In just our previous post, we addressed the good qualities of a research article. In this post, we will focus now on what you should avoid.
A vague research question- Avoid a research question that is too broad instead be more specific. You want to state your research question and hypothesis clearly and align them with existing research. Centre your research on the research question. The research question carries so much weight in your study – components like your literature review, discussions, methodology and conclusion should be connected to it. In fact ,you will lose track as you progress with your writing if you wander off from the research question. That’s why it’s so important that you take your time to determine a gap so you can derive a clear research question. For instance, avoid a broad research question such as iron- deficiency among girls and instead go on maybe to mention the age group of the girls i.e. 15-19 years and an area where your study group is situated i.e your constituency or local area.
Poor introduction– Avoid a poor introduction. Ensure that your introduction is convincing. It is at this point that you aim to capture your reader’s attention. Your introduction should inform what your research is about. Mention the state of your study globally, then nationally and locally. For example, if it is the same study on iron-deficiency among girls aged 15 -19 years, state the statistics at a global and state level. Describe why it is a concern, and demonstrate why it is worth pursuing. Basically, aim for your reader to want to find out more.
Weak methodology– This will sway you from the main topic of discussion. A methodology is supposed to provide guidance and direction as you develop your research. If you select a weak methodology, it will produce unreliable conclusions. You’ll also find it difficult designing your research and connecting the study.
Ambiguous wording -Using unnecessary jargon and complex sentences can deter the complete comprehension of what is being discussed. You want to be clear and direct in your writing and avoid unnecessary jargons.
Poor formatting and referencing– You need to abide by the proper formatting rules and selected referencing style through the entire text. Ensure you use punctuation marks well, apply the correct font size and font style through the whole text. For example, use a similar font size and style for your headings, and a different one for the sub-headings.
A non-thorough literature review -An inadequate literature review or one that is incomprehensive should be avoided. You want to conduct a literature review that is exhaustive with the use of relevant and current sources. Select your sources from valid peer reviews and ensure that you cite your sources properly. Demonstrate critical analysis as you expound on this section. Go on further to highlight the gaps in relevant literature and how your research seeks to address them.
A lack of coherence-A lack of flow through the text is a mistake you should also avoid. It indicates a disconnect from the research topic. Once the reviewer notices this, he may lack the urge to continue reading your work as he may assume that you don’t understand what your research is about. Moreover, mixing up ideas can depict a lack of attention to your work. Read various related researches on your topic of interest to gather extensive ideas and perspectives, and observe the flow in those writings so that they can provide you with guidance.
When writing your nutrition research paper, aim to avoid the lack of coherence, poor formatting, poor referencing, an ambiguous research question, and weak methodology. Conduct a comprehensive research to be well-versed with your topic.