A research paper is the documentation of an academic study and its findings, usually in a report format with appendices for data. Research papers are published as part of the normal scientific or professional process of establishing theories and for peer review. They attribute the research work in accordance with the protocols of the research, including naming senior researchers and contributors. Research papers also cite sources of information upon which the research was based. Research papers are also intellectual property, in terms of copyright law and intellectual property rights, under international conventions.