Need guidance for structure refinement using the Rietveld method? This paper provides a comprehensive set of practical guidelines for newcomers to the Rietveld (whole-profile) method in crystallography. Focusing on practical rather than theoretical aspects, it offers a valuable resource for researchers analyzing powder diffraction data. The guidelines cover data collection, background contribution, peak-shape function, parameter refinement, Fourier analysis, structural parameters, geometric restraints, error calculation, R-value interpretation, and troubleshooting. It assists researchers in accurately determining crystal structures from powder diffraction data. Keywords important to this paper include **Rietveld refinement**, **structure refinement**, **powder diffraction**, and **crystallography**.
Published in the Journal of Applied Crystallography, this set of guidelines directly addresses the journal's core audience: researchers using crystallographic methods to study materials. The Rietveld method is a crucial technique in this field, and the practical guidance provided in this paper will be invaluable to both novice and experienced crystallographers.