Make sure that you know what your dependent variable is write it down if it helps you focus your study and keep it by the computer.
Many students forget what they are really trying to explain and their paper can get off track.
Tell the reader your intentions. Remember to state in your introduction the thesis of your paper. Do not tell the reader a couple of pages down the road what the paper will be about. You should address the theoretical implications of your research after the introduction. Find outside sources that deal with your paper topic and discuss how they relate to your own unique research.