4 Steps to follow when writing an original research article

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4 Steps to follow when writing an original
research article
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Types of articles journals publish

• Academic journals publish several types of
  articles

Original research articles
Letters/communication
Review articles
Opinion articles
Clinical case studies
Technical reports
Book reviews
Conference proceedings
Clinical trials
Data papers
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What are we talking about today?
Original research articles
Review articles
Letters/communication
Opinion articles
Clinical case studies
Technical reports
Book reviews
Conference proceedings
Clinical trials
Data papers
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What is an original research article?

• An original article is the product of original
  research.
• Original research articles are primary sources
  of scientific literature and present an original
  study. Authors have to conduct research on a
  particular topic through experiments, surveys,
  observation, etc. and report the findings of
  their study through original research articles.
• A young researcher's guide to writing an original
  research article By Kakoli Majumder

http//www.editage.com/insights/a-young-researcher
s-guide-to-writing-an-original-research-article

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What do original research articles do?

• Original research articles
• Introduce an original research idea
• Report a new discovery
• Share new findings
• Establish older findings
• Propose a new theory
• Shed new light on an already explored topic

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Characteristics of an original research article
It is written by the researchers who actually
conducted the study.
It has a definite structure.
It includes a hypothesis, research question,
background study, methods, results and their
interpretation, discussion, and conclusion.
It reports research findings.
It interprets the research findings and discusses
possible implications.
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Can original articles report negative results?

• YES!

• The results of a study can be positive
  (supporting the existing hypothesis about a
  topic) or negative (proving that the existing
  hypothesis about a topic is wrong).
• Negative results are as important as positive
  results and MUST be published.
• If your study has produced negative results, do
  not be afraid to publish them.
• Check whether your target journal is open to
  publishing negative results.

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How to write an original research article (1/2)
Most researchers are nervous or confused about
writing an original research article. The best
approach is to go step-by-step and set smaller
goals.
IMPORTANT STEPS IN THE RESEARCH WRITING PROCESS
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Before starting your research

• Follow these steps before starting your research.

Choose the right research question
Do a literature search
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Choose the right research question
Step 1
You cannot begin your research until you have
decided what you will work on.
TIPS
to help you find the right research question

• Read existing literature in your field
• Identify current problems in your area of
  interest
• Identify research gaps (i.e., is there an aspect
  no one has looked at?)
• Think about these problems/gaps (do you want to
  do anything about them?)
• Consult your advisor/supervisor before choosing a
  research question
• Check the feasibility of your idea (e.g., how
  practical/do-able it is, if you have enough time)

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Do a literature search
Step 2
After choosing your research question, you need
to start reading up. This will also help you
understand how papers in your field are written
TIPS
for doing a literature search

• Read previously conducted research on
  same/similar topics
• Check citations in previous research papers, find
  more related studies and refer to them
• Dont restrict yourself to journal articles you
  can refer to books, conference proceedings,
  online databases, government reports, etc.
• Start listing citations you may include in your
  paper

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After completing your research

• Follow these steps after completing your research

Structure your research article
Format your paper
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Structure your research article
Step 3
Most original research articles include an
Introduction, Methods, Results, and Discussion
also known as IMRAD.
TIPS
for structuring your paper
Conclusion Should include your findings
Title Should be attractive indicative
Reference section Should list every source
Keywords Should be relevant
Abstract Should describe your entire study at a
glance
Appendix Should include additional data
Acknowledgements Should include all sources of
support
Introduction Should provide sufficient
background about your work
Methods Should include details of all
experiments conducted
Footnotes Should mention necessary additional
information
Results discussion Should answer the question
you raised in the introduction
Tables, figures, graphs Should be complete,
clear, and attractive
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Format your paper
Step 4
Check the author guidelines of your target
journal.
Follow the journals basic instructions
Get these things right File type
(Word/LaTeX/PDF), Font type/size, layout,
spacing, page margins, numbering, heading style,
language style, word count, etc.
Stick to the stipulated word count
Check journal guidelines for specific sections,
e.g., Title/Abstract
Check your references

• Make sure that
• All the in-text citations are included in the
  reference list
• Your reference list has been formatted as per the
  journals style
• In-text citations and references are complete and
  consistently styled

Prepare accurate tables figures
Tables, figures, and graphs should be clear and
in accordance with journal instructions (file
size, image resolution, etc.)
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Quick summary

• Follow these basic steps to set a strong
  foundation for writing a high-quality research
  paper

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Need more help?
Some more useful articles on manuscript writing
and submission

• A young researcher's guide to writing an original
  research article http//www.editage.com/insights
  /a-young-researchers-guide-to-writing-an-original-
  research-article
• How to choose a research question
  http//www.editage.com/insights/how-to-choose-a-r
  esearch-question
• Guidelines for researchers on key aspects of
  scientific publishing http//www.editage.com/ins
  ights/guidelines-for-researchers-on-key-aspects-of
  -scientific-publishing
• 5 Basic mistakes in manuscript writing that can
  lead to rejection http//www.editage.com/insight
  s/5-basic-mistakes-in-manuscript-writing-that-can-
  lead-to-rejection
• Tackling the task of writing text
  http//www.editage.com/insights/tackling-the-task
  -of-writing-text
• Tips for writing the perfect IMRAD manuscript
  http//www.editage.com/insights/tips-for-writing-
  the-perfect-imrad-manuscript
• Tips on general manuscript formatting
  http//www.editage.com/insights/tips-on-general-m
  anuscript-formatting

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• GOOD LUCK WITH YOUR PAPER!

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