From Writing to Authoring: Navigating this Academic Maze with Ease
Writing and publishing a research paper is a rite of passage for researchers; however, the process is often akin to trying to speak a foreign language—frightening and confusing. Whether you are preparing to write a research paper for the first time or require a refresher, this guide will break down each aspect in simple terms, with practical recommendations and examples from real life. Let’s get started!
1. Manuscript vs. Research Article: Why It Matters
Imagine working on a paper for several months, only to realize you have submitted the wrong version. Knowing precisely what these terms mean can help save time and frustration.
Why it Matters: If you submit a “manuscript” that is not formatted correctly, it will be instantly rejected. For instance, a biology manuscript sent to a chemistry journal without changing the terminology and formatting would have been immediately dismissed.
How Services Help:
ManuscriptEdit’s formatting is a service to help prepare your draft to meet the journal you are submitting to formatting instructions (e.g., font size, citations, etc).
The Post-Publication Proofreading service fixes errors in your article’s final version that you may have overlooked during the process, such as esoteric typos or poorly constructed graphs.
| Feature | Manuscript | Research Article |
| Definition | A draft prepared for journal submission | The final, peer-reviewed published work |
| Peer Review | Not yet evaluated | Approved by experts in your field |
| Format | Adjustable (tailor to journal rules) | Fixed (matches the journal’s template) |
| Purpose | Undergoes scrutiny | Shares knowledge globally |
Why it matters: An improperly formatted “manuscript” can lead to immediate rejection. For example, a biology manuscript turned into a chemistry journal without changing wording or formatting can lead to rejection.
How services help:
- ManuscriptEdit’s Formatting Service provides assistance in formatting your manuscript according to journal specifications (e.g., journal font, citation style, etc.).
- ManuscriptEdit’s Post-Publication Proofreading ensures that errors (e.g., typos, poor graphs, and unclear citations) go unnoticed in the final article.
2. The research paper development process: A phase-by-phase process
Getting a paper published has eight phases. To avoid mistakes, I will go through each phase with trepidation and practical advice.
- Finding a topic
- Objective: to find a gap in the research.
- How: Use resources like Google Scholar’s “cited by” to find a less-researched area.
- Service Tip: ManuscriptEdit’s Research Consultation will help refine broad abstract contexts (e.g., the effects of microplastics on coral bleaching, above! While most of the topics and the study are very abstract, there is much to examine thoroughly in the details.
- Writing & Drafting
- Problem: putting data together into cohesive sections.
- Solution: Write your sections according to the structure of “IMRaD” (Introduction, Methods, Results, Discussion).
- Service Tip: The Disasterous Manuscript team at ManuscriptEdit will arrange and construct the flow logically so there is no mixture of random results or ambiguity throughout the Methods.
- Internal Review
- Reason: Colleagues can catch mistakes you might’ve missed.
- Example: A peer may point out that your statistical analysis didn’t include a control group.
- Service Tip: Peer-Review Simulation imitates real-world feedback, so you are more prepared for harsh feedback.
- Journal selection
- Mistake to avoid: Selecting a journal that is beyond your focus (i.e., submitting a psychology study to a journal that focuses on engineering).
- Service Tip: Journal Recommendation Service matches the topic/focus of your paper, audience, and impact-factor goals.
- Formatting for submission
- Critical piece: Papers are frequently rejected for formatting problems, good papers too.
- Example: APA references vs. MLA references: editors are annoyed when they see mixed styles.
- Service Tip: Formatting & Referencing Support validates every comma and margin as
requested by your guidelines.
- Peer review process
- Reality: Most papers are rejected or require major revisions.
- Pro Tip: Always respond politely to the reviewers. For instance, if the reviewer says, “The sample size was too small,” Consider this a limitation and add it to your plan for future work.
- Service Tip: Peer Review Response Assistance helps you write diplomatic replies to your criticisms.
- Final Proofreading
Common Errors: Mislabeled figures or inconsistent abbreviations.
Service Note: Scientific Editing exists to polish the grammatical aspects and technical accuracy.
Acceptance & Publication
Celebration: After publishing your article, don’t forget to share it on an academic site such as LinkedIn or ResearchGate to increase visibility!
3. Word Counts Explained: How long should each section be?
Are you worrying about fitting your abstract under word limits? Here’s the why and how of achieving word limits:
| Section | Why This Length? | ManuscriptEdit Hack |
| Title | Short titles grab attention in searches. | Use keywords (e.g., “AI,” “COVID-19”) |
| Abstract | Journals need quick summaries. | Write results first, then methods. |
| Methods | Detailed enough for replication. | Use subheadings (e.g., “Data Collection”). |
| Discussion | Connect results to broader implications. | Ask: “So what?” to avoid rambling. |
Example of Abstract:
– Weak: “We studied sleep in students and found some had lesser cognitive focus.”
– Strong: “A 2023 study of 200 undergraduates showed that students suffering from sleep deprivation (less than 6 hours of sleep per night) had cognitive test scores 30% lower than well-rested students (p < 0.01).”
4. Express Writing vs. Standard Writing: Which option works for your timeline?
Are you looking to get your research published before a conference or a grant due date? Here’s an in-depth comparison:
| Parameter | Standard Track | Fast-Track |
| Timeline | 10–15 days (allows multiple drafts) | 3–5 days (prioritizes speed) |
| Best For | Complex studies (e.g., clinical trials) | Time-sensitive projects (e.g., breaking research) |
| Drawbacks | Slower turnaround | Higher cost |
Case Study: Dr. Lee had to get her development of a groundbreaking cancer drug method published before the competition. Using ManuscriptEdit’s Urgent Writing Package, Dr. Lee’s manuscript was drafted, formatted, and submitted within 4 days for a high-impact publication.
5. Authorship Order: Who Did What?
Authorship disputes can derail collaborations. Here are some guidelines to consider:
- First Author: Did 60–70% of the work (e.g., wrote the paper, ran the experiments).
- Last Author: Provided funding/lab space (often the PI).
- Corresponding Author: Permits the authors to submit and have final edits (this position requires organizational skills).
Ethics Tip: Use the Contributor Roles Taxonomy, or CRediT taxonomy, to record contributions (e.g., “X analyzed and interpreted the data; Y reviewed and edited drafts”).
Conflict Resolution: Authors should talk about authorship before writing. For example, agree in writing, “First author = whoever drafts the manuscript.”
6. Common Mistakes & How to Avoid Them
Vague Titles:
Bad: “A Study of Plant Growth.”
Good: “Low Light Intensity Decreases Tomato Yield By 40% With Hydroponic Systems.”
Overcitation: So, when you write the paper, don’t cite every paper published on the topic; instead, cite the most recent relevant studies.
Forgetting Journal Guidelines: One journal might allow you to use 1.5-line spacing, and another may not permit footnotes. Make sure you double-check.
Final Thoughts
Publishing a paper can feel like a puzzle—you need an organized approach to fit every piece together (title, methods, peer review). Tools such as ManuscriptEdit can help guide you through a submission with personalized support through each step. Don’t forget that even Nobel laureates have had their papers rejected. Be persistent, continue to learn, and don’t hesitate to ask for help!
Your Next Step: Visit ManuscriptEdit’s website today to learn about research consultation, urgent editing, or help with authorship.
