For those of you who are struggling in academia, publishing research in a journal or proceedings is an important activity that is generally unavoidable. Apart from confirming your position in academia, publishing your research will also open up space for you to make connections and share knowledge with fellow academics. If proceedings are a collection of seminar papers that are recorded, then a scientific journal is a collection of scientific articles that go through a very strict screening process so that their validity and novelty are guaranteed. As a result, most academics prefer to publish their research in scientific journals, rather than proceedings. Interested in publishing your article in a scientific journal? Read on for this article!
Step
Step 1. Get to know the publisher of the journal you are aiming for
Make sure you know what research the publisher has published, and what research questions still need to be answered in your area of study. Also pay attention to the format of writing, choice of words, type of article (quantitative or qualitative), writing style, and subject of study from articles that have been published.
- Read scientific journals that are relevant to your field of study.
- Read research reports, scientific articles, or seminar papers published online.
- Ask colleagues or professors for recommendations for relevant reading lists at your academic institution.
Step 2. Choose a journal publisher that is relevant to your research topic
Generally, each publisher has its own 'style' of writing and readers. Determine whether your scientific article is more relevant to journals that are grammatically very technical and are intended for academics at the graduate level, or even scientific journals that are more general and suitable for students to read. Know your target audience and create articles that are relevant to that target!
Step 3. Prepare a draft of your scientific article
Make sure your article meets the writing guidelines or requirements requested by the journal publisher. Writing guides generally include specific instructions on the layout, type of writing, and the number of words and pages of the article. In the writing guide, the publisher will also provide details regarding how to submit the scientific article.
Step 4. Ask a colleague or professor at your academic institution to review your scientific article
Ask them for help with editing the grammar, spelling, clarity, and accuracy of your article content. In this process, they should be checking your content thoroughly; remember, a good scientific article must be able to represent a significant issue and be relevant to the situation in which the article was written. A good scientific article must also meet the standards of accuracy, clarity, propriety, and legibility. If possible, enlist the help of two or three people to review your scientific article.
Step 5. Edit your scientific article
Most likely, you will have to go through three to four edits before sending the final output to the publisher. Basically, try your best to compile articles that are clear, relevant, and have a high level of readability. Trust me, doing so will increase the chances of your article getting published.
Step 6. Submit your article
Before doing so, make sure you re-read the requirements listed by the journal publisher. If your article meets all of these requirements, submit it immediately. Some journal publishers allow you to submit drafts of articles online, while others may ask you to submit printed articles.
Step 7. Keep trying
Sometimes, journal publishers will ask you to edit and resubmit your research. Understand the criticism well and make the necessary changes. Remember, don't be too idealistic and assume your original work is the best! Try to be flexible and be willing to digest all the criticism and suggestions you receive; maximize your ability as a researcher to create quality scientific articles. Even if your article is rejected by the intended publisher, don't stop writing and keep sending it to other publishers.
Tips
- Send drafts of scientific articles via official email to your university. By doing so, the credibility of your research will increase because it is under the name of an academic institution.
- Increase the readability of your scientific articles by making them available to the public. By doing so, your entire article will be stored in an 'online warehouse' and can be accessed for free by others.
- To ensure the accuracy of your article writing format, try downloading the correct journal writing formals (if available), and adapting your writing method according to that format. Doing so will increase the readability of the article and increase its chances of being accepted.
