Things You'll Need

Instructions

1

Collect the results of your experiment or study and have your data ready before you begin to write your report or article. This can be in the form of notes you have jotted down during the course of the study or emails you have written or received about your work.
2

Choose the type of research article you are going to write. Full-length research articles, short communications or rapid communications or bulletins are common in peer-reviewed scientific journals. Due to space considerations, this decision may be made for you by the editors.
3

Write a brief abstract, or summary, of what your article will include. If you are working on a series of pieces, you can indicate what you will address in the current and future articles.
4

Break down your research into several smaller sections labeled "introduction," "methods," "results" and "discussion." These headings can serve as an outline as you begin the writing process.
5

Create tables, charts or legends in which you will present your data. By analyzing the data this way before you write up the text of your article, you will ensure that you are not missing any crucial bits of information.
6

Complete each section of your article, drawing from the notes you have taken. If you have difficulties with one area, move on to another one to avoid frustration. Sometimes taking a break from one section will help you write more clearly later.
7

Follow the correct format for punctuation and citing sources. Science reports and articles generally use "The CSE Manual for Authors, Editors, and Publishers," which can be found at Amazon (see Resources below).
8

Put together all the various parts of your research, graphics and writing into one cohesive article. Review the tables to make sure they are clearly written and understandable. Proofread your writing and correct spelling and grammatical errors.