Researchers often wonder how to write a great research paper and look for research paper tips before they embark on the journey of writing one. Writing a good research paper and publishing it are key skills that a researcher works on developing and mastering. A researcher may be technically brilliant and creative, but their endeavor will go undetected unless they can effectively communicate their scientific results.
Early career researchers (ECRs) are usually given research paper tips and encouraged to submit their manuscripts in high-impact journals since this can boost their career prospects. While high-impact journals have greater visibility, they also have extremely low acceptance rates, making the process more competitive. ECRs or researchers using English as a second language (ESL) can find the process of translating thought into written text to be a steep learning curve. Here are some tips on how to write a great research paper – one that is impressive and can improve the chances of being published in high-impact journals without losing clarity and structure.
Research paper tip 1. Weave a strong, compelling story about your research: A good research paper communicates findings and their significance in a way that is clearly understandable to readers. What sets a great paper apart from a good research paper is how lucid and engaging the narrative about the research is. One tip on how to write a good research paper is to center your narrative on the research question/objective, and weave a compelling story with a logical flow throughout the paper. This will engage readers because they will be better able to not only process the new knowledge but also follow a critical investigation of the concept studied.
Research paper tip 2. Begin writing as soon as you identify the key concept: Many researchers ask how to write a great research paper and the key is to start the writing process as soon as you have identified the key concept of your study. Your ideas may not be very sharp or concrete to begin with, but as you develop the paper, they will crystallize and become more explicit. Do not wait till the end of the research to begin drafting the paper. This simultaneous process of writing a good research paper while working on the research project brings focus and clarity in the work itself. It also facilitates timely discussion and critique with co-authors.
Research paper tip 3. Use visual illustrations: One way of figuring out how to how to write an excellent research paper is imagining what you see initially when you look at a research paper. The graphics – figures, charts, tables, pictures, and schematics – make the first impression. This is because they convey the essence of the work in a way that catches the reader’s attention right away.
One of the most underrated tips on how to write a great research paper would be to use the most appropriate visual format for a particular piece of information. If your paper has a lot of complex information (for example, with respect to methodology or experimental set-up), consider creating diagrams or flowcharts to help the reader follow the rationale for how you conducted your research. Where relevant and possible, consider adding actual photographs (e.g., to show characteristics of field sites, organisms studied, special devices used); this is how to make a good research paper stand out. Charts and graphs are excellent ways to show trends. Find creative ways to visualize data and show relationships between variables. So if you’re wondering how to write a great research paper, remember that visual content can make a paper more engaging and also simplify complex concepts for readers.
Research paper tip 4. Listen to the reviewers: This is not a simple task but it is critical and the best way to write a research paper. When writing a good research paper, you should view every criticism as a chance to present your work in a clearer and more concise manner. An important tip on how to write a great research paper would be to consider yourself a reader when you proofread your paper and evaluate it critically. Continue to improve on the initial draft.
Research paper tip 5. Read, read, and read well-written papers: Finally one of the most important research paper tips – read well-written research papers. Once you have established a strong reading habit, you will be able to appreciate and adopt good writing styles as well as expanding your scientific vocabulary. The papers published in journals that cover a wide range of topics and are aimed at a broader audience are usually well written. This is because these journals ensure that their articles are written clearly enough for a broad readership.
Additional reading
- Jones, S. P. How to write a great research paper. Microsoft research https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/research/academic-program/write-great-research-paper/ (2012)
- Richardson, S. M. Scientific writing and publishing for early-career researchers from the perspective of young chemists. J. Mater. Chem. A, 9, 18674-18680 (2021)
