What to avoid in Introduction in Research Article?

Publishing a research paper is as important as conducting the research itself. Many high-quality studies are rejected not for scientific reasons, but due to stylistic or linguistic issues. Writing a well-structured introduction is crucial, as it sets the stage for your readers and journal editors to appreciate your work.

In this blog, we highlight the common mistakes to avoid when writing the introduction of a research article, ensuring your manuscript has a higher chance of acceptance.

1. Vague Research Questions and Going Off-Topic

• Be clear about the research question your paper aims to answer.
• Ask yourself: Why does this study matter, and how will it contribute to the field?
• Stay focused on your topic; do not deviate from your research objectives in different sections.
• Each paragraph should directly support your research aim.

2. Misformatting the Paper

• Always follow the journal’s author guidelines before submission.
• Study recently published articles in the journal to understand formatting conventions.
• If there’s a conflict between the journal’s guidelines and previous articles, always prioritize the official guidelines.
• Proper formatting reduces stylistic flaws and improves readability.

3. Using Complex Language

• Avoid unnecessary technical jargon or long, convoluted sentences.
• Write from the reader’s perspective, keeping the tone simple and accessible.
• Avoid redundancy and over-explanation. Use a thesaurus if you need varied expressions.

4. Poor Abstract

• Keep your abstract concise and within the word limit.
• Highlight the key points and essence of your study.
• Avoid citing references unless essential to your research context (usually limited to one or two).
• A strong abstract captures the reader’s interest, encouraging them to read the full paper.

5. Ineffective Keywords

• Choose 4–6 relevant keywords that recur throughout your article, including the title and subheadings.
• Ineffective or too many keywords reduce your article’s discoverability in search engines and databases.

6. Disordered or Uncited Floating Elements

• Tables, figures, charts, graphs, and illustrations should be:
  • Numbered sequentially
  • Cited appropriately in the text
  • Acknowledged if adapted from another source

7. Unexpanded Abbreviations

• Expand abbreviations at their first occurrence for clarity.
• Use the abbreviated form consistently thereafter.
• Well-known acronyms (e.g., NASA, RADAR) do not require expansion.

8. Misformatted, Uncited, or Incomplete References

• Ensure references are:
  1. Consistently formatted according to the journal style
  2. Cited in the text wherever mentioned
  3. Complete and accurate with all available details
• Proper referencing improves your research credibility and discoverability.

9. Untranslated Metadata for Non-English Papers

• When writing in English, translate all metadata:
  • Title
  • Author names and affiliations
  • Abstract
  • Keywords
  • References

10. Not Proofreading Your Research Paper

• Proofread your paper multiple times before submission.
• Use spell-check and grammar tools.
• Have a peer, colleague, or professional editor review your work for clarity and completeness.

Conclusion

A well-written introduction is key to publishing success. Avoiding common mistakes like vagueness, misformatting, complex language, poor abstracts, and improper references can significantly improve your chances of acceptance. By following these guidelines, researchers ensure their work is both scientifically valuable and reader-friendly.

Quick Checklist: Avoiding Mistakes in Your Research Article Introduction

1. Research Question

• Is my research question clear and focused?
• Am I staying on topic throughout the introduction?

2. Paper Formatting

• Have I read the journal’s author guidelines carefully?
• Are my headings, subheadings, and references properly formatted?

3. Language & Tone

• Is my language simple, concise, and reader-friendly?
• Have I avoided unnecessary jargon and redundancy?

4. Abstract

• Is the abstract within the word limit?
• Does it summarize the key points of my study?
• Did I avoid unnecessary citations?

5. Keywords

• Did I choose 4–6 relevant keywords?
• Do they reflect the main content of my article?

6. Floating Elements (Tables, Figures, Charts)

• Are all elements numbered sequentially?
• Are they cited appropriately in the text?
• Are sources acknowledged if adapted?

7. Abbreviations

• Have I expanded abbreviations at first use?
• Are well-known acronyms correctly left as-is?

8. References

• Are references consistently formatted?
• Are all references cited in the text?
• Are reference details complete and accurate?

9. Metadata

• Are title, authors, abstract, keywords, and references translated (if needed)?

10. Proofreading

• Have I proofread multiple times?
• Has a colleague or editor reviewed my work?

Want to Dive Deeper in Writing Research Introduction?

Join our full Dissertation Writing Series at Pedigogy.com — designed specifically for Nepali agriculture and veterinary students preparing for research, Master’s entrance exams, or PSC interviews. Interested candidates, can Enroll in the full course on Mastering Technical writing here: https://pedigogy.com/courses/mastering-technical-writing-with-rahul-a-researchers-essential-guide/