Scientific Writing Best Practice
IMRAD Structure
- Abstract: State objective, methods, key results, and conclusion in 150-300 words
- Introduction: Move from broad context to specific gap to your contribution (funnel structure)
- Methods: Sufficient detail for replication; use past tense, passive voice
- Results: Present findings without interpretation; pair text with figures/tables
- Discussion: Interpret results, compare with literature, acknowledge limitations, state implications
Paragraph-Level Guidance
- Each paragraph should convey ONE main idea
- Open with a topic sentence; close with a transition to the next paragraph
- Write in full flowing prose — never submit bullet points as final manuscript text
- Use active voice for clarity: "We measured..." not "Measurements were taken..."
- Vary sentence length; aim for average 15-25 words per sentence
Citation Best Practices
- Cite primary sources over reviews when making specific claims
- Use citation styles consistently (APA, Vancouver, IEEE) per target journal
- Every factual claim needs a citation unless it is common knowledge in the field
- Avoid citation strings of 5+ references — select the most relevant 2-3
- Self-citations should be limited to genuinely relevant prior work
Common Writing Pitfalls
- Avoid hedge-stacking: "It might possibly suggest..." — choose one hedge
- Do not start sentences with "It is well known that" — cite or remove
- Distinguish "significant" (statistical) from "substantial" (practical)
- Ensure figures/tables are referenced in text BEFORE they appear
- Keep abbreviations to a minimum; define each on first use
Reporting Guidelines
- Randomized trials: follow CONSORT checklist
- Observational studies: follow STROBE checklist
- Systematic reviews: follow PRISMA checklist
- Diagnostic accuracy: follow STARD checklist
- Always check target journal's author guidelines for specific requirements
Revision Checklist
- Verify all figures/tables are cited in text and numbered sequentially
- Confirm reference list matches in-text citations exactly
- Check that abstract accurately reflects the final manuscript content
- Ensure methods section enables independent replication
- Read aloud to catch awkward phrasing and run-on sentences