How to Write a Title for a Paper

Tips on Writing a Good Research Paper Title

The research paper title is perhaps the most read part of your manuscript and at times, unfortunately, the only part.

A good title is usually a compromise between being curt/concise and explicit or categorical. Drafting a perfect research paper title requires some serious thought. Researchers tend to be focused on their research versus the title because that is per se the general nature of people inclined towards discovery. Though it would appear to be a simple task, the process of choosing an appropriate research paper title deserves your undivided attention.

How to Write Title for your Research Paper

Your readers worldwide look for research paper titles in online searches through databases and bibliography of the research papers. The audience deduces the relevance of the paper based on the research paper title. Bearing this in mind it is imperative that the title of your paper is of supreme importance as it governs how many people will read it.

One should explore titles of comparable papers that are relevant to your research. This will give you some idea of the accurate technical language used and how exclusively other researchers have described their research projects.

Therefore keeping this in mind, it is necessary to understand and learn the art of crafting a good research paper title. So let's begin and get to know a few quintessential tips regarding how a good research paper title should look like.

An enticing title will surely lead the peer reviewer or the reader to your Abstract (learn how to write your Abstract) and from there to your manuscript.

To begin with, preferably write down your research paper hypothesis and then consider these ingenious tips that would help you in creating the best title for your research paper.

1- Keep it short and sweet.

A good title for a research paper should be restricted typically to around 10 to 12 words. Write it any longer and you risk the possibility of losing the focus of your potential reader. On the other had a very short title would be very general and non-specific.

2- Provide a precise summary of the paper's content.

Try to keep the title attractive yet succinct and clear by using active verbs. Avoid use of complex noun-based phrases.

3- Describe your essence of your research

Try to use descriptive terms and phrases that precisely emphasize the fundamental content of your research paper. Conglomerate words/phrases defining the research problem or issue, nature of research investigation, settings involved in studies, the purpose of the research, study samples or populations, and/or variables and the causal relationship amongst them under investigation as appropriate.

4- Minimize use of abbreviations or slang.

Universally recognized abbreviations like AIDS, HIV etc. can be used in the research paper title, but lesser known or specific abbreviations and jargon that would not be unfamiliar to the readers should be avoided. Remember that even though you may use some vogue terms daily in your professional lingo, others may not be familiar with them. Instead, try using simple and commonly accepted substitutes that may convey the same meaning.

Steps to write the TITLE of your RESEARCH PAPER

5- Experiment with the research paper title

Crafting of an effective title is not magic. It will and should take time if you sincerely wish to have your readers read and follow your research. Once you have written down the tentative title, sit, think and try to juggle the words. Twisting the words or phrases may help you come up with a more attractive title. You could also try splitting one single title into two lines separated by a colon [:].

6- Grammar and capitalization

Correct grammar is very important. Capitalize all nouns, pronouns, verbs, adjectives, and adverbs appearing between the first and last words of the title. You may use a question mark but refrain from using an exclamation mark.

7- Be articulate and use descriptive words/phrases to convey the importance of your research

Always think about terms people would use to search for your research paper and aptly include those in your title. Incorporate correct keywords that were used in the manuscript and appropriately describe the nature of your study. Prefer to eschew words that add nothing to a reader's understanding.

8- Search Engine Optimization of your Research Paper Title

A well-crafted research paper title utilizes SEO (search engine optimization) techniques to its benefit.

By now everyone has heard something about SEO and understands search engines. Medical databases like NIH use the same basic algorithms to locate appropriate research for those searching a particular topic. Other portals also have documents that are searchable by all major engines. When creating your research title ensure that words frequently searched upon by the general public are in the title. To explicate this further, the language you choose is important. What would the high school student search on? Would he or she use the term "comorbid" when searching on a topic like "dual diagnosis"? Your research title should, for best results, use terminology that lay people would search on for best optimization.

Further, a highly optimized research title will include more than one search term or keyword. Most algorithms and directories will match the keywords to the title first, versus the abstract. Understand that your research will be found in the title and abstract only, with title bearing more weight. Moreover, these are the two visible indicators to the public of what your research is about. Journals and other search engines will use the titles to display various research and articles for visitors based on which most accurately represents the search criteria.

 

At Pub4Sure we provide you with ready-made templates that are substantiated with how to draft, what errors to avoid, tips and examples to format your Title. This could be for Research Article, Case Report, Review Article, Thesis/dissertation, and/or Posters.

If you think we missed out on something, and you would like to add, please feel free to comment below.

Authors

A.P. Singh MD (APtizer)

Anurag Tewari MD

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How to cite this article:Singh AP, Tewari A. (Dec 21, 2015). Tips on writing a good research paper title. Retrieved from http://www.Pub4Sure.com/blog/ on [Month] [Day], [Year]

GUIDE ON HOW TO WRITE A RESEARCH ARTICLE

Also, read the following Articles that will help you write, organize and write an error-free manuscript that has high chances of getting accepted by the journal.

1. TIPS ON WRITING A GOOD RESEARCH PAPER TITLE
2. TIPS: HOW TO WRITE AN ABSTRACT FOR YOUR RESEARCH ARTICLE?
3. TIPS TO WRITE THE INTRODUCTION FOR YOUR RESEARCH ARTICLE
4. HOW TO WRITE THE METHODS SECTION OF A RESEARCH ARTICLE?
5. HOW TO DRAFT THE RESULTS SECTION OF YOUR RESEARCH ARTICLE
6. HOW TO WRITE THE DISCUSSION OF A RESEARCH ARTICLE?
7. HOW TO WRITE REFERENCES IN YOUR RESEARCH ARTICLE
8. HOW TO WRITE AN EFFECTIVE CASE REPORT FOR A JOURNAL?
9. WHY PUBLISH YOUR SCIENTIFIC WORK IN A PEER-REVIEWED JOURNAL?
10. WHY IS YOUR RESEARCH PAPER REJECTED BY THE JOURNAL?

How to Write a Title for a Paper

Source: http://www.pub4sure.com/blog/tips-on-research-article/tips-on-writing-a-good-research-paper-title/

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