How (not) to write research papers in agroforestry

Abstract

Communication of research results is an integral part of research. The most recognized way of doing that is through well-presented publications. In order to get published, papers should be written well; but many writers, especially early-career professionals, have difficulty with that. This paper presents some of the common problems the author has come across in his capacity as the Editor-in-Chief of Agroforestry Systems and suggests ways for alleviating them. Journal articles are the most important type of scientific publication; others include book chapters, reviews, research notes, books, and monographs. Most journal articles are presented in the IMRAD format: Introduction, Materials and Methods, Results, and Discussion; other sections such as title, abstract, and references are also important. Each has specific norms and do’s and don’ t’s to follow. Different journals and disciplines have different norms and styles, but the bottom line for all is that scientific writing should be clear, concise, and coherent. Various style manuals and books are available. Additionally, each journal has its own Instructions to Authors, which should be followed while preparing the manuscript. The manuscript should be got reviewed by as many colleagues as possible and scrutinized by a science editor before it is submitted to the journal.