Abortion Research Paper: A Student’s Guide

Research writing is an academic endeavor that requires an individual to observe certain basic principles. These rules include using credible sources as reference points and outlining papers as scholarly texts. To answer a question of how to write an abortion research paper correctly, people must review books, peer-reviewed journal articles, and government reports and use that information as evidence in their works. Primarily, they use this evidence to construct their points of view or strengthen their central arguments. A particular use of reliable sources in research writing is a must if final papers are to have credibility as scholarly texts. When it comes to an outline, writers must provide an abstract, an introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. In turn, body paragraphs constitute a significant proportion of a paper and carry essential information.

General Aspects

Abortion is a controversial topic that has seen American society divided into two camps. On one side, there are those who believe it is a woman’s right to terminate a pregnancy. In turn, there are those who feel a fetus should be protected from any form of harm. Although these two sides often clash in social settings, it is a legal process that has made a pregnancy termination debate a national and international discourse. This development provides a fertile ground for scholars to research issues that have proven central to this controversial problem. The most critical aspect of writing an abortion research paper that an individual should observe is to review and incorporate results captured in existing abortion articles for organizing papers, including books, peer-reviewed journal articles, and government reports. Hence, these sources give a author’s work credibility, meaning other writers can use it as a point of reference.

What Is an Abortion Research Paper and Its Purpose

According to its definition, an abortion research paper is a scholarly document that systematically investigates a topic of pregnancy termination from multiple perspectives, including medical, ethical, legal, and social angles. The main purpose of writing an abortion research paper is to provide a comprehensive analysis and understanding of a particular topic, presenting evidence-based information and diverse perspectives (Burton, 2021). This type of paper explores a historical evolution of pregnancy termination practices and laws, health implications for women, psychological effects, and moral debates surrounding an issue. By examining different viewpoints, such as pro-life and pro-choice stances, such a composition aims to inform and educate readers, identify gaps in existing knowledge, propose areas for further study, foster informed debate, and contribute to public policy discussions (Thulin, 2023). In terms of pages and words, the length of writing an abortion research paper depends on academic levels, topic depths, and assignment requirements, while general guidelines are:

Format

Note: Some sections of an abortion research paper can be added, deleted, or combined with each other. In writing, abortion research often utilizes a mixed-method design, including quantitative approaches, like surveys and statistical analyses, and qualitative methods, like interviews and case studies, to provide a comprehensive understanding of its impacts (Thulin, 2023). Moreover, a good research question about abortion for a paper is, “How do varying legal restrictions on abortion impact women’s health and socio-economic outcomes across different regions?” In general, abortion, when performed safely and legally, has a minimal risk and can protect women’s health by preventing complications from unsafe procedures or a physical and psychological strain of unwanted pregnancies (Reardon et al., 2023). As such, to start an abortion research paper, people begin with writing a compelling introduction that outlines an actual significance of a topic, provides background information, and presents a clear thesis statement.

How to Write an Abortion Research Paper

In academia, authors often rely on scholarly works of others to strengthen their arguments about an issue. However, not every paper is suitable for use as a point of reference. For a written paper to become authoritative, it must provide relevant information backed by research (Busse & August, 2020). Writing about a topic without detailing specific steps taken in obtaining factual information does not help such a composition to attain a threshold of a scholarly work. A review of academic documents reveals a robust use of research findings. Credible sources act as the basis upon which authors premise or strengthen their points of view (Ecarnot et al., 2015). Therefore, writing a research paper on ceasing a pregnancy requires authors to review existing knowledge on a topic and incorporate it into their works. Besides, the Supreme Court rulings on a matter would be significant in shaping writer’s arguments. In turn, basic steps for writing an abortion research paper include:

• Choose a Topic: Select a specific aspect of pregnancy termination to focus on, such as legal, ethical, medical, or social issues.
• Conduct Preliminary Research: Gather initial information from credible sources to understand a scope and background of your chosen topic.
• Develop a Thesis Statement: Formulate a clear and concise thesis statement that covers your main argument or perspective on a topic.
• Create an Outline: Organize your points and structure your paper with a detailed outline, including all major sections and sub-sections.
• Conduct In-Depth Research: Use academic databases, books, and reputable journals to collect detailed and relevant information supporting your thesis.
• Write an Introduction: Introduce your topic, provide background information, and present your thesis statement to set a stage for your paper.
• Write Body Sections: Develop each section of your outline, presenting evidence, analysis, and arguments that support your thesis.
• Write a Conclusion: Summarize your findings, restate the significance of your research, and provide any final insights or recommendations.
• Cite Sources Properly: Ensure all references and citations are formatted according to a required style guide (APA, MLA, Chicago/Turabian, Harvard, etc.).
• Revise and Proofread: Review your paper for clarity, coherence, and correctness, make necessary revisions, and check for grammatical errors.

Major Debatable Themes

Just like any other controversial issue, ending a pregnancy is a topic that encompasses several themes. For example, these themes act as pillars that people use to shape their arguments for or against fetal termination (Reagan, 2022). In this case, authors writing a research paper about abortion would make their works easier if they identified main themes that should guide their readers. In essence, arguments that support abortion differ from those that oppose such a practice. Regardless of the side of the debate that a writer takes, authors should premise significant themes on a topic of abortion on ethics and legality. On ethics, pro-life and pro-choice arguments approach ending a pregnancy from a perspective of what is right for both a child and a pregnant woman (Thulin, 2023). On legality, pro- and anti-abortion policies dictate a specific approach that individual states take on an issue. As a result, to write an abortion research paper, people thoroughly research a chosen topic, develop a clear thesis, organize their findings into a structured format with an introduction with its scope, literature review, methodology, results, discussion, and conclusion, and ensure proper citation of sources.

States’ Opinions on Abortion

Historically, the United States (US) federal government has differed from state governments on several issues, including abortion and marijuana use. On abortion, the federal government has relied on Supreme Court decisions to maintain that it is a woman’s right to end a pregnancy. Historically, the Court has based its rulings on the 14th Amendment to the US Constitution, which upholds individuals’ right to personal privacy, as protected by the Due Process Clause (Reagan, 2022). This right includes a woman’s right to decide whether or not to terminate a pregnancy. Despite this constitutional guarantee, some states in the US have enacted legislation that restricts this right. For instance, Alabama has banned abortion at any point in pregnancy, while Missouri has banned it after eight weeks of pregnancy (Thulin, 2023). Moreover, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Ohio have banned it from a moment a fetal heartbeat is detected. In turn, banning abortion can lead to increased rates of unsafe procedures, higher maternal mortality, and significant socio-economic and psychological stress for women forced to carry unwanted pregnancies to term.

Strengths and Weaknesses of Pro-Life and Pro-Choice Movements

It is impossible to talk about fetal termination without considering principal sentiments of both the pro-life and pro-choice movements. Basically, the former argues for a sanctity of life, holding that a baby in a womb deserves protection from all harm. In turn, the latter argues for a woman’s right to choose, including choosing whether she should carry a pregnancy to term or not. Further on, a good hook for writing a research paper on abortion can be: “A woman’s right to choose fetal termination not only impacts individual lives but also reflects broader societal values on autonomy and reproductive health.” In principle, abortion affects society by influencing public health outcomes, shaping legal and ethical debates, impacting socio-economic conditions, and reflecting societal values and norms regarding women’s reproductive rights (Thulin, 2023). Moreover, psychological responses after abortion can vary widely, including relief and emotional healing for many women, but they may also involve feelings of guilt, sadness, or regret for others, influenced by personal, cultural, and social factors. Hence, to highlight the differences between these two movements in writing papers, people should examine the pros and cons of each side.

Pro-Life Strengths:

• Any life is sacred.
• Abortion is murder.
• A mother can offer her child for adoption.
• A fetal termination exposes a woman to physical and psychological distress.

Pro-Life Weaknesses:

• A pregnancy can be accidental.
• It is psychologically distressing to raise an unwanted child.
• There is always the possibility of giving birth to a disabled child.
  Even if abortion is illegal, women still abort.

Pro-Choice Strengths:

• A woman has a constitutional right to choose.
• A woman has a right over her body.
• Carrying a pregnancy to term can be risky for a woman.

Pro-Choice Weaknesses:

• A woman can be single and financially incapable of raising a child.
• A maternity can be an inconvenience to a woman.
• A fetus is not a human being.

Key Guidelines

Besides reviewing and incorporating research in their works, writers should follow strict guidelines when writing an abortion research paper. Basically, these guidelines espouse basic principles of scholarly writing and help individuals to understand content logically and form conclusions on a matter under review (Busse & August, 2020). Moreover, the most writing important thing that people should do is to give credit to sources of information, such as researchers, authors, and government agencies. Ideally, academic papers rely on a particular use of credible information to support an argument. Therefore, writers must make sure picked sources they use to back up their arguments are credible. Credible sources are scholarly sources, such as books, journal articles, and government websites (Burton, 2021). Relying too much on websites to write a research paper makes a finished work read more like an opinion. Nonetheless, government websites provide a good platform for accessing relevant data, including statistics and trends. In turn, some examples of sentence starters for beginning an abortion research paper include:

• Abortion has long been a complex topic of intense debate, with arguments focusing on … .
• In recent decades, a particular discussion around pregnancy termination has shifted to include … .
• One of the central issues in a fetal termination debate is a direct question of … .
• Studies have shown that access to pregnancy termination services can significantly impact … .
• Legal perspectives on stoping a maternity vary widely, with some countries implementing … .
• Ethical considerations surrounding ceasing a pregnancy often involve weighing … .
• Medical advancements have changed a landscape of fetal termination, providing … .
• Socio-economic elements play a crucial role in determining access to … .
• Public opinion on losing a baby is deeply divided, with surveys indicating that … .
• This research aims to explore current implications of pregnancy termination laws on … .

Research

While a particular use of credible sources in research writing is highly essential, writers must demonstrate thorough research when presenting evidence. Research involves a particular use of platforms to identify trustworthy texts, which are often written by people with professional training in specific disciplines (Burton, 2021). In writing an abortion research paper, people can visit government websites, including that of the Supreme Court, to identify historical and present patterns in the debate. For instance, people can understand how cases like Roe v. Wade have become pivotal in this historic debate on abortion (Thulin, 2023). Another platform is professional databases, from where writers can access countless journal articles, specifically those in a field of sociology. As a social phenomenon, pregnancy termination has received a broad scholarship by sociologists. Another platform that is non-academic but useful in research writing is news media, from where media houses document historical and present patterns in the abortion debate. As a result, to write an introduction for a research paper on abortion, people start with a compelling hook, provide background information on a topic, highlight its significance, and present a clear thesis statement outlining a main argument or focus of a composition.

Persuasion

One of the strategies that writers should utilize when delivering information through research writing on abortion is persuasion. On the issue of ceasing a pregnancy, the fact that different schools of thought on a matter exist means that people are easily swayed by writing opinions and other factors. In such a case, using factual information would be more effective in persuading an individual to switch from one school of thought to another. For example, it would be much easier for a person to use statistics of women who have died when ending a pregnancy illegally to convince a pro-life activist to become a pro-choice crusader (Thulin, 2023). Similarly, it would be more effective in writing to mention how anti-abortion policies have reduced incidences of unwanted pregnancies in a community in trying to persuade a pro-choice crusader to become a pro-life activist.

Argumentation

Besides persuasion, a research paper writer can use logical arguments to promote a particular point of view. On abortion, significant arguments that a research author can use include how the Supreme Court has defended the Constitutional rights of women, including choosing whether to have a child. Assuming a writer’s target audience is an American public, a major thrust of an argument would be the US Constitution and how different Amendments guarantee this right. Another argument that a person can use for writing is how, despite pregnancy termination being legal in the US, different states have continued to enact legislation that restricts such a practice (Thulin, 2023). From this perspective, a paper writer can argue that, at the end of the day, laws are insufficient to control abortion, and what is needed is social action where communities teach their women on the pros and cons of ending a pregnancy.

Narration

Another strategy that a writer can use is narration. Here, people should incorporate real-life situations to support their points of view. On abortion, taking the stories of women who have had a fetal termination and using them to either argue for or against this practice would help authors to gain credibility in their papers. Furthermore, people can capture some experiences of health professionals to write about, particularly those who have helped women to have an abortion (Reardon et al., 2023). Basically, these writing stories provide readers with a real-life, non-academic insight into the dynamics involved in pregnancy termination services. More importantly, they help writers to sound not only academic but also practical in their defense or criticism of ending a pregnancy. With the abortion debate being controversial, correct writing narration helps authors to shape discourse by ensuring both sides of this discourse do not get lost in politics at the expense of women’s everyday experiences.

Basic Outline

Generally, all academic papers follow specific outlines to effectively deliver a main massage to a reader. In turn, a general outline for research papers on abortion would include:

• Abstract: This is a brief overview of an entire content of a research paper.
• Introduction: Here, writers introduce their topic and provide a thesis statement that underscores a central argument or opinion on pregnancy termination.
• Body Paragraphs: Here, authors must provide an in-depth analysis of major themes of their papers, using research to strengthen their arguments. Part of this research should be what the court of law has ruled historically and presently.
• Conclusion: Here, people overview entire papers, mentioning the most critical aspects, as discussed in body paragraphs. Besides, authors make an informed conclusion on a matter, suggesting a way forward based on research findings.
• References: Here, scholars include a list of sources used for writing an outline and follow APA, MLA, Chicago/Turabian, Harvard, or other paper formats.

Prompts

• Historical Overview of Abortion Laws Across the Globe
• Arguments For and Against Abortion
• The Abortion Debate
• Roe versus Wade
• Pro-Life and Pro-Choice Activism
• Woman’s Right to Privacy
• Unsafe Way of Ending a Pregnancy
• Legal Restrictions on Pregnancy Termination
• The Sanctity of Human Life
• Surgical and Medical Ways of Ceasing a Pregnancy
• Reproductive Health
• Unwanted Pregnancy
• Pros and Cons of Targeted Regulation for Abortion Providers (TRAP) Laws
• The Role of Crisis Pregnancy Centers (CPCs)
• Abortion-Related Health Complications
• Abortion and Psychological Trauma
• Overregulation as a Cause of Late-Term Fetal Termination
• The Constitutionality of Anti-Abortion Policies
• Risks Associated With Pregnancy Termination
• When Abortion Is Justified
• The Ethical and Legal Dilemmas Facing Abortion Service Providers

What Facts to Include

Common Mistakes

• Lack of a Thesis Statement: Failing to provide a clear, concise, and argumentative thesis statement can make a paper’s purpose and direction unclear to readers.
• Insufficient Research: Relying on limited or biased sources can undermine an overall credibility and depth of a particular research.
• Ignoring Counterarguments: Not addressing opposing viewpoints can result in a one-sided paper that lacks critical analysis and depth.
• Poor Organization: Disorganized writing structure and flow can confuse readers and detract from paper’s main arguments and findings.
• Overgeneralization: Making broad, unsupported claims can weaken paper’s arguments and reduce its scholarly value.
• Lack of Evidence: Failing to support claims with credible evidence can make arguments appear weak in writing.
• Inadequate Analysis: Merely presenting facts without analyzing their significance can result in a paper that is informative but lacks depth.
• Plagiarism: Using others’ works without proper citations can lead to serious academic consequences and diminish a paper’s originality.
• Inconsistent Citation Style: Inconsistent or incorrect use of citation styles can confuse readers and reduce a paper’s professionalism.
• Ignoring Ethical Considerations: Failing to discuss ethical implications of pregnancy termination can result in a paper that overlooks critical aspects of a debate.

Summing Up

Writing academic papers is more than presenting information about an issue. It involves gathering relevant information through a thorough review of credible sources, such as books, peer-reviewed journals, and government reports. In this case, paper writers targeting an American audience must review, in addition to the above sources, the rulings of courts as they approach a chosen issue from a perspective of the US Constitution and write about them. Basically, Roe v. Wade is a critical case in the abortion debate and serves as a valid premise of a pro-choice movement. In turn, writing a research paper on abortion requires authors to consider basic principles of academic rules, including an abstract-introduction-body-conclusion outline. Finally, people should ensure they review and incorporate findings of scholarly papers as credible texts that serve as pillars of their arguments.

References

Burton, H. M. (2021). Your first research paper: Learn how to start, structure, write and publish a perfect research paper to get the top mark. Independently Published.

Busse, C., & August, E. (2020). How to write and publish a research paper for a peer-reviewed journal. Journal of Cancer Education, 36(5), 909–913. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13187-020-01751-z

Ecarnot, F., Seronde, M.-F., Chopard, R., Schiele, F., & Meneveau, N. (2015). Writing a scientific article: A step-by-step guide for beginners. European Geriatric Medicine, 6(6), 573–579. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eurger.2015.08.005

Reagan, L. J. (2022). When abortion was a crime: Women, medicine, and law in the United States, 1867-1973. University of California Press.

Reardon, D. C., Rafferty, K. A., & Longbons, T. (2023). The effects of abortion decision rightness and decision type on women’s satisfaction and mental health. Cureus, 15(5), 1–11. https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.38882

Thulin, B. M. (2023). Abortion division: Why Americans disagree on such a fundamental issue of rights. Silent Meadow Publishing Co.