Feeling stuck or overwhelmed choosing the right title for your research paper? A compelling title is crucial to grab the attention of journal editors, captivate readers, and ensure your work shows up in databases and search engines. It’s often the first (and sometimes only) part of your paper that’s freely accessible, so it needs to represent your research as accurately and effectively as possible. In this guide, we share some tips on how to create a clear, strong title. Let’s dive in.
- When should you write the title?
- Types of titles
- Sentence structure in titles
- Characteristics of a good title
- Tips for writing an effective title
- Common title mistakes
- A step-by-step guide
When should you write the title?
It is best to write the title after you have completed your paper and the abstract. The abstract summarises your study and makes it easier to write a precise and impactful title.
Types of titles
Now let’s take a look at the different types of titles so that you can choose the most suitable one.
Titles can be divided into three main categories, namely descriptive, declarative, or interrogative, as stated in the paper “Writing the title and abstract for a research paper: Being concise, precise, and meticulous is the key.”
Descriptive or neutral title
Descriptive titles include key elements of the research—such as subjects, design, interventions, comparisons, and outcomes—without giving away the main result or conclusion. This approach allows readers to interpret the findings impartially and increases visibility through relevant keywords. This, in turn, increases the likelihood that the article will be read and cited. For these reasons, these titles are often preferred.
Example:
Effect of cognitive behavioral therapy on anxiety symptoms in adults with generalised anxiety disorder: A randomised controlled trial
Declarative title
This title reveals the main finding of the study, which may diminish the reader’s curiosity and suggest bias, so it’s best avoided.
Example:
Cognitive behavioral therapy significantly reduces anxiety symptoms in adults with generalised anxiety disorder
Interrogative title
An interrogative title poses a question or presents the research question. However, it can be distracting and should therefore be avoided in research articles. In review articles, it may be more appropriate.
Example:
Can cognitive behavioral therapy effectively reduce anxiety in teenagers?
Sentence structure in titles
From the perspective of sentence structure, titles can be nominal, compound, or full sentences, according to the same paper. Let’s look at each type with examples.
Nominal
Short titles that emphasise the main theme of the study.
Example:
Impact of diet on heart health
Compound
Titles with a main title and a subtitle that adds context, such as sample size or design.
Example:
Cognitive behavioral therapy reduces depression in adolescents: A randomised controlled trial with 200 participants
Full-sentence
Longer titles that express a complete thought and often indicate the conclusion of the study.
Example:
Sleep deprivation impairs cognitive performance in college students
See also: How to make your writing more readable for academic success
Characteristics of a good title
A good title is crucial to attract readers and convey the essence of the research paper. According to Springer, an effective title:
- Shows the main topics of the study
- Highlights the study’s importance
- Is concise
- Attracts readers
Tips for writing an effective title
Below you will find some tips and information on writing a good title based on the paper “Creating effective titles for your scientific publications.”
One of the first things to remember is to avoid abbreviations or field-specific jargon, as these can make it difficult for researchers from other disciplines to find your work. Clear, understandable language ensures that your article reaches a wider audience and increases the potential for cross-disciplinary citations.
You should also pay attention to the tone of your title. While it may be tempting to include humor or puns, don’t forget that academic texts must have a formal tone. Correct grammar and spelling are equally important, as mistakes in these areas can undermine the professionalism of your work. Also remember to use punctuation correctly and appropriately. Exclamation marks, for example, can reduce the citation rate.
As for the length of the title, studies show that shorter titles—usually 10 to 15 words or 31 to 40 characters—attract more citations. Finally, it’s important to include relevant keywords in your title to improve search engine and database discoverability.
Common title mistakes
As mentioned above, common mistakes—such as overly complex wording, jargon or vague phrasing—can detract from clarity and impact. Here are examples of common title errors and the revised versions:
Too long and overly complex
❌ An investigation into the effects of cognitive behavioral therapy on anxiety symptoms among adult populations in a randomised controlled study
✅ Effects of cognitive behavioral therapy on anxiety: A randomised controlled trial
Fix: Remove unnecessary words and tighten the title while keeping the essential details.
Use of jargon or abbreviations
❌ CBT as an intervention for GAD: A clinical perspective
✅ Cognitive behavioral therapy for generalised anxiety disorder: A clinical perspective
Fix: Spell out abbreviations to ensure accessibility for a wider audience.
Too vague
❌ The impact of stress on mental health
✅ How stress management improves mental well-being: A comprehensive review
Fix: Specify the focus of the study to improve clarity and findability.
Inappropriate use of humor or playful language
❌ To sleep or not to sleep: The effects of sleep deprivation on memory
✅ Sleep deprivation impairs memory: A controlled study
Fix: Keep the tone formal to maintain credibility.
Overuse of exclamation or question marks
❌ Does sleep deprivation really affect cognitive performance?!
✅ The impact of sleep deprivation on cognitive performance
Fix: Avoid unnecessary punctuation that can make a title seem informal or overly dramatic.
See also: Why you should draft, edit, and proofread separately
A step-by-step guide
After you have written your paper and abstract and are ready to write your title, write a statement that outlines the essential aspects of your study, including the subject, scope, methodology, and key findings. To do this, first answer the following questions:
What is your research about?
“My paper examines mindfulness training and its effect on reducing anxiety in college students.”
Who were your study participants?
“I studied 100 college students from five universities.”
What method did you use?
“I conducted an eight-week mindfulness training program.”
What were the results?
“Participants reported a significant decrease in anxiety levels.”
Use these answers to identify key terms:
- Mindfulness training
- Anxiety reduction
- 100 college students
- Five universities
- Eight-week program
Now, combine them into a concise statement:
“This study examines the effects of an eight-week mindfulness training program on anxiety levels in 100 college students from five universities, showing a significant reduction in anxiety.”
Refining your title
The above statement is obviously too long for a research title. Delete unnecessary words and concentrate on the most important details:
“This study examines the effects of an eight-week mindfulness training program on anxiety levels in 100 college students from five universities, showing a significant reduction in anxiety.”
Now, rework it into a shorter, clearer phrase, taking into account the tips and common mistakes discussed earlier.
“Effects of mindfulness training on anxiety in college students”
This final version is concise, emphasises the main topic, and improves findability in search engines and academic databases.
Additional tip
Always check the guidelines of the publication you’re submitting to, as each publication may have different requirements for your title.
Need help with your academic writing?
If you want to improve the quality of your academic writing, you should look into advanced editing tools that can help you do so without violating the requirements of originality and authorship.
InstaText is one such tool that improves your text in terms of readability, clarity, style, grammar, and more. InstaText leverages advanced language technologies, but not generative AI, the use of which is not allowed in academic writing.
You can use InstaText on a variety of platforms, including the Overleaf code editor, the go-to platform for LaTeX documents.
If you are already a user, you can read more about this option here. If you’re not a user yet, you can try InstaText for free to find out how it can help you improve your writing while meeting rigorous academic requirements.
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