A scientific article from scratch: where to start writing

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Writing a scientific article is a creative and challenging process. You need to analyze several sources in detail, add scientific novelty and draw your own conclusions, and then submit the article for publication. Not sure where to start writing a scientific article and how to format it correctly? Pay attention to our practical tips.

Sample and rules for writing a high-quality scientific article

Before writing a professional scientific article, you need to decide on a topic. It should be interesting, relevant, and resonate with the topic of your previous or future research. It is also important that the article is based on scientific evidence – proven and authoritative sources.

Another rule is the requirements for style and language. You should use a scientific style of presentation – the text should be clear, logical, and consistent.

Avoid long, complex sentences and colloquial language, and use generally accepted scientific terminology. If you use specific terms, explain them the first time you use them. Avoid personal unfounded judgments; the text should be objective. Examples of scientific articles can be found on the Internet.

The same requirements apply to other scientific papers, such a thesis.

What should I pay special attention to when writing a research paper?

When writing a research paper, pay special attention to the following aspects:

1. Relevance of the topic. It should be clearly justified and related to the current problems of the industry. It is important to show why this research is important right now and what gap in knowledge it fills.
2. Scientific novelty of the research. This is one of the key criteria for evaluating a research paper, so clearly define what your research offers in comparison to existing works.
3. Methodology. It should be described with justification for the choice of specific methods. This section should be detailed enough to allow other researchers to reproduce your study.
4. Quality of sources. This is a critical indicator. Use up-to-date, peer-reviewed sources, preferably from international databases such as Scopus and Web of Science. Include foreign sources to demonstrate familiarity with global research in your field.
5. Structure of the article. It must meet the requirements of the scientific style. It should follow a logical sequence from the introduction through the methodology and results to the discussion and conclusions.
6. Research results. They should be presented objectively, with proper statistical processing. Avoid exaggerating the significance of the results and interpret the data correctly.
7. Correct references and citations. Citations must be properly formatted in accordance with the Ukrainian standard. Using someone else’s ideas without proper citation is considered academic misconduct.
8. Conclusions. They must meet the research objectives and follow directly from the results obtained. It is also important to outline the prospects for further research.
9. Technical requirements. Each journal has its own requirements for formatting, length, structure, and design of the article.
10. Academic integrity. Avoid self-plagiarism and plagiarism, cite sources correctly, and clearly distinguish your own ideas from those of other authors.

Following these rules and avoiding improper formatting will help you create an interesting and useful scientific article.

Writing rules step by step

If you have already chosen a topic and scientific sources, it is time to learn how to write a scientific article correctly. Let’s start with the structure.

Structure of a scientific article

A scientific article, including those of the HAC, has a standard structure that meets international requirements:

1. Title. It should be concise, informative, and relevant to the content of the article. The optimal length is 10-12 words.
2. Information about the author. Full name and surname, academic degree, academic title, place of work or study, position, contact information (e-mail) should be indicated.
3. Abstract. This is a brief summary of the main content of the article (150-250 words). It contains the purpose, methods, main results and conclusions of the study. There should be no quotations, abbreviations, tables, or figures.
4. Key words. These are 5-7 words or phrases that reflect the main content of the paper.
5. Introduction. It should justify the relevance of the topic, formulate the goal and objectives, and analyze previous research.
6. Research methods. Here it is necessary to describe the methods used, justify their choice, and describe the experimental basis of the study.
7. The main part. This section should analyze the results obtained, compare them with other studies, and present graphs, tables, and diagrams to visualize the data.
8. Discussion (summary). This section provides an interpretation of the data, explanation of the identified patterns, correlation with existing theories, and practical implications of the results. Prospects for further research may also be highlighted.
9. List of references. It is made according to the relevant standard (DSTU 8302:2015). Only relevant sources should be used.

It is mandatory to adhere to this structure of a scientific article.

Formatting References, Illustrations, Diagrams, Graphs, and Formulas

Formatting references

For Ukraine, references in the text of a scientific article are cited in accordance with DSTU 8302:2015, which is the national standard for bibliographic references. The most commonly used references are numerical references in square brackets. In this case, the text indicates the number of the source from the bibliography and, if necessary, the page. For example: “The study found an increase in temperature [4, p. 23].”

If the article is published in an international journal, one of the international standards is used. For example, APA (American Psychological Association) uses the format (Last name, year) in the text. For example: “According to Petrenko (2021), climate change affects…”. When citing several authors: “Modern research (Petrenko and Kovalchuk, 2022) demonstrates…”.

The citation style in international publications also depends on the category of the scientific article.

Design of illustrations

Each illustration should have a serial number and title. For example: “Fig. 1. Dynamics of temperature changes in the Carpathian region (2010-2020)”. A reference to the illustration in the text is required and should precede the illustration itself: “As can be seen from Fig. 1, the temperature in the region is increasing…”.

Illustrations should be placed immediately after the text where they are mentioned for the first time; otherwise, it is incorrect. All elements of the illustration should have an explanation, and the symbols should be explained.

Formatting diagrams and graphs

Diagrams and graphs are designed as illustrations with appropriate numbering:

– The coordinate axes on the graphs must have names and units of measurement.

– The legend should be clear and understandable, usually located to the right of the graph or below it.

– For better perception, it is recommended to use different types of lines (solid, dashed, dotted, and dashed-dotted) and different colors.

– When designing graphs, it is important to ensure that the elements are contrasted for black and white printing.

Formatting tables

Tables are numbered consecutively within the article, for example: “Table 1: Comparative analysis of water resources indicators (2015-2020)”. The reference to the table in the text should precede the table itself: “The comparative analysis (Table 1) shows…”.

The table is placed after the paragraph in which it is first mentioned. Each table should have a heading that reflects its content. All columns of the table should have headings with units of measurement.

 

Formatting formulas

• Formulas are formatted as follows:
• They are placed in the middle of the line.
• Number formulas with Arabic numerals in parentheses to the right of the formula at the formula level.
• The explanation of the meanings of symbols and numerical coefficients is given below the formula in the sequence in which they appear in the formula.
• Formulas are referred to in the text by their numbers in parentheses: “Using formula (3), we obtain…”
• It is recommended to use a formula editor (e.g., Microsoft Equation or MathType) to write formulas.
• Adherence to these rules for references, illustrations, diagrams, graphs, and formulas is necessary for the proper scientific level of the article and facilitates the perception of information by readers.

Formatting a list of references in an article

• A list of references is an important part of any scientific article that shows what materials you relied on during your research.
• The correct formatting of this list not only demonstrates your academic integrity but also helps readers find these sources if necessary.
• Here are the basic rules for creating a bibliography:
• Arrange the references in alphabetical order by the first author’s surname or by the title if no author is given.
• Each source should contain complete information: author(s), title, place of publication, publisher, year of publication, number of pages.
• For electronic sources, be sure to include the full URL and date of access.
• Follow the same formatting style for all sources.
• Remember that formatting requirements may vary depending on the category and publication, so always check the requirements of a particular journal or institution before submitting an article.

General requirements for article formatting

Here are the main technical requirements that should be followed in the structure:

• Length – usually 8-12 pages (depending on the journal).
• Font – Times New Roman, 14 pt (text), 16 pt (headings).
• Line spacing – 1.5.
• Margins – 2-2.5 cm on all sides.
• Page numbering is in the lower right corner.
• Adherence to academic integrity, anti-plagiarism check (the level of uniqueness is usually at least 90%).

Adherence to the correct structure, scientific style, and correct citation are key factors for a successful publication. All citations and references must be properly formatted.

The same requirements apply to other scientific papers, such as master’s theses and HAC articles.

A high-quality scientific article is the result of a thorough research that meets academic requirements. Samples of such articles can be found in scientific journals or in open sources on the Internet.

Frequently Asked Questions about Writing a Scientific Article

How do I start writing a scientific article?

Start by defining the main idea and research question. Create an outline that includes an introduction, methodology, results, discussion, and conclusions. Make sure you have all the necessary data and sources before you start writing.

How to structure a scientific article?

A typical structure includes:
– Title (short but informative).
– Abstract (a brief description of the research).
– Introduction (context, purpose, relevance).
– Methodology (how the research was conducted).
– Results (what you found).
– Discussion (interpretation of the results).
– Conclusions (summary and significance).
– List of references.
An example of an article can be found on the Internet.

How to write a good abstract?

The abstract should be short (150-250 words) and contain the key elements: research problem, methods, main results, and conclusions. Write it according to the sample after completing the article to accurately reflect the content.

How to cite sources correctly?

Follow the citation style accepted in your field. Cite all sources used and avoid plagiarism. Use reference managers (Mendeley, Zotero) to simplify the process.

How to choose the right journal for publication?

Choose a journal that is relevant to your topic and has the right audience. Pay attention to the impact factor, manuscript requirements, review speed, and open access policy.

What should I do if my article is rejected?

Carefully read the reviewers’ feedback, make the necessary changes, and try to submit the article to another journal or revise it in accordance with the comments. Rejection is a normal part of the scientific process.

How to present statistical data?

Use tables and graphs to visualize the data. Clearly explain the methods of analysis. Avoid overloading the article with numbers – highlight the most important results.

How to avoid common mistakes?

To avoid common mistakes, use the following tips:
– Take your time and check the text carefully.
– Avoid overly complex sentences.
– Do not overload the article with terminology.
– Provide a logical connection between sections.
– Follow the format requirements of the journal.
This will help you write a high-quality professional article.

How long does it usually take to write an article?

The time depends on the complexity of the topic, the amount of research, and your experience. It usually takes from several weeks to several months. Plan time for writing a draft, editing, feedback from co-authors, and finalization.

Do I need to involve co-authors?

It depends on the scope of the work and your expertise. Co-authors can share knowledge, share the workload, and increase the quality of the article. Clearly discuss the contribution of each co-author at the beginning of the work.