As academicians, we strive for high-quality research that will advance science. As we write up our findings, we aim to present our hypothetical approach and applied consequences via our paper. Then we submit our paper for publication in a peer-reviewed journal. Yes, this is the toughest part of the research. The job of writing a scientific research paper is quite competitive; there could be several reasons behind a rejection. Hence it’s important to understand the vital element of publication before journal submission.
The output of such efforts can be maximized by adhering to the following guidelines:
1. Have a specific target journal in mind
When you start writing about your study, it is wise to keep a specific target journal in mind. Search for journals that you think will be suitable for publishing your paper. After identifying a journal, you must organize your paper as per the journal guidelines to decrease the chances of rejection.
2. Start your paper early in your research phase
You need to start writing from the early stages of your research or doctoral study. A proactive outlook will decrease the chance of rejection. Re-reading is needed in the research arena because it helps identify the most common flaws in the manuscript, which might otherwise be overlooked. It is also advisable to share your manuscripts with colleagues or other researchers to request their feedback, thus avoiding many errors.
3. Organize your paper as per the journal guidelines
After getting feedback from you your co-workers, revise your paper according to the aim and scope of the journals in your target research area. That will improve the chances of acceptance.
4. Develop an impressive title and abstract
The title and abstract are extremely important parts of a manuscript. Basically, the title should encapsulate the theme of the paper. The abstract should be a summary of the article within a specific word count.
5. Take the services of a professional editing firm
It is advisable to have a professional editing firm copy-edit your manuscript. An article submitted to a peer-reviewed journal will be analyzed critically by the editorial board, especially the references, main text, tables, and figures before it is selected for peer review. Running the manuscript through available software might help, but that can never replace the efforts of an expert and experienced editor in your chosen research field.
6. Include a cover letter along with the manuscript
A cover letter outlines the theme of the paper, presents the innovative aspect of the paper, and communicates the significance of the manuscript to the target journal. Therefore, it is mandatory to submit a cover letter along with the manuscript for publication.
7. Report reviewer comments carefully
Editors and editors-in-chief often ask researchers to “revise or resubmit” based on the comments provided by the reviewers. These revisions may necessitate major or minor changes in the manuscript. Therefore, it is important to address the comments received from the reviewers and avoid critical omissions. It is also crucial that you meet the given deadline for submitting the revised paper.
Given the ever-growing number of manuscripts submitted for publication, the procedure of presenting a manuscript in the best possible form and to have it accepted by a journal can be a formidable task because high-impact journals accept less than 10 percent of the articles submitted.
Therefore, the guidelines mentioned here could go a long way toward having your paper accepted and published by an esteemed journal. These recommendations require proper planning and careful implementation. Following the instructions could help researchers and other scholars improve the chances of getting their work published, and that is the key to having a productive and gratifying academic career.
