What Is a Manuscript in Research
04 Mar 2025
What can be a bigger accomplishment for a scientist than publishing a refined research paper? For sure, to be effective and successful, it demands a huge amount of time and effort from a researcher. It should meet the highest academic standards and contain the proper material to cover the subject properly. However, it can get published only after the stage of manuscript writing and submitting it to the publisher.What is a Manuscript in Research? A perfect manuscript is a rationally structured, complete, and accurate document meticulously created in accordance with the ethical norms for showing the researcher’s professional attitude and communicating unique findings and ideas to the public and research community.
Overall, an effective manuscript meets specific requirements to the style of referencing, line spacing, font, layout, margins, style of paragraphs, and other elements. That is, actually, both challenging and time-consuming, but it is as important as proper structuring of the material. In most cases, the text is subdivided into such sections as Introduction, Methods, Results, and Discussion as such structure reflects the scientific discovery process. Still, there are a number of requirements to the organization of content, and it is crucial to comply with them to have higher chances of acceptance. The article is published only if the quality of the manuscript is high and it clearly demonstrates that the work has a significant impact on the scientific community.
This article gives an overview of the main characteristics a research manuscript has and covers its components with data-driven guidelines on writing style, referencing, use of language, structure, and other aspects of manuscript preparation with reference to the best practices from leading authorities. We have also prepared some helpful tips for effective manuscript writing which can be of great help along the way to success.
What Is a Manuscript in Research? A Guide for Everyone
An official definition of a manuscript presents it as a document which reports original research, organized into standard sections. It provides a detailed outline of the research study processes according to specific publication journal requirements or demands of a particular educational institution (Elsevier).
The Nature journals, for example, require a single Microsoft Word or PDF file with the incorporated manuscript text with a flexible approach to the length, style, or format of the submission. In case of revisions, detailed formatting instructions will be given by an editor. The focus of the review process is mostly on the clarity and coherence of presenting the objectives, methodology, results, and main conclusions of the studies.
Every research process in the framework of publishing an article in a reputed academic journal comprises the stage of preparing a manuscript, and it is easier said than done! Some journals have a rejection rate of up to 90%, which may make researchers overwhelmed at first. Still, by paying close attention to every submission requirement and receiving proper training, one can complete this daunting task with more confidence.
Research Manuscript: To Accept or Not to Accept
Although there are no quick shortcuts in academic research, comprehensible research manuscript guidelines can be of much help when a researcher, especially a novice one, tries to present the findings in a well-structured and properly organized text of the manuscript for academic communication and the peer-review process. It is one of the most time-consuming and skill-oriented pivotal steps in the closure of research projects, and we have prepared a number of simple point-wise pieces of advice for everybody who wants to polish their manuscript writing skills.
On a daily basis, researchers all around the globe get an email that starts with “We regret informing you…” and understanding all the risks and challenges beforehand, they may prevent the disaster. Luckily, there is enough information and even personalized guidance on how to adhere to manuscript guidelines and get an effective manuscript as a result.
First of all, try to have a look at the manuscript as if you were an editor or even a member of the admission board to try not to get your paper in the desk rejection pile.
Look for the Answers to the Following Questions:
- Are there any grammatical errors, typos, or numerous punctuation issues?
- Is the message you are trying to send to the audience clear?
- Does the manuscript give an impression of accuracy and consistency?
- Is the article within the particular journal scope?
- Have you made it clear that the research has a high level of novelty and will have a significant impact on the field?
Of course, this is only a superficial approach to checking if the article is of appropriate quality, but it gives a start to a more profound analysis and ensures research integrity.
Research Manuscript: How to Structure and Which Components to Include
First of all, it is always highly recommendable to create a roadmap for a successful paper with a rational plan or outline to structure your ideas and focus better on what is essential. Doing so, you will get a chance to receive feedback at the early stage of writing and stick to the timeline better.
Steps to Structure a Research Manuscript
- Identify the target journal for submitting the manuscript. Narrow down a list to know specific instructions and requirements on every aspect of manuscript writing.
- Find a template to structure your original content in a similar way to avoid mistakes.
- Focus in after you have started in a broad manner. Specify the aims, identify the research questions, and summarize the key findings of your research.
- Maximize the benefits by obtaining early feedback. Do not postpone sharing your findings with co-authors and committee.
- Be open to change and improvements. Rigidity is what may cause you a number of obstacles.
Key Elements of a Research Manuscript
- Title
- Abstract
- Introduction
- Methods
- Results
- Discussion and Conclusion
- References
- Supplemental materials and appendices
Navigation in the manuscript text can be facilitated by separating every section with a specific subheading.
Title
There should be no abbreviations, technical terms, or active verbs in the title. According to the word count requirements, a title should not exceed 75 characters with spaces included and not more than 2 lines in print.
Abstract
An abstract gives an overall non-technical introduction to the presented topic with summarized main results obtained and analysis of their implication in brief.
Introduction
The introduction specifies the problem of the research, emphasizes its significance, mentions the hypothesis, asks research questions, and identifies the study strategy. It provides an overview for readers to understand what to expect and may include a detailed literature review.
Methods
This section should be brief, containing a short presentation of all necessary elements for results interpretation. It addresses how previous attempts are being improved in the study of the given topic. It is recommended to subdivide the section into subsections, such as participants, research design, materials, procedure, approaches, and materials.
Results
The results section summarizes the collected findings objectively and without bias, written in the past tense. Data should be presented with precision, including tables and figures if needed.
Discussion and Conclusion
This section analyzes and reviews the obtained results in relation to the hypothesis and research question. It provides scholarly explanations for the findings and potential references to other research mentioned in the literature review. The conclusion summarizes the study, restates the hypothesis, and highlights the impact of the research while making recommendations for further studies.
References
This section lists numbered publications cited in the research work, formatted according to a specific citation style. No pseudo-journals or predatory sources should be used, and references to AI-generated materials are not acceptable as primary sources. Errors in bibliographic citations should be minimized through verification. Reference numbers should not be in brackets, and in-text citations should be superscript. The main text should contain no more than 50 references, excluding supplementary materials (Nature Formatting Guide).
Supplemental Materials and Appendices
References to the materials from appendices should be properly labeled within the manuscript. An optional section for acknowledgments and author contributions may be included for the assistance of referees and editors.
Formatting Requirements and Style Standards FAQ
What is the correct file format?
The file size should not exceed 10 Mb. The format can be Word, PDF, PowerPoint, Excel, Access, Project, or any standard MS format.
Is it mandatory for files to be original?
None of the materials should be previously published, except with the respective permission. We recommend using plagiarism detection tools like ThePlagiarism.com to check for originality before submission.
Which font is standard for the manuscript?
The standard font is Times New Roman, Regular Bold, 12, with specific size requirements for author affiliation, author names, emails, and titles.
What are the margin requirements?
The page size for the manuscript is A4 with margins set as 0.75" (Top and Bottom) and 0.5" (Left and Right), unless otherwise specified by a particular journal.
What is the standard layout of the manuscript?
The maximum number of heading levels is three. The font for headings is 10pt. There should be no section bookmarks or hypertext links (Wiley Author Services).
Manuscript Writing: Ethical Standards and Best Practices
According to ethical and academic standards, manuscripts should adhere to the principles of transparency, data integrity, and proper authorship. Every manuscript should be accompanied by a specific journal submission form or cover letter that includes the following:
- Statement on all relevant previous submissions and reports with copies included.
- Statement on any potential conflicts of interest related to specific financial activities.
- Statement on authorship, confirming that the manuscript presents honest and authentic information.
- Author’s contact information if not included in the manuscript (ICMJE Recommendations).
In most cases, journals provide a checklist for authors to review their submission materials. Additionally, permission for reproducing previously submitted materials must be obtained before submission.
Common Mistakes in Manuscript Preparation
Striving for advancing science with high-quality research, one may give an unmatched theoretical insight, provide a unique hypothesis, and collect robust data. After that, one submits the manuscript to a peer-reviewed journal for publication only to see it rejected.
Let’s have a close look at the most common pitfalls to become more competitive in preparing impactful papers.
1. Rushing with Academic Manuscript Submission
It is a totally wrong approach to submit the manuscript for an editor’s review and then address all the drawbacks and shortcomings based on their feedback. Rejection leads to disappointment, and only a proactive attitude with proper re-reading of the manuscript and reviewing it after comments from peer researchers can help.
2. Submitting to the Wrong Publication Outlets
The chances of acceptance increase if the article is submitted to the right journal. According to research ethics principles, a manuscript should be submitted to no more than one journal to avoid copyright issues. Therefore, the choice should be made responsibly.
3. Technical Issues in Research Writing
- Elements of plagiarism
- Lacking necessary components
- Incomprehensible English
- Outdated references
4. Irrelevant Aims and Scope of Research
The research should align with the journal's focus and contribute meaningfully to the field.
5. Defective Analysis
- Unclear figures
- Incomplete study
- Illogical arguments
- Marginal interest of the study
6. Lack of Clarity in Presented Data
Data should be precise, logically structured, and presented with clarity to ensure comprehensibility.
Why Manuscript Review Matters
Reviewing a manuscript is critical as it:
- Enhances the quality of the paper
- Clarifies the value of findings
- Ensures all previous studies are properly acknowledged
- Detects fraud, AI use, and plagiarism
Professional proofreading, self-review, and utilizing peer feedback are strategies that can significantly reduce the percentage of manuscripts returned for major revisions or rejected due to inadequate preparation.
Peer Review and Manuscript Revision Checklist
- Does the research have value in the field?
- Is the structure appropriate?
- Are there major issues with the language?
- Does the abstract summarize the key findings?
- Is the introduction specific and effective?
- Is the methodology description accurate?
- Can any significant improvements be suggested?
- Is the conclusion redundant?
- Are the references, tables, and figures appropriate?
- Is the presentation of the manuscript consistent?
Adapting to the Changing Landscape of Manuscript Preparation
In the present-day reality, manuscript preparation cannot remain the same all the time. It is dramatically changing with the advancements in digital publishing and introduction of open-access models. New digital tools, such as online submission systems, automated formatting software, and others, cannot but transform the process, and researchers should acknowledge the changes and get properly adapted to them.
All in all, the already daunting process of preparing a manuscript for journal publication is becoming even more complex due to the increasing volume of research submissions. Breaking through the barriers of editorial checks is a challenge, and high rejection rates can lead to doubts and decreased productivity among researchers. With an average acceptance rate of approximately 10% in high-impact journals, adhering to best practices and guidelines significantly improves the likelihood of successful publication.
Only by adopting best practices from authoritative sources and following generally accepted guidelines to ensure clarity, reproducibility, and ethical integrity in writing can researchers increase their chances of manuscript acceptance. Excessive confidence without relying on the experience of others brings no benefits.
With the rapid advancements in research and publishing, no guidelines remain relevant for long. Stay updated with the latest advice and recommendations to avoid missing valuable insights that can elevate your research to the next level.
