By Lilian H. Hill
When planning to publish articles, there are important steps to follow.
1. Identify Suitable Journals: Look for well-regarded journals in your field and regularly publish articles related to your research topic. Consider the impact factor, indexing, audience reach, and publication frequency. For ideas, you can review articles you have been reading, consult with classmates, and consult your advisor and dissertation committee members.
2. Examine the Submission Guidelines: Each journal has specific guidelines for manuscript submission. Pay close attention to these guidelines regarding formatting, word count, citation style, and submission process. You can read What Journal Editors Wish that Authors Knew for more information.
3. Consider Co-authorship: Collaborating with other researchers can enhance the quality and impact of your work. Consider working with classmates, colleagues, mentors, or experts in your field. Working with others will give you courage and strengthen your work.
4. Craft a Strong Manuscript: Ensure your manuscript is well-written, logically organized, and effectively communicates your ideas. Pay attention to clarity, coherence, and conciseness. Be sure you have cited pertinent sources, and if your ideas differ from the mainstream, you have explained why.
5. Network and Seek Feedback: Attend conferences, workshops, and seminars to network with other researchers in your field. Seek feedback on your work from classmates, colleagues, and mentors to improve its quality before submission.
6. Edit, edit, edit: Journal articles and reviewers are not in the business of being your editor. Ensure your manuscript is free from grammar, spelling, or factual errors. Be sure your citations and references match and the manuscript is clear, readable, and meets the expectations of your intended audience.
Submitting the Manuscript
Almost all journals now have online submission portals. The link to the portal is in the authors’ guidelines on the website of your chosen journal.
1. It is important to carefully follow these guidelines regarding (a) identifying authors and their institutional affiliations; (b) formatting a title page, abstract, main manuscript, references, tables and figures, or other illustrations;(c) crafting a brief cover letter; and (d) document format. Most online submission platforms will convert your document into a portable document format (.pdf) that prevents alterations to your manuscript during the review process.
2. Ensure that no personally identifying information is present in the main manuscript. If you cite yourself, you can substitute AUTHOR for your name. Likewise, it is wise to use a pseudonym for your research site. When your manuscript has been accepted for publication, these details will be added back during the copyediting process.
3. Failure to follow the journal’s submission guidelines can result in a rejection decision, regardless of the quality of your ideas, research, and manuscript. This is not personal. Most journals receive many more submissions than they can publish. Part of the editor’s job is to screen all submissions to determine if they meet the guidelines, fit within the journal's scope, and do not exceed length limitations.
4. Once the editors determine that your manuscript is suitable for review, they will select 2-3 members of their editorial board to review it. It can take time for suitable reviewers to be found. Reviewers are usually asked to complete the review in a few weeks, and often, they will delay their work. In other words, it can take several months to receive a decision.
5. Reviewers will recommend a decision of Accept, Conditional Accept, Revise and Resubmit (minor or major revisions), and Reject. Based on the reviewers’ recommendations, the editors will make and communicate the decision to you.
6. While you hope for an Accept decision, receiving a Revise and Resubmit decision is more common. This is good news! It means that the reviewers and editors believe that your manuscript may merit publication after you make recommended revisions.
Once You Receive Feedback
1. Address Peer Reviewer Comments: If your manuscript undergoes peer review, carefully address all comments and suggestions provided by the reviewers. Be open to feedback and revisions to improve the quality of your paper. Manuscripts are often strengthened by feedback.
a. When you first receive feedback, you may be hesitant to read it. Let it sit for a day or two, but be sure to read it. Experienced authors may still have to gather their courage to read feedback, but once they read it, they take action to improve the manuscript.
b. Your writing is not you! Once you have written and submitted a manuscript for publication, you may have to separate your ego from your writing.
2. Protect Intellectual Property: Be mindful of intellectual property rights and ensure you have permission to use any copyrighted materials in your manuscript. Properly cite all sources and obtain necessary figures, tables, and other content permissions.
3. Be Persistent: The publishing process can be lengthy and sometimes frustrating, especially if your manuscript faces rejection or requires major revisions. Stay persistent, learn from feedback, and keep refining your work.
4. Celebrate Success: Celebrate each milestone in the publishing process, whether you submit your manuscript, receive positive feedback from reviewers, or see your paper published. Acknowledge your hard work and achievements along the way.
Remember that publishing as a senior graduate student is not just about adding lines to your Curriculum Vitae; it's about contributing to the collective knowledge of your field and establishing yourself as a credible researcher.
References
Hill, L. H., Rogers-Shaw, C. A., & Carr-Chellman, D. J. (2023). But, is it adult education? Disciplinary boundaries of adult education and higher education. Adult Learning, 34(2), 59–67. https://doi-org.lynx.lib.usm.edu/10.1177/10451595231159430
Rogers-Shaw, C., Hill, L. H., & Carr-Chellman, D. (2022, October 12). Academic journal success and the anonymous peer review process. American Association for Adult and Continuing Education 2022 Conference. Milwaukee, WI. ED: ED632235.
