{"id":6552,"date":"2026-07-11T04:40:43","date_gmt":"2026-07-11T04:40:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/?p=6552"},"modified":"2026-07-12T12:32:07","modified_gmt":"2026-07-12T12:32:07","slug":"how-to-start-writing-a-research-paper-10-steps-you-should-not-skip","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/article\/how-to-start-writing-a-research-paper-10-steps-you-should-not-skip\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Start Writing a Research Paper: A 10-Step Guide"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><strong>Key Takeaways:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Start with a focused research question, validated against the FINER criteria, before you write a single sentence of your paper.<\/li>\n<li>Write the Methods section first, not the Introduction; it is the easiest section to draft and builds early momentum.<\/li>\n<li>Spend disproportionate time on your Title and Abstract; they are the only parts most readers, editors, and reviewers will ever see.<\/li>\n<li>Plan for revision from day 1: budget at least 25-30% of your total writing time for editing, journal alignment, and co-author feedback.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_68 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title \" >Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/article\/how-to-start-writing-a-research-paper-10-steps-you-should-not-skip\/#Glossary_of_Key_Terms\" title=\"Glossary of Key Terms\">Glossary of Key Terms<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/article\/how-to-start-writing-a-research-paper-10-steps-you-should-not-skip\/#Why_Is_Starting_a_Research_Paper_So_Hard\" title=\"Why Is Starting a Research Paper So Hard?\">Why Is Starting a Research Paper So Hard?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/article\/how-to-start-writing-a-research-paper-10-steps-you-should-not-skip\/#Step_1_Define_a_Clear_Focused_Research_Question\" title=\"Step 1: Define a Clear, Focused Research Question\">Step 1: Define a Clear, Focused Research Question<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/article\/how-to-start-writing-a-research-paper-10-steps-you-should-not-skip\/#What_Makes_a_Good_Research_Question\" title=\"What Makes a Good Research Question?\">What Makes a Good Research Question?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/article\/how-to-start-writing-a-research-paper-10-steps-you-should-not-skip\/#Use_the_FINER_and_PICO_Frameworks\" title=\"Use the FINER and PICO Frameworks\">Use the FINER and PICO Frameworks<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/article\/how-to-start-writing-a-research-paper-10-steps-you-should-not-skip\/#Weak_vs_Strong_Research_Questions_Examples\" title=\"Weak vs. Strong Research Questions: Examples\">Weak vs. Strong Research Questions: Examples<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/article\/how-to-start-writing-a-research-paper-10-steps-you-should-not-skip\/#Step_2_Conduct_a_Thorough_Literature_Review\" title=\"Step 2: Conduct a Thorough Literature Review\">Step 2: Conduct a Thorough Literature Review<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/article\/how-to-start-writing-a-research-paper-10-steps-you-should-not-skip\/#Which_Databases_Should_You_Search\" title=\"Which Databases Should You Search?\">Which Databases Should You Search?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/article\/how-to-start-writing-a-research-paper-10-steps-you-should-not-skip\/#Build_Effective_Search_Strings\" title=\"Build Effective Search Strings\">Build Effective Search Strings<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/article\/how-to-start-writing-a-research-paper-10-steps-you-should-not-skip\/#Choose_a_Reference_Manager_Early\" title=\"Choose a Reference Manager Early\">Choose a Reference Manager Early<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/article\/how-to-start-writing-a-research-paper-10-steps-you-should-not-skip\/#Synthesize_With_a_Literature_Matrix\" title=\"Synthesize With a Literature Matrix\">Synthesize With a Literature Matrix<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-12\" href=\"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/article\/how-to-start-writing-a-research-paper-10-steps-you-should-not-skip\/#Step_3_Formulate_a_Research_Statement\" title=\"Step 3: Formulate a Research Statement\">Step 3: Formulate a Research Statement<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-13\" href=\"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/article\/how-to-start-writing-a-research-paper-10-steps-you-should-not-skip\/#Research_Statement_vs_Thesis_Statement_What_Is_the_Difference\" title=\"Research Statement vs. Thesis Statement: What Is the Difference?\">Research Statement vs. Thesis Statement: What Is the Difference?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-14\" href=\"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/article\/how-to-start-writing-a-research-paper-10-steps-you-should-not-skip\/#A_Formula_You_Can_Use\" title=\"A Formula You Can Use\">A Formula You Can Use<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-15\" href=\"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/article\/how-to-start-writing-a-research-paper-10-steps-you-should-not-skip\/#Step_4_Create_a_Strong_Research_Paper_Outline\" title=\"Step 4: Create a Strong Research Paper Outline\">Step 4: Create a Strong Research Paper Outline<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-16\" href=\"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/article\/how-to-start-writing-a-research-paper-10-steps-you-should-not-skip\/#The_IMRaD_Structure\" title=\"The IMRaD Structure\">The IMRaD Structure<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-17\" href=\"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/article\/how-to-start-writing-a-research-paper-10-steps-you-should-not-skip\/#When_Does_IMRaD_Not_Apply\" title=\"When Does IMRaD Not Apply?\">When Does IMRaD Not Apply?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-18\" href=\"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/article\/how-to-start-writing-a-research-paper-10-steps-you-should-not-skip\/#Step_5_Begin_Working_on_the_First_Draft\" title=\"Step 5: Begin Working on the First Draft\">Step 5: Begin Working on the First Draft<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-19\" href=\"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/article\/how-to-start-writing-a-research-paper-10-steps-you-should-not-skip\/#Which_Section_Should_You_Write_First\" title=\"Which Section Should You Write First?\">Which Section Should You Write First?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-20\" href=\"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/article\/how-to-start-writing-a-research-paper-10-steps-you-should-not-skip\/#Drafting_Strategies_That_Beat_Writers_Block\" title=\"Drafting Strategies That Beat Writer&#8217;s Block\">Drafting Strategies That Beat Writer&#8217;s Block<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-21\" href=\"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/article\/how-to-start-writing-a-research-paper-10-steps-you-should-not-skip\/#Step_6_Write_the_Methods_and_Results_Sections\" title=\"Step 6: Write the Methods and Results Sections\">Step 6: Write the Methods and Results Sections<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-22\" href=\"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/article\/how-to-start-writing-a-research-paper-10-steps-you-should-not-skip\/#Writing_the_Methods\" title=\"Writing the Methods\">Writing the Methods<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-23\" href=\"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/article\/how-to-start-writing-a-research-paper-10-steps-you-should-not-skip\/#Presenting_Results_Figures_and_Tables\" title=\"Presenting Results, Figures, and Tables\">Presenting Results, Figures, and Tables<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-24\" href=\"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/article\/how-to-start-writing-a-research-paper-10-steps-you-should-not-skip\/#Step_7_Write_a_Compelling_Introduction\" title=\"Step 7: Write a Compelling Introduction\">Step 7: Write a Compelling Introduction<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-25\" href=\"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/article\/how-to-start-writing-a-research-paper-10-steps-you-should-not-skip\/#The_CARS_Model_3_Moves\" title=\"The CARS Model: 3 Moves\">The CARS Model: 3 Moves<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-26\" href=\"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/article\/how-to-start-writing-a-research-paper-10-steps-you-should-not-skip\/#Step_8_Spend_Time_on_Your_Abstract_and_Title\" title=\"Step 8: Spend Time on Your Abstract and Title\">Step 8: Spend Time on Your Abstract and Title<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-27\" href=\"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/article\/how-to-start-writing-a-research-paper-10-steps-you-should-not-skip\/#How_Long_Should_an_Abstract_Be\" title=\"How Long Should an Abstract Be?\">How Long Should an Abstract Be?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-28\" href=\"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/article\/how-to-start-writing-a-research-paper-10-steps-you-should-not-skip\/#Title-Writing_Patterns_That_Get_Papers_Read\" title=\"Title-Writing Patterns That Get Papers Read\">Title-Writing Patterns That Get Papers Read<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-29\" href=\"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/article\/how-to-start-writing-a-research-paper-10-steps-you-should-not-skip\/#Step_9_Write_the_Discussion_and_Conclusion\" title=\"Step 9: Write the Discussion and Conclusion\">Step 9: Write the Discussion and Conclusion<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-30\" href=\"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/article\/how-to-start-writing-a-research-paper-10-steps-you-should-not-skip\/#Step_10_Revise_Polish_and_Align_With_Journal_Guidelines\" title=\"Step 10: Revise, Polish, and Align With Journal Guidelines\">Step 10: Revise, Polish, and Align With Journal Guidelines<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-31\" href=\"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/article\/how-to-start-writing-a-research-paper-10-steps-you-should-not-skip\/#Journal_Alignment_Checklist\" title=\"Journal Alignment Checklist\">Journal Alignment Checklist<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-32\" href=\"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/article\/how-to-start-writing-a-research-paper-10-steps-you-should-not-skip\/#Edit_in_3_Passes_Not_1\" title=\"Edit in 3 Passes, Not 1\">Edit in 3 Passes, Not 1<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-33\" href=\"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/article\/how-to-start-writing-a-research-paper-10-steps-you-should-not-skip\/#Beyond_the_10_Steps_What_Else_Determines_Success\" title=\"Beyond the 10 Steps: What Else Determines Success\">Beyond the 10 Steps: What Else Determines Success<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-34\" href=\"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/article\/how-to-start-writing-a-research-paper-10-steps-you-should-not-skip\/#Citations_Referencing_and_Plagiarism\" title=\"Citations, Referencing, and Plagiarism\">Citations, Referencing, and Plagiarism<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-35\" href=\"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/article\/how-to-start-writing-a-research-paper-10-steps-you-should-not-skip\/#Authorship_and_Co-Author_Collaboration\" title=\"Authorship and Co-Author Collaboration\">Authorship and Co-Author Collaboration<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-36\" href=\"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/article\/how-to-start-writing-a-research-paper-10-steps-you-should-not-skip\/#Ethics_Declarations_and_Data_Availability\" title=\"Ethics, Declarations, and Data Availability\">Ethics, Declarations, and Data Availability<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-37\" href=\"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/article\/how-to-start-writing-a-research-paper-10-steps-you-should-not-skip\/#Can_You_Use_AI_Tools_When_Writing_a_Research_Paper\" title=\"Can You Use AI Tools When Writing a Research Paper?\">Can You Use AI Tools When Writing a Research Paper?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-38\" href=\"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/article\/how-to-start-writing-a-research-paper-10-steps-you-should-not-skip\/#Plan_Your_Writing_Timeline\" title=\"Plan Your Writing Timeline\">Plan Your Writing Timeline<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-39\" href=\"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/article\/how-to-start-writing-a-research-paper-10-steps-you-should-not-skip\/#Pre-Submission_Checklist\" title=\"Pre-Submission Checklist\">Pre-Submission Checklist<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-40\" href=\"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/article\/how-to-start-writing-a-research-paper-10-steps-you-should-not-skip\/#Frequently_Asked_Questions\" title=\"Frequently Asked Questions\">Frequently Asked Questions<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-41\" href=\"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/article\/how-to-start-writing-a-research-paper-10-steps-you-should-not-skip\/#How_long_does_it_take_to_write_a_research_paper\" title=\"How long does it take to write a research paper?\">How long does it take to write a research paper?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-42\" href=\"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/article\/how-to-start-writing-a-research-paper-10-steps-you-should-not-skip\/#How_long_should_a_research_paper_be\" title=\"How long should a research paper be?\">How long should a research paper be?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-43\" href=\"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/article\/how-to-start-writing-a-research-paper-10-steps-you-should-not-skip\/#Which_section_of_a_research_paper_should_you_write_first\" title=\"Which section of a research paper should you write first?\">Which section of a research paper should you write first?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-44\" href=\"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/article\/how-to-start-writing-a-research-paper-10-steps-you-should-not-skip\/#What_is_the_difference_between_an_abstract_and_an_introduction\" title=\"What is the difference between an abstract and an introduction?\">What is the difference between an abstract and an introduction?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-45\" href=\"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/article\/how-to-start-writing-a-research-paper-10-steps-you-should-not-skip\/#How_many_references_should_a_research_paper_have\" title=\"How many references should a research paper have?\">How many references should a research paper have?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-46\" href=\"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/article\/how-to-start-writing-a-research-paper-10-steps-you-should-not-skip\/#Can_you_publish_a_research_paper_without_a_PhD\" title=\"Can you publish a research paper without a PhD?\">Can you publish a research paper without a PhD?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-47\" href=\"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/article\/how-to-start-writing-a-research-paper-10-steps-you-should-not-skip\/#How_do_you_write_a_research_paper_introduction_that_hooks_readers\" title=\"How do you write a research paper introduction that hooks readers?\">How do you write a research paper introduction that hooks readers?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Glossary_of_Key_Terms\"><\/span><strong>Glossary of Key Terms<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Before diving in, here are the key terms used throughout this guide. Bookmark this table if you are new to academic publishing.<\/p>\n<table width=\"624\">\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"160\"><strong>Term<\/strong><\/td>\n<td width=\"464\"><strong>Definition<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"160\"><a href=\"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/article\/how-to-craft-a-strong-research-question-with-research-question-examples\/\">Research question<\/a><\/td>\n<td width=\"464\">The specific, answerable question your study is designed to address; it defines the <a href=\"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/article\/decoding-the-scope-and-delimitations-of-the-study-in-research\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">scope of your paper<\/a>.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"160\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.editage.com\/blog\/what-is-literature-review-definition-types-and-examples\/\">Literature review<\/a><\/td>\n<td width=\"464\">A systematic survey of published work on your topic, used to identify gaps, methods, and key debates.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"160\">Thesis statement<\/td>\n<td width=\"464\">A 1-2 sentence claim stating the central argument or finding your paper will defend.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"160\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.editage.com\/blog\/imrad-paper-example-structure-outline\/\">IMRaD<\/a><\/td>\n<td width=\"464\">The standard structure of empirical papers: Introduction, Methods, Results, and Discussion.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"160\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.editage.com\/blog\/how-to-write-abstract\/\">Abstract<\/a><\/td>\n<td width=\"464\">A 150-300 word standalone summary of your paper, indexed by databases and read before (or instead of) the full text.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"160\">CARS model<\/td>\n<td width=\"464\">Create a Research Space: a 3-move framework for writing introductions (territory, niche, occupying the niche).<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"160\">Literature matrix<\/td>\n<td width=\"464\">A table that organizes sources by method, findings, and gaps so you can synthesize rather than summarize.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"160\">Boolean operators<\/td>\n<td width=\"464\">Connectors (AND, OR, NOT) used to combine keywords in database searches.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"160\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.editage.us\/blog\/peer-review-types-and-process\/\">Peer review<\/a><\/td>\n<td width=\"464\">Evaluation of your manuscript by independent experts before a journal accepts it for publication.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"160\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.editage.us\/blog\/what-does-a-corresponding-author-do-during-manuscript-submission\/\">Corresponding author<\/a><\/td>\n<td width=\"464\">The author responsible for journal communication, submission, and post-publication queries.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"160\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.editage.us\/blog\/what-are-preprints\/\">Preprint<\/a><\/td>\n<td width=\"464\">A version of a paper shared publicly before peer review, often on a dedicated preprint server.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"160\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.editage.us\/blog\/what-is-plagiarism\/\">Plagiarism<\/a><\/td>\n<td width=\"464\">Presenting others&#8217; words, data, or ideas as your own; includes reusing your own published text without disclosure (self-plagiarism).<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"160\">DOI<\/td>\n<td width=\"464\">Digital Object Identifier: a permanent, unique code assigned to a published article.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"160\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.editage.com\/blog\/journal-impact-factor\/\">Impact factor<\/a><\/td>\n<td width=\"464\">A metric reflecting how often a journal&#8217;s recent articles are cited; 1 indicator (among many) of journal visibility.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Why_Is_Starting_a_Research_Paper_So_Hard\"><\/span><strong>Why Is Starting a Research Paper So Hard?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Starting a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.editage.com\/blog\/how-to-write-a-good-research-paper\/\">research paper<\/a> is hard because 3 obstacles hit at once: unfamiliarity with academic writing conventions, uncertainty about how to structure data and arguments, and the pressure to sound polished from the first sentence. Each obstacle feeds procrastination, and procrastination compounds the problem as deadlines approach.<\/p>\n<p>The research itself, designing experiments, collecting data, running analyses, often feels energizing. Writing it down feels like a different job entirely, and in many ways it is. The good news: writing a research paper is a learnable, repeatable process, not a talent. This guide breaks that process into 10 concrete steps, with frameworks, examples, templates, and tools at every stage.<\/p>\n<p>1 mindset shift before you begin: separate generating from polishing. First drafts exist to get ideas out; revision exists to make them good. Researchers who accept this write faster and procrastinate less.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Step_1_Define_a_Clear_Focused_Research_Question\"><\/span><strong>Step 1: Define a Clear, Focused Research Question<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Knowledge without direction is like a boat on dry land. Everything in your paper, the literature you cite, the methods you choose, the story your discussion tells, flows from your research question. A vague question produces a vague paper; a sharp question practically outlines the paper for you.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_Makes_a_Good_Research_Question\"><\/span><strong>What Makes a Good Research Question?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>A good research question is specific, answerable with the data and methods available to you, and anchored in a genuine gap in the literature. It should be narrow enough to answer in 1 paper, yet significant enough that other researchers care about the answer.<\/p>\n<p>Test your draft question against these 4 quick checks:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Specificity: does it name a defined population, variable, or context, rather than a broad theme?<\/li>\n<li>Answerability: could you describe, in 1 paragraph, the data that would answer it?<\/li>\n<li>Novelty: has the exact question already been answered? If yes, what angle is still open?<\/li>\n<li>Scope: can it be answered within your time, budget, and word limit?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Use_the_FINER_and_PICO_Frameworks\"><\/span><strong>Use the FINER and PICO Frameworks<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>2 established frameworks can pressure-test your question. FINER works across all disciplines; PICO is standard in health sciences and other intervention-based fields.<\/p>\n<table width=\"624\">\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"147\"><strong>FINER Criterion<\/strong><\/td>\n<td width=\"253\"><strong>What It Means<\/strong><\/td>\n<td width=\"224\"><strong>Ask Yourself<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"147\">Feasible<\/td>\n<td width=\"253\">Adequate subjects, expertise, time, and funds<\/td>\n<td width=\"224\">Can I realistically complete this study?<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"147\">Interesting<\/td>\n<td width=\"253\">The answer intrigues you and your community<\/td>\n<td width=\"224\">Will I stay motivated for months of work?<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"147\">Novel<\/td>\n<td width=\"253\">Confirms, refutes, or extends prior findings<\/td>\n<td width=\"224\">What does this add to what is known?<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"147\">Ethical<\/td>\n<td width=\"253\">Approvable by an ethics or review board<\/td>\n<td width=\"224\">Does the design respect participants and data?<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"147\">Relevant<\/td>\n<td width=\"253\">Matters to the field, policy, or practice<\/td>\n<td width=\"224\">Who will use this answer, and how?<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>PICO structures clinical and intervention questions in 4 parts:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>P (Population): who is being studied, e.g., adults over 65 with type 2 diabetes.<\/li>\n<li>I (Intervention): the treatment, exposure, or condition of interest.<\/li>\n<li>C (Comparison): the alternative against which the intervention is judged.<\/li>\n<li>O (Outcome): the measurable result, e.g., HbA1c reduction at 12 weeks.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Weak_vs_Strong_Research_Questions_Examples\"><\/span><strong>Weak vs. Strong Research Questions: Examples<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<table width=\"624\">\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"173\"><strong>Weak Question<\/strong><\/td>\n<td width=\"247\"><strong>Stronger Question<\/strong><\/td>\n<td width=\"204\"><strong>Why It Works<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"173\">How does social media affect students?<\/td>\n<td width=\"247\">Does daily Instagram use above 2 hours predict lower sleep quality among undergraduates aged 18-22?<\/td>\n<td width=\"204\">Names the platform, dose, population, and a measurable outcome.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"173\">Is climate change bad for farming?<\/td>\n<td width=\"247\">How did the 2015-2019 droughts alter wheat yields in Maharashtra&#8217;s rain-fed districts?<\/td>\n<td width=\"204\">Bounded by time, place, crop, and farming system.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"173\">Can AI improve healthcare?<\/td>\n<td width=\"247\">How accurately does a convolutional neural network detect diabetic retinopathy in fundus images compared with 2 human graders?<\/td>\n<td width=\"204\">Specifies the model, task, data type, and benchmark.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Step_2_Conduct_a_Thorough_Literature_Review\"><\/span><strong>Step 2: Conduct a Thorough Literature Review<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Before designing your study around a question, verify that the gap you see is real. A <a href=\"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/article\/literature-search-streamline-strategies\/\">literature search<\/a> tells you what is already known, which methods dominate the field, where researchers disagree, and how your work will fit into the conversation. It also supplies the citations that give your paper credibility.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Which_Databases_Should_You_Search\"><\/span><strong>Which Databases Should You Search?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Search at least 2-3 databases: 1 broad multidisciplinary index plus 1-2 field-specific ones. No single database covers everything, and relying on 1 source risks missing key studies and inflating your perceived gap.<\/p>\n<table width=\"624\">\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"173\"><strong>Database<\/strong><\/td>\n<td width=\"240\"><strong>Coverage<\/strong><\/td>\n<td width=\"211\"><strong>Best For<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"173\">Google Scholar<\/td>\n<td width=\"240\">Broadest; includes theses, preprints, grey literature<\/td>\n<td width=\"211\">Initial scoping and citation chaining<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"173\">Scopus<\/td>\n<td width=\"240\">Curated multidisciplinary index with citation metrics<\/td>\n<td width=\"211\">Systematic searching and author tracking<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"173\">Web of Science<\/td>\n<td width=\"240\">Selective multidisciplinary index<\/td>\n<td width=\"211\">High-impact journals and citation analysis<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"173\">PubMed \/ PubMed Central<\/td>\n<td width=\"240\">Biomedical and life sciences<\/td>\n<td width=\"211\">Clinical and health research<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"173\">IEEE Xplore<\/td>\n<td width=\"240\">Engineering, computing, electronics<\/td>\n<td width=\"211\">Technical and computer science papers<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"173\">JSTOR \/ Project MUSE<\/td>\n<td width=\"240\">Humanities and social sciences archives<\/td>\n<td width=\"211\">Historical and theoretical scholarship<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Build_Effective_Search_Strings\"><\/span><strong>Build Effective Search Strings<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Databases reward precise queries. Combine synonyms with Boolean operators, and refine iteratively: start broad, scan the first 50 results, then tighten.<\/p>\n<table width=\"624\">\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"133\"><strong>Operator<\/strong><\/td>\n<td width=\"253\"><strong>What It Does<\/strong><\/td>\n<td width=\"237\"><strong>Example<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"133\">AND<\/td>\n<td width=\"253\">Narrows: both terms must appear<\/td>\n<td width=\"237\">sleep AND adolescents<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"133\">OR<\/td>\n<td width=\"253\">Broadens: either term may appear<\/td>\n<td width=\"237\">teenagers OR adolescents<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"133\">NOT<\/td>\n<td width=\"253\">Excludes a term<\/td>\n<td width=\"237\">diabetes NOT gestational<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"133\">Quotation marks<\/td>\n<td width=\"253\">Finds an exact phrase<\/td>\n<td width=\"237\">\u201csleep quality index\u201d<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"133\">Asterisk (*)<\/td>\n<td width=\"253\">Captures word variants<\/td>\n<td width=\"237\">adolescen* finds adolescent, adolescents, adolescence<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>2 more techniques multiply your coverage. Backward citation chaining means mining the reference lists of key papers for earlier work. Forward chaining means using the database&#8217;s cited-by feature to find newer studies that build on those papers. Together they often surface literature that keyword searches miss.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Choose_a_Reference_Manager_Early\"><\/span><strong>Choose a Reference Manager Early<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Set up a reference manager before you collect your first PDF, not after you have 80 unsorted files. These tools store papers, generate citations in any style, and sync with your word processor.<\/p>\n<table width=\"624\">\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"120\"><strong>Tool<\/strong><\/td>\n<td width=\"173\"><strong>Cost<\/strong><\/td>\n<td width=\"331\"><strong>Strengths<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"120\">Zotero<\/td>\n<td width=\"173\">Free (paid storage tiers)<\/td>\n<td width=\"331\">Open source; 1-click browser capture; strong group libraries<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"120\">Mendeley<\/td>\n<td width=\"173\">Free (paid storage tiers)<\/td>\n<td width=\"331\">Built-in PDF annotation; large user community<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"120\">EndNote<\/td>\n<td width=\"173\">Paid license<\/td>\n<td width=\"331\">Deep Word integration; standard at many institutions<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"120\"><a href=\"https:\/\/paperpal.com\/\">Paperpal<\/a><\/td>\n<td width=\"173\">Free (paid version from USD 11.50 per month)<\/td>\n<td width=\"331\">Automatic reference finder, citation generator, and can check references for incorrect DOIs, retracted papers, or predatory journals<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Synthesize_With_a_Literature_Matrix\"><\/span><strong>Synthesize With a Literature Matrix<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Reading is not reviewing. To move from summarizing papers 1 by 1 to synthesizing across them, build a literature matrix: a table with 1 row per study. Patterns, contradictions, and gaps become visible at a glance, and your review section almost writes itself.<\/p>\n<table width=\"624\">\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"147\"><strong>Study (Year)<\/strong><\/td>\n<td width=\"147\"><strong>Method<\/strong><\/td>\n<td width=\"179\"><strong>Key Finding<\/strong><\/td>\n<td width=\"152\"><strong>Gap Identified<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"147\">Author A (2021)<\/td>\n<td width=\"147\">Survey, n=450<\/td>\n<td width=\"179\">Screen time correlates with poor sleep<\/td>\n<td width=\"152\">Self-reported data only<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"147\">Author B (2023)<\/td>\n<td width=\"147\">Actigraphy, n=60<\/td>\n<td width=\"179\">Effect holds with objective measures<\/td>\n<td width=\"152\">Small, single-campus sample<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"147\">Author C (2024)<\/td>\n<td width=\"147\">Meta-analysis, 32 studies<\/td>\n<td width=\"179\">Effect size varies by platform<\/td>\n<td width=\"152\">No data on short-video apps<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Step_3_Formulate_a_Research_Statement\"><\/span><strong>Step 3: Formulate a Research Statement<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>With your question validated and the literature mapped, distill your paper&#8217;s purpose into a research statement. This 1-3 sentence core tells readers exactly what you studied, how, and why it matters. Every section you write later should trace back to it.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Research_Statement_vs_Thesis_Statement_What_Is_the_Difference\"><\/span><strong>Research Statement vs. Thesis Statement: What Is the Difference?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>A research statement describes what your study investigates and how; a thesis statement asserts the answer or argument you will defend. Empirical papers typically open with a research statement, while argumentative humanities papers lead with a thesis.<\/p>\n<p>In practice, many papers use both: the introduction ends with a research statement (aims and approach), and the discussion or conclusion delivers the thesis-like claim your evidence supports.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"A_Formula_You_Can_Use\"><\/span><strong>A Formula You Can Use<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Fill in this template, then compress it: \u201cThis study examines [specific question] in [population or context] using [method], in order to [contribution to the gap].\u201d<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Before: \u201cThis paper looks at social media and sleep among students, which is an important topic today.\u201d<\/li>\n<li>After: \u201cThis study examines whether daily short-video use above 2 hours predicts reduced sleep quality among 300 undergraduates, using wrist actigraphy, to provide the first objective evidence on a platform type absent from prior meta-analyses.\u201d<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>The revised version is longer but infinitely more useful: it commits you to a population, a measure, a method, and a contribution. If you cannot fill in the template yet, return to Steps 1 and 2 before drafting.<\/p>\n<h2><a href=\"https:\/\/app.adjust.net.in\/9a5h9w2?campaign=R%20Blog&amp;adgroup=%20how-to-start-writing-a-manuscript-10-steps-banner1&amp;fallback=https%3A%2F%2Fdiscovery.researcher.life%2F%23content_marketing_adjust_blog\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-5349 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.researcher.life\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/03_RDiscovery_BlogBanner_640x139px.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"139\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.researcher.life\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/03_RDiscovery_BlogBanner_640x139px.png 640w, https:\/\/blog.researcher.life\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/03_RDiscovery_BlogBanner_640x139px-300x65.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/h2>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Step_4_Create_a_Strong_Research_Paper_Outline\"><\/span><strong>Step 4: Create a Strong Research Paper Outline<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>An outline is a mind map of your argument: it decides what goes where before you invest hours in prose. Papers drafted from outlines are faster to write, easier to keep coherent, and far easier for co-authors to review at the planning stage, when changes are cheap.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_IMRaD_Structure\"><\/span><strong>The IMRaD Structure<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Most empirical papers follow IMRaD: Introduction, Methods, Results, and Discussion, framed by a Title, Abstract, Conclusion, and References. The table below shows what each section does and a typical share of the word count for a standard 5,000-word paper.<\/p>\n<table width=\"624\">\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"147\"><strong>Section<\/strong><\/td>\n<td width=\"280\"><strong>Job It Performs<\/strong><\/td>\n<td width=\"197\"><strong>Typical Share<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"147\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.editage.com\/blog\/introduction-research-paper\/\">Introduction<\/a><\/td>\n<td width=\"280\">Establishes context, the gap, and your aims<\/td>\n<td width=\"197\">15-20% (750-1,000 words)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"147\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.editage.com\/blog\/methods-section-research-paper\/\">Methods<\/a><\/td>\n<td width=\"280\">Explains what you did, in replicable detail<\/td>\n<td width=\"197\">20-25% (1,000-1,250 words)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"147\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.editage.com\/blog\/results-section-research-paper\/\">Results<\/a><\/td>\n<td width=\"280\">Reports findings without interpretation<\/td>\n<td width=\"197\">20-25% (1,000-1,250 words)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"147\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.editage.com\/blog\/discussion-section-research-paper\/\">Discussion<\/a><\/td>\n<td width=\"280\">Interprets findings against the literature<\/td>\n<td width=\"197\">25-30% (1,250-1,500 words)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"147\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.editage.com\/blog\/conclusion-research-paper-implications-limitations-recommendations\/\">Conclusion<\/a><\/td>\n<td width=\"280\">States the answer and its implications<\/td>\n<td width=\"197\">5-10% (250-500 words)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p><strong><em>See also: <a href=\"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/article\/discussion-vs-conclusion-what-is-the-difference\/\">Discussion vs Conclusion: What is the Difference?<\/a><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Under each section heading in your outline, add 3-5 bullet points naming the specific content: the datasets, the figures, the arguments. A good test: someone reading only your outline should be able to predict every figure and table in the final paper.<\/p>\n<p>Outlining also works in reverse. After finishing a draft, write 1 sentence summarizing each paragraph; this reverse outline exposes repetition, gaps, and paragraphs that wandered off topic.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"When_Does_IMRaD_Not_Apply\"><\/span><strong>When Does IMRaD Not Apply?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>IMRaD does not fit humanities papers, theoretical or mathematical work, review articles, or case studies; each has its own conventions. Check 3-5 recent papers in your target journal and mirror their structure.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Humanities and law: thematic sections built around an argument, often without a separate methods section.<\/li>\n<li>Theory and mathematics: definitions, propositions, and proofs replace methods and results.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/article\/what-is-the-difference-between-research-papers-and-review-papers\/\">Review articles<\/a>: organized by themes, chronology, or methodological schools, often following PRISMA guidelines for <a href=\"https:\/\/www.editage.com\/blog\/conducting-and-reporting-systematic-reviews\/\">systematic reviews<\/a>.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/article\/what-is-a-case-study-in-research-definition-methods-and-examples\/\">Case studies<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.editage.com\/insights\/case-report-writing-best-practices-and-pitfalls-to-avoid\">case reports<\/a>: background, case presentation, discussion, and take-home messages.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Step_5_Begin_Working_on_the_First_Draft\"><\/span><strong>Step 5: Begin Working on the First Draft<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>The first draft has exactly 1 job: getting your research out of your head and onto the page. Do not expect elegance; expect gaps, clumsy sentences, and placeholder notes like [ADD CITATION]. All of that is normal and fixable. What is not fixable is a blank page.<\/p>\n<p>A timing tip many researchers miss: do not wait until the study is finished to start writing. Drafting the Methods while you run the study, and the Results as analyses complete, captures details accurately, exposes design problems early, and shrinks the intimidating final write-up into small, manageable installments.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Which_Section_Should_You_Write_First\"><\/span><strong>Which Section Should You Write First?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Write the Methods section first. It is purely descriptive, requires no persuasion, and you know the material better than anyone; most writing experts recommend it as the momentum-builder. A proven order for the full draft:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Methods: describe what you did while it is fresh.<\/li>\n<li>Results: build your <a href=\"https:\/\/www.editage.com\/blog\/figures-research-paper\/\">figures<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.editage.com\/blog\/how-to-create-tables-for-a-research-paper-examples-and-tips\/\">tables<\/a>, then write the text around them.<\/li>\n<li>Discussion: interpret the results against the literature matrix from Step 2.<\/li>\n<li>Introduction: now you know exactly what you are introducing.<\/li>\n<li>Conclusion, Abstract, and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.editage.com\/blog\/title-research-paper\/\">Title<\/a>: distill the finished story last.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Drafting_Strategies_That_Beat_Writers_Block\"><\/span><strong>Drafting Strategies That Beat Writer&#8217;s Block<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Timebox: write in 25-45 minute focused sessions with notifications off; 2 sessions a day outperforms rare marathon weekends.<\/li>\n<li>Set output targets: 300-500 words per session is sustainable; some days you will exceed it.<\/li>\n<li>Write ugly on purpose: draft in plain sentences and fix style later; separating drafting from editing is the single biggest speed unlock.<\/li>\n<li>Use placeholders: drop [CHECK STAT] or [CITE] markers instead of breaking flow to hunt for details.<\/li>\n<li>Never stop at a blank spot: end each session mid-section, with a 1-line note on what comes next, so restarting is frictionless.<\/li>\n<li>Talk it out: if a paragraph will not come, explain the point aloud as if to a colleague, record it, and transcribe.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Step_6_Write_the_Methods_and_Results_Sections\"><\/span><strong>Step 6: Write the Methods and Results Sections<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>These 2 sections are the factual spine of your paper, and reviewers scrutinize them hardest. They are also the most formulaic, which makes them the best place to build early momentum.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Writing_the_Methods\"><\/span><strong>Writing the Methods<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>The gold standard is replicability: a competent peer should be able to repeat your study from this section alone. Write in past <a href=\"https:\/\/www.editage.com\/blog\/verb-tenses-checklist-rules-and-examples-for-academic-writing\/\">tense<\/a>, use <a href=\"https:\/\/www.editage.com\/blog\/active-vs-passive-voice-academic-writing\/\">passive voice<\/a> where the focus is not on who is doing the action, and organize under conventional subheadings.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Participants or materials: who or what you studied, with inclusion and exclusion criteria, <a href=\"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/article\/what-are-sampling-methods-techniques-types-and-examples\/\">sampling strategy<\/a>, and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.editage.com\/blog\/sample-size-and-statistical-power-definition-formulas-calculations-worked-examples\/\">sample size justification<\/a>.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.editage.com\/blog\/types-of-study-designs-in-biomedical-research\/\">Design<\/a> and procedure: what was done, in what order, under what conditions.<\/li>\n<li>Measures and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.editage.com\/blog\/how-to-create-your-scale-for-research-types-of-reliability-validity-in-research\/\">instruments<\/a>: every variable, how it was <a href=\"https:\/\/www.editage.com\/blog\/operationalization-research-definition-examples\/\">operationalized<\/a>, and the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.editage.com\/blog\/reliability-vs-validity-in-research-types-differences-examples\/\">validity and reliability<\/a> of each instrument.<\/li>\n<li>Analysis: statistical tests or analytical methods, software and versions, and how you handled <a href=\"https:\/\/www.editage.com\/insights\/statistical-solutions-to-overcome-missing-data-in-clinical-trials-and-observational-studies\">missing data<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.editage.com\/insights\/taming-outliers-in-biomedical-research-a-handy-guide\">outliers<\/a>.<\/li>\n<li>Ethics: approval body and protocol number, consent procedures, and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.editage.com\/blog\/research-data-management-how-to-make-a-data-management-plan-dmp\/\">data protection measures<\/a>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Presenting_Results_Figures_and_Tables\"><\/span><strong>Presenting Results, Figures, and Tables<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Report findings; do not interpret them (interpretation belongs in the Discussion). Lead with the result that answers your research question, then present secondary findings. Report <a href=\"https:\/\/www.editage.com\/blog\/effect-size\/\">effect sizes<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.editage.com\/blog\/what-is-confidence-intervals-and-why-is-it-important\/\">confidence intervals<\/a> alongside <a href=\"https:\/\/www.editage.com\/blog\/p-value-statistics-hypothesis-testing-definition-meaning\/\">p-values<\/a>, and report results that did not support your hypothesis with equal transparency.<\/p>\n<p>Decide early what becomes a figure, a table, or text:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Figures show patterns: trends, group differences, distributions, and relationships.<\/li>\n<li>Tables show precision: exact values, descriptive statistics, and model outputs.<\/li>\n<li>Text handles the rest; never repeat in prose what a figure or table already shows, just point to the key takeaway.<\/li>\n<li>Every figure and table needs a self-contained caption: a reader should understand it without the body text.<\/li>\n<li>Number figures and tables in order of mention, and cite each 1 explicitly in the text.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Step_7_Write_a_Compelling_Introduction\"><\/span><strong>Step 7: Write a Compelling Introduction<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>The introduction is your paper&#8217;s gateway, but a research paper is not a magazine feature: editors and reviewers are rarely won over by dramatic anecdotes. What persuades them is a tightly argued case that a <a href=\"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/article\/identify-gaps-in-research-tips\/\">specific, important gap exists<\/a> and that your study fills it. Fortunately, there is a well-studied formula for exactly that.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_CARS_Model_3_Moves\"><\/span><strong>The CARS Model: 3 Moves<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>The Create a Research Space (CARS) model, derived from analysis of hundreds of published introductions, structures the section as 3 moves:<\/p>\n<table width=\"624\">\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"160\"><strong>Move<\/strong><\/td>\n<td width=\"227\"><strong>Goal<\/strong><\/td>\n<td width=\"237\"><strong>Typical Signals<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"160\">1. Establish the territory<\/td>\n<td width=\"227\">Show the topic matters and summarize what is known<\/td>\n<td width=\"237\">\u201cX has become central to&#8230;\u201d; \u201cResearch has shown&#8230;\u201d<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"160\">2. Establish the niche<\/td>\n<td width=\"227\">Expose the gap, contradiction, or open question<\/td>\n<td width=\"237\">\u201cHowever, few studies have&#8230;\u201d; \u201cIt remains unclear whether&#8230;\u201d<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"160\">3. Occupy the niche<\/td>\n<td width=\"227\">State your aims, approach, and (often) structure<\/td>\n<td width=\"237\">\u201cThis study examines&#8230;\u201d; \u201cWe test whether&#8230;\u201d<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Common introduction mistakes to avoid: opening with sweeping claims (\u201cSince the dawn of time&#8230;\u201d), reviewing literature exhaustively instead of selectively, burying the research question in the middle, and previewing your results in detail. End the introduction with your research statement from Step 3; readers expect to find it there.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Step_8_Spend_Time_on_Your_Abstract_and_Title\"><\/span><strong>Step 8: Spend Time on Your Abstract and Title<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Researchers often perfect the Methods and Results while dashing off the Title and Abstract in the final hour. That is backwards: for every person who reads your full paper, dozens will read only these 2 elements. They determine whether your paper is found by search engines and databases, opened by readers, sent to review by editors, and ultimately cited.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_Long_Should_an_Abstract_Be\"><\/span><strong>How Long Should an Abstract Be?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Most journals set abstract limits between 150 and 300 words; 250 words is the most common ceiling. Always check your target journal&#8217;s guidelines, because exceeding the limit can block submission outright. Whatever the length, the abstract must stand alone: no citations, no undefined abbreviations, and no claims absent from the paper.<\/p>\n<table width=\"624\">\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"147\"><strong>Abstract Type<\/strong><\/td>\n<td width=\"293\"><strong>Format<\/strong><\/td>\n<td width=\"184\"><strong>Common In<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"147\">Structured<\/td>\n<td width=\"293\">Labeled subsections: Background, Methods, Results, Conclusions<\/td>\n<td width=\"184\">Medicine, nursing, public health<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"147\">Unstructured<\/td>\n<td width=\"293\">1 continuous paragraph covering the same 4 elements<\/td>\n<td width=\"184\">Most sciences, social sciences<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"147\">Descriptive<\/td>\n<td width=\"293\">States topic and scope without reporting results (75-150 words)<\/td>\n<td width=\"184\">Humanities; conference abstracts<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>A reliable recipe for an unstructured abstract: 1-2 sentences of context and gap, 1 sentence on aim, 2-3 sentences on method and sample, 2-3 sentences on key results with numbers, and 1 sentence on the main implication. Write it last, when the story is settled, and include your main keywords naturally for discoverability.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Title-Writing_Patterns_That_Get_Papers_Read\"><\/span><strong>Title-Writing Patterns That Get Papers Read<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>An effective title is specific, honest, and rich in the keywords your audience actually searches. Aim for 10-15 words, avoid filler like \u201cA study of\u201d or \u201cAn investigation into,\u201d and skip abbreviations and question marks unless your field favors them.<\/p>\n<table width=\"624\">\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"180\"><strong>Pattern<\/strong><\/td>\n<td width=\"260\"><strong>Example<\/strong><\/td>\n<td width=\"184\"><strong>Best For<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"180\">Declarative (states the finding)<\/td>\n<td width=\"260\">Short-video use above 2 hours predicts poorer sleep in undergraduates<\/td>\n<td width=\"184\">Strong, clear single findings<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"180\">Descriptive (states the topic)<\/td>\n<td width=\"260\">Short-video use and sleep quality in undergraduates: an actigraphy study<\/td>\n<td width=\"184\">Most empirical papers; the safe default<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"180\">Interrogative (poses the question)<\/td>\n<td width=\"260\">Does short-video use disrupt undergraduate sleep?<\/td>\n<td width=\"184\">Reviews and debate pieces<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"180\">Compound (main + subtitle)<\/td>\n<td width=\"260\">Scrolling past midnight: platform-specific effects of social media on sleep<\/td>\n<td width=\"184\">Adding method or scope after a colon<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Step_9_Write_the_Discussion_and_Conclusion\"><\/span><strong>Step 9: Write the Discussion and Conclusion<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>The Discussion is where your paper earns its citations: it converts results into meaning. A dependable structure moves from the specific to the general: restate the key finding, compare it with prior studies (your literature matrix pays off again here), explain agreements and discrepancies, acknowledge limitations candidly, and state <a href=\"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/article\/what-are-implications-recommendations-in-research\/\">implications for research or practice<\/a>.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Interpret; do not repeat. Reference results, but do not restate every number from Step 6.<\/li>\n<li>Address <a href=\"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/article\/what-are-limitations-of-study-in-research\/\">limitations<\/a> yourself, with their likely direction of bias; reviewers will find them anyway, and preemption reads as rigor.<\/li>\n<li>Avoid overclaiming: match the strength of your language to the strength of your evidence, and never present correlation as causation.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>The Conclusion then answers your research question in plain, memorable language. Keep it short: summarize the answer, its 1-2 main implications, and a focused direction for future work. Introduce nothing new here; a conclusion that raises concepts never discussed in the body signals a structural problem and irritates reviewers.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Step_10_Revise_Polish_and_Align_With_Journal_Guidelines\"><\/span><strong>Step 10: Revise, Polish, and Align With Journal Guidelines<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/article\/grammar-mistakes-that-lead-to-desk-rejection\/\">Poor language<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/article\/manuscript-formatting-errors\/\">mismatched formatting<\/a> are among the most common, and most avoidable, reasons for desk rejection. Budget real time for this step: 25-30% of your total writing effort is a sensible allocation, spread across multiple passes rather than 1 heroic all-nighter.<\/p>\n<p><em>See also: <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/article\/10-best-scientific-editing-services-for-research-papers\/\">10 Best Scientific Editing Services for Research Papers in 2026<\/a><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Journal_Alignment_Checklist\"><\/span><strong>Journal Alignment Checklist<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Choose your target journal before final revisions, then verify every item below against its author guidelines:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Scope: does your paper fit the journal&#8217;s stated aims? Skim 3-5 recent issues to confirm.<\/li>\n<li>Article type and word limit: original article, short communication, or review, each with different ceilings.<\/li>\n<li>Structure and headings: some journals mandate specific section names and ordering.<\/li>\n<li>Citation style and reference limits: switch your reference manager to the journal&#8217;s style with 1 click.<\/li>\n<li>Figures and tables: file formats, resolution, color policies, and maximum counts.<\/li>\n<li>Declarations: funding, conflicts of interest, ethics approval, author contributions, and data availability statements.<\/li>\n<li>Supplementary material: what the journal allows, and how it must be labeled.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><em>See also: <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/article\/10-best-manuscript-formatting-services-for-journal-submissions\/\">10 Best Manuscript Formatting Services for Journal Submissions (2026)<\/a><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Edit_in_3_Passes_Not_1\"><\/span><strong>Edit in 3 Passes, Not 1<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Pass 1, structure: use a reverse outline to check flow, remove repetition, and confirm every paragraph serves the research question.<\/li>\n<li>Pass 2, clarity: shorten sentences (aim under 25 words on average), cut jargon your target reader will not know, prefer active voice, and define every abbreviation at first use.<\/li>\n<li>Pass 3, correctness: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.editage.com\/blog\/subject-verb-agreement-academic-writing\/\">subject-verb agreement<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.editage.com\/blog\/definite-article-indefinite-article-academic-writing\/\">article use<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.editage.com\/blog\/capitalization-academic-writing\/\">capitalization<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.editage.com\/blog\/colon-vs-semicolon-rules-examples\/\">colons and semicolons<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.editage.com\/blog\/numbers-units-measure-academic-writing\/\">number style and units<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.editage.com\/blog\/british-vs-american-english-spelling-punctuation\/\">US vs. UK English consistency<\/a>, numerical accuracy between text and tables, and <a href=\"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/article\/citations-references-and-bibliography-in-research-papers-beginners-guide\/\">citation-reference format<\/a>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>2 finishing moves help enormously: read the paper aloud (awkward phrasing becomes audible), and let the manuscript rest for 48 hours before the final pass so you read what is actually on the page rather than what you meant to write. Then run a <a href=\"https:\/\/paperpal.com\/tools\/plagiarism-checker\">plagiarism check<\/a> to catch unintended overlap, including with your own earlier publications.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Beyond_the_10_Steps_What_Else_Determines_Success\"><\/span><strong>Beyond the 10 Steps: What Else Determines Success<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>The 10 steps produce a manuscript; the practices below determine how smoothly it travels through co-authors, ethics requirements, and peer review.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Citations_Referencing_and_Plagiarism\"><\/span><strong>Citations, Referencing, and Plagiarism<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Cite the source of every idea, statistic, and method that is not your own, including paraphrases. Your reference manager automates the formatting; your job is choosing the right style and citing honestly.<\/p>\n<table width=\"624\">\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"147\"><strong>Style<\/strong><\/td>\n<td width=\"267\"><strong>Common Fields<\/strong><\/td>\n<td width=\"211\"><strong>In-Text Format<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"147\">APA (7th ed.)<\/td>\n<td width=\"267\">Psychology, education, social sciences<\/td>\n<td width=\"211\">(Sharma, 2024)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"147\">MLA (9th ed.)<\/td>\n<td width=\"267\">Literature, arts, humanities<\/td>\n<td width=\"211\">(Sharma 24)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"147\">Chicago<\/td>\n<td width=\"267\">History, some humanities and sciences<\/td>\n<td width=\"211\">Footnotes or (Sharma 2024)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"147\">Vancouver<\/td>\n<td width=\"267\">Medicine, biomedical sciences<\/td>\n<td width=\"211\">Numbered: [1]<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"147\">IEEE<\/td>\n<td width=\"267\">Engineering, computer science<\/td>\n<td width=\"211\">Numbered: [1]<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>3 plagiarism traps catch honest researchers: paraphrasing too closely to the original wording, forgetting quotation marks around copied definitions, and self-plagiarism, reusing chunks of your own published text without disclosure. When in doubt, rewrite from memory with the source closed, then cite it anyway.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Authorship_and_Co-Author_Collaboration\"><\/span><strong>Authorship and Co-Author Collaboration<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/article\/single-vs-multiple-authors-in-research-papers\/\">Authorship disputes<\/a> are among the most corrosive conflicts in academia, and nearly all are preventable by deciding early. The widely used ICMJE criteria state that an author must contribute substantially to the work, help draft or revise it, approve the final version, and accept accountability for it.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Agree on the author list, order, and corresponding author before drafting begins, and revisit if contributions change.<\/li>\n<li>Assign sections with deadlines; a shared outline (Step 4) makes ownership visible.<\/li>\n<li>Use 1 master document with tracked changes or a shared platform to avoid version chaos.<\/li>\n<li>Credit non-author contributors (data collection help, language editing) in the Acknowledgments.<\/li>\n<li>Never add honorary authors or omit deserving ones; many journals now require a signed contribution statement.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Ethics_Declarations_and_Data_Availability\"><\/span><strong>Ethics, Declarations, and Data Availability<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Handle ethics before data collection, not at submission. Journals increasingly desk-reject papers with missing or retrofitted declarations.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Ethics approval: obtain institutional review board (IRB) or ethics committee approval for human or <a href=\"https:\/\/www.editage.com\/insights\/what-do-institutional-animal-ethics-boards-do\">animal studies<\/a>, and quote the protocol number in the Methods.<\/li>\n<li>Informed consent: describe how participants consented, including for identifiable images or case details.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"editage.com\/insights\/disclosure-of-conflicts-of-interest-what-do-journals-expect-from-authors\">Conflicts of interest<\/a>: declare funding sources and any financial or personal relationships that could appear to bias the work; \u201cnone\u201d is itself a required statement.<\/li>\n<li>Data availability: state where your data and code can be accessed, or the justified reason they cannot; many journals and funders now mandate repository deposit.<\/li>\n<li>Reporting guidelines: follow the checklist for your study type, such as CONSORT for trials, STROBE for observational studies, or PRISMA for systematic reviews.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Can_You_Use_AI_Tools_When_Writing_a_Research_Paper\"><\/span><strong>Can You Use AI Tools When Writing a Research Paper?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Yes, within limits: most major publishers now permit AI assistance for language polishing (e.g., Paperpal), literature discovery (e.g., <a href=\"https:\/\/discovery.researcher.life\/\">R Discovery<\/a>), and formatting, provided you disclose the use and take full responsibility for accuracy. What is broadly prohibited is listing an AI tool as an author or presenting AI-generated content, data, or citations as your own verified work.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Acceptable in most policies: grammar and clarity editing, translation support, keyword and search-string suggestions, and reference formatting.<\/li>\n<li>Risky or prohibited: generating results, fabricating or unverified citations, writing whole sections you have not checked, and uploading confidential or unpublished data to public tools.<\/li>\n<li>Always: read your target journal&#8217;s AI policy, disclose usage where required (often in Methods or Acknowledgments), and verify every AI-suggested fact and reference yourself.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Plan_Your_Writing_Timeline\"><\/span><strong>Plan Your Writing Timeline<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Work backward from your submission deadline using realistic estimates. For a first empirical paper written alongside other duties, the following is a sensible baseline; experienced writers compress it considerably.<\/p>\n<table width=\"624\">\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"207\"><strong>Stage<\/strong><\/td>\n<td width=\"173\"><strong>Typical Time<\/strong><\/td>\n<td width=\"244\"><strong>Output<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"207\">Question + literature review<\/td>\n<td width=\"173\">2-4 weeks<\/td>\n<td width=\"244\">Validated question; literature matrix<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"207\">Research statement + outline<\/td>\n<td width=\"173\">2-4 days<\/td>\n<td width=\"244\">1-page skeleton approved by co-authors<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"207\">First draft (all sections)<\/td>\n<td width=\"173\">3-5 weeks<\/td>\n<td width=\"244\">Complete rough manuscript<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"207\">Co-author review rounds<\/td>\n<td width=\"173\">1-2 weeks per round<\/td>\n<td width=\"244\">Consolidated revisions<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"207\">Editing, polishing, formatting<\/td>\n<td width=\"173\">1-2 weeks<\/td>\n<td width=\"244\">Journal-ready manuscript<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"207\">Declarations + submission prep<\/td>\n<td width=\"173\">2-3 days<\/td>\n<td width=\"244\">Cover letter; completed checklists<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>After submission, expect 1-6 months to a first decision, and treat \u201crevise and resubmit\u201d as the good news it is: most published papers pass through at least 1 revision round. Respond to every reviewer comment point by point, courteously, even when you disagree.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Pre-Submission_Checklist\"><\/span><strong>Pre-Submission Checklist<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Run through this list in 1 sitting before you press submit:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Title is specific, keyword-rich, and within the journal&#8217;s length limit.<\/li>\n<li>Abstract stands alone, respects the word limit, and matches the paper&#8217;s actual claims.<\/li>\n<li>Introduction ends with a clear research statement; the Conclusion answers it directly.<\/li>\n<li>Methods are detailed enough for replication, with ethics approval and analysis software stated.<\/li>\n<li>Every figure and table is cited in the text, numbered in order, and has a self-contained caption.<\/li>\n<li>All in-text citations appear in the reference list, and vice versa, in the journal&#8217;s style.<\/li>\n<li>Declarations are complete: funding, conflicts, contributions, data availability, and any AI use.<\/li>\n<li>The manuscript has been proofread after a 48-hour rest, checked for plagiarism, and approved by every co-author.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Frequently_Asked_Questions\"><\/span><strong>Frequently Asked Questions<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_long_does_it_take_to_write_a_research_paper\"><\/span><strong>How long does it take to write a research paper?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>For a first empirical paper, plan on 2-3 months of part-time work from literature review to submission-ready manuscript; experienced researchers often manage 3-6 weeks. The biggest variables are how clean your data are, how many co-author review rounds you need, and how much uninterrupted writing time you can protect each week.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_long_should_a_research_paper_be\"><\/span><strong>How long should a research paper be?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Most original research articles run 4,000-8,000 words excluding references, with 5,000-6,000 as a common sweet spot; short communications run 1,500-3,000 words and review articles can exceed 10,000. Your target journal&#8217;s guidelines override any general rule, so check its stated limit for your article type before drafting.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Which_section_of_a_research_paper_should_you_write_first\"><\/span><strong>Which section of a research paper should you write first?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Write the Methods section first: it is descriptive, requires no argumentation, and builds momentum fast. Then write the Results around your figures, the Discussion, and the Introduction, leaving the Conclusion, Abstract, and Title for last, when the paper&#8217;s story is fully settled.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_is_the_difference_between_an_abstract_and_an_introduction\"><\/span><strong>What is the difference between an abstract and an introduction?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>The abstract is a standalone 150-300 word summary of the entire paper, including its results and conclusions; the introduction is a full section that builds context, establishes the gap, and states your aims, without revealing detailed results. Databases index the abstract; the introduction is read only by people who open the paper.<\/p>\n<p><em>See also: <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.editage.com\/blog\/introduction-vs-literature-review\/\">Introduction vs Literature Review in a Research Paper: What Is the Difference?<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_many_references_should_a_research_paper_have\"><\/span><strong>How many references should a research paper have?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>A typical original article cites 25-50 sources; reviews often cite 80-150 or more, and short communications may cite under 20. Quality beats quantity: cite the most relevant, recent, and authoritative sources for each claim, follow your journal&#8217;s reference cap if 1 exists, and never pad the list with papers you have not read.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Can_you_publish_a_research_paper_without_a_PhD\"><\/span><strong>Can you publish a research paper without a PhD?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Yes: journals evaluate manuscripts on the quality of the research and writing, not on the author&#8217;s degree. Undergraduates, master&#8217;s students, and independent researchers publish regularly, especially with a mentor or experienced co-author guiding journal selection, ethics requirements, and responses to peer review.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_do_you_write_a_research_paper_introduction_that_hooks_readers\"><\/span><strong>How do you write a research paper introduction that hooks readers?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Open with a specific, evidence-backed statement of why the topic matters (Move 1 of the CARS model), then expose the gap and state your aims. In academic writing the \u201chook\u201d is relevance and a sharp gap, not drama: precise numbers, a striking documented trend, or an unresolved contradiction in the literature outperform anecdotes and sweeping generalizations.<\/p>\n<p><em>See also: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.editage.com\/blog\/introduction-vs-background-research-paper-thesis-dissertation\/\"><strong>Introduction vs Background in a Research Paper: What Is the Difference?<\/strong><\/a><\/em><\/p>\n<p><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">R Discovery is a literature search and research reading platform that accelerates your research discovery journey by keeping you updated on the latest, most relevant scholarly content. With 250M+ research articles sourced from trusted aggregators like CrossRef, Unpaywall, PubMed, PubMed Central, Open Alex and top publishing houses like Springer Nature, JAMA, IOP, Taylor &amp; Francis, NEJM, BMJ, Karger, SAGE, Emerald Publishing and more, R Discovery puts a world of research at your fingertips.<\/span><\/i><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Try R Discovery Prime FREE for 1 week or upgrade at just US$72 a year<\/span><\/i><\/b><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> to access premium features that let you listen to research on the go, read in your language, collaborate with peers, auto sync with reference managers, and much more. Choose a simpler, smarter way to find and read research \u2013 <\/span><\/i><b><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Download the app and <\/span><\/i><\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/r-discovery.onelink.me\/xKXe\/cu5iwy2e\"><b><i><span data-contrast=\"none\">start your free 7-day trial today<\/span><\/i><\/b><\/a><b><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">!<\/span><\/i><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p>This article was originally published on July 26, 2023, and updated on July 11, 2026.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Key Takeaways: Start with a focused research question, validated against the FINER criteria, before you write a single sentence of your paper. Write the Methods<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":6553,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_editorskit_title_hidden":false,"_editorskit_reading_time":0,"_editorskit_is_block_options_detached":false,"_editorskit_block_options_position":"{}","footnotes":""},"categories":[488,37],"tags":[12,628,508],"class_list":["post-6552","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-academic-writing","category-r-discovery","tag-academic-writing","tag-how-to-start-writing-a-research-paper","tag-tips-for-researchers"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v26.9 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>How to Start Writing a Research Paper: 10 Steps You Should Not Skip | Researcher.Life<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Knowing how to write a research paper that is well-structured, compelling, and impactful is critical for academics. 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