Writing Effective Research Titles

Writing a Research Title

• A good title summarizes the main idea or purpose of the study.
• It should use the fewest words possible to accurately describe the content or purpose.
• The title should predict the content of the research paper.
• It should be interesting to the reader.
• The title should reflect the tone of the writing.
• It should include important keywords for easier searchability.

Importance of the Title

• The title is the most important part of the paper.
• It is often the first thing people read and helps define the research study.

Characteristics of a Good Research Title

• The title should clearly predict the content of the paper.
• It should interest readers.
• It should reflect the tone of the writing.
• It should contain relevant keywords that improve search results.

Examples of Research Titles

• Benefits of Meditation for the Nursing Profession: A Quantitative Investigation
• Why Mindful Nurses Make the Best Communicators
• Meditation Gurus
• Nurses on the Move: A Quantitative Report on How Meditation Can Improve Nurse Performance

Tips for Writing an Effective Paper

• The title should describe the topic, method, sample, and results of the study.
• A formula to use for titles is: [Result]: A [method] study of [topic] among [sample].
• Examples: Meditation makes nurses perform better: a qualitative study of mindfulness meditation among German nursing students.
• Keep the title concise and understandable to non-experts.
• Aim for a title length of between 5-15 words or 50-100 characters (shorter titles often get cited more often).

Tips for Writing an Effective Paper (Continued)

• Avoid unnecessary words and jargon.
• Choose clear and precise language that effectively conveys the study's focus.
• Avoid overly long or overly short titles.
• Too many unnecessary words make the title unwieldy.
• Avoid vague and broad language.
• Use a specific and clear description of the study.

Tips for Writing an Effective Paper (Continued)

• Titles should clearly describe the research topic. Avoid unnecessary words or phrases.
• Titles should describe the type of study. Mention important methods (i.e. qualitative or quantitative).
• Titles should describe the target population. State the specific group involved in the study (i.e. students)
• Avoid overly generic titles.
• Avoid using periods, any kind of dashes, chemical formulas (using common names instead), roman numerals, semicolons, unless necessary.
• Avoid abbreviations (except standard ones like RNA/DNA).
• Avoid initialisms or acronyms.

Tips for Writing an Effective Paper (Continued)

• Use concise, descriptive phrases. The title should convey the study's purpose and objectives.
• Use critical keywords in the title to improve discoverability.

Common Research Titles Formats

• Declarative: States main findings, conclusions. Example: A three-month weight loss program increases self-esteem in adolescent girls.
• Descriptive: Describes the subject but avoids conclusions. Example: Effects of family support on patients with dementia.
• Interrogative: Asks a question. Example: Does cognitive training improve performance on pattern recognition tasks?

Use of Subtitles

• Subtitles are frequent in social science papers, aiding the reader's understanding of the study's scope and its design in relation to the research problem.
• Think about which subtitle best reflects your study's approach and parameters.

Importance of Subtitles

• Subtitles explain or provide additional context—e.g., a study of welfare institutions as a flow of social practices.
• Subtitles add literary or provocative elements, such as quotes—e.g. "Listen to What I Say, Not How I Vote".
• Subtitles qualify the geographic scope of research—e.g., the geopolitics of the Eastern border of the European Union".
• Subtitles qualify the temporal scope of research—e.g., a comparison of the Progressive Era and the Depression Years.
• Subtitles focus on the ideas of a particular individual or group— e.g. the ideas of Francesco Saverio Merlino or a concept of politics.
• Subtitles identify the methodology used—e.g., a multivariate analysis.
• Subtitles define overarching techniques for analysis of the research problem—e.g., a comparative historical institutionalist approach.

What NOT To Do in Research Titles

• Avoid unnecessary periods (use a period only for a declarative statement).
• Avoid using varying dashes for separating parts of the title. Use hyphens for linking words only.
• Use the common or generic name of formulas like $H₂O$.
• Avoid Roman numerals (III, IX, etc.).
• Avoid semi-colons. A colon can separate parts of the title, however.
• Avoid abbreviations (except standard ones like RNA, DNA).
• Avoid initialisms or acronyms.
• Avoid vague terms ("with", "amongst")
• Avoid cryptic or complex drug names.
• Avoid the taxonomic hierarchy (species, plants, animals).
• Avoid numerical exponents or units unless absolutely necessary.

Additional Notes on Research Titles

• Research is formalized curiosity for finding answers. It involves poking and prying with a purpose.
• Examples of research topics: negative effect of lacking a resting area for student nurses, effects of a non-conducive learning environment on clinical performance, bridging the gap between clinical experience on students' confidence and competence. Additional topic examples are provided, which include facility development, medication administration policies, and impact of nervousness and anxiety.

This quiz explores the essential elements of crafting a compelling research title. Learn how to summarize your study's purpose while making it searchable and engaging for readers. Understand the significance of keywords and the characteristics that define a good title.