How to Write a Good Research Paper Title?

Pre-reading Question:
1. Do you think what is the purpose of research title?
2. What should a research title cover?
Reading Text
The title of your manuscript is usually the first introduction readers (and
reviewers) have to your work. Therefore, you must select a title that grabs attention,
accurately describes the contents of your manuscript, and makes people want to read
further.

An effective title should:

 Convey the main topics of the study

 Highlight the importance of the research
 Be concise
 Attract readers
Writing a good title for your manuscript can be challenging. First, list the topics
covered by the manuscript. Try to put all of the topics together in the title using as few
words as possible. A title that is too long will seem clumsy, annoy readers, and probably
not meet journal requirements.
Example:
Does Vaccinating Children and Adolescents with Inactivated Influenza Virus Inhibit the
Spread of Influenza in Unimmunized Residents of Rural Communities?
This title has too many unnecessary words.
Influenza Vaccination of Children: A Randomized Trial
This title doesn’t give enough information about what makes the manuscript
interesting.
Effect of Child Influenza Vaccination on Infection Rates in Rural Communities: A
Randomized Trial
This is an effective title. It is short, easy to understand, and conveys the important
aspects of the research.
Think about why your research will be of interest to other scientists. This should
be related to the reason you decided to study the topic. If your title makes this clear, it
will likely attract more readers to your manuscript.
TIP: Write down a few possible titles, and then select the best to refine further. Ask your
colleagues their opinion. Spending the time needed to do this will result in a better title.
 Here are some tips to keep in mind while writing a title:
1] Keep it simple, brief and attractive: The primary function of a title is to provide a
precise summary of the paper’s content. So keep the title brief and clear. Use active verbs
instead of complex noun-based phrases, and avoid unnecessary details. Moreover, a good
title for a research paper is typically around 10 to 12 words long. A lengthy title may seem
unfocused and take the readers’ attention away from an important point.

Avoid: Drug XYZ has an effect of muscular contraction for an hour in snails of Achatina
fulcia species

Better: Drug XYZ induces muscular contraction in Achatina fulcia snails

2] Use appropriate descriptive words: A good research paper title should contain key
words used in the manuscript and should define the nature of the study. Think about terms
people would use to search for your study and include them in your title.

Avoid: Effects of drug A on schizophrenia patients: study of a multicenter mixed group

Better: Psychosocial effects of drug A on schizophrenia patients: a multicenter randomized

controlled trial

3] Avoid abbreviations and jargon: Known abbreviations such as AIDS, NATO, and so
on can be used in the title. However, other lesser-known or specific abbreviations and jargon
that would not be immediately familiar to the readers should be left out.

Avoid: MMP expression profiles cannot distinguish between normal and early
osteoarthritic synovial fluid

Better: Matrix metalloproteinase protein expression profiles cannot distinguish between

normal and early osteoarthritic synovial fluid

Always write down the hypothesis and then take into consideration these simple tips. This
would help you in composing the best title for your research paper.

Task I
After you read the above text, go to a library and find a research title that you consider
as a good title, and answer the following questions:
1. After only reading the title, what is the main topic of the study?
2. After only reading the title, highlight the importance of the study.
3. If you have to write your own title on your thesis, what is it?