Table 1.

Checklist/useful tips for drafting a good title for a research paper

The title needs to be simple and direct

It should be interesting and informative

It should be specific, accurate, and functional (with essential scientific “keywords” for indexing)

It should be concise, precise, and should include the main theme of the paper

It should not be misleading or misrepresentative

It should not be too long or too short (or cryptic)

It should avoid whimsical or amusing words

It should avoid nonstandard abbreviations and unnecessary acronyms (or technical jargon)

Title should be SPICED, that is, it should include Setting, Population, Intervention, Condition, End-point, and Design

Place of the study and sample size should be mentioned only if it adds to the scientific value of the title

Important terms/keywords should be placed in the beginning of the title

Descriptive titles are preferred to declarative or interrogative titles

Authors should adhere to the word count and other instructions as specified by the target journal