Once the experimental work is completed, researchers must present their findings in a coherent, concise, and compelling format that allows readers to follow the logic, significance, and innovation behind the research. The goal is not only to communicate scientific results but also to do so in a manner that is clear, concise, and accessible to a busy scholarly audience. Structuring research manuscript is more than documenting the outcomes of a study, It is an act of scholarly storytelling. A well-structured research paper enables readers to follow the logical flow of the study and quickly locate specific information. Since academic audiences often scan papers quickly to assess relevance, clarity of presentation is essential. A disorganized or ambiguous manuscript, even with excellent research, may fail to make an impact or may be rejected early in the editorial screening process. Therefore, understanding the effective manuscript structuring is a fundamental skill for every researcher.
Most research articles follow the standard IMRaD structure, comprising the Introduction, Materials and Methods, Results, and Discussion, typically followed by a Conclusion. This structure facilitates a logical flow, enabling consistency across manuscripts. Importantly, it ensures that all necessary components are included, allowing the work to be understood, evaluated, and replicated.
While the manuscript is ultimately published in the order of Title, Abstract, Introduction, Methods, Results, Discussion, and Conclusion, this is not the ideal writing order. A recommended approach is to begin with the Materials and Methods and Results, followed by the Introduction, Discussion, and Conclusion, and finally draft the Title and Abstract. This order ensures that each section is informed by a complete understanding of the work, enhancing clarity and cohesion.
Beyond the above basic framework, authors must pay careful attention to specific structural and stylistic details that are routinely evaluated during initial editorial screening. Manuscripts that fail to meet these expectations may be returned to authors without peer review, even if the reported research holds merit. In many cases, strong research is overlooked due to a confusing presentation or failure to establish its relevance within the existing body of knowledge. Therefore, authors must not only focus on the rigor of their study but also on presenting it within the context of current research gaps or emerging directions in the field. To assist authors in preparing a structured manuscript, the following detailed guidelines should be carefully observed:
Essential Components of a Research Manuscript
A research manuscript should typically include the following essential elements:
Title, Authors, Affiliations, Abstract, Keywords, Introduction, Methodology, Analysis, Results, Discussion, Conclusion, Declarations, and References. The author shall ensure the following:
1. Writing Structure and Flow
Maintain a logical narrative throughout the manuscript that is easy to follow. Avoid overuse of short, disconnected paragraphs, which can disrupt readability. Each paragraph should present a clear idea and transition smoothly into the next. Headings and subheadings should be numbered sequentially and used only when necessary. Avoid excessive headings for short sections. Do not start a paragraph immediately after a heading with a colon, semicolon, or dot; instead, begin the paragraph naturally after headings in a separate line. Avoid bullet points and lists; instead, write in full, connected sentences that contribute to the overall narrative paragraph.
2. Grammar and Tense Usage
Ensure proper grammar and consistent tense use throughout the manuscript. The abstract should mainly use past tense to describe completed research, while present tense may be used for general conclusions. In the introduction, the present tense is suitable for discussing general knowledge and background information, but the past tense should be used when referring to specific studies. The methodology and results sections should be written in the past tense since they describe completed work. In the discussion and conclusion, use past tense to summarize findings and present tense for general conclusions.
3. Title and Author Information
The title should clearly and specifically reflect the research paper’s content, ideally between 8 and 20 words. Avoid vague or overly broad titles. If mathematical expressions or symbols are used, provide them in LaTeX format. Author details (name, affiliation, email) should be accurate, with the corresponding author marked using an asterisk (*). Do not include academic titles such as Dr., Prof., or Ph.D.
If you are submitting to AIJR Publications, provide additional details for each author on the first page of the manuscript (immediately before the Abstract section). The complete details of each author must be provided in the following standardized format:
Full Name:
Highest Academic Qualification:
Affiliation (Department & Institution):
Course of Study or Research Program (for students only):
Designation & Rank (for faculty members and professionals):
Email Address (accurate and active):
4. Abstract and Keywords
The abstract should be self-contained and succinct (within 300 words in a single paragraph), summarizing the objective, methods, and key findings. It should not include citations. The abstract should provide a clear understanding of the research paper even when read separately. Keywords should be specific to the topic, with a maximum of three.
5. Structural Clarity and Presentation
The manuscript should be well-organized and easy to read, with numbered headings and subheadings. Headings and subheadings should be clear, concise, and specific to maintain academic precision and structural clarity, do not write a full sentence as a heading. Avoid italicized text unless it is for scientific purposes. Figures and tables should be clear, numbered correctly with descriptive captions, and described in the text by accurate referencing. Images should be high resolution and not distorted. Tables should be created using the table tool, not inserted as images. Equations should be written using the equation tool, not inserted as images.
6. Introduction and Literature Review
The introduction should present the background, current status, knowledge gap, and research objectives in a logical order. Begin with a comprehensive background that outlines the current knowledge in the field, identifies the research gap, and states the objectives of the study. The literature review should go beyond summarizing prior studies; it should critically compare existing findings and highlight how your research addresses an unmet need or opens a new direction. Ensure all claims are supported by properly cited references. Avoid excessive self-citation and unrelated references.
7. Methodology
Provide a clear and detailed methodology, describing the exact procedures followed in the study so that others can replicate the study. Describe all instruments, experimental conditions, sample sizes, and analysis methods thoroughly. The methodology should be scientifically valid & reflect rigor as well as transparency.
8. Figures and Tables
Each figure and table should have a clear, descriptive caption and be discussed within the text. Images must be of high resolution and free from distortion. Do not embed tables as images, use proper tools to maintain formatting and clarity.
9. Results and Discussion
Present results in a logical sequence, supported by data and analysis. Avoid reporting data without interpretation. The discussion should explore the implications of the results, compare them with previous studies, and emphasize how they contribute to the field. Avoid drawing unsupported conclusions.
10. Conclusion
Summarize the key findings and their significance, ideally within 300 words in a single paragraph. Mention limitations, suggest future research, and restate how the findings address the research objectives. Avoid references or citations in the conclusion.
11. Declarations and Ethical Considerations
Include the following declarations at the end of the manuscript, as applicable:
- Study Limitations: Note all significant limitations, or write “none.”
- Acknowledgments: Recognize specific contributors not listed as authors.
- Funding Source: Disclose all financial support.
- Competing Interests: Declare any potential conflicts of interest.
- Hazard Warnings: Highlight any unusual risks related to chemicals or equipment.
- Use of AI Tools: If AI-assisted tools were used, disclose their name, purpose, and assert full responsibility for the final content.
For studies involving humans or animals:
- Ethical Approval: Include the approval authority and reference number, or provide an exemption letter.
- Informed Consent: State that informed consent was obtained from human participants, with documentation available upon request.
12. Citations and Reference List
When preparing the reference list, authors should ensure the inclusion of recent and relevant literature that directly supports the content and claims made within the manuscript. It is essential to avoid citing unrelated or inaccurate sources. Furthermore, excessive reliance on a single source should be avoided. The authors are encouraged to include DOIs or official publisher URLs to enhance the accessibility and traceability of the cited works.
Authors must follow a consistent and recognized citation style throughout the manuscript. Different publications may require different styles, typically either IEEE or APA. Before preparing your manuscript, please refer to the specific journal’s Author Guidelines to confirm the required citation format. The manuscript must adhere to only one citation style; do not mix both.
12.1 IEEE Citation Style
IEEE citation style is a numbered referencing system widely used in scientific publications, in this format:
- References must be numbered in the order of appearance and consistently cited using numerals in brackets (e.g., [1]).
- Avoid integrating citations into the sentence structure (e.g., say “This method improves accuracy [3]” rather than “According to [3]…”).
- References should be current, relevant, and include DOIs or publisher URLs when available.
- Cite throughout the manuscript—not just in the introduction—to support methods, compare results, and validate discussions.
12.2 APA Citation Style
APA style is widely used in the social sciences and education fields. It uses the author-date system for in-text citations and an alphabetical reference list.
- In-text citations include the author’s last name and year of publication (e.g., Smith, 2025).
- When quoting directly, include the page number (e.g., Smith, 2025, p. 7).
- Multiple authors: Use “&” between names in parentheses (e.g., (Smith & Lee, 2024)) and “and” in narrative citations (e.g., Smith and Lee (2024)).
13. Originality and Plagiarism
Manuscripts must be original and must not exceed 10% similarity as measured by plagiarism detection software (e.g., iThenticate or Turnitin). Properly cite all references and avoid self-plagiarism. Manuscripts should not include copied text, figures, or data from other sources without appropriate permission & acknowledgment. Self-plagiarism, including reusing significant parts of the author’s previous work without citation, is also not allowed.
Final Checklist Before Submission
Before submitting your manuscript, ensure that it adheres to the above structural and quality standards. A poorly presented manuscript, regardless of its scientific merit, may not proceed to peer review. By following this guide, you not only improve your chances of publication but also contribute to the integrity and clarity of academic discourse.
The primary goal of a research paper is to report th research work and its findings concisely and directly. Research papers usually have a standard article structure that must be followed when preparing for the journal submissions. A well-structured research paper enables readers to follow the logical flow of the study and quickly locate specific information. To achieve this, research articles typically adhere to a widely accepted format known as the IMRaD structure; an acronym representing Introduction, Materials and Methods, Results, and Discussion followed by Conclusion.
Differentiating Research and Review Articles
Authors should clearly distinguish between research and review articles in both the title and content. The title should accurately reflect the nature of the work. Research articles focus on specific studies, methods, or findings, while review articles indicate an analysis of existing research. In research articles, terms like “this research” or “this study” are appropriate, but in review articles, authors should use phrases like “this review” or “this analysis” to avoid implying original research. Proper use of tense is also important; present tense should be used for general knowledge, while past tense is suitable for discussing specific studies.
Use of Generative AI Tools
Any generative AI tools must not be used to generate any part of the research or review content. The core ideas, analysis, interpretation, and scholarly discussions must be the original work of the authors. However, authors may use generative AI tools to improve the language and readability of the manuscript. If an AI tool was used, this must be clearly disclosed in the manuscript, stating that the tool was used only for language enhancement and not for content generation. Authors are fully responsible for the integrity and originality of their work, and failure to follow these guidelines may result in rejection during editorial screening or retraction at any stage after publication.
