Researchers must present their findings in a clear and organized manner to maximize their impact on the scientific community. Adherence to established guidelines is crucial for the effective dissemination of research and for increasing its influence.
Understanding the structure and key sections of a scientific manuscript
The key sections of the manuscript are as follows:
- Title page Abstract
- Keywords
- Introduction
- Methods
- Results
- Discussion
- Conclusion
Acknowledgments
Disclosures: COI, Funding
References
Tables and Figures
Tips to start writing
Start with Tables and figures, as they convey your story. The other sections can be written in any order
By starting with the sections that you find most interesting or feel most confident about, you can build momentum and motivation to continue working on the rest
The recommended order is Results > Methods > Introduction > Discussion > Abstract
Ensure that each paragraph in your writing is clear and easy to understand.
When writing paragraphs, make sure to address the question, “Why are you telling me this?” This will help you keep your readers engaged and ensure that each paragraph serves a purpose in your writing.
Creating an engaging Title, Abstract, and Keywords
The title, abstract, and Keywords are the components of the title page. Let us study the structure of the title page.
Title Page
The title page consists of essential information about the research/study, the researchers, funding disclosures, and the manuscript components. Some journals (E.g., MDPI) regard it as the front matter.
The title page includes the following:
Title
The objective of a title in an academic paper is to summarize the central idea of the study in a few words.
A well-crafted title should be concise, informative, and engaging, providing readers with a clear idea of the content and purpose of the work.
The title must accurately reflect the content of the paper and adhere to any specific formatting or style guidelines provided by the academic institution or publisher.
Declarative title:
A declarative title simply states the main findings or conclusion of the research.
It presents the key message directly, in a straightforward manner.
Example: “Effects of Exercise on Cardiovascular Health: A Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials”
In this declarative title, the main finding of the research is highlighted – the effects of exercise on cardiovascular health. The title gives readers an immediate understanding of the study’s focus.
Descriptive title:
A descriptive title provides a more detailed explanation of the research topic, allowing readers to gain insight into the subject matter.
Example: “A Comparative Study of Renewable Energy Sources: Analyzing the Viability and
Environmental Impact of Solar, Wind, and Hydroelectric Power”
This descriptive title gives readers a clear idea of what the paper will cover – a comparative analysis of renewable energy sources, specifically solar, wind, and hydroelectric power, with a focus on their viability and environmental impact.
A descriptive title may also state the study design
Examples,
“A versus B in the treatment of C: a randomized controlled trial”
“X is a risk factor for Y: a case-control study”
“What is the impact of factor X on subject Y: A systematic review”
“A can be treated with B therapy: a case report”
Interrogative title:
An interrogative title poses a question to the reader, piquing their curiosity and encouraging them to explore the paper to find the answer.
Example: “What Factors Influence Consumer Buying Behavior in Online Retailing? A Case Study of
E-commerce Platforms”
This interrogative title poses a question – what factors influence consumer buying behavior in online retailing?
The title sets the research question as the focal point, inviting readers to delve into the paper to discover the study’s findings.
Author affiliations
This section of the article includes the names of the authors, their qualifications, and the institutions with which they are connected. The institutions’ addresses are also supplied.
Corresponding author information
As the name implies, the corresponding author’s name and address are required for all manuscript-related inquiries.
In multi-author studies, the corresponding author assumes ownership of the article; he or she is responsible for alerting the co-authors to the development of the work once it is submitted to a journal.
All reprint requests for the study, as published in the journal, are also directed to the corresponding author.
Running title
The running head or title is an abbreviated or shortened form of the original title. Other than the title page, it is used as a header or footer.
Example, For the title: A Comparative Study of Renewable Energy Sources: Analyzing the Viability and Environmental Impact of Solar, Wind, and Hydroelectric Power The short title can be “Comparative Analysis of Renewable Energy Sources” Running head may include the short title and first author’s name followed by et al.
Example, for the title “Beliefs, attitudes and Self-use of Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathy Medicines among senior pharmacy students: An exploratory insight from Andhra Pradesh, India”
Running head: “Ahmad, et al.: Beliefs, attitude and self-use of AYUSH medications among pharmacy students”
Note: As titles are not complete sentences, they are not ended by a period/full stop “.”
Abstract
Significance of an Abstract
The abstract is frequently the only portion of a paper that is readily accessible and widely read. Journal editors and reviewers initially evaluate submitted manuscripts based on their titles and abstracts.
The abstract of your paper serves as a crucial tool for busy journal editors to determine whether your paper should be sent for peer review or rejected outright.
Additionally, it is important to keep in mind that reviewers will form their initial impression of your paper based on their reading of it.
Therefore, abstracts must be engaging and contain all pertinent information necessary to evaluate the study. To increase the likelihood of acceptance among hundreds of comparable abstracts, conference abstracts must be especially appealing.
Characteristics of a good abstract
- The rationale/ problem statement behind the study and the explanation for the line of investigation.
- The aim/purpose of the study and the intended outcome.
- A brief summary of the methods used during the study.
- The key results of the study and the conclusions that can be drawn from them.
- The major conclusions inferred from the study
- The implications of the study’s results in the area of research and the industry problems that can be targeted through these results (if applicable).
Structure of an Abstract
A good abstract has about 200 to 300 words. Most of the journals recommend an abstract word count of 250 words.
An abstract can be (I) structured or (II) unstructured based on the guidelines of the target journal.
(I) Structured Abstract
Begin writing your abstract after you have written your manuscript. Ask yourself the following questions and answer them.
Introduction
What problem are you attempting to resolve?
What motivated you to do so?
Answer the questions by highlighting the main objectives/hypotheses and conclusions from your Introduction and Conclusion sections.
Methods
1. How did do to accomplish your objective?
Answer the question by selecting the main sentences from your methods section.
Results
1. What are the findings/outcomes of your study?
Now reveal your research findings by highlighting the main sentences and phrases from the results section.
Conclusion:
Finally, ask the question:
1. What are the implications and significance of your findings?
Answer the question by including the main sentences from the conclusion section of your manuscript.
This forms a structured abstract.
Example of a structured abstract
(II) Unstructured Abstract
- Write all the sentences according to the process discussed for the structured abstract. Arrange the sentences in a single paragraph and remove the subheadings. Ensure to maintain a proper flow of information.
- Check the word count of the abstract in the journal guidelines and try to adhere to them as much as possible.
Your unstructured abstract is ready.
A good abstract
- Contains information that corresponds to what is stated in the article.
- Meet the requirements of the desired journal (word limit, abstract type, etc.)
- Is free of typographical problems, which might lead referees and editors to “conclude that the paper is bad and should be rejected.
An abstract should NOT contain:
- Information not present in the paper
- Figures and tables
- Abbreviations
A literature review or reference citation
Keywords
Keywords improve the discoverability of research by ensuring that databases and search engines properly index your paper. Therefore, careful consideration should be given to the selection of keywords.
Steps to selecting the right keywords:
- Review your manuscript and list down the terms/phrases that are used repeatedly.
- Ensure that you include all the main key terms and a few additional keywords.
- Include variants of the keywords (e.g. kidney and renal), as well as drug names, procedures, etc.
- Include common abbreviations of terms (e.g. HIV).
- Verify that the terms you have used correspond to those found in these resources by checking a common vocabulary/term list or indexing standard in your field (such as
GeoRef, ERIC Thesaurus, PsycInfo, ChemWeb, BIOSIS Search Guide, or MeSH Thesaurus). - Finally, before submitting your manuscript, use a search engine to enter your keywords and see if any results fit the topic of your essay. This will enable you to assess the relevance of the keywords in your research paper to their specific subject.
Organizing your introduction to provide the context of the study
The introduction section of a medical research paper provides an overview of the study and serves as the starting point for readers to understand the context, rationale, and objectives of the research.
The introductory statement should not be too broad but still cover important information. If a research paper has a word count of 3000, the Introduction section should be covered within 300 words.
A research manuscript is commonly structured using an IMRAD format.
- Why did you choose that topic for research?
Answer it by giving a general introduction to the topic under consideration, definitions of any key concepts, and a brief explanation of the theoretical background (if necessary/applicable)
Ask the question:
- What has already been published about your topic of research? How did they do it?
Answer it by giving a summary of the existing work on the topic of study, including citations from current publications and a detailed evaluation of the literature.
Ask these questions:
- What are the key studies, publications, or scholarly works that have explored and contributed to the understanding of the topic of study?
- How can their findings and insights be summarized and critically evaluated?
Answer by writing the highlights of the gaps in the literature, unexplored topics pertinent to the current investigation, and specific characterizations of the problem.
Ask these questions:
- How does the present study attempt to solve the stated issue?
- What particular problems does the present study aim to address concerning the problem statement?
- How does the present study add to or advance earlier work on the subject?
- What distinct strategy or methodology does the present study use to tackle the problem?
- How does the theory behind the present study fit into the body of existing research?
- What possible impacts or benefits are anticipated from the present study’s methodology in addressing the stated problem and knowledge gaps?
Answer them in 1 – 2 sentences each by explaining the current study’s concept and how it seeks to solve the problem statement and the literature gaps that have been identified.
Developing the methodology section
A methods section should include sufficient information for another researcher in the field to replicate the work.
It contains the following subheadings:
- Study design or Experiment Design
- Sample collection or participants
- Data collection Statistical analysis
Study design or Experiment Design
Answer the following questions in detail. (100-500 words, based on the study and journal guidelines)
- What is the overall design of the study or experiment?
- What is the approach taken to address the research question or hypothesis? (For example, retrospective study, randomized controlled trial, case-control study, cross-sectional study, etc.)
Sample collection or participants
In the case of human or animal participants, ask the following and answer it in approx. 200500 words
- What are the numbers of participants or subjects involved in the study?
- What are their characteristics? How were they selected? (include selection criteria and recruitment methods)
The methods section should contain clear inclusion and exclusion criteria for study participant selection as well as descriptions of blinding and/or randomization techniques, as applicable.
Ethical consideration:
Was informed consent and other relevant ethical approval obtained from the participants of the study?
Which review board approved the study? (IRB) For example, in the case of human participants, anonymity should be maintained, and permission to publish the data should be obtained from the patients. In the case of animal studies, animals should be handled by someone who has the expertise, they should not be harmed unnecessarily, etc.
OR Ask (in the case of samples):
What are the methods and apparatus used in the present study?
What are the sources of these methods and apparatus/equipment, and what are the names of the manufacturers (if applicable)?
For any device, laboratory equipment, or supplies that you mention in the methods section, appropriate details, such as the make and model, the name of the manufacturer, and the company’s location, should be included.
Data collection
Ask these questions and answer them in 200 – 800 words, based on journal guidelines:
- What are the methods used to collect data, including any instruments, tools, or techniques employed?
- What are the variables of interest in their study, and describe the specific measurements or assessments used to quantify those variables?
- What are the procedures followed step by step during studies, including any manipulations, treatments, or interventions performed on individuals or samples?
Statistical analysis
Answer the following question in 100-500 words:
- What statistical analyses were performed, including the specific tests or models used and any software or programming languages employed?
Presenting results effectively with figures, tables, and data visualization
The results section is a clear presentation of the study’s findings and how they relate to the objectives of the study. It also includes a description of how the obtained results are novel and whether they are consistent with the findings of previous research.
Writing a good results section
Ask the question:
“What were the main findings of my research?”
Highlight the most significant findings that directly address your research objectives or questions.
Highlight noteworthy patterns, trends, correlations, or differences that you observed.
Using figures and tables to display the results
Clear and effective representation is essential to communicating your findings efficiently. It makes sure that the audience can comprehend the most important findings and implications of the study.
Figures and tables help readers understand your research findings.
Helpful tips for preparing figures and tables
Organize your data in a logical and structured manner
Effective data visualization makes complex information simpler so that the audience can better understand and interpret it.
Highlight Important Findings
The visualization should highlight the most significant and useful insights. Avoid distracting or confusing the viewer by cluttering the image with unnecessary details.
Choose an appropriate graphical representation
Different categories of data necessitate distinct visualization methods.
For example,
Line graphs are appropriate for displaying periodic trends.Bar graphs are useful for comparing categorical data.
Consider the audience and context
Choose visualization strategies that relate to your target audience and fit the presentation’s context. Make the images specific to your audience’s requirements and preferences.
Use clear and legible fonts
Choose easy-to-read fonts and make sure the text size is appropriate for various devices and viewing conditions.
Consider using accessible color schemes
The recommended fonts for images are
- Arial (or Helvetica)
- Courier
- Symbol
Times (or Times New Roman)
Ensure appropriate data representation
Verify that the figure or table appropriately depicts the underlying data by checking for accuracy. Avoid misrepresenting or manipulating facts, since doing so may result in incorrect interpretations.
Appropriate le format
Check the target journal’s requirements for the file format. Widely accepted file formats for figures are as follows:
MS Office files (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint): Microsoft Office® is a suite of tools for written documents, spreadsheets, presentations, and databases. Since many authors send their artwork in MS Office format (for convenience), most journals accept it.