In a typical essay, this is the paragraph in which the thesis is introduced. The same applies to a research paper, but the introduction will probably require several paragraphs. Thesis statements in a research paper usually take the form of a problem that needs to be solved. Therefore, you will need to take the time to explain why it is a problem in the first place.
In a basic five-paragraph essay, there are at least three paragraphs that support your thesis statement. In this section, a research paper differs most from an essay. In a research paper you not only support the thesis statement but also address opposing opinions, then explain why those opinions are invalid.
In the concluding section of your research paper, you need to summarize your argument and analysis. Like the introduction, this section will likely take several paragraphs. A nice touch is to suggest further research questions for future researchers.
Unlike an essay written for an exam or a personal essay written for an English class, a research paper demands that you cite your sources. You also must list all the sources (books, podcasts, articles, websites and so forth) that you consulted for your research, even if you didn't cite them. The higher the quality of your sources, the more your analysis and conclusions will be respected.