10 tips to help you reduce the length of your research paper
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The document provides 10 strategies to reduce the word count of a research paper, emphasizing concise writing and clarity. Key tips include omitting unnecessary introductory phrases, using parentheses for product names, and replacing nominalizations with verbs. The document encourages careful review and practice to maintain the quality of content while achieving the required word limits.
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10 tips to help you reduce the length of your research paper
- 1. 10 ways to reduce the word count of your research paper
- 2. Word reduction can be difficult! As an author, it is quite difficult to write concisely. After all, you have so much to say! But when submitting your manuscript to a journal, you must ensure that you meet the required word count. After writing your first draft! Review your paper to identify content that could be made more concise or shortened. At what stage should you reduce the word count of your paper? 2/16
- 3. Let us look at some areas you can focus on to keep your manuscript concise 3/16
- 4. Sentences beginning with there is a previous study on, it has been reported that, etc., have supporting citations. Original 17 words Omit these phrases and keep only the citations. It has been reported that the incidence of Alzheimer’s disease increases with age (Rogue et al., 2004). 1. Unwanted introductory phrases It has been reported that tThe incidence of Alzheimer’s disease increases with age (Rogue et al., 2004). EXAMPLE Revised 12 words Note: For all examples in this tutorial, deleted text has been struck out and new text has been underlined. 4/16
- 5. Sentences that include product names are usually longer. Original 17 words Shorten such sentences by placing the product name within parentheses. The samples were analyzed on the ABC spectrophotometer (Zhejiang Scientific, Zhejiang, China) to determine the xyz values. 2. Sentences with product names The samples were analyzed on the ABC spectrophotometer to determine the xyz values (ABC spectrometer; Zhejiang Scientific, Zhejiang, China). EXAMPLE Revised 15 words 5/16
- 6. Nominalization - using noun forms instead of verb forms - increases wordiness. Original 12 words Use verb forms as far as possible. A diagnosis of cancer was made on the basis of the findings. 3. Nominalizations A diagnosis of cCancer was diagnosedmade on the basis of the findings. EXAMPLE Revised 9 words 6/16
- 7. In the results section, avoid stating individual values for groups, followed by the values for statistical significance. Original 25 words Instead, place the values within parentheses. The protein level was 5 mg in Group A, while it was 3 mg in Group B, the difference being statistically significant (p < 0.05). 4. Values in the results section The difference in the protein level was 5 mg in between Ggroups A and B, while it was 3 mg in Group b, the difference being statistically was significant (5 mg vs. 3 mg, p < 0.05). EXAMPLE Revised 21 words 7/16
- 8. Often, sentences in the introduction or discussion sections contain obvious information that the audience already knows about. It is important to set context, but avoid stating the obvious! 5. Sentences with basic information If your paper is on AIDS, avoid statements such as “AIDS is a life- threatening disease.” It is clear that your audience would know about AIDS and its impact on health. Get to the point, instead, and talk about your research on AIDS. EXAMPLE 8/16
- 9. Some of the most commonly used phrases in academic writing are wordy! Simplify long phrases. Check a thesaurus or dictionary for shorter ways to convey your meaning. a number of as a result on the other hand as a consequence of 6. Wordy phrases EXAMPLES several therefore whereas owing to Wordy phrases Alternative words 9/16
- 10. If you are describing a series of procedures, don’t repeat the verbs. Original 16 words Use elliptical sentences - shorter sentences where some words have been omitted but they retain the same meaning. Group A was given cyclosporine, Group B was given FK506, and Group C was given chlorambucil. 7. Repeated verbs Group A was given cyclosporine; Group B, was given FK506; and Group C, was given chlorambucil. EXAMPLE Revised 12 words 10/16
- 11. Often, hyphenated words are counted as one word. Original 9 words Hyphenate terms wherever possible. Always check whether the hyphenated terms have been used in previously published papers. After rehabilitation, the patients came to rely on themselves. 8. Hyphenation After rehabilitation, the patients became self-reliantcame to rely on themselves. EXAMPLE Revised 6 words 11/16
- 12. In some cases, using the passive voice makes it necessary to use more words. Original 8 words Use the active voice wherever possible. Note that this may be possible only with some types of constructions. Written informed consent was given by all patients. 9. Use of voice All patients gave Wwritten informed consent was given by all patients. EXAMPLE Revised 6 words 12/16
- 13. Possessive constructions using “of” make it necessary to frame descriptive phrases. Original 18 words Avoid lengthy possessive constructions formed using “of.” Patients of Group 1 were followed up for 6 months, and those of Group 2, for 12 months. 10. Possessive constructions Patients of Group 1 patients were followed up for 6 months, whileand those of Group 2 patientswere followed up, for 12 months. EXAMPLE Revised 15 words 13/16
- 14. Quick recap Here’re 10 ways to reduce the word count of your paper: Get rid of unwanted introductory phrases. Include product names within parentheses. Use elliptical constructions to avoid repeating verbs. Avoid nominalizations. Avoid possessive constructions. Avoid wordy phrases. Use the active voice wherever possible. Hyphenate whenever possible. Omit sentences with basic information. Place values within parentheses. 1 2 10 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Source: 10 Tips to reduce the length of your research paper, by Clarinda Cerejo: http://www.editage.com/insights/10-tips-to-reduce-the-length-of-your-research-paper 14/16
- 15. Things to remember! 1. Keep the context in mind when applying these techniques. Do not apply them blindly. 2. Do not cut out chunks of your paper to reduce its length. Your research content is important. 3. Read your paper again and again to check if there is scope for improvement. 4. Pay attention to your introduction and conclusion. You are more likely to get descriptive and add redundant text in these sections. 5. Practice, practice, and practice! Simplify your writing style to make it more concise. 15/16
- 16. For more tips and resources on scientific writing or publication, visit: www.editage.com/insights http://www.facebook.com/Editage http://www.twitter.com/Editage http://www.linkedin.com/company/cactus-communications CONNECT WITH US 16/16