This document provides guidance on how to write a scientific manuscript. It discusses the common sections of a manuscript such as the introduction, methods, results, and discussion sections. For each section, it provides details on the typical length, key elements to include, and structure. Additionally, it offers tips for writing titles, abstracts, and summarizing results. The overall goals are to follow a simple format, clearly present the research and findings, and effectively communicate the work to the intended audience.

1. HOW TO WRITE A MANUSCRIPT
Promising presentation - Rana Abdullah Tahan
PHD researcher
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1093-7740

2. Types of Scientific Research Articles
Original research, also known as primary or empirical studies . which report on new
research findings that make a significant contribution to knowledge will be considered for
publication.
Review Papers Two types
1.Simple review (literature)
2. Systematic review
Case Description Papers Common in areas such as medicine. Authors describe a
number of clinical cases and the followed approaches

3. • Manuscripts are to be typed double-spaced.
• The length of the manuscript depend on the journal guidance
(should not exceed 3000 words )

8. Simple format for structuring
research articles

10. COMMON INSTRUCTIONS
 TITLE
(Should be less than 20 words and contain the 3W(What, Who,
Where Author Names and Affiliations
 ABSTRACT
(less than 250 words)
 Introduction / Background (Must contain aim or objective of
the study)
 -Methods
 -Results
 -Conclusion

11. HOW TO START
 Title
 Usually Journals will ask for 2 titles
 The full title and short running title
 Tips for good title
 Used attractive words , put place of study and some journals will ask
to put study design in the title, like cross-sectional or qualitative study
 Avoid titles with more than 20 words Sometimes the title may contain
the conclusion of the paper
 Don’t use acronyms and abbreviations in the title
 Avoid waste words (studies on, investigations on, etc)
 Review the title again and again

12. Overall Structure
 KEYWORDS
 a list of 3−5 key words is to be provided directly below the
abstract.
 key words should express the precise content of the
manuscript.
 When academic researcher search for papers online they
will enter keywords so if you put the right one your paper
will appear to them and they will cite your work

13.  INTRODUCTION
 paragraphs
 100-200 words to introduce your topic
 500-1000 words of literature review
 Last paragraph should be the aim of the study (general
objective)

Overall Structure

14. Overall Structure
-200-400 words Describe study population and location
Study design & Sampling methods
-List of questionnaires used and from where adopted?
Any pretest done?
-State ethics approval from which institute
-Did all participants sign the consent form?

15. Overall Structure
 RESULTS
 • 500 –1000 words
 • No need to explain each table in detail, only headlines
 • First paragraph describes the characteristics of the
sample

16. Overall Structure
 DISCUSSION
 Maximum 3-4 paragraphs
 1ST paragraph the study main findings
 2ND paragraph: the study limitations
 3RD and 4th paragraph: compare your results with previou
studies

17.  CONCLUSION
 200 words
 • 1paragraph
 Maximum 3-4 sentences
Overall Structure

18. ACKNOWLEDGMENT
 1 or 2 sentences
 Conflict of interest Authors need to declare if they have
any competing of interest

19. REFERENCES
 Depend on each journal style
 REFERENCES

20. TABLES
 Maximum of 4-5 tables
 -Title of each table must be self-explanatory
 -Include p value where possible

21. ABSTRACT
 Not an introduction to the paper
 • It is a brief summary of each of the main IMRAD sections of the paper
 Avoid the classical “In this paper” starting
 • Avoid bibliographical references in the abstract
 • Avoid acronyms. If they must be used, their definition should be repeated in
the main text
 • In general, write the abstract in one paragraph
 • Tense: past or present tense may be used

22. TIPS TO WRITE GOOD ABSTARCT
 1. Write the abstract after you finish writing your paper
 2. Choose main points from your introduction and conclusion
 3. Pick out key points from the methods section
 4. Pick out the major findings from results section
 5. Add a sentence or two as a conclusion
 6. Now write a paragraph of all points chosen in steps 1 to 5
 7. Don’t add any new information or undefined abbreviations
 8. Link your sentences so that the information flows clearly
 9. Check if points presented in your paper and abstract are consistent
 10. Check if your abstract meet journal format

23. INTRODUCTION
• History (Statistics)
• Importance
• Gaps in knowledge
• Why this is a problem
COMPONENTS
Clearly state the importance of the paper to the development of the field
• What are your contributions to the development of the field?
• What’s new in your work?
Meaningful and critical literature review
• How is the problem currently being addressed?
• Most relevant works

24. METHODS
 200-400 words
 • Methods
 • Ethics
 • Statistics Provide full details:
 don’t leave “blanks” in the description of your method
 • It is useful if someone unfamiliar with your work reads it
 • Make your paper as self-contained as possible (depending on the space
you have)
 • Structure this section: use sub-sections according to the different
components of your method

25.  Describe study population and location
 • Study design
 • List of questionnaires used and from where adopted?
 • Any pre test done?
 • Sampling methods

26.  State ethics approval from which institute
 • Did all participants signed the consent form?
 • Statistics

27. RESULTS
 NO NEED TO EXPLIN EACH TABLE IN DETAILS ONLY
HEADLINES
 500-1000 WORDS
 • First paragraph describe the characteristics of the sample
 • Response rate

28. DISCUSSION
 MAXIMUM 3-4 PARAGRAPHS
 • 500-1000 words
 • 1ST paragraph the study main findings
 • 2ND paragraph: the study limitations
 • 3RD and 4th paragraph: compare your results with
previous studies

29.  Evaluate the data and discuss their implications
 • Focus on the key findings
 • Justify any assumptions you make (not already
discussed in full in the methods/results sections)
 • The narrative should refer back to the introduction
 • Consider and discuss alternative explanations
 • Mention any limitations

30.  How does your work fit in with previous work?
 • Agreement with other studies
 •Contradictions/surprises —why?
 • What do contradictions / surprises tell us?
 • What does your

31. MODAL VERBS IN DISCUSSION
 The most commonly used modal verbs in science writing
are
 may, might, could, can, should, ought to, need to, have to,
must

32. CONCLUSION
 200 words
 • 1 paragraph
 • Maximum 3-4 sentences Goals
 • Summarize your contributions to the field
 • Propose possibilities

33. TIPS FOR SUMMARIZING
 Consider including your own perspective
• Do not be afraid to write a short conclusion —less is more
 discuss the impact of your results and what this adds to the
body of knowledge
 • What could these results lead to?

34. REFERENCES
 Usually 20-40 maximum
 R e f e r e n c e
 should be limited to the most relevant
 Maximum 10 Years
 You should not cite references they have not
read.
 abstracts should not be used as references.

35. Thank you