Guide for scientific writing: how to avoid common mistakes in a scientific article

Abstract

Scientific writing is a process requiring dedication, knowledge, and skills from different scientific fields. However, the authors, especially young people starting graduate studies and scientific careers, are likely to make some mistakes when writing, which often goes unnoticed. This study describes common mistakes in scientific writing and how to avoid them. Mistakes can occur in the writing process before and during the act of writing, as many authors are not familiar with or skip important steps to be considered beforehand. To prepare the manuscript, it is essential that authors master the study subject matter and that research results are supported. During writing, the author often misuses the necessary items in each section, losing the logical sense of research data and making the article difficult to read. Before the writing process begins, it is, therefore, necessary to plan each paragraph and use textual techniques that ensure cohesion and coherence between paragraphs. This study thus describes the main mistakes in the process of writing scientific articles, aiming at improving techniques, optimizing researchers’ time to develop an appropriate, clear, and elegant text.