1. Create tables and figures

Where to start on manuscript writing? Word? Excel? Statistical program?

Everyone struggles with this question. I did too! Over the past years, I learned to start with tables and figures.

If you have entered the manuscript writing process, you should already have a research question and appropriate data to support the question. If you don’t even have them, please find them before creating tables and figures.

“Manuscript is a story, starts with tables and figures”

Find your story and start writing!

2. Write the methods section

As you are preparing the tables and figures, you have already spent a vast amount of time understanding the data. As you are in this process, please write the methods section! This is when you have the best understanding of the data source, measures, analysis plan (everything goes into the methods section).

Once you have passed the ‘analysis’ phase of the data, it is a waste of time to go back to your statistical codes to write the methods section later.

“Please write the methods section when your memory is fresh and clear!”

3. Start the literature search

(tip: use a spreadsheet to organize them)

When I was working as a research analyst, I was pulled into numerous projects at once. One of my main tasks was to conduct literature searches.

At first, I just searched for relevant articles and sent them to each project lead. Before long, literature searches were getting mixed up and I lost track of them.

So, after numerous failed attempts to remember everything: I start using a spreadsheet to organize each literature search.

On the first row, I write relevant headings: Author, Year, Objective, Data source, Main findings, Relevance to the current project (1-5), etc. (You can tailor the heading as needed.)

After I finish each literature search, I sort out the spreadsheet by “Relevance to the current project” so that the articles that are most relevant are placed on the top.

I quickly adopted this method to my own manuscript. When it is time to write the introduction section, I go back to the spreadsheet to read my own notes.

“Give it a try, you won’t regret it!”

4. Write the Introduction section

(Tip: get inspired for the Discussion section)

Personally, the Introduction is the hardest part.

“The introduction sets the stage of the paper.” My supervisor once told me.

One thing I learned is to write the Introduction and the Discussion sections simultaneously. I know it sounds impossible. But, the Introduction is essentially inspiring the Discussion section.

As you are reading the literature and writing the Introduction, you will find interesting policies, similar findings from other contexts, etc. During this ‘inspiration’ phase, I write sentences in the Discussion section to remember to go back to those points later.

“Don’t think you need to write one section at a time. It’s okay to write multiple sections simultaneously!”

5. Write the Results and the Discussion sections

By now, your methods and introduction should be in pretty good shape. Don’t worry if not, you can always go back and edit them. I edit them multiple times.

Now, divide your computer screen into two sections - 1) Tables and Figures 2) Manuscript document

Write the Results like you are a storyteller: what are the key points that you discovered? how should readers benefit from it?

As you are writing those key points, you will have some interpretations - write them in the Discussion sections along with those key terms you wrote from step 4.

The biggest mistake that people make is writing both results and interpretations in the Results section.

“Please hold your interpretations for the Discussion section!”