One thing is to be able to conduct a research, the other is to present the research to the potential and actual research community members in a manner that helps them understand the work you have done and how you did it. Research activities are usually communicated to the target audience in writing.
A research or scientific paper as is mostly referred, is a written and often time published report that describes an original research results. It can be in the form of publications, abstracts, theses, or conference reports.
Scientific papers enable authors to share their own original research work with other scientists for review or to aid the conduct of another research work.
A scientific publication must contain sufficient information to enable peers to assess observations, to repeat or carry out similar studies, and to evaluate intellectual processes and the rigour in the paper. For more information on what is a research paper, click: http://www.cod.edu/people/faculty/bobtam/website/what_iexpect.htm