For students beginning their journey into research, it’s incredibly helpful to see what a successful high school research paper looks like. One such example is a recent publication by Dhanush Arun, a junior at American High School in Fremont, California, titled “Emerging Trends in the Internet of Things.” It was published in the International Journal of High School Research and can serve as an example of how to approach a first research paper.
What’s the Paper About?
The paper explores the evolution of communication protocols, starting with how the internet became standardized with TCP/IP, and draws a parallel with the ongoing convergence of IoT (Internet of Things) standards. Dhanush outlines:
- The OSI model, a framework that defines how data flows in a network
- The historical shift to TCP/IP as the universal internet protocol
- The rise of IoT-specific protocols like Zigbee, and Z-Wave.
- The potential of Matter, a new standard designed to unify smart devices across brands and ecosystems
This is a survey-style paper, which means it reviews existing knowledge rather than presenting new experiments; a format that’s both beginner-friendly and intellectually rich.
Why It’s a Strong First Paper
There are several reasons this paper stands out:
- Focus: Dhanush chooses a clear angle within a broad topic like IoT, which makes the paper coherent and makes it more interesting to read.
- Clarity: Despite discussing technical concepts, the writing is accessible. Diagrams and historical examples make the ideas easier to grasp.
- Connections: The paper links past technological shifts with current ones, showing the reader why the topic matters.
- Real-world Relevance: References to Ring doorbells, Wi-Fi, and smart home ecosystems keep the content grounded in things students use every day.
What Students Can Learn from It
If you’re thinking about writing your first research paper, here are a few lessons from this example:
- Pick a niche within a big topic: IoT is broad, but zooming in on communication protocols gave the paper focus and depth.
- Use review-style writing: Synthesizing existing sources is a great way to start learning how to structure an argument and build a paper.
- Explain with analogies and examples: Concepts like the OSI model and IP protocols were explained using real-world comparisons.
- Incorporate history and future trends: Drawing timelines and making predictions gives your work perspective.
Final Thoughts
This paper shows what’s possible when a high school student picks a topic they’re genuinely curious about and explores it thoroughly. You don’t need a lab or a complex experiment to publish a research paper.
If you’re a student aiming to write your first paper, start by reading examples like this. Learn how others frame their research questions, organize their sections, and guide the reader. The more examples you study, the clearer your own path will become.