As editors of scientific manuscripts we have
noticed the recurrence of certain errors related
to the structure of the manuscript. We have
listed below the most common errors to avoid in
order to speed up the acceptance and publishing
process. This, of course, is not a complete
list because every journal has their specific
guidelines. Besides being aware of these
common errors, you, as an author, need to review
the guidelines of the journal where you are
planning to submit your manuscript.
The Title
1. It is too long or too short.
2. Does not match the article or study
design.
3. Includes abbreviations, jargon, or
attempts to be witty at the expense of
clarity.
4. Inadequately describes the study.
The Abstract
1. Abstract results are not the same as the
reported results.
2. Abstract methods are different than the
methods in the manuscript.
3. Abstract conclusion is different than what
is stated in the manuscript.
4. Exceeds the word limit allowed by the
journal.
5. It is formatted incorrectly for the
journal (eg. unstructured versus
structured).
The Introduction
1. Does not describe the purpose and
objective of the study.
2. Does not mention the importance and
originality of the study.
3. Contains material unrelated to the
study.
4. Contains material belonging in other
sections of the manuscript.
5. It is not interesting.
The Methods
1. Some methods reported are not used.
2. Some methods are missing, thus not
allowing the duplication of the study.
3. Reports statistical methods incorrectly or
poorly.
4. Described methods do not relate to the
results.
The Results
1. Reports data incompletely.
2. Contains results from another study.
3. Information repeats what is shown in the
tables and figures.
4. Includes discussion or methods.
The Discussion
1. It is biased and omits findings from other
studies.
2. Does not explain key results.
3. Does not describe the limitations of the
study.
4. Does not characterize speculation as
such.
5. Includes information unrelated to the
study.
6. Includes outdated references or
misrepresents them.
7. Overstates the importance of the
study.
8. It is too expansive and lacks a logical
flow.
The Conclusion
1. Just restates the content from other
sections of the manuscript.
2. Includes statements not supported by the
study.
3. Does not clearly relate the findings to
the purpose of the study.
4. Contains unnecessary information.
For more detailed information regarding
writing a manuscript for publication, please
review some of our other articles at
http://www.sfedit.net/newsletters.htm.
These articles approach such subjects as Writing
the First Draft, Writing Effective Results,
Methods and Materials, Discussions, Selecting a
Journal, Responding to Reviewers,
etc.
