Author: A Former Confused Student Who Had to Learn It the Hard Way
Affiliation: School of Trial and Error, Swat Valley
Correspondence: ask-yourself@figureitout.edu.uk
Abstract
My friend Nasir requested that I should write something simple and practical on how to write a research paper especially for students who are doing it for the first time. Many young researchers in our universities are told to “write an article” without ever being taught how.
This paper is written for them.
It explains the structure of a scientific article using the same format it describes — a guide written as a research article. From organising sections to choosing the right tenses, from writing captions for figures to labelling tables properly, this guide is designed to help students who want to get it right but do not know where to begin.
It reminds us that writing a paper is not about using big words or sounding smart. It is about clarity, honesty, and learning to think like a researcher — one sentence at a time.
1. Introduction
The first time someone asked me to write a research paper, I did what most students do: opened Microsoft Word and stared at the blinking cursor. I had written essays, reports, maybe a book review but this was something else. This needed structure, data, and something called an abstract.
No one had explained it.
This article is for anyone who has been told “submit a research article” but has no clear idea what that really means. You do not need to be a genius to write one. You just need clarity, consistency, and a guide that does not talk in riddles.
So let us begin.
2. Materials and Methods (What You Need and How to Begin)
2.1. Know the Structure
Almost every scientific article follows this pattern:
- Title
- Abstract
- Introduction
- Methods
- Results and Discussions
- Conclusions
- References
- Acknowledgments
Follow this order unless your department or journal says otherwise.
2.2. Read First, Write After
Start by reading a few articles in your field. The more, the better. Notice the tone, structure, and flow. Use them as models. This is how you learn the academic rhythm. Do not mimic the vocabulary blindly but see how they organise their ideas.
2.3. Prepare Your Data or Sources
If your paper is based on:
- An experiment: collect, label, and save your data clearly.
- A literature review: organise the sources in themes.
- A simulation or model: prepare visuals or step-wise logic.
Good data is useless if it is messy or poorly presented.
3. Results (What the Sections Should Look Like)
3.1. Title
Be specific and clear. Avoid vague phrases like “A Study of…”
Example:
✅ Impact of River Sand on Compressive Strength of Swat Bricks
❌ A Study on Sand and Bricks
3.2. Abstract
Write this last. It is the summary of your whole paper. Usually 150–300 words. Include:
- Problem
- What you did?
- What you found?
- Why it matters?
3.3. Introduction
This is where you build the case for your research.
- What is already known?
- What is missing?
- Why is your study important?
End with your research question or hypothesis.
3.4. Methods
Explain how you did the work. Enough detail so someone can repeat it.
- What materials or tools were used?
- What procedure was followed?
- What was the sample size, location, and time frame?
Keep it precise. No storytelling here.
3.5. Results
Here, you show what happened. Use:
- Tables (to show raw values)
- Figures (graphs, charts, photos, etc.)
Do not explain them yet — just report.
Example:
The compressive strength of bricks increased with sand content (Table 1).
3.6. Discussion
Now you explain what it means.
- Compare your results with other studies.
- Discuss any surprising outcomes.
- Mention limitations.
3.7. Conclusion
Summarise your key findings. Do not introduce new data here.
Keep it focused and humble. Mention possible applications or next steps.
3.8. References
Use a consistent citation style (APA, MLA, IEEE, etc.) as required by your journal or teacher.
Use free tools like Zotero, Mendeley, or Google Docs’ citation manager.
4. Language and Writing Tips
Many first-time writers struggle not with the data but with the English.
4.1. Tense Guide
- Abstract — Mostly past tense, since it summarizes what was done.
Example: “The samples were tested using X-ray diffraction.” - Introduction — Mix of present and past tense. Use present to describe general facts or the current state of knowledge, and past for earlier studies.
Example: “Swat Valley is rich in clay deposits. Previous studies showed that these clays contain kaolinite.” - Methods — Always past tense, because you are reporting what you did.
Example: “We mixed the raw materials, analyzed the composition, and recorded the results.” - Results — Past tense, as you are describing your findings.
Example: “The compressive strength increased by 10%.” - Discussion — Combination of present and past tense. Use present to explain meanings and implications, and past to refer to your results or others’ findings.
Example: “These results show that the treatment improves durability. Our findings are consistent with previous studies.” - Conclusion — Mainly present tense, to highlight the significance of your work and its implications.
Example: “The study confirms that locally available clay can be used for sustainable construction.”
4.2. Sentence Style
- Use short, direct sentences.
- Avoid filler words like “It can be clearly seen that…”
- Prefer active voice where possible:
✅ We tested 20 samples.
❌ Twenty samples were tested by us.
4.3. Grammar Checklist
- One idea per sentence.
- No contractions (use “do not” instead of “don’t”).
- Use third person unless your journal allows “we.”
- Spellcheck before submitting.
If you are too lazy or do not want to improve your writing skills, use AI tools to fix grammar and spellings, obviously check with your journal’s policy if they allow the use of AI for language editing.
5. Figures, Tables, and Visuals
5.1. Figures
Figures include graphs, charts, diagrams, and images. Follow these rules:
- Number them as Figure 1, Figure 2, etc.
- Each figure must have a caption below it.
- A caption should tell what the figure shows without needing to read the whole paper.
- Figure 2: Compressive strength of brick samples at various sand percentages (0% to 50%)
- Mention the figure in the text before it appears.
- As shown in Figure 2, strength increases with sand content.
Colour Tips:
- Use simple, contrasting colours.
- Avoid bright neon or too many colours.
- Stick to blue, black, red, grey, green — avoid yellow unless on dark background.
- Make sure graphs are readable in black and white if printed.
5.2. Tables
Tables display numbers and exact values. Follow these rules:
- Number them as Table 1, Table 2, etc.
- Place title above the table, not below.
- Table 1: Physical Properties of Raw Clay from Swat Valley
- Do not use vertical lines in the table.
- Units must be consistent and clear.
Mention the table in the text like this:
The moisture content of the sample is summarised in Table 1.
6. Discussion (Why This Is Hard but Worth It)
Writing a scientific article feels scary at first. There’s fear of judgment, fear of mistakes, fear of being “not academic enough.”
But the truth is, research writing is not a test of your English. It is a way of thinking.
You are simply answering a question:
- What did you study?
- How did you study it?
- What did you find?
- Why does it matter?
Anyone from a village school to a top university can learn this. But you have to begin.
7. Conclusion
Writing your first research article is like learning to ride a bicycle on a steep road. You will wobble. You will fall. But with time, you will find your balance.
Start with a clear question. Collect clean data. Follow the format. Use simple words. Use honest numbers. Label your tables. Caption your figures. Write, revise, write again.
There are no shortcuts. But once you do it — even once — you will carry that skill for life.
And one day, someone will be asking you how to write a research paper.
Acknowledgements
To every student who ever stared at a blank document thinking “How do I even start?” May this article be your first push forward.
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