Kaustubh Jadhav: Struggling with how to start writing your manuscript? Here’s the Guide You Wish You Had

When you’ve completed all your lab work and data analyses, the next big step is turning it into a scientific manuscript. This can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re working with large datasets or complex results. Figuring out how to shape everything into a coherent story that others can follow and appreciate is often harder than the experiments themselves.

Based on my own experience, here are some practical tips that may help you navigate the writing process.

Disclaimer: These tips may not apply to everyone, as each researcher has their own style and perspective.

Pre-drafting the Manuscript

Before you begin writing, it’s helpful to identify a potential target journal that aligns well with your research niche. This allows you to structure your manuscript according to the journal’s requirements. Take time to read the journal’s Aims and Scope and review the Submission Guidelines to understand what they expect in terms of content, formatting, and overall structure. Most research journals follow a similar basic framework: Introduction/Background, Methods, Results, and Discussion, although additional sections may be required depending on the journal.

At this stage, you should also decide on a working title for your manuscript (keeping in mind that it may evolve after receiving feedback from co-authors). Finally, prepare a preliminary list of co-authors who have made significant contributions to the study.

Drafting the Manuscript

1. Start with the “Materials and Methods” Section

I usually begin by writing the Materials and Methods section because it is the part you know best. You’ve just completed the experiments or analyses, so the details are still fresh in your mind. This makes it one of the easiest sections to draft, and getting it done early often boosts your confidence for the rest of the writing process. The Methods section is essential because it allows other researchers to reproduce your work and understand the technical foundation of your study. Here, you describe your sample characteristics, laboratory procedures, assays or culture techniques, and the computational tools or statistical methods used.

Keep in mind that the placement of the Methods section varies by journal. Some journals place it right after the Introduction, while others include it after the Discussion or Conclusion. Ensure that you follow the target journal’s format.

2. Move on to the “Results” Section

Once the Methods are in place, the next step is writing the Results section. Think of this as an expanded, detailed account of what emerged from the procedures you described earlier. This section should clearly present your findings, supported by well-designed figures and tables.

The Results section often captures a reader’s attention, so clarity and organization are key. Present your outcomes in a logical sequence, ideally following the order of the Methods section, and ensure that your visual elements (figures, tables, supplementary materials) enhance the understanding of your data rather than overwhelm it.

3. Choose Whether to Write the “Introduction” or “Discussion” Next

At this point, you can decide whether you prefer to write the Introduction or the Discussion section next. There’s no strict rule; some researchers find it easier to introduce the topic after understanding their results thoroughly, while others prefer to write it at the end. Choose the approach that fits your writing style.

The Introduction serves to familiarize the reader with your topic. It should provide the necessary background and explain what is already known in the field. Then, you identify gaps or limitations in the existing research that will lead the reader naturally to the aim and objectives of your study. A well-written Introduction guides the reader from the broader context to the specific problem your research addresses.

The Discussion is essentially an expanded interpretation of your results. It typically begins with a brief summary of your key findings, followed by explanations of how your results align with or differ from previously published work. Additionally, it also deepens the interpretation of what your findings mean in the context of existing literature and the broader implications of your study. The Discussion may end with a short conclusion and/or a section on future directions. Depending on journal guidelines, these may appear at the end of the Discussion or as separate standalone sections.

4. Add the Conclusion and Future Perspectives

If you choose to include the Conclusion and Future Perspectives sections, these will naturally follow after the Discussion section. The Conclusion provides a concise summary of the main takeaways from your study, while the Future Perspectives highlight potential next steps, unanswered questions, or how the findings can guide further research.

The above steps can help make the manuscript drafting process more manageable and reduce the anxiety that often comes with staring at a large amount of data without knowing where to begin. Once your first full draft is ready, share it with your co-authors for feedback. Their suggestions strengthen the manuscript, improve clarity, and ensure the work reflects the collective expertise of your team.

Additional Tips

• Accept that your first draft won’t be perfect. It’s simply a starting point. With co-author feedback and experience writing more manuscripts, your drafts will naturally improve over time.
• Take notes as you conduct experiments or analyses. Documenting important steps, observations, or decisions throughout the process will make writing your Methods and Results sections much easier later.
• Write in small pieces whenever possible. If you’re tired from long hours in the lab or extensive data analysis, jotting down even a few lines about your manuscript can help build momentum and reduce the workload later.
• Acknowledge contributions properly. Give co-authorship to those who made significant intellectual or experimental contributions, and acknowledge others who supported the work in other ways. Don’t forget to thank study participants, as their involvement makes the research possible.
• Cite relevant literature thoroughly and accurately. Proper citations strengthen your arguments and position your work within the existing scientific landscape.
• Include essential statements. Make sure to add a Data Availability statement and use a structured author contribution format such as the CRediT taxonomy to clearly describe each author’s role. Ethics statements are also necessary.
• Don’t be discouraged by journal rejections. They are a normal part of the research process. Every paper eventually finds the right home, so persistence is key.

Kaustubh Jadhav works as a Doctoral Researcher in the Neuro-Innovation PhD programme. His research focuses on biomarkers for mental health dysfunction in adolescents.