Research paper writing is a complex process that requires gathering information from multiple sources, organizing research findings, creating rough drafts, revising, editing and formatting. While it can be done manually with pen and paper or a simple word processor, utilizing specialized research paper writing software can help streamline the process and produce higher quality papers. This article explores some of the top free research paper writing software programs available to students.
Google Docs: Google Docs is free online word processing software offered by Google as part of their Google Drive suite. It allows for real-time collaboration on documents with other users. Documents can be accessed from any device with an internet connection. Some key features for research paper writing include citations and references manager, built-in spelling and grammar checker, ability to add comments and suggest edits to shared documents, and integration with Google Search to easily access research sources. A downside is the limited number of citation styles supported compared to paid solutions. For basic research paper writing needs at the high school or undergraduate level, Google Docs offers a capable free option.
Zotero: Zotero is a free and open source citation management system that allows users to gather, organize, and analyze sources. It works as a browser extension to easily save citations from Library databases, online journal articles, websites and more into personal digital libraries. Citations can then be dragged and dropped into documents. Zotero automatically generates footnotes and bibliographies in a wide variety of citation styles. It synchronizes libraries across devices and allows for team collaboration. A powerful yet free option perfect for advanced research needs involving managing large numbers of sources.
Mendeley: Mendeley is freemium reference management software that allows up to 2GB of storage for the free version. As with Zotero, it works as a browser extension to easily gather citations from online research. Sources are organized into personal or shared libraries. Documents can be annotated and tagged. Citations are automatically formatted as footnotes, endnotes or in-text citations in Microsoft Word. Downsides include some limitations with the free version such as restricted file storage. With 2GB of storage it can still handle medium sized research papers and basic needs at the free tier.
Editage Cite: Editage Cite is a free online reference manager perfect for students and researchers on a budget. It requires no software download – everything works directly within an internet browser. References can be collected from a wide range of sources and organized into personal libraries. Documents are then cited automatically in citations styles like APA, MLA, Chicago and more. The reference lists or bibliographies are also auto-generated. Editage Cite’s free plan has unlimited lifetime storage and reference libraries. It does have somewhat limited functionality compared to paid solutions and lacks features like collaboration. But for an absolutely free online citation manager, it gets the job done.
BibMe: BibMe is another free online citation generator available on computers and as an app for mobile devices. It supports over 7,000 citation styles. To use it, search for or enter a source manually and BibMe will generate the corresponding in-text citation tag or full reference list entry for a wide array of source types including books, websites, articles, reports and more. These can then be copy-pasted directly into documents. An account is not needed to use BibMe’s basic features, making it useful for free basic citation needs. Advanced features like source storage and collaboration require a paid upgrade.
Qiqqa: Qiqqa is free qualitative research software primarily aimed at social science researchers, but could still potentially be useful for some types of papers. As a PDF annotation tool combined with reference and code management, it allows scholars to analyze both text-based and visual information from a variety of sources like journal articles, books and more stored as PDF files. Highlights and tags can be added to PDF annotations. Extracted quotes, themes and ideas can be stored and organized along with related references. Free features include unlimited PDF storage, annotations, personal libraries, reference syncing across devices and basic analysis tools. Paid versions unlock additional features.
Scrivener: While not specifically designed for academic papers, Scrivener is creative writing software that could be adapted to help plan, organize and draft longer research documents. Its free 30-day trial then converts to a lower priced option. Scrivener excels at managing ideas, research notes, quotes, references, and outlines. Documents are assembled from “corkboards” with movable sections. Extra bonuses include distraction-free writing mode, automatic backups, and simplified formatting and compiling for final output. For large dissertations, theses or complex papers requiring detailed pre-writing, Scrivener could be a productive choice.
One alternative to consider if these free options don’t fully cover your research paper writing needs is library database access. Many academic libraries subscribe to citation manager databases like RefWorks on behalf of their students. These offer more advanced functionality than free services but don’t require an individual subscription. Check your school’s library website or ask your librarian for details on access.
Research paper writing involves gathering, analyzing and properly citing information from diverse sources. Free software like Google Docs, Zotero, Mendeley and BibMe offer valuable citation management, writing and collaboration tools to help streamline the research and composition process. For ambitious, lengthier projects particularly involving qualitative research or fiction writing techniques, Qiqqa and Scrivener could provide unique productive solutions. Always consider your library database options too before paying for individual software solutions. With these free resources, high quality papers are within reach even on a limited student budget.
Andrew Stroud