mistakes and errors.
