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| Meta Title | 20 Ways to Improve Your Research Paper - MDPI Blog |
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| Boilerpipe Text | So, you want to improve your research paper? Youâve come to the right place.
Many authors are looking for guidance when publishing their work and we understand that writing up research is hard. We want to help where we can. At MDPI, we are committed to delivering ground-breaking scientific insights to the global scientific community. Here, we provide 20 useful tips to improve your research paper before submission.
1. Choose a specific and accurate title (and subtitles)
This is a very important part of your manuscript and can affect readership. People often choose what to read based on first impressions. Make sure your title doesnât put people off. The title should give an overview of what your paper is about. This should be accurate and specific and reflect the content of the paper. Avoid jargon where possible. Donât forget about section titles and table and figure captions. They should be accurate and specific. Readers tend to skip to the content they want to read. You can find even more useful advice in our article on
choosing the best research paper title
.
2. Writing an interesting abstract can improve your research paper
The abstract is the first part of the paper thatâll be read. You need to persuade the reader to continue reading. A clear abstract should outline the workings of your research. This will help you to carve out a very specific space in your field. You should also consider other published work in the field. Mention some notable achievements and explain how your research builds on them. This will help you place your research. Those who know the area well will be able to understand which direction youâre going in. A great way to make your abstract more dynamic is to add a graphical abstract or video. It should describe the methodology within your paper. This additional media quickly summarises your paper. It makes it more visually appealing to readers at first glance.
Graphical abstract for the manuscript âDeep Learning for Land Cover Change Detectionâ, published in
Remote Sensing
.
See the journalâs Instructions for Authors page for more information about graphical abstracts.
3. Be selective with keywords
On our journalsâ webpages, we use keywords for indexing. This makes work more searchable. Many researchers search the MDPI site using keywords related to their field. This gives you a chance to get more eyes on your paper. Make sure your choices are precise and are not in the title already. You want to cover as much ground as possible.
Depending on the journal, keywords that are also in the journalâs name are sometimes not allowed. For example, authors cannot use the keyword âsoilâ when publishing in
Soil Biology &
Biochemistry
. You can check the journalâs webpage for more details. Get in touch with the Editorial Office if you have any questions.
4. Make sure that your research is novel
Have you conducted a thorough search of the latest findings? Knowing about these will improve the originality of your work. Reviewers are asked to rate your manuscript on novelty. Your research should advance the current knowledge in your field. Avoid repeating what may already be out there.
You can cite other works and add them to the content of your paper. This shows that youâre aware of the current knowledge in your research area. You should add your own work and findings that bring something new to the field. Editors like studies that push the boundaries and have new and unexpected outcomes.
5. Ensure that your results are exciting
Your results should not only be novel, but also significant. Attracting readers and citations will be easier if the results are exciting. Interesting and exciting work will encourage others to build on what you have discovered.
6. To improve your research paper, keep it simple
When it comes to research, itâs easy to get lost in your own paper. But, there is value in keeping it simple. This will make your work more accessible to others. It may even improve its success. Keeping your paper simple (English included) also means making it consistent. We have a
handy guide
that can help with this! Avoid including information that is unnecessary. Review what you have written so far â if you can delete something, then you should.
7. Donât self-plagiarise!
Perhaps you want to repeat something that you have already mentioned in a previous research paper. Be careful, reusing your own words is self-plagiarism.
Self-plagiarism is a problem because you are just producing a copy of your work from before. This creates the illusion of new ideas when there arenât any. This can happen without you realising it, so be careful. To avoid this, use short quotes from your past paper. You should place these in quotation marks and cite the original. Be succinct but comprehensive.
MDPI takes plagiarism very seriously and we (and other publishers) do our best to ensure that it is not present in our authorsâ research by using a plagiarism detector that reviews online content for similarities. This helps to ensure that our it is ready to be published. As part of MDPIâs anti-plagiarism regulations, image manipulation is also not permitted. The peer review process involves an assessment of images and figures.
8. Use the journal template, even in the early stages
Peer review can be a nerve-wracking process. You are waiting for opinions on whether your paper should be in a journal or not. We understand that this is a stressful time for our authors so we do our best to encourage reviewers to provide their reviews as soon as possible.
You can increase your chances of good reviews by making sure your work is clearly organised and easy to understand. Templates are great for this and can definitely help you to improve your research paper throughout the writing process. This can give your paper a more professional look from the outset. Itâs also important to maintain good formatting throughout.
Using the template from the start will save you a lot of time later. You can avoid spending precious time transferring your manuscript into the MDPI format. You wonât be at risk of possible errors caused by a late move-over.
9. Keep the topic relevant to the research field or journal
Some journals or Special Issues have broad scopes, while others are narrower. Research papers need to fit well within the range of the topic. This can sometimes be as simple as adding a paragraph of context to cement your paperâs relevance.
You can find information about the scope on journal webpages. You can also reach out to the Editorial Office if you have any questions.
If your work doesnât fit into the specific scope, an editor may encourage you to submit to a different journal or Special Issue.
10. Keep in touch with co-authors
To improve the direction of your paper, check in with the other authors often. Obviously, this is only if you have co-authors.
Reviewing other sections of the paper can help to ensure that you donât repeat yourself. Itâs a good opportunity to make sure that the English is standardised as well.
11. Swap and share ideas to improve your research paper
Research can be solitary. It is easy to forget that there are other people â co-authors, colleagues, peers, associates â in the same boat as you. Their feedback can help you spot mistakes that you may have missed. Meeting with a colleague can also give you a break from your paper and allow you to come back to it with a new mindset.
12. Write methods and results first, then abstract, introduction and conclusion later
This is commonly given advice, but is worth noting. The content and tone of your paper may change as you write it. Youâll have a better overview of your findings, and be able to include key points from the paper. The introduction and conclusion will be more refined when left until the end.
13. Check your plots and graphs
Nothing in your paper is as important as your data. Your discoveries are the foundation of your work. They need to be clear and easy to understand. To improve your research paper, make sure graphs and images are in high resolutions and show the information clearly.
14. Customise your graphs using external packages in Python
You can use external packages like MatPlotLib or MATLAB to make the creation and editing of high-quality graphs and plots easy and efficient.
15. Improving the language can improve your research paper
It is important to make sure your English is as good as possible. This may mean proof-reading the paper several times (or having someone else look at it).
We can help you edit your project
Improving your research paper can be challenging and time consuming. Academic editing can also be tricky sometimes, and it always pays off to have a professional look at your work. If youâre still not sure, donât have time, or want a pro to look at your references, let our skilled English Editors help.
Visit MDPI Author Services now
for a free estimate for fast, accurate, and professional editing.
16. Follow the instructions to format your paper
Review the house rules for the journal and follow these with care. Each journal has an âInstructions for Authorsâ webpage. It provides extensive information on how to present your work and improve your research paper. Take these into consideration when coming up with the final product.
17. Be thorough with author contributions and acknowledgments
Make sure to add the names of colleagues and supervisors who helped with your paper. This may seem obvious, but there are often people you forget. This may include thanking your funder or grant provider.
18. Declare any conflicts of interest
All authors need to state whether they have any relationships or interests that could influence the paper or its outcomes. This may include (financial or non-financial) connections to organisations or governments.
19. Donât forget about the importance of references
It may surprise you that many papers are submitted without evidence for their claims. Editors return these papers, and time is then lost in the publication process. The author then needs to locate the sources and resubmit the work. Make sure to provide citations where necessary. If you want to know more about how to cite your work, we have a
handy guide
to review on this very subject.
Tools like EndNote and Mendeley can help you with the formatting of references in your paper. These manage your references based on what you enter and then organise them in the References section. You can also use free reference generators. For example, the online tool âCite This for Meâ allows you to format individual references.
20. Read through it again
This is where you need to take a step back from what you have written. Looking over your work with a fresh set of eyes is a great way to improve it. Sleep on it and come back in a few days to check your work. A final scan may help you find minor errors and put your mind at ease. Once thatâs all done, you can submit your manuscript. Youâll generally receive a response in 1-5 working days. For more details on our speedy submission process, take a look at our article on
MDPI submission statuses
.
Going through these tips can help you improve your research paper during the writing process. This can increase your chances of having your work published, read, cited, and shared.
During this time, you may be feeling worried or nervous. And thatâs perfectly normal! Youâre about to release your findings into the world. If you feel tense about this process, youâre not alone. It takes a lot of courage to put ideas out there, even ideas that youâre happy with.
Once youâve published your manuscript, make sure to share it wherever you can. Talk about it on social media and put a link on your website.
Is there anything else that you do to improve your manuscripts? Make sure to share it in the comments below! |
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## 20 Ways to Improve Your Research Paper
So, you want to improve your research paper? Youâve come to the right place.
Many authors are looking for guidance when publishing their work and we understand that writing up research is hard. We want to help where we can. At MDPI, we are committed to delivering ground-breaking scientific insights to the global scientific community. Here, we provide 20 useful tips to improve your research paper before submission.
## 1\. Choose a specific and accurate title (and subtitles)
This is a very important part of your manuscript and can affect readership. People often choose what to read based on first impressions. Make sure your title doesnât put people off. The title should give an overview of what your paper is about. This should be accurate and specific and reflect the content of the paper. Avoid jargon where possible. Donât forget about section titles and table and figure captions. They should be accurate and specific. Readers tend to skip to the content they want to read. You can find even more useful advice in our article on [choosing the best research paper title](https://blog.mdpi.com/2022/03/23/how-to-choose-the-best-title-for-your-research-paper/).
## 2\. Writing an interesting abstract can improve your research paper
The abstract is the first part of the paper thatâll be read. You need to persuade the reader to continue reading. A clear abstract should outline the workings of your research. This will help you to carve out a very specific space in your field. You should also consider other published work in the field. Mention some notable achievements and explain how your research builds on them. This will help you place your research. Those who know the area well will be able to understand which direction youâre going in. A great way to make your abstract more dynamic is to add a graphical abstract or video. It should describe the methodology within your paper. This additional media quickly summarises your paper. It makes it more visually appealing to readers at first glance.
[](https://www.mdpi.com/2072-4292/13/1/78)
***Graphical abstract for the manuscript âDeep Learning for Land Cover Change Detectionâ, published in*** **Remote Sensing*****.***
See the journalâs Instructions for Authors page for more information about graphical abstracts.
## 3\. Be selective with keywords
On our journalsâ webpages, we use keywords for indexing. This makes work more searchable. Many researchers search the MDPI site using keywords related to their field. This gives you a chance to get more eyes on your paper. Make sure your choices are precise and are not in the title already. You want to cover as much ground as possible.
Depending on the journal, keywords that are also in the journalâs name are sometimes not allowed. For example, authors cannot use the keyword âsoilâ when publishing in *Soil Biology &* *Biochemistry*. You can check the journalâs webpage for more details. Get in touch with the Editorial Office if you have any questions.
## 4\. Make sure that your research is novel
Have you conducted a thorough search of the latest findings? Knowing about these will improve the originality of your work. Reviewers are asked to rate your manuscript on novelty. Your research should advance the current knowledge in your field. Avoid repeating what may already be out there.
You can cite other works and add them to the content of your paper. This shows that youâre aware of the current knowledge in your research area. You should add your own work and findings that bring something new to the field. Editors like studies that push the boundaries and have new and unexpected outcomes.
## 5\. Ensure that your results are exciting
Your results should not only be novel, but also significant. Attracting readers and citations will be easier if the results are exciting. Interesting and exciting work will encourage others to build on what you have discovered.
## 6\. To improve your research paper, keep it simple
When it comes to research, itâs easy to get lost in your own paper. But, there is value in keeping it simple. This will make your work more accessible to others. It may even improve its success. Keeping your paper simple (English included) also means making it consistent. We have a [handy guide](https://blog.mdpi.com/2022/05/02/manuscript-editing-tips/) that can help with this! Avoid including information that is unnecessary. Review what you have written so far â if you can delete something, then you should.
## 7\. Donât self-plagiarise\!
Perhaps you want to repeat something that you have already mentioned in a previous research paper. Be careful, reusing your own words is self-plagiarism.
Self-plagiarism is a problem because you are just producing a copy of your work from before. This creates the illusion of new ideas when there arenât any. This can happen without you realising it, so be careful. To avoid this, use short quotes from your past paper. You should place these in quotation marks and cite the original. Be succinct but comprehensive.
MDPI takes plagiarism very seriously and we (and other publishers) do our best to ensure that it is not present in our authorsâ research by using a plagiarism detector that reviews online content for similarities. This helps to ensure that our it is ready to be published. As part of MDPIâs anti-plagiarism regulations, image manipulation is also not permitted. The peer review process involves an assessment of images and figures.
## 8\. Use the journal template, even in the early stages
Peer review can be a nerve-wracking process. You are waiting for opinions on whether your paper should be in a journal or not. We understand that this is a stressful time for our authors so we do our best to encourage reviewers to provide their reviews as soon as possible.
You can increase your chances of good reviews by making sure your work is clearly organised and easy to understand. Templates are great for this and can definitely help you to improve your research paper throughout the writing process. This can give your paper a more professional look from the outset. Itâs also important to maintain good formatting throughout.
Using the template from the start will save you a lot of time later. You can avoid spending precious time transferring your manuscript into the MDPI format. You wonât be at risk of possible errors caused by a late move-over.
## 9\. Keep the topic relevant to the research field or journal
Some journals or Special Issues have broad scopes, while others are narrower. Research papers need to fit well within the range of the topic. This can sometimes be as simple as adding a paragraph of context to cement your paperâs relevance.
You can find information about the scope on journal webpages. You can also reach out to the Editorial Office if you have any questions.
If your work doesnât fit into the specific scope, an editor may encourage you to submit to a different journal or Special Issue.
## 10\. Keep in touch with co-authors
To improve the direction of your paper, check in with the other authors often. Obviously, this is only if you have co-authors.
Reviewing other sections of the paper can help to ensure that you donât repeat yourself. Itâs a good opportunity to make sure that the English is standardised as well.
## 11\. Swap and share ideas to improve your research paper
Research can be solitary. It is easy to forget that there are other people â co-authors, colleagues, peers, associates â in the same boat as you. Their feedback can help you spot mistakes that you may have missed. Meeting with a colleague can also give you a break from your paper and allow you to come back to it with a new mindset.
## 12\. Write methods and results first, then abstract, introduction and conclusion later
This is commonly given advice, but is worth noting. The content and tone of your paper may change as you write it. Youâll have a better overview of your findings, and be able to include key points from the paper. The introduction and conclusion will be more refined when left until the end.
## 13\. Check your plots and graphs
Nothing in your paper is as important as your data. Your discoveries are the foundation of your work. They need to be clear and easy to understand. To improve your research paper, make sure graphs and images are in high resolutions and show the information clearly.
## 14\. Customise your graphs using external packages in Python
You can use external packages like MatPlotLib or MATLAB to make the creation and editing of high-quality graphs and plots easy and efficient.
## 15\. Improving the language can improve your research paper
It is important to make sure your English is as good as possible. This may mean proof-reading the paper several times (or having someone else look at it).
### **We can help you edit your project**
Improving your research paper can be challenging and time consuming. Academic editing can also be tricky sometimes, and it always pays off to have a professional look at your work. If youâre still not sure, donât have time, or want a pro to look at your references, let our skilled English Editors help. [Visit MDPI Author Services now](https://www.mdpi.com/authors/english) for a free estimate for fast, accurate, and professional editing.
## 16\. Follow the instructions to format your paper
Review the house rules for the journal and follow these with care. Each journal has an âInstructions for Authorsâ webpage. It provides extensive information on how to present your work and improve your research paper. Take these into consideration when coming up with the final product.
## 17\. Be thorough with author contributions and acknowledgments
Make sure to add the names of colleagues and supervisors who helped with your paper. This may seem obvious, but there are often people you forget. This may include thanking your funder or grant provider.
## 18\. Declare any conflicts of interest
All authors need to state whether they have any relationships or interests that could influence the paper or its outcomes. This may include (financial or non-financial) connections to organisations or governments.
## 19\. Donât forget about the importance of references
It may surprise you that many papers are submitted without evidence for their claims. Editors return these papers, and time is then lost in the publication process. The author then needs to locate the sources and resubmit the work. Make sure to provide citations where necessary. If you want to know more about how to cite your work, we have a [handy guide](https://blog.mdpi.com/2022/07/14/referencing-academic-work/) to review on this very subject.
Tools like EndNote and Mendeley can help you with the formatting of references in your paper. These manage your references based on what you enter and then organise them in the References section. You can also use free reference generators. For example, the online tool âCite This for Meâ allows you to format individual references.
## 20\. Read through it again
This is where you need to take a step back from what you have written. Looking over your work with a fresh set of eyes is a great way to improve it. Sleep on it and come back in a few days to check your work. A final scan may help you find minor errors and put your mind at ease. Once thatâs all done, you can submit your manuscript. Youâll generally receive a response in 1-5 working days. For more details on our speedy submission process, take a look at our article on [MDPI submission statuses](https://blog.mdpi.com/2021/10/27/mdpi-submission-process-your-questions-answered/).
Going through these tips can help you improve your research paper during the writing process. This can increase your chances of having your work published, read, cited, and shared.
During this time, you may be feeling worried or nervous. And thatâs perfectly normal! Youâre about to release your findings into the world. If you feel tense about this process, youâre not alone. It takes a lot of courage to put ideas out there, even ideas that youâre happy with.
Once youâve published your manuscript, make sure to share it wherever you can. Talk about it on social media and put a link on your website.
Is there anything else that you do to improve your manuscripts? Make sure to share it in the comments below\!
\+10
***
## Related posts
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### [Novel Magnetostrictive Sensor Enables External Detection of Corrosion in Storage Tanks](https://blog.mdpi.com/2026/03/20/magnetostrictive-sensor-detects-tank-corrosion-externally/)
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### [How to Use Verb Tenses in a Research Paper](https://blog.mdpi.com/2026/03/20/verb-tenses/)
[](https://blog.mdpi.com/2026/03/18/the-3rd-international-conference-on-ai-sensors-and-transducers/)
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### [The 3rd International Conference on AI Sensors and Transducers](https://blog.mdpi.com/2026/03/18/the-3rd-international-conference-on-ai-sensors-and-transducers/)
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[Open Science](https://blog.mdpi.com/category/open-science/),[Academic Resources](https://blog.mdpi.com/category/academic-resources/)
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### [Ageing is Not Always a Bad Thing, New Study Finds](https://blog.mdpi.com/2026/03/13/ageing-is-not-always-a-bad-thing-new-study-finds/)
***
##### 59 Comments
OnlineTutors Group
21 March 2025
This blog provides valuable insights on improving research papers with clear and practical strategies. The emphasis on structure, clarity, and proper citations makes it an excellent resource for students and researchers. A must-read for anyone looking to enhance the quality and impact of their academic writing.
[Reply](https://blog.mdpi.com/2021/02/24/improve-your-research-paper/#comment-112518)
Jack McKenna
21 March 2025
Hi,
Thanks for taking the time to read our article and leaving this comment.
All the best.
[Reply](https://blog.mdpi.com/2021/02/24/improve-your-research-paper/#comment-112519)
Fadhil
21 March 2025
Dear sir
I hope you are fine
I need an explanatory article on how to write scientific research for beginner students, supported by pictures and tables. With appreciation.
[Reply](https://blog.mdpi.com/2021/02/24/improve-your-research-paper/#comment-112514)
Jack McKenna
21 March 2025
Hi,
I would recommend visiting out Academic Resources tagged posts on the Blog here: <https://blog.mdpi.com/category/academic-resources/>
All the best.
[Reply](https://blog.mdpi.com/2021/02/24/improve-your-research-paper/#comment-112520)
onlinetutorsgroup onlinetutorsgroup
30 September 2024
This article provides valuable insights on enhancing research papers, especially for early-career researchers. The focus on clarity, structure, and proper citations is particularly helpful in improving overall writing quality. A great resource for anyone aiming to strengthen their academic work.
[Reply](https://blog.mdpi.com/2021/02/24/improve-your-research-paper/#comment-98155)
Jack McKenna
30 September 2024
Hi,
Thanks for your kind words.
All the best.
[Reply](https://blog.mdpi.com/2021/02/24/improve-your-research-paper/#comment-98156)
Zoey
12 March 2024
I am a senior and currently writing my last research paper. This information was very useful for me. Thanks for putting it out there\!
[Reply](https://blog.mdpi.com/2021/02/24/improve-your-research-paper/#comment-82185)
ANNA LIZA Calusin ROMANTICO
23 July 2023
Thank you very much. I need this in my report and in my studies. God bless\!
[Reply](https://blog.mdpi.com/2021/02/24/improve-your-research-paper/#comment-63035)
Sami
17 April 2023
Really helpful. Please share more tips on improving your write-up when writing a research paper.
[Reply](https://blog.mdpi.com/2021/02/24/improve-your-research-paper/#comment-59471)
Katherine Bosworth
17 April 2023
Hi Sami, thanks for the comment.
You may also be interested in reading about [how to choose the best title for your research paper](https://blog.mdpi.com/2022/03/23/how-to-choose-the-best-title-for-your-research-paper/).
[Reply](https://blog.mdpi.com/2021/02/24/improve-your-research-paper/#comment-59475)
Wakeel Khan
27 January 2024
Thanks for your nice work. I will apply these points on my paper will edit itâŠ
[Reply](https://blog.mdpi.com/2021/02/24/improve-your-research-paper/#comment-79446)
Chenghua Sun
25 January 2023
Thank you, Katherine. Can I transfer it into Chinese and share with the students?
[Reply](https://blog.mdpi.com/2021/02/24/improve-your-research-paper/#comment-57306)
Katherine Bosworth
25 January 2023
Hi Chenghua, thank you for the comment.
Please feel free to share the article far and wide! Glad it can help your students.
[Reply](https://blog.mdpi.com/2021/02/24/improve-your-research-paper/#comment-57330)
Messka
1 December 2022
what happens when we discover a new concept during our research? whereas at the beginning we had not predict it? Defining it in the introductory part isnât very fair, isnât it?
Thanks
[Reply](https://blog.mdpi.com/2021/02/24/improve-your-research-paper/#comment-56454)
Katherine Bosworth
1 December 2022
Hi Messka, thank you for the comment.
Agreed. Thatâs why the advice in \#12 is so powerful. Things change as youâre trying to get it right, so itâs always best to leave the introduction and conclusion to the end.
[Reply](https://blog.mdpi.com/2021/02/24/improve-your-research-paper/#comment-56455)
Wakeel Khan
27 January 2024
Thanks for your nice work. I will apply these points on my paper will edit itâŠ
[Reply](https://blog.mdpi.com/2021/02/24/improve-your-research-paper/#comment-79447)
Okechukwu ogah A
16 August 2022
This is really helpful article, keep it up
[Reply](https://blog.mdpi.com/2021/02/24/improve-your-research-paper/#comment-55186)
jennyknowles
17 August 2022
Thanks for reading! Weâre glad you found the article useful
[Reply](https://blog.mdpi.com/2021/02/24/improve-your-research-paper/#comment-55191)
Teguh Widodo
15 August 2022
Thank you Ms. Katherine. It is very useful and enlight me..
[Reply](https://blog.mdpi.com/2021/02/24/improve-your-research-paper/#comment-55180)
Katherine Bosworth
2 September 2022
Hi Teguh, youâre welcome. Thanks for reading the MDPI Blog.
[Reply](https://blog.mdpi.com/2021/02/24/improve-your-research-paper/#comment-55222)
sivaranjani Parthiban
15 August 2022
Thank you so much Mam.. Really it is very useful information mam..
[Reply](https://blog.mdpi.com/2021/02/24/improve-your-research-paper/#comment-55179)
Katherine Bosworth
2 September 2022
Hi Sivaranjani, glad this helped! Good luck with your manuscript\!
[Reply](https://blog.mdpi.com/2021/02/24/improve-your-research-paper/#comment-55221)
Saliu Yusuf
14 August 2022
Thank you very much, for this concise and informative piece.
[Reply](https://blog.mdpi.com/2021/02/24/improve-your-research-paper/#comment-55178)
jennyknowles
15 August 2022
Thanks for reading, Saliu\!
[Reply](https://blog.mdpi.com/2021/02/24/improve-your-research-paper/#comment-55184)
Yao Dedzie
14 August 2022
Very precise and very informative. It will be by personal giude moving forward
[Reply](https://blog.mdpi.com/2021/02/24/improve-your-research-paper/#comment-55177)
jennyknowles
15 August 2022
Weâre glad you found this article useful, Yao\!
[Reply](https://blog.mdpi.com/2021/02/24/improve-your-research-paper/#comment-55183)
Chetan Ambasana
13 August 2022
Very useful informations.
[Reply](https://blog.mdpi.com/2021/02/24/improve-your-research-paper/#comment-55175)
jennyknowles
15 August 2022
Thanks for reading, Chetan\!
[Reply](https://blog.mdpi.com/2021/02/24/improve-your-research-paper/#comment-55181)
Olaniyi Akinyemi
12 August 2022
Informative and good guide for Phd researchers.
[Reply](https://blog.mdpi.com/2021/02/24/improve-your-research-paper/#comment-55171)
Katherine Bosworth
12 August 2022
Thanks Olaniyi\!
[Reply](https://blog.mdpi.com/2021/02/24/improve-your-research-paper/#comment-55172)
Sardar Hussain
11 August 2022
Thank you MDPI for valuable information
[Reply](https://blog.mdpi.com/2021/02/24/improve-your-research-paper/#comment-55168)
Katherine Bosworth
11 August 2022
Thanks for reading, Sardar\!
[Reply](https://blog.mdpi.com/2021/02/24/improve-your-research-paper/#comment-55169)
Md. Monir Hossain
24 March 2021
Thank you very mutch for your valuable information.
[Reply](https://blog.mdpi.com/2021/02/24/improve-your-research-paper/#comment-46396)
Raimi Morufu Olalekan
23 March 2021
Very outstanding and informative. This will go along way toward improving my manuscript
[Reply](https://blog.mdpi.com/2021/02/24/improve-your-research-paper/#comment-46391)
john mayer
22 March 2021
Thanks for sharing such an informational article which will a great help to the students.
[Reply](https://blog.mdpi.com/2021/02/24/improve-your-research-paper/#comment-46380)
Toniniaina Rakotozanakajy
21 March 2021
Thank you
[Reply](https://blog.mdpi.com/2021/02/24/improve-your-research-paper/#comment-46375)
Sylvester K Mutavi
20 March 2021
Good guidelines
[Reply](https://blog.mdpi.com/2021/02/24/improve-your-research-paper/#comment-46368)
Ahmed
18 March 2021
Nice quotes
[Reply](https://blog.mdpi.com/2021/02/24/improve-your-research-paper/#comment-46352)
Atabo victor Oboni
17 March 2021
Thanks for this great and concise work.
[Reply](https://blog.mdpi.com/2021/02/24/improve-your-research-paper/#comment-46342)
Sairam nookala
16 March 2021
Nice⊠itâs very useful for new beginnerâs
[Reply](https://blog.mdpi.com/2021/02/24/improve-your-research-paper/#comment-46334)
P. E. Sefogah
16 March 2021
Certainly very helpful tips indeed.
Thank you MDPI for this kind exercise.
[Reply](https://blog.mdpi.com/2021/02/24/improve-your-research-paper/#comment-46333)
Abdulmalik A. Lawan
16 March 2021
Valuable and concise 100%
[Reply](https://blog.mdpi.com/2021/02/24/improve-your-research-paper/#comment-46332)
[Ibrahim Salihu Yusuf](http://nil/)
14 March 2021
This is helpful. I have leant a lot from the quality research tips you provided.
[Reply](https://blog.mdpi.com/2021/02/24/improve-your-research-paper/#comment-46323)
Dr Kwei Haliday Nyingchia
14 March 2021
Interesting write up for research
[Reply](https://blog.mdpi.com/2021/02/24/improve-your-research-paper/#comment-46321)
James okogbaa
14 March 2021
These 25 ways of improving my research are very helpful because they touch every area of a research scheduling and arrangement. Most exciting is the suggestion to write the introduction and conclusion last. Hearing this for the first time; I will adopt it
Many thanks MDPI
James
[Reply](https://blog.mdpi.com/2021/02/24/improve-your-research-paper/#comment-46320)
Fred
14 March 2021
Itâs really nice points
[Reply](https://blog.mdpi.com/2021/02/24/improve-your-research-paper/#comment-46306)
Parllela Shanthan kumar
14 March 2021
Good
[Reply](https://blog.mdpi.com/2021/02/24/improve-your-research-paper/#comment-46305)
Dr.K.kavita
14 March 2021
Thank you đ
[Reply](https://blog.mdpi.com/2021/02/24/improve-your-research-paper/#comment-46304)
Sherajul Mustajib
13 March 2021
very informative and substantive article
[Reply](https://blog.mdpi.com/2021/02/24/improve-your-research-paper/#comment-46296)
Mohammed Nasiru
13 March 2021
Thumbs up
[Reply](https://blog.mdpi.com/2021/02/24/improve-your-research-paper/#comment-46295)
Kebby Ngâona
11 March 2021
Good pieces of advice
[Reply](https://blog.mdpi.com/2021/02/24/improve-your-research-paper/#comment-46284)
Pradip Devhare
11 March 2021
Very informative guidance. Thank you for sharing.
[Reply](https://blog.mdpi.com/2021/02/24/improve-your-research-paper/#comment-46274)
Niyungeko
7 March 2021
Hello
very interesting tips.
[Reply](https://blog.mdpi.com/2021/02/24/improve-your-research-paper/#comment-46244)
Md. Reajul Islam
3 March 2021
Its really useful for new researchers.
[Reply](https://blog.mdpi.com/2021/02/24/improve-your-research-paper/#comment-46204)
Emdad
2 March 2021
Nice writing
[Reply](https://blog.mdpi.com/2021/02/24/improve-your-research-paper/#comment-46183)
Ernesto RaĂșl Torres VĂ©liz
2 March 2021
The information provided is very important to write a good research article
[Reply](https://blog.mdpi.com/2021/02/24/improve-your-research-paper/#comment-46182)
[Chris Rhodes](http://www.chrisrhodesmusic.co.uk/)
1 March 2021
Amazingly helpful article, from a PhD candidate\!
[Reply](https://blog.mdpi.com/2021/02/24/improve-your-research-paper/#comment-46170)
Moutsinga
1 March 2021
Hello,
Very interesring
[Reply](https://blog.mdpi.com/2021/02/24/improve-your-research-paper/#comment-46168)
Hatem Hassan. Mohamed
26 February 2021
Thank you for your valuable 25 ways to improve the research .would you include examples or case studies . Thank you
[Reply](https://blog.mdpi.com/2021/02/24/improve-your-research-paper/#comment-46146)
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| Readable Markdown | So, you want to improve your research paper? Youâve come to the right place.
Many authors are looking for guidance when publishing their work and we understand that writing up research is hard. We want to help where we can. At MDPI, we are committed to delivering ground-breaking scientific insights to the global scientific community. Here, we provide 20 useful tips to improve your research paper before submission.
## 1\. Choose a specific and accurate title (and subtitles)
This is a very important part of your manuscript and can affect readership. People often choose what to read based on first impressions. Make sure your title doesnât put people off. The title should give an overview of what your paper is about. This should be accurate and specific and reflect the content of the paper. Avoid jargon where possible. Donât forget about section titles and table and figure captions. They should be accurate and specific. Readers tend to skip to the content they want to read. You can find even more useful advice in our article on [choosing the best research paper title](https://blog.mdpi.com/2022/03/23/how-to-choose-the-best-title-for-your-research-paper/).
## 2\. Writing an interesting abstract can improve your research paper
The abstract is the first part of the paper thatâll be read. You need to persuade the reader to continue reading. A clear abstract should outline the workings of your research. This will help you to carve out a very specific space in your field. You should also consider other published work in the field. Mention some notable achievements and explain how your research builds on them. This will help you place your research. Those who know the area well will be able to understand which direction youâre going in. A great way to make your abstract more dynamic is to add a graphical abstract or video. It should describe the methodology within your paper. This additional media quickly summarises your paper. It makes it more visually appealing to readers at first glance.
[](https://www.mdpi.com/2072-4292/13/1/78)
***Graphical abstract for the manuscript âDeep Learning for Land Cover Change Detectionâ, published in*** **Remote Sensing*****.***
See the journalâs Instructions for Authors page for more information about graphical abstracts.
## 3\. Be selective with keywords
On our journalsâ webpages, we use keywords for indexing. This makes work more searchable. Many researchers search the MDPI site using keywords related to their field. This gives you a chance to get more eyes on your paper. Make sure your choices are precise and are not in the title already. You want to cover as much ground as possible.
Depending on the journal, keywords that are also in the journalâs name are sometimes not allowed. For example, authors cannot use the keyword âsoilâ when publishing in *Soil Biology &* *Biochemistry*. You can check the journalâs webpage for more details. Get in touch with the Editorial Office if you have any questions.
## 4\. Make sure that your research is novel
Have you conducted a thorough search of the latest findings? Knowing about these will improve the originality of your work. Reviewers are asked to rate your manuscript on novelty. Your research should advance the current knowledge in your field. Avoid repeating what may already be out there.
You can cite other works and add them to the content of your paper. This shows that youâre aware of the current knowledge in your research area. You should add your own work and findings that bring something new to the field. Editors like studies that push the boundaries and have new and unexpected outcomes.
## 5\. Ensure that your results are exciting
Your results should not only be novel, but also significant. Attracting readers and citations will be easier if the results are exciting. Interesting and exciting work will encourage others to build on what you have discovered.
## 6\. To improve your research paper, keep it simple
When it comes to research, itâs easy to get lost in your own paper. But, there is value in keeping it simple. This will make your work more accessible to others. It may even improve its success. Keeping your paper simple (English included) also means making it consistent. We have a [handy guide](https://blog.mdpi.com/2022/05/02/manuscript-editing-tips/) that can help with this! Avoid including information that is unnecessary. Review what you have written so far â if you can delete something, then you should.
## 7\. Donât self-plagiarise\!
Perhaps you want to repeat something that you have already mentioned in a previous research paper. Be careful, reusing your own words is self-plagiarism.
Self-plagiarism is a problem because you are just producing a copy of your work from before. This creates the illusion of new ideas when there arenât any. This can happen without you realising it, so be careful. To avoid this, use short quotes from your past paper. You should place these in quotation marks and cite the original. Be succinct but comprehensive.
MDPI takes plagiarism very seriously and we (and other publishers) do our best to ensure that it is not present in our authorsâ research by using a plagiarism detector that reviews online content for similarities. This helps to ensure that our it is ready to be published. As part of MDPIâs anti-plagiarism regulations, image manipulation is also not permitted. The peer review process involves an assessment of images and figures.
## 8\. Use the journal template, even in the early stages
Peer review can be a nerve-wracking process. You are waiting for opinions on whether your paper should be in a journal or not. We understand that this is a stressful time for our authors so we do our best to encourage reviewers to provide their reviews as soon as possible.
You can increase your chances of good reviews by making sure your work is clearly organised and easy to understand. Templates are great for this and can definitely help you to improve your research paper throughout the writing process. This can give your paper a more professional look from the outset. Itâs also important to maintain good formatting throughout.
Using the template from the start will save you a lot of time later. You can avoid spending precious time transferring your manuscript into the MDPI format. You wonât be at risk of possible errors caused by a late move-over.
## 9\. Keep the topic relevant to the research field or journal
Some journals or Special Issues have broad scopes, while others are narrower. Research papers need to fit well within the range of the topic. This can sometimes be as simple as adding a paragraph of context to cement your paperâs relevance.
You can find information about the scope on journal webpages. You can also reach out to the Editorial Office if you have any questions.
If your work doesnât fit into the specific scope, an editor may encourage you to submit to a different journal or Special Issue.
## 10\. Keep in touch with co-authors
To improve the direction of your paper, check in with the other authors often. Obviously, this is only if you have co-authors.
Reviewing other sections of the paper can help to ensure that you donât repeat yourself. Itâs a good opportunity to make sure that the English is standardised as well.
## 11\. Swap and share ideas to improve your research paper
Research can be solitary. It is easy to forget that there are other people â co-authors, colleagues, peers, associates â in the same boat as you. Their feedback can help you spot mistakes that you may have missed. Meeting with a colleague can also give you a break from your paper and allow you to come back to it with a new mindset.
## 12\. Write methods and results first, then abstract, introduction and conclusion later
This is commonly given advice, but is worth noting. The content and tone of your paper may change as you write it. Youâll have a better overview of your findings, and be able to include key points from the paper. The introduction and conclusion will be more refined when left until the end.
## 13\. Check your plots and graphs
Nothing in your paper is as important as your data. Your discoveries are the foundation of your work. They need to be clear and easy to understand. To improve your research paper, make sure graphs and images are in high resolutions and show the information clearly.
## 14\. Customise your graphs using external packages in Python
You can use external packages like MatPlotLib or MATLAB to make the creation and editing of high-quality graphs and plots easy and efficient.
## 15\. Improving the language can improve your research paper
It is important to make sure your English is as good as possible. This may mean proof-reading the paper several times (or having someone else look at it).
### **We can help you edit your project**
Improving your research paper can be challenging and time consuming. Academic editing can also be tricky sometimes, and it always pays off to have a professional look at your work. If youâre still not sure, donât have time, or want a pro to look at your references, let our skilled English Editors help. [Visit MDPI Author Services now](https://www.mdpi.com/authors/english) for a free estimate for fast, accurate, and professional editing.
## 16\. Follow the instructions to format your paper
Review the house rules for the journal and follow these with care. Each journal has an âInstructions for Authorsâ webpage. It provides extensive information on how to present your work and improve your research paper. Take these into consideration when coming up with the final product.
## 17\. Be thorough with author contributions and acknowledgments
Make sure to add the names of colleagues and supervisors who helped with your paper. This may seem obvious, but there are often people you forget. This may include thanking your funder or grant provider.
## 18\. Declare any conflicts of interest
All authors need to state whether they have any relationships or interests that could influence the paper or its outcomes. This may include (financial or non-financial) connections to organisations or governments.
## 19\. Donât forget about the importance of references
It may surprise you that many papers are submitted without evidence for their claims. Editors return these papers, and time is then lost in the publication process. The author then needs to locate the sources and resubmit the work. Make sure to provide citations where necessary. If you want to know more about how to cite your work, we have a [handy guide](https://blog.mdpi.com/2022/07/14/referencing-academic-work/) to review on this very subject.
Tools like EndNote and Mendeley can help you with the formatting of references in your paper. These manage your references based on what you enter and then organise them in the References section. You can also use free reference generators. For example, the online tool âCite This for Meâ allows you to format individual references.
## 20\. Read through it again
This is where you need to take a step back from what you have written. Looking over your work with a fresh set of eyes is a great way to improve it. Sleep on it and come back in a few days to check your work. A final scan may help you find minor errors and put your mind at ease. Once thatâs all done, you can submit your manuscript. Youâll generally receive a response in 1-5 working days. For more details on our speedy submission process, take a look at our article on [MDPI submission statuses](https://blog.mdpi.com/2021/10/27/mdpi-submission-process-your-questions-answered/).
Going through these tips can help you improve your research paper during the writing process. This can increase your chances of having your work published, read, cited, and shared.
During this time, you may be feeling worried or nervous. And thatâs perfectly normal! Youâre about to release your findings into the world. If you feel tense about this process, youâre not alone. It takes a lot of courage to put ideas out there, even ideas that youâre happy with.
Once youâve published your manuscript, make sure to share it wherever you can. Talk about it on social media and put a link on your website.
Is there anything else that you do to improve your manuscripts? Make sure to share it in the comments below\! |
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