Writing scientific papers – how to do it right?

Writing scientific papers – how do you do it?

Start with a clear research question

Every great scientific paper begins with a solid research question. It should be clear, focused, and relevant to your field. Think of this as your north star, it will guide your literature review, methodology, and conclusion. Avoid vague ideas. Instead, zone in on something specific. For example, instead of “Climate change in Kenya,” try “The impact of changing rainfall patterns on maize production in Nakuru County.”

Stick to the structure

Scientific writing has a predictable, universally accepted structure:

• Abstract

• Introduction

• Methods

• Results

• Discussion

• Conclusion

• References

Each of these sections plays a unique role. The introduction gives background and states your hypothesis. The methods describe how you did your research. The results present the data. The discussion interprets the findings. And the conclusion wraps it up.

In Kenya, universities like Kenyatta University and Egerton place a strong emphasis on structure—get this wrong, and you risk rejection.

Be precise, not flowery

Scientific writing is not like writing a novel. You’re not trying to impress with flowery language or dramatic descriptions. You’re aiming for clarity, accuracy, and objectivity. Words like “significantly,” “increase,” “correlation,” “measured,” and “analyzed” will serve you better than “beautiful,” “huge,” or “amazing.”

It may not feel poetic, but precision is the beauty of science.

Cite sources properly

Whether you’re referencing journal articles, books, or government reports, citations are non-negotiable. Use the style guide recommended by your institution—APA, MLA, Chicago, or IEEE. Plagiarism is a serious offense in Kenyan universities, and tools like Turnitin are widely used to detect it.

Pro tip: Use citation management tools like Zotero or Mendeley to keep track of your references without tearing your hair out.

Local relevance is a plus

If your research addresses Kenyan issues—be it agriculture, education, public health, or technology, highlight that. Global journals are increasingly interested in region-specific studies. And for local publishing platforms like the African Journals Online (AJOL), the more Kenyan context your paper includes, the better.

Proofread. Then proofread again.

Errors can instantly undermine your credibility. Typos, inconsistent formatting, or unclear graphs will distract from your message. If possible, get a professional editor or a mentor to look over your work before submission. At Content Writer Kenya, we’ve helped polish hundreds of academic documents, and we know the difference a clean, readable manuscript makes.

Writing a scientific paper the right way takes time, effort, and discipline. But if you follow the correct structure, use clear language, and localize your research, you’ll stand out not just in Kenya but globally.

Whether you’re targeting international journals or preparing your thesis, the principles remain the same: clarity, structure, and relevance.