Everything you need to know to write an effective research paper

A comprehensive free guide for researchers

This guide will take you through all the stages of writing your paper, from preparation and structure, through to writing each section of the paper, and beyond. By following the advice and guidance here, you’ll be able to produce a paper that’s a great fit for your chosen journal.

Below is a sneak peak of what to expect from this guide.

  • Where to start when writing your paper

We’ve laid out the first four critical steps to help you begin your write-up the right way.

  • Article structures and formatting

Depending on your subject, research focus, journal choice, the type of article you write could vary widely. We’ve provided some hints and tips to get you started.

  • Choosing keywords and writing for SEO

When you submit your article you’ll often need to include keywords. These will be used to index your article on the journal or publisher’s website, as well as on search engines like Google Scholar.

  • How to write your manuscript

Every article is unique, the structure of your article and the sections it includes will depend on both the type of article you’re writing and the subject of study. Get hints and tips for making the most of each section.

    • Refining your writing

    We take you through a whole host of tips on refining and editing your paper. Use our tips to ensure you’re communicating effectively and your paper is written in a way that enables it to reach the widest possible audience.

    • Finalizing the details

    You should be familiar with the editorial processes and policies of your target journal at this point. But when you’ve completed the final draft of your manuscript, it’s important to check it back against these processes and policies.

    • Considering ethics

    Read the final submission checklist to make sure you haven’t missed anything important out.

      Fill out this short form to download your free guide to choosing the right journal for your research.

      Interested in other topics?

      We’ve created a series of straightforward, in-depth free guides to help you navigate the process of publishing your research paper.