Paper publication is a highly competitive pursuit, often feels like a roller coaster ride.
At the beginning of publication journey, you are fueled by curiosity, exploring new ideas, and pouring passion onto the pages.
However, as you approach the finish line (paper submission) and the reviewers request corrections, the initial excitement turns into frustration.
So, what can you do to achieve your ultimate goal of getting that paper published.
Steps for research paper publication
There are four major steps that constitute the process of writing and research paper publication
- WRITING STAGE
- EDITING STAGE
- SUBMISSION STAGE
- FEEDBACK STAGE
1. WRITING STAGE
a. Choose a Relevant Issue in Your Research
No matter how well-crafted your research paper appears it won’t be enough if your research study doesn’t meet the requirements of prestigious journals.
Paper publication is possible if you analyze, and identify the key gaps in existing literature.
Particularly, renowned publications look for research that has an impact on society. Your study should address a significant issue and have vast implications, either for basic comprehension or for practical applications.
Ask Yourself:
Is the research topic relevant?
Does the study identify any newer developments that has not been explored before?
Do I have expertise in this area to provide value to the readers?
Is it worthy of paper publication?
b. Think what the target journal priortizes
Simple solutions to important problems are inadequate in the world of novel discoveries. Your study must demonstrate resilience to be appealing to prestigious journals like Science, Nature, or Cell.
Reputable journals look for research papers that advance the scientific knowledge of experts and reseachers. Your research should possess a robust solution to a problem (apart from other sections of a research paper) to make a lasting impression on the reviewers.
Ask Yourself:
Does the journal align with your research field and topic?
Have similar papers been published in the journal, indicating its suitability for your research?
c. Frame the abstract at the end of research paper
Use the abstract carefully because it is your opportunity to summarise your paper in 200-300 words.
The title and abstract must accurately summarise your research paper for publication.
Compose your abstract at last to ensure that it appropriately summarises the content.
Ask yourself:
Is the abstract clear, concise, and easy to understand?
Does it reflect the uniqueness and original contribution of your research?
Does the abstract engage the reader, encouraging them to read the full paper?
d. Create a niche keywords list
Majority of journals ask for a list of keywords—important words that effectively summarise the research.
Abstracting and indexing tools rely on keywords; by selecting the appropriate ones.
Creating a specific keyword list (generally 4-6) is crucial for paper publication.
Identify the words that highlight your study. This can improve the likelihood that other researchers will find your article.
e. Focus on the logical flow of your narrative
Spend time thinking about the logical progression of your article before you begin writing your research paper.
Instead of just writing in a systematic sequence (introduction – methods – results – discussion – conclusion) try creating a narrative that develops logically as you write.
When you are certain that the narrative offers a clear approach (like a story), start writing it sectionwise.
f. Introduction of research paper
You should write the introduction in 600-700 words.
The introduction offers background and perspective, but it shouldn’t be a history lecture.
For research paper publication, it should focus on three aspects of the research:
Current status
Problem statement
Value addition by the research topic
Specify the questions you are addressing and describe any conclusions made by others that you are disputing or accepting
Introduce your research questions, speculations, and experimental design or procedure to the reader concisely and clearly.
g. Methodology of research paper
You must give a thorough explanation of your methodology if they are new.
If the methods are already published, cite the original work, along with any revisions that you have made. Describe the tools and data you used, including their source.
A well-defined methodology including the process used for conducting the research is key whether the paper will be accepted or rejected during submission.
Things to include in methodology
- Research Design
- Data Collection Methods
- Sampling Techniques
- Experimental Procedures (if applicable)
- Instruments or Tools Used
- Data Analysis Techniques
- Statistical Methods (if applicable)
- Ethical Considerations
Describe the statistical tests you have used to evaluate your research findings.
You must include details in the ethics statement, like committee approvals and authorization to publish, if the study used human subjects, stem cells, animals, or other biohazard materials.
You should also describe the criteria you used to choose the subjects.
Ask Yourself
Is the research design clearly described?
Have I explained the data collection methods in detail?
Are the participants or subjects clearly defined, including their characteristics and selection criteria?
h. Results
Present the results objectively.
Be concise and rational because this is where you will demonstrate how your findings add to pre-existing scientific knowledge.
Results showcase what findings are achieved. The tables, graphs, and figures should effectively convey your results.
Any important findings should be highlighted.
Separate numbers must be assigned to the tables and figures, and each figure must include a concise legend that describes how the information was obtained.
Thoroughly structured results project why reviewers should accept the study for paper publication.
Be vigilant in this area.
Ask Yourself
Are the results presented in a logical sequence?
Are the results directly related to the research questions or hypotheses?
Have I used tables, figures, or graphs to enhance understanding?
i. Discussion and conclusion
In this section, you explain the relevance of your findings in the intial paragraph.
Other paragraphs can present the results of the study (do not use too much data) contrasting with the prior knowledge on the topic.
Discussion should explain how the findings relate to your projections and the sources you cited.
You should demonstrate the strengths and limitations of your research study. With this, the reader is able to understand the value the research offers.
Ask yourself
Do the findings confirm or refute prevailing theories?
Does the study have any drawback?
What are the valuable insights I am offering with this research?
Ultimately, the discussion should show how your research has contributed to existing information on the topic.
Lastly, avoid making dramatic predictions regarding the effects of your conclusions. The conclusion should be based only on your own findings.
Most of the reviewers check the progression of the discusson and what the study concludes.
A study that is reptitive is not suitable for paper publication. Repetition not only undermines the credibility of the research but also discourages readers from engaging with the study.
2. EDITING STAGE
a. Write first and edit later for publication
Don’t start writing and editing your paper at the same time.
Instead, for the first draft write whatever makes sense to you, without any hesitation.
Prioritise writing down your concepts, and save revising for last.
You’ll attain a more streamlined and effective writing process if you let your creativity grow unrestricted.
b. Consider your national and international audience
Remembering that your readers are beyond your national boundaries. So think about the research paper language, clarity, syntax and overall structure.
Paper publication means it is read and accessible to a wide audience
International readers are an important part of the academic community no matter which country you are writing from.
A global perspective can help readers from different backgrounds to understand and appreciate your work. Keep this in mind when writing your paper.
c. Language should be clear
Your research has power not just because of what it says, but also because of how you say it.
Language peculiarities can decide whether or not your paper is accepted, determining approval or rejection. Therefore, make sure your wording is perfect, leaving no space for misunderstanding or mistakes.
Straightforward communication will let your thoughts be well received by readers and open the door to publication success.
3. SUBMISSION STAGE
a. Request a classmate or professor to review your research work
Your colleagues can examine the content and proofread your study for clarity, misspellings, and grammatical errors before proceeding with paper publication.
Research articles must present an important and relevant subject.
Your peers may cross-check whether the research study is well-written, simple to understand, and suitable for the target audience.
Reviewing your paper by two or three people gives you an idea where to improve.
Since all reviewers cannot be subject matter experts on the subject, someone with no expertise can give their “outsider’s viewpoint” which might be helpful.
b. Identify reputable journals
If your work has potential but you have not submitted it to an established journal, don’t be afraid to give it a shot!
Even if your article is rejected right away, the criticism and recommendations you get might be quite helpful for your next papers when it comes to publication.
Every effort creates room for progress and growth.
c. Choose a relevant journal for paper publication
The choice of the ideal journal should not be made hastily.
Make sure your research fits the scope and subject of the publication.
Most publications accept unrestricted submissions all year long. However, a journal may frequently promote a certain theme or subject by publishing a special edition and issuing a call for articles (basically, a specific request for contributions concerning the theme).
You can check special issues and requests for articles to see if any journals are currently seeking out research similar to yours.
Once you’ve found the perfect match, strictly follow the submission instructions.
This will decrease the chances of any potential complaints and increase the possibility for the editors to notice your paper.
d. Adherence to journal’s guidelines
Your work will be successful if it solves or identify a key problem.
Yet it is crucial to carefully follow each and every instruction provided by the journal in order to further reduce the likelihood of a rejection.
Attention to detail is even more important for high-impact journals, where the set of guidelines are elaborate.
You should adhere to the suggested number of words, the arrangement of each section, the heading details and referencing styles for paper publication.
You improve your scope of paper publication by proving your dedication, while making the editors’ jobs easier.
e. Demonstrate clarity to avoid rejection
The most important thing is to make sure that your research is properly positioned within the larger academic community.
Clearly define the context of your research and the knowledge gap it aims to fill.
Insufficient context or inability to explain the importance of the findings are common grounds for papers to be rejected after peer review.
Therefore, it is essential to explain why your paper is important and influential.
f. Do not submit right away
Assess the journal’s submission guidelines by visiting the author’s Guide (or something similar) on the website.
When you are certain that your research paper complies with all requirements, take 2-3 days time to check, and re-read it again.
Holding the article for few more days gives you the time to assess it from all perspective.
Remember
- Send your paper to only one journal at a time.
- You may use your college email address when submitting online. This links you with an academic organisation, giving your work more authenticity.
4. FEEDBACK STAGE
a. Don’t panic when you receive the journal’s response.
Peer-reviewed journals rarely respond to paper submissions with an instant “Accept” response.
Respond to the response in a composed manner.
Probably one of these scenarios will be the case:
- Accepted with Revisions: only small changes are required as per the reviewers’ comments.
- Revision and Resubmit – The journal likes your work, but further significant revisions are required before approving the paper publication.
- Rejection and Resubmit: At this time, your paper is not suitable for consideration, but significant revisions and a change in focus might increase the possibility of getting paper published.
- Rejection: The research paper doesn’t seem a right fit and is unlikely to be appropriate for this particular publication. But that doesn’t imply it won’t be appropriate for other journals.
When attempting to publish a research article, have patience and be ready to receive rejection.
b. Respond to Reviews: Be Accurate and Relevant
- Include a thorough document stating all the changes suggested by the reviewer.
- Reveal how you implemented them into your paper when you resubmit a revised version.
- Be factual and avoid showing your agitation. Instead, give the feedback some thought.
- Read it, think about it for a few days, debate it with coworkers, and then compose a well-considered answer.
c. Persist and re-submit
Many authors who get the typical “revise and resubmit” comment don’t actually make the required adjustments.
Do not be one of them.
Authors who patiently follow the process succeed in getting their work published.
Others, who could have had fewer changes to make, but find it exhausting choose not to resubmit.
However, it is pointless to quit at this moment after getting past the major hassles of drafting the research paper, handling the editorial process and getting peer criticism.
d. Challenging Reviewers: Justify Valid Points
You can either be involved in a constructive discussion if you have a strong argument for your standpoint or respectfully disagree with a reviewer’s suggested revisions.
Editors are more likely to accept a logical justification, especially if it is clear that you thoroughly analysed all the comments you received and offered evidence-based points for the same.
CONCLUSION
The goal of paper publication is self-improvement.
Reviews, whether encouraging or critical, are stepping stones toward excellence.
To get research paper published learn to adapt, modify and tackle criticism professionally.
Paper publication takes time so stay positive, consistent, and work hard to get it accepted in a reputable journal.
