Thursday, May 23, 2024

Essential Parts of Journal Articles: Titles, Abstracts, and Keywords


 

By Lilian H. Hill


Writing titles, abstracts, and keywords for academic writing serve as the first point of contact between your work and potential readers. Suppose you neglect or rush the craft of these important tools. In that case, your manuscripts may not raise the interest of journal editors who decide which manuscripts to publish or, once published, be seen by members of your intended audience. It should be obvious that grammatical and typographical errors in the title, abstract, and keywords can detract from their quality and may be perceived as carelessness or a lack of professionalism. Therefore, it is essential to avoid such errors (Tullu, 2019).

 

Authors may focus on writing the body of the manuscript and treat the title, abstract, and keywords as afterthoughts or nonessential. They can be difficult to write but need your full attention because titles, abstracts, and keywords help to summarize content (Tullu, 2019). Journal editors will view these parts to decide if the manuscript fits the journal’s scope before they read the body of the manuscript. Titles, abstracts, and keywords also attract readers' attention and increase discoverability, meaning the degree to which sources can be located in databases, search engines, or other information systems. By carefully crafting these elements, you can effectively communicate the significance of your research and increase its influence within the scholarly community.

 

Titles

An effective title should succinctly convey your paper's main idea or focus. It should give potential readers a sense of what to expect and why they should be interested in reading further. Incorporating relevant keywords into your title can help improve your publication’s visibility in databases and search engines. Consider including terms potential readers might use when searching for literature on your topic.


The editors of Nature Human Behavior counsel that titles should not overstate the significance of research findings and should specify the human sub-population studied so that readers will not erroneously conclude that the results are generalizable to all populations (Writing More Informative, 2023). They state, “In choosing which details to include and which to omit from the title and abstract, it is important not to create a misleading impression about the generalizability or strength of evidence of a study” (para. 1).

 

Many authors include subtitles in their titles. The main part of the title establishes the general area of the work, while a subtitle can provide additional context or clarification to the main title, especially if the main title is broad. Subtitles help readers understand the specific focus or angle of the research. Subtitles serve as valuable tools for authors to optimize the effectiveness of their titles, making them more informative, engaging, and accessible to readers.

 

Titles that are broad or vague may fail to capture readers' attention. Aim for specificity by focusing on a particular aspect or specific angle of your research that makes it unique or noteworthy. Misleading or sensationalistic titles can erode trust and credibility. Likewise, avoid overly long or convoluted titles. Resist the temptation to be cute or funny. Avoid using the words “new,” “innovative,” or “modern” in your title because these terms do not wear well over time. For example, it can be humorous to find a book published in 1968 describing itself as “new” or “modern.”

 

Abstracts

Abstracts summarize your paper, including its purpose, methodology, results, and conclusions. They should condense the key points of your paper into a concise and coherent paragraph. The aim is to ensure that each word is meaningful and contributes to the overall succinctness and clarity of the abstract. Academic journals will specify the length of abstracts and the format they expect.

Abstracts include separate sentences or phrases devoted to each aspect of the paper (e.g., background, methods, results, and conclusions). This helps readers quickly locate information. Including details about the research population, sample size, and data analysis methods used is essential (Writing More Informative, 2023).

 

Abstracts should use clear and accessible language and avoid jargon or technical terms unfamiliar to non-specialist readers. Like titles, abstracts should accurately represent the content of your paper. Avoid exaggerating or overselling your findings and be honest about any limitations. Abstracts should be factual and engaging enough to interest readers and encourage them to read the full paper. Abstracts can highlight the significance of research findings but should avoid unsubstantiated claims about the implications of the work (Writing More Informative, 2023).


Keywords

When you submit an article for publication, you will provide keywords, typically between three and five. Keywords help indexers and search engines categorize and locate your article. Keywords also help target your intended audience by identifying the main topics or themes. Including relevant keywords ensures that your article is easily discoverable by researchers interested in your topic. Databases and search engines use keywords to index articles, allowing users to search for specific topics or themes. By choosing appropriate keywords, you increase the chances of your article showing up in relevant search results. This ensures that readers interested in your research area are more likely to find and engage with your work.

 

Putting it Together

Titles, abstracts, and keywords need to be consistent. Using the same keywords in the title and abstract is one way to accomplish this. Once your article is published, this will be important so that people searching for information will not only find your article but also that its content will match their search terms.

 

In summary, keywords, abstracts, and titles play important roles in published articles, helping increase discoverability, summarize content, and attract readers' attention. By carefully selecting and crafting these elements, authors can effectively communicate the significance of their research and increase its impact within the scholarly community.

 

References

Tullu, M. S. (2019). Writing the title and abstract for a research paper: Being concise, precise, and meticulous is the key. Saudi Journal of Anaesthesia, 13(Suppl 1):p S12-S17. https://doi.org/10.4103/sja.SJA_685_18

Writing more informative titles and abstracts. Nature Human Behavior, 7, 465 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41562-023-01596-8


 

Wednesday, May 8, 2024

Preparing a Manuscript for Publication


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.


Wednesday, May 1, 2024

Publishing for Senior Graduate Students

 

 

By Lilian H. Hill


Publishing as a senior graduate student can be pivotal in pursuing an academic career. Publications allow you to contribute to academic knowledge and establish your scholarly credibility. However, it is easy to neglect writing due to the stress of coursework, qualifying or comprehensive exams, field or lab work, competing responsibilities, or disappointing research results. Many doctoral students experience the pressure of producing high-quality, meaningful publications even before submitting their dissertations for examination (Carson & Ferris, 2023). Mills-Finnerty (2023) indicates that “no matter how brilliant or hard working you are, without a record of productivity you risk stalling or derailing your academic career” (para. 1).

 

The expected qualifications for assistant professor and adjunct positions have increased over time. Many candidates now boast a minimum of 5 - 7 published academic articles or chapters, so those people graduating with few or no publications can be at a disadvantage. Even if your career goals do not involve academic positions, publications remain important and integral to graduate training (Mills-Finnerty, 2019). 

 

Why Graduate Students Should Publish

Publishing as a graduate student is important for several reasons:

 

1.     Contributing to Knowledge: Publishing allows graduate students to contribute new insights, findings, and perspectives to their field of study. It adds to the body of knowledge and helps advance the academic discipline.

 

2.     Establishing Credibility: Publishing demonstrates a graduate student's ability to conduct rigorous research, analyze data, and communicate findings effectively. It establishes credibility and expertise within the academic community.

 

3.     Career Advancement: Publishing papers can enhance a graduate student's academic and professional credentials, making them more competitive for postdoctoral positions, academic jobs, research grants, and other career opportunities.

4.     Networking and Collaboration: Publishing often involves collaboration with other researchers within and outside one's institution. This collaboration fosters networking opportunities and helps graduate students build relationships with colleagues in their field.

 

5.     Skill Development: Preparing and publishing a paper hones valuable skills such as critical thinking, writing, research design, data analysis, and communication. These skills are transferable and beneficial for a wide range of career paths.

 

Publishing as a graduate student is beneficial for individual career advancement and plays a crucial role in the broader academic community by driving innovation, collaboration, and intellectual progress.

 

References

Marson, J., & Ferris, K. (2023). How supervisors can support doctoral students to publish and not perish in academia. Encyclopedia3(4), 1358–1372. https://doi-org/10.3390/encyclopedia3040097

Mills-Finnerty, x. (2019, October 10). Is it really "publish or perish" for PhD students? Social Sciences division, Springer Nature. https://communities.springernature.com/posts/is-it-really-publish-or-perish-for-phd-students


Wednesday, April 10, 2024

First Steps to Publishing as a Doctoral Student

 

By Lilian H. Hill


As a new doctoral student, getting started with publishing can be an essential step in building your academic career and contributing to your field of study. Yet, the pathway to publishing can feel mysterious. You may think you have nothing to offer or do not know how to start. Nevertheless, it is best to get started early in your program. If you need an incentive, nothing is as exciting as seeing your name in print (Levasseur, 2006).

 

Do not be Intimidated

Your professors may have shared one of their publications as a class handout, and you were impressed. Journal articles can be long and employ the extensive vocabulary of the academic discipline you are learning. A published academic article is the polished product of multiple months or even years of effort.

 

Perhaps you viewed the curriculum vitae (CV) of one of your professors and have been intimidated. CVs can be many pages long and serve as a chronological record of an individual’s career, including their degrees and other credentials, publications, grants, teaching, and service activities. If you are more accustomed to the limitations of a 1–2-page résumé, the length of an accomplished professor’s CV can be overwhelming. You may have no idea how the professor created that extensive CV, but you can recognize that they have had years to acquire the accomplishments documented in the CV.

 

Remember several things:

·       You are just beginning to learn the ropes of publishing.

·       You have something to offer.

·       You do not have to learn about publishing alone.

 

Simple Ways to Begin

Here are simple ways to start publishing:

 

1.   Write reviews of academic books. Book reviews tend to be short, between 500 – 1200 words. Most academic journals have a section called resources or book reviews. The journal will have a book review editor who usually has a list of books they want reviewed. You can contact the editor by email to volunteer and request a book you can review. You can also suggest a book for review in the academic discipline. Reading published reviews in your selected journal to understand the format and style expectations is wise. Typically, book review editors will advise you about how to revise your review to be ready for publication.

 

2.   Present Your Research at Conferences. Presenting your research at academic conferences allows you to share your findings and provides opportunities to network with other researchers and potential collaborators. Some conferences also offer peer-reviewed proceedings or opportunities to publish extended abstracts.

 

3.   Submit to Student Conferences. Many academic disciplines have conferences or conference sections specifically for graduate students. These platforms provide a supportive environment for early-career researchers. You will meet students at other universities who share your research interests and may forge continuing relationships that benefit your career.

 

4.   Write Literature Reviews or Conceptual Papers. Literature reviews or conceptual papers can be a good starting point for publishing as they allow you to demonstrate your understanding of existing research and contribute new perspectives to the field. You may be able to adapt a class project that received positive feedback from the instructor. Be sure to follow the journal’s guidelines for authors. Not abiding by these guidelines can result in immediate rejection, no matter the quality of the submission.

 

5.   Consult with your advisor. Your advisor can provide guidance and support as you begin publishing. Before submitting your work for publication, seek feedback from your supervisor, mentors, or peers. They can provide valuable insights and suggestions for improving your manuscript. Professors may ask you to join them in a research project if you are lucky. Collaborating on research projects or co-authoring papers with faculty members is a valuable way to gain experience with the publishing process (Tennegard & Wegener, 2016).

 

Things to Know

Very few academic articles are accepted for publication on the first submission. The polished product you read in a journal is often the result of multiple rounds of revisions. Judicious editing and revision are part of the publishing process and result in better publications.

 

Publishing can be lengthy, so it is important to be persistent and patient. Do not be discouraged by rejections; use feedback from reviewers to improve your work for future submissions. Academic disciplines have multiple journals, so you can submit to a different journal if your first submission is rejected. Just do not make the mistake of submitting the same paper to multiple journals simultaneously.

 

Publishing as a doctoral student is a learning process, and each publication contributes to your development as a researcher. Stay proactive, seek collaboration and feedback opportunities, and continue refining your writing and research skills.

 

References

Levasseur, R. (2006). Student to scholar: Getting published as a doctoral student. Mindfire Press.

Tennegard, L., & Wegener, C. (2016). A survival kit for doctoral students and their supervisors. Travelling the landscape of research. SAGE.

Saturday, September 9, 2023

What Journal Authors Wish that Authors Knew


 

By Lilian H. Hill

 

Journal editors are often frustrated by receiving manuscript submissions unrelated to their journal’s purpose and that do not meet the journal’s manuscript submission guidelines. It is disappointing to find that what at first glance appears to be a credible manuscript cannot be considered because it is unrelated to the journal’s purview and guidelines, does not meet style guidelines, is plagiarized, or greatly exceeds the length of articles the journal publishes. Editors recognize how disappointing it can be to have a manuscript rejected before it is sent to reviewers, yet failure to follow submission guidelines is a major reason why this occurs. Therefore, we provide some advice for authors wishing to publish their work.

 

Carefully Select a Journal

 

1.  Be very careful to select journals that match your manuscript’s topic, purpose, methods, and conclusions. 

 

a.  One source of information about journals is Cabell’s Scholarly Analytics which you may be able to access through your university library databases. Other sources include your colleagues, as well as the journals cited in your reference list. 

 

2.  Once you have identified relevant journals, it is to your benefit to carefully study each journal’s Authors’ Submission Guidelines to determine whether your article is a good fit for the journal. This information is easily accessible because almost all journals now maintain a web presence.

 

3.  Read articles published in past issues of the journal(s) to which you contemplate submitting your manuscript. Gaining a perspective on the articles that a journal accepts for publication provides guidance for authors about the focus of the journal and the type and caliber of articles accepted for publication. 

 

4.  It is not required to include a citation from your selected journal in your manuscript; however, if a pertinent citation exists, citing it reflects your understanding of the scope of the journal and your manuscript’s connection to previously published work. 

 

Review Submission Guidelines

 

Credible journals provide guidance to authors regarding:

a.  The purpose, subject area, emphasis, and scope of the journal. 

 

b.  Types of articles published and their length parameters.

 

c.  Requirements regarding the use of style guidelines (such as APA, MLA, Chicago, Medical Style).

 

d.  Current and past issues so that you can access previously published articles.

 

e.  Ethical requirements, and guidance regarding avoiding plagiarism.

 

f.   Impact factors, indexing, and distribution.

 

g.  Editorial standards, board members/reviewers, and publisher.

 

Prepare and Submit Your Manuscript Adhering to the Style Guidelines

 

Carefully read the author’s guidelines to determine the:

1.  Items to submit, including the abstract, keywords, manuscript, and reference list (aka, Bibliography).

 

a.  If applicable, follow the directions to submit any tables, figures, or other images. Typically, these items must be “camera-ready,” meaning clear and of sufficient resolution to be ready for publication.

 

b.  You may also upload a brief letter to the editors.

 

2.  Required Style Guidelines (e.g., APA, MLA, Chicago, Medical Style). These provide guidance regarding document formatting, citation, and references. 

 

a.  Do not format your manuscript to look like articles that have been published in the journal; not only is this presumptuous, but it also raises questions about previous publication and plagiarism.

 

3.  Length requirements for the types of articles a journal publishes. 

 

4.  Authorship information, including name, institution, and contact information for each author; authorship order; and identification of the contact author. 

 

5.  Sources of Funding, if applicable.

 

6.  Conflict of Interest Statements.

 

Failure to follow the journal’s submission guidelines can result in your manuscript being rejected, no matter its content, quality, or importance.

 

Follow the Ethics of Manuscript Submission

 

1.  Most academic journals use an anonymous peer-reviewed process (often referred to as double-blind peer review), meaning that authors and reviewers will not know each other’s identity. Therefore, be sure that you do not include any personally identifying information in the manuscript itself, including institution, program name, or author(s) name. If needed, this information will be reinstated during the final copy-editing process should your manuscript be accepted for publication.

 

2.  It is expected that you submit your manuscript to only one journal at a time.

 

3.    Do not submit previously published work.

 

a.    If your work is based on a published conference proceedings article, your manuscript submission must be sufficiently different to merit additional publication. You must cite the proceedings in the new manuscript. 

 

b.    If the work you are submitting is based on a dissertation, you must also cite the dissertation.

 

4.  Journal editors and reviewers are not intended to serve as copy editors. Be careful to submit work that is grammatically correct and factually correct and ensure that your references and citations match. If a manuscript has many errors, it will be rejected and returned to the author. 

 

5.  Respond graciously to reviewer and editor responses, even if you disagree with their conclusions. 

 

a.  Typically, your manuscript can be improved by following the recommendations of reviewers and editors.

 

b.  If you feel that something you submitted was misunderstood or misinterpreted, or if the reviewer recommendations contradict each other, it is allowable to communicate with the editors to clarify your meaning. 

 

Following these guidelines will increase your chances of successful academic journal publications.

 

Multitasking Among Competing Responsibilities: A Guide for Dissertation Students

Photo Credit: Pexels, Ketut Subiyanto     By Lilian H. Hill   The journey of completing a di...