Seventeen Steps to Writing a Research Article
The process of moving
from plan to published manuscript will be a frightening one. Here we have a
tendency to break that method into a series of steps designed to create this
essential task a lot manageable.
1. Start writing before
the experiments are complete. Start writing whereas you're still doing the
experiments. Writing usually evokes new ideas: you'll realize that there are
further experiments to run or further controls that you simply got to add. If
you wait till you're done in the lab, have razed the equipment, and possibly
moved on to a different position, you may not have the chance to test these
ideas.
2. Draft a title &
abstract.
Drafting an operating title and an abstract helps define the contents of the
paper, identifying that experiments you may publish during this paper, and that
studies you may save for inclusion in another paper.
3. (Re) examine the
list of authors. Once you have currently determined that experiments are going
to be included during this paper you want to choose the authors and also the
order in which they'll seem. If you have got followed our advice for the present
purpose, you have already got such an inventory. Reevaluate it supported the
contributions that were created to those experiments and also the further
contributions which will be created through the preparation of the manuscript.
If an inventory already exists, create changes to make sure compliance along with
your tips. Of course, any changes ought to be finished with caution and tact.
4. Determine the
fundamental format. There are 3 basic formats for peer-reviewed research articles:
• Full-length research
articles:
These articles include a broad investigation of the subject matter and are
viewed because of the standard format. It uses the “IMRAD” system: Introduction,
Methods, Results, and Discussion.
• Short (or brief)
communications: whereas not as comprehensive in scope as full-length research
articles, these papers additionally create a big contribution to the
literature. Their length is going to be set by the journal however is
sometimes 3500 words or less and can contain up to two tables and figures. Unlike
full papers, methods, results, and discussions could also be combined into one
section.
• Fast communications: These articles
quickly diffuse notably “hot” findings, sometimes in a brief communication
format. Articles that have immediate implications for public health would be
acceptable for such a format, as many findings in a very extremely competitive
and quickly moving field.
5. Stock the sections
of your paper. As you're thinking that concerning your paper, store applicable
material in folders marked Introduction, Methods, Results, and Discussion. This
may save time and avoid frustration once the writing begins. Hold on things may
include figures, references, and ideas.
6. Construct the
tables, figures, and legends. Yes, produce figures and tables before the
writing begins! the complete paper ought to be organized around the information
you may present. By making ready the tables and figures (and their legends and
acceptable statistical analyses), you may make certain of your results before
you worry too much regarding their interpretation. you also could also be able
to confirm if you have got all the data you wish. Note: except below uncommon
circumstance, you'll not include any information that you simply have already
published.
7. Outline the paper. An overview is like a
road map. overview details however you may get from here to there, and helps
make sure that you take the most direct and logical route. Don't start writing
while not it! If you have got coauthors, you would like to get feedback from
them before you proceed to the particular writing section. And if you have got
“stocked” your sections (Step 8), those files ought to be helpful here and
within the writing that follows.
8. Write the primary
draft.
Write the primary draft of the complete manuscript. If you're writing with
coauthors, you would like to assign totally different aspects of the manuscript
to different authors. This may save time, allow a lot of people to feel that
are creating substantive contributions to the writing method, and make sure the
best use of experience. However, it can also lead to a mixture of designs.
Thus, if you are taking this approach, make certain that the ultimate product
is carefully edited to produce one voice. “Components of a Research Article”
discusses what goes into every section of the manuscript. For a lot of in-depth
presentation of this and plenty of different aspects of preparing a paper, see
Day (1998). At now, don't worry regarding it being intelligible. That comes
later.
Some people suggest
that you simply begin your writing with the Introduction and continue through
so as every section of the paper. This may facilitate guarantee flow. However,
others recommend that you simply begin where you would like – something to urge
eliminate that blank screen or piece of paper. No matter your approach, heed
the advice of Charles Sides (1991): “If you are attempting to write and edit at
a similar time, you may do neither well.” and since redaction is usually plenty
easier than writing, push through this step as quickly as attainable. If you're
taking rather more than 2 full days, you have got most likely paused to edit!
9. Revise the
manuscript. This step involves 3 major tasks, every to be disbursed within
the order given:
Make major
alterations: Fill in gaps, correct flaws in logic, structure the document to
gift the material within the most reasonable order. Polish the style: Refine
the text, then correct grammar and writing system.
Format the document:
create your manuscript enticing and simple to browse. It's vital to try to the
tasks within the explicit order.
Otherwise, you may find yourself spending plenty of your time revising material
that you simply later delete.
10. Check the
references. Make sure that the citations are correct and complete. Does one
last literature search to create certain that you simply are up so far?
11. Write the ultimate
title and abstract. Several changes are created throughout the editing process. Confirm
that your title and abstract match the ultimate version of your article.
12. Read the journal's
directions to the Authors. Review the main points of however the manuscript is to be
formatted and submitted. Revise wherever necessary.
13. Prepare the
ultimate illustrations. Make sure that your tables, figures, and figure legends are
complete, clear, self-contained, and within the format needed by the journal. Don't
allow any probability of misunderstanding.
14. Get feedback on
your manuscript so revise your manuscript once more. Obtaining feedback
is one every of the most vital things that you just will do to improve your
article. First, make sure your co-authors have had an opportunity to browse and
treat the draft. Then, once it's prepared, provide the manuscript to some
colleagues. Indicate after you would really like to receive their comments, and
what levels of data you'd like (e.g., comments on the science, logic, language,
and/or style). When you get their comments, revise your manuscript to deal with
their concerns.
Do not submit your
manuscript till you're feeling it's prepared for publication. Once it's
accepted, more changes in your manuscript are going to be tough and will also
be costly.
15. Submit the
manuscript to the editor. Follow the directions to the Authors to work out what things you
wish to submit, the way to submit them, and to whom you ought to send them. Note
that some journals allow (or even require) a “pre-review,” i.e., a letter
indicating the content of the article so the editors will confirm whether or
not they can settle for the manuscript for a full review. At this time you would
like to list possible reviewers (or people to be avoided). If necessary,
contact the editor to make sure that the manuscript was received. And if when a
month you have got not received a response regarding the acceptability of your
manuscript for publication you would like to contact the editor regarding this,
too.
16. Deal with
reviewers' comments. Most manuscripts aren't accepted on the primary submission.
However, you'll rather be invited to resubmit a revised manuscript. If you
select to try to, therefore, you'll have to be compelled to reply to the
reviewer comments. Do that with tact. Answer each concern of the reviewers, and
indicate wherever the corresponding changes were created in the manuscript if
they were, indeed, made. you are doing not have to be compelled to make all of
the changes that the reviewer recommended, however, you are doing have to be
compelled to give a convincing explanation for any changes that you just did
not make. After you render the manuscript, indicate in your letter that this is
a Word. Another is to submit the manuscript to a different journal. However, if
you are doing, therefore, it's going to still be best to require the reviewer
comments into thought. Even if you're feeling that the reviewers have
misunderstood one thing in your paper, others may do a similar. Of course, if
you submit to another journal you most likely can need to modify the format.
And please note: you'll not submit your manuscript to more than one journal at
a time!
17. Check the proofs. Once the manuscript
is accepted and ready for print, the publisher can send the corresponding
author page proofs of the article. This could be accompanied by a listing of
queries, like missing info concerning a reference. The proofs may be sent via
e-mail or as a hard copy. If there is a chance that you will be away when the
proofs arrive, have a plan for making certain that they are received and you
are notified. You may only have 24–48 hr to return the proofs. Carefully
correct any typos and factual errors. And read the manuscript for clarity –
this is your last chance!
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