LibGuides: Writing &amp; Publication Hub: Academic Writing

Learn How to Write a Scientific Manuscript

Getting Started

Use these resources if you are new to academic writing or need a refresher on the basics.

How to Write Your First Research Paper
This paper presents guidelines on how to initiate the writing process and draft each section of a research manuscript. The paper discusses seven rules that allow the writer to prepare a well-structured and comprehensive manuscript for a publication submission. In addition, the author lists different strategies for successful revision.
Uniform requirements for manuscripts submitted to biomedical journals: Writing and editing for biomedical publication
The ICMJE created the Uniform Requirements primarily to help authors and editors in their mutual task of creating and distributing accurate, clear, easily accessible reports of biomedical studies. The initial sections address the ethical principles related to the process of evaluating, improving, and publishing manuscripts in biomedical journals and the relationships among editors and authors, peer reviewers, and the media. The latter sections address the more technical aspects of preparing and submitting manuscripts.

In-depth Reporting Guidelines

If you need guidance on best practices for writing about different kinds of studies, check out the more advanced resources below.

Good Publication Practice (GPP2) Guidelines
Good Publication Practice (GPP2) guidelines were created by the International Society for Medical Publication Professionals to ensure that clinical trials sponsored by pharmaceutical companies are published in a responsible and ethical manner.
PLoS Reporting Guidelines Collection
The Reporting Guidelines Collection highlights articles published across PLOS journals and includes guidelines and guidance, commentary, and related research on guidelines. This Collection features some of the many resources available to facilitate the rigorous reporting of scientific studies, and to improve the presentation and evaluation of published studies.

Publisher Educational Materials

These materials from two major academic publishers are designed to walk you through the steps of the publishing process, including writing the manuscript. Use these resources if you like self-learning modules, or if you want to know more about what publishers are looking for when you are preparing your manuscript.

Author Services from Wiley
Learn strategies for being a better writer, reviewer, and editor.
Elsevier Researcher Academy
Navigate your research journey with Researcher Academy. Free e-learning modules developed by global experts.

Reporting Guidelines

Reporting guidelines provide rules and recommendations that guide the process of writing (or reporting on) your research. Following reporting guidelines not only helps save you time and streamline the writing process, but follows and promotes best practices in scientific research transparency and reproducibility.

Research Reporting Guidelines and Initiatives: By Organization
This chart lists the major biomedical research reporting guidelines that provide advice for reporting research methods and findings. They usually "specify a minimum set of items required for a clear and transparent account of what was done and what was found in a research study, reflecting, in particular, issues that might introduce bias into the research."
EQUATOR Network : Good Reports Reporting Guidelines
The Enhancing the QUAlity and Transparency Of health Research Network discusses research reporting guidelines in the context of journal publishing and offers practical resources and solutions for journal editors and authors
PLoS Reporting Guidelines Collection
The Reporting Guidelines Collection highlights articles published across PLOS journals and includes guidelines and guidance, commentary, and related research on guidelines. This Collection features some of the many resources available to facilitate the rigorous reporting of scientific studies, and to improve the presentation and evaluation of published studies.

Funder Guidelines

Many research funders have specific guidelines that must be followed regarding research reporting and publication. If you are participating in funded research, be sure to follow their rules and check out the resources below.

NIH Principles and Guidelines for Reporting Preclinical Research
Principles focused on identifying the common opportunities in the scientific publishing arena to enhance rigor and further support research that is reproducible, robust, and transparent.
NIH Public Access Policy
To advance science and improve human health, NIH makes the peer-reviewed articles it funds publicly available on PubMed Central. The NIH public access policy requires scientists to submit final peer-reviewed journal manuscripts that arise from NIH funds to PubMed Central immediately upon acceptance for publication.
NIH Research Performance Progress Report (RPPR)
The RPPR is used by grantees to submit progress reports to NIH on their grant awards. This page provides an overview of the annual RPPR, the final RPPR and the interim RPPR and provides resources to help you understand how to submit a progress report.
US Policy & Regulation on Clinicaltrials.gov Registration and Reporting
The RPPR is used by grantees to submit progress reports to NIH on their grant awards. This page provides an overview of the annual RPPR, the final RPPR and the interim RPPR and provides resources to help you understand how to submit a progress report.

Academic Writing Readings and Resources

Recommendations from ICMJE : Preparing a Manuscript for Submission
Recommendations on manuscript organization from the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors
8 Reasons Why I Rejected Your Article
A journal editor reveals the top reasons so many manuscripts don’t make it to the peer review process
Dear Authors: We Do Read Your Cover Letters
Advice on what to include in a cover letter.
Ten Simple Rules for Better Figures
A more accurate definition for scientific visualization would be a graphical interface between people and data. This short article aims to provide a basic set of rules to improve figure design and to explain some of the common pitfalls.
Ten Simple Rules for Getting Published
A short article of compiled advice for students on how to get published