How to be published in international journals
How to be published in international journals
Journal editors share their suggestions on how to organize a journal, write a cover letter - and handle awkward feedback from reviewers
Writing for international journals is very competitive. Even if you overcome the first obstacle and come up with a valuable idea or research work - how do you then summarize it in a way that will appeal to reviewers?
There is no simple formula to publish - the expectations of editors can vary between and within the field of study. But there are some challenges that all academic writers will face regardless of their discipline. How should you respond to reviewers' feedback? Is there a correct way to arrange paper? And should you always bother to revise and submit again? We ask journal editors from various backgrounds for their tips to be published.
Writing phase
1) Focus on stories that develop logically, not chronologically
Take time before you even write your journal to think about the logic of the presentation. When writing, focus on the story that develops logically, rather than the chronological order of the experiments that you conduct.
2) Don't try to write and edit simultaneously
Open the file on a PC and enter all of your posts and sub-posts and then fill in one of the posts where you have the idea to do it. If you reach your daily target (mine 500 words) write down other ideas as bullet points and stop writing; then use the points to start the next day.
If you write and can't think of the right words (for example for an elephant) don't worry - write (big long nose of an animal) and continue - come back later and get the correct terms. Write not edited; if not, you lose flow.
3) Don't bury your argument like a needle in a haystack
If someone asks you on a bus to explain your journal quickly, can you do it in clear, everyday language? This clear argument will appear in the abstract and the first paragraph (even the first line) of your journal. Don't make us chase down your argument like a needle in a haystack. If hidden on page seven it will only upset us. Oh, and make sure your argument goes along different parts of this journal and brings together theories and empirical material.
4) Ask a colleague to check your work
One of the problems faced by journal editors is poorly written journals. Maybe the first language of the writer is not English and they have not tried hard to proofread it. It might be very difficult to know what is happening in an article if the language and syntax are bad.
5) Published by writing a review or response
Writing a review is a good way to be published - especially for people who are in the early stages of their careers. This is an opportunity to practice writing a work for publication, and get a copy of the book you want for free. We publish more reviews than journals so we continue to look for reviewers (Laraphgirl Journal, 2017)
Several journals, including ours, publish replies to journals that have been published in the same journal. Editors quite like to publish replies to previous journals because it stimulates discussion.
6) Don't forget about international readers
We get people who write from America who think everyone knows the American system - and the same thing happens with British writers. Because we are an international journal, we need writers to enter that international context. You can read more about it at ZAMBRUT.Com.
7) Don't try to cram your PhD into 6,000 words
Sometimes people want to throw everything away at once and achieve many goals. We got people trying to tell us all their PhDs in 6,000 words and it didn't work. More experienced writers will write two or three journals from one project, using certain aspects of their research as a hook.
8) Choose the right journal: that's a bad sign if you don't recognize any editorial boards
Check whether your article is within the scope of the journal you are submitting. This seems very clear but it is surprising how many articles are sent to journals that are totally inappropriate. This is a bad sign if you don't recognize the names of the editorial board members. Ideally, look at a number of current issues to ensure that the article is published on the same topic and has a similar quality and impact.
9) Always follow the correct shipping procedure
Often writers don't spend the 10 minutes needed to read instructions to writers who spend a lot of time on writers and editors and extend the process when there's no need
10) Don't repeat your abstract in the cover letter.
We look to your cover letter for an indication of what you find most interesting and significant about the journal, and why you think it is suitable for the journal. There is no need to repeat the abstract or read the contents of the journal in detail - we will read the journal itself to find out what it says. The cover letter is the place for larger picture outlines, plus any other information you would like us to have.
11) A common reason for rejection is lack of context
Make sure that it is clear where your research is in a broader scientific landscape, and gaps in knowledge are handled. A common reason for articles to be rejected after peer review is lack of context or lack of clarity about why this research is important.
12) Don't mention your methodology too much
Ethnography seems to be a trendy method nowadays, so many articles submitted claim based on that. However, a closer examination revealed very limited and standard interview data. Some interviews in cafes are not ethnographic. Be clear - right from the start - about the nature and scope of your data collection. The same applies to the use of theory. If theoretical insights are useful for your analysis, use them consistently throughout your argument and text.
13) Respond directly (and calmly) to reviewer comments
When resubmitting the journal after a revision, include a detailed document that summarizes all the changes suggested by reviewers, and how you have changed your paper from that perspective. Stick to the facts, and don't shout. Don't respond to reviewers' feedback as soon as you get it. Read it, think about a few days, discuss with others, and then make a response.
14) Revise and submit your paper journal again: don't give up after going through all the main obstacles
You will be surprised how many writers who receive standard "revision and resend" letters never actually do it. But it's worth doing - some writers who are asked to make major revisions endure and eventually publish their work, but others, who have far less to do, never submit again. It seems ridiculous to get past the main hurdles in writing articles, bypassing the editor and returning from peer review only to later give up.
15) It is acceptable to challenge reviewers, with good justification
It is acceptable to reject reviewers' suggestions for changing the components of your article if you have good justification, or can (politely) refute why reviewers are wrong. Rational explanations will be accepted by the editor, especially if it is clear that you have considered all feedback received and received a portion of it.
16) Think about how quickly you want to see your journal published
Some journals rank higher than others so your risk of rejection will be greater. People need to think about whether they need to see their work published quickly - because certain journals will take longer. Some journals, like ours, also access in advance so that after the article is received it appears on the journal's website. This is important if you are preparing for a job interview and need to show that you can be published.
17) Remember: when you read a published journal you only see articles that are finished
Publishing in top journals is a challenge for everyone, but it may seem easier for others. When you read a published journal, you see the finished article, not the first draft, or the first revision and resubmission, or the intermediary version - and you never see the failure.