When it comes to academic studies, it’s not easy to get published in a journal as a scientific author. Not only will your work have to meet a certain standard and a host of set criteria, but the process can be long and arduous – and littered with rejection. With this in mind, here is a closer look at the article submission process and how to get published as a scientific author.
A step-by-step look at the article submission process for scientific journal publication
1. Choose a journal
Choosing a journal is the first step of article submission, as you will not only want to get published, but also to reach the right audience and garner the interest and impact you really want your work to have. Take some time to assess the credentials of the ones you have in mind, as well as ensure that the content they publish is relevant to your field and of high quality.
It can be a worthwhile idea to select the right one for your needs before you write your actual paper. The reason for this is simple; journals often have their own guidelines to determine the types of articles they are willing to accept and the standards they are looking for. If your submission doesn’t meet this often strict criteria, you will be quickly rejected. In the grand scheme of things, outlining what you need to adhere to before you write will be far easier than editing the finished piece to match.
2. Start writing
As mentioned above, the way you write your paper should depend on the requirements of your chosen journal. You will also need to consider your subject area and the type of article you want to write – and before putting pen to paper, you will need to define your audience, your style and the best structure for quality of content and readability.
3. Article submission
Once you are happy with your article and are confident you have met the necessary guidelines, it will be time to go to your chosen journal and follow its individual submission process. This will vary, but many ask for a well-written cover letter to support their decision. Before hitting send, always do your due diligence and perform a check to ensure you haven’t missed anything.
4. Peer review
All scientific papers will be subject to a peer review process where a panel of relevant, independent researchers will assess your work in terms of originality, validity, content quality and scientific significance. Their overall opinion will help the journal to decide whether your paper is worth publishing.
5. Production
If everything goes how you’d hoped, the next step will be publication and you may be required to check and correct proofs of your article, alongside other factors (depending on the journal you’re publishing with).
What to do once your paper has been published
You’ve achieved your goal of publication, so now you can sit back and see the benefits of all your hard work. Be sure to take a look at the finished piece and keep track of its impact before getting started on your next one!
