Writing a research paper

SummaryThe aim of this article is to help those embarking on research to communicate effectively through writing, and to improve their chances of getting a paper published. The quality of a paper's research content is judged by originality, importance and scientific validity. Advice should be sought on a project's potential for high-quality research content before taking up the research. When readers have difficulties in understanding a paper, the problem more often lies with presentation and structure than with its scientific content. Readers expect information to be presented in a certain way and when this does not happen they may misinterpret what the writer intended.