IMPORTANT : Make sure you explain the qoute that you put down. Don’t simply write it down because it “sounds good”. Tell the reader a little bit about the qoute – who said/wrote it, where it originated from, the meaning of it.

yes. I even had several professors when I was last in school 10 years ago who felt that a good research paper should begin with a quote. it’s a way of anchoring your paper, starting from a knowable location, commanding respectability, and it shows your reader early on that you are doing a research paper, not an opinion piece. aesthetically, I think it is a very nice way to begin a paper.

RE:
Can I start with a quote when I begin my research paper?
I want to begin my research paper with a quote..

can I do that?

That has a really positive effect on the reader’s mind, particularly if the quote is catchy.

I’m talking here based on personal experience… try to use a quote of some philosopher of medival times, it can be very impressive.

I don’t need to tell you that the quote must be relevant to the subject.

If you want really impressive quotes, check out www.wikiquotes.com , you’ll find all you need there.