Confusion about writing acronyms in section title In writing one article, I came across situation where my section title has one long word which I wanted to use with acronym later on. Now should I put acronym in section title or repeat word in text and write acronym there ? Take a following example for illustration...

Option 1


  Section 1: Effect of Very Long Word (VLW) in section title 
  
  It is seen that VLW used in article sections are confusing part.


Option 2


  Section 1: Effect of Very Long Word in section title 
  
  It is seen that Very Long Word (VLW) used in article sections are confusing part.


Which one is legal or appropriate in scientific writing ?
A third option:

Section 1: Effect of VLW
It is seen that Very Long Word (VLW) used in article sections are confusing part.

This is useful if VLW is truly very long, and messes up your titles, and you can trust most people have at least heard of it, and will have a clue of what you are talking about. Placing the full version next to it makes it discoverable.
Note that the operating distinction is &quot;will have a clue&quot;, reading the title should give the reader a quick idea of what it is about.
If the acronym is not well known enough, use the full word, and assume people will skip titles when they read the article in detail.