1. PUBLISHING A SCIENCE CITATION
INDEX PAPER ?
Maximizing your chances to get your
manuscript rapidly accepted.
Ayugi Brian
Email: Ayugi.o@gmail.com
2. My Credentials
First author in 4 SCI papers during the period 2018-2019, with 2 under
peer review.
Co-authored 3 SCI papers during the same period, with many
undergoing review process.
Editorial board member (Reviewer) in a number of Journals.
Over 7 years of University teaching and research Experience
4. FUNDAMENTAL QUESTIONS?
Core Questions in to think about before Publishing a paper:
• Why Publication?
• What to publish?
• When to Publish
• Where to Publish?
• How to write a publishable article?
• Core tips of Do’s
• Core tips of Don'ts,
• Take away notes
Other points
6. WHY PUBLISH
2. Sharing knowledge
1. Disseminate new scientific ideas and information
3. Feedback in shaping ideas
4. Career advancement: e.g Invitation 2 talks, conferences,
writing chapters in books, Entire book etc
5. Promotion
You and I have 2 options: We either publish or perish
7. WHY PUBLISH IN A SCIENTIFIC
JOURNAL
•an internationally accepted method of
communication among scientists
•provides some degree of quality assurance for users
•important feedback from reviewers, readers
•writing up work enhances scientific rigour
8. Data that have not been published do not exist!
If you do not publish your data, you might as
well not do the experiments/Analysis.
Published data can make a lasting impression, like the Great
Wall in China.
9. WHAT TO PUBLISH
Reports
Theses or dissertations
Journal articles
Books & book chapters
Technical manuals/users guides
Research or grant proposals
Slide presentations
Posters
FORMS OF SCIENTIFIC
COMMUNICATION
10. WHAT TO PUBLISH
• Full-length articles are about 4000 - 5,000 words: a series of
experiments/data analysis making a coherent story and/or Review
articles
• Short notes are about 200 words; also referred as technical note
• General rule: it is better to publish one solid paper than to split it into
two or three short notes
• Articles in books and reports are less prestigious: publish your
primary data in international journals
11. WHEN TO PUBLISH
1. Undergraduate studies
4. Post doctoral studies
2. Masters Level
3.P.hD Level
5. At all times when U have an Idea worth publishing
Publish relevant information
12. WHERE TO PUBLISH-WHO IS THE AUDIENCE?
• your objective in publishing
• scientific paper vs. letter vs. technical report
• “quality” of the journal (vs. the paper)
• editorial policy of journal, types of papers
• accessibility of journal to target audience
• quality of the final product
• speed of refereeing and publishing****
• rigour of refereeing and journal standards
Key points to Consider:
13. WHERE TO PUBLISH-WHO IS THE AUDIENCE?
• Carefully select the right journal
• From which journals do you cite papers in your reference list?
• Which journals publish on a similar topic?
• Final decision
• Prestige (“impact factor”): IF is a rough indicator for the quality of
Journal
• Time to publish (check time between submission of the manuscript and
publication)****
• Publication Fee
14. WHERE TO PUBLISH
SCI; SCIE; IEEE; AIEE; CSCD; CSSCI; SSCI; EI;
ISTP; IEE; IRE…….etc
Sites:
15. Professional publishers
– Elsevier
– Pergamon Press
– Springer Verlag
– J Wiley & Sons
– Kluwer Academic Publishing
– Blackwell
– Taylor & Francis
– Academic Press
– Hindiwi
Professional Societies
American Meteorologcal Society (AMS)
American Geophysical Union (AGU)
Journal of Medical Society (JMS)/Japan Meteorological Society (JMS)
Journals & Publishers
http://mjl.clarivate.com/cgi-bin/jrnlst/jlresults.cgi
Sources for possible SCI Journals
17. No one has an idea on HOW to write a scientific paper.
Where can I begin from?
How can I conceive an idea that can be published.
What are the Do’s and Donts’ in research approach
Our hypothesis
HOW TO BEGIN RESEARCH
KEY QUESTIONS
18. HOW TO WRITE A PAPER
“There are three necessary steps in useful research;
the first to begin it, the second to end it and the third
to publish it.”
Michael Faraday
19.
20. TARGET GOALS:
By the end of this 2nd session, we should be able to:
Generate ideas that will help in identification of the choice for
suitable research topic;
Identify the attributes of a good research topic;
21. GETTING STARTED: OVERVIEW OF THE RESEARCH
PROCESS
Conceptualizing the idea –
what is the question?
Study site?
What is known on the
subject? >> reading
Refining & writing down
the idea – specific aims,
concept note
23. CONCEPTUALIZING RESEARCH TOPIC(s)…
Capability: is it feasible?
• Are you fascinated by the topic?
• Do you have the necessary research skills?
• Can you complete the project in the time
available?
• Will the research still be current when you
finish?
• Do you have sufficient financial and other
resources?
• Will you be able to gain access to data?
24. CONCEPTUALIZING RESEARCH TOPIC(s)…
Appropriateness: is it worthwhile?
• Will the NUIST standards be met for degree award?
• Does the topic contain issues with clear links to
theory?
• Are the research questions and objectives clearly
stated?
• Will the proposed research provide fresh insights into
the topic?
• Are the findings likely to be symmetrical?
• Does the research topic match your career goals?
25. FINDING A GREAT IDEA
•The 3 Cs:
•Curiosity to investigate and question
situations
•Critical thinking skills to refine your
curiosity into a clearly stated idea
•Courage to have “bad ideas”
26. FINDING A GREAT IDEA
Sources of literature
• Published manuscripts
• Review articles
• Abstracts
• Conference proceedings
• Expert consultations
27. WHERE TO START?
• Systematic Reviews
• Content Analysis Report
• Citation Analysis Reports
• Meta-Analysis Reports
• Key Concepts sections
• State of the Art paper
1. SIMPLE APPROACHES TO FINDING
GAP/TOPICS
28. WHERE TO START?
• Essential Science Indicator
• Google trends
• Related Searches based on google trends
• Social Mention, Springer, Google Ads and
BoardReader
• Key Concepts sections
2. SOPHISTICATED APPROACHES; focus on one
tool
29. WHERE TO START?
• Read, read, read
• Detailed literature searches
• Attend seminars, conferences and presentations
• Discuss subject area with peers and seniors
• Listen
• Ask questions
• Write down your initial thoughts about the topic
30. REFINING RESEARCH TOPICS
• Discuss with fellow researchers
• Discuss with stakeholders
• Assess what is most critical to learn
• Assess research resources available
31. FINALLLY: QUESTIONS TO ASK YOURSELF
Is this a good idea?
1. Has it been done?
2. Who cares?/ So what?
3. Can it be addressed using appropriate research methods?
4. Will it stimulate interest by others
5. Can you describe, Compare, Associate, Analyze, Apply it and Argue for and against it?
32. SUMMARY GUIDE TO FINDING SUITABLE TOPIC
KEEP THEM SIMPLE
• S – specific
• I -- immediate (why do this project now?)
• M -- measurable (what data will you gather?)
• P -- practical (realistic/feasible?)
• L -- logical (build to achieving goal)
• E -- evaluable (significance, how assess impact?)
34. CLASSICAL STRUCTURE OF SCIENTIFIC PAPER
Lindsay, D. (1984) A guide to scientific writing. Longman, Cheshire.
• Title
• Abstract
• (graphical abstract, highlights)
• Introduction
• Geological setting / Previous work
• Methods
• Results
• Discussion
• Conclusions
• Acknowledgments
• References
• Figure and table captions
• Supplementary data (etc.)
35. SECTION ONE: CONTENT OF RESEARCH
JOURNAL
TITLE
Precise. Not more than 18-20 words
Relevant to the contents presented. i.e should cover the main aims and/or message
Eye catching and motivating to read
Word count depends on the journal: Not too brief, not too long
May be written last
Title: Head of your paper. Think and think again
36. SECTION ONE: CONTENT OF RESEARCH
JOURNAL
AUTHORS & AFFLIATION
Gives names institutions and organizations concerning authors
Includes authors names and contacts (mail, phone number etc)
Affiliation: Helps the readers to contact you incase of need. Be accurate
Never add an author, if this person has not had a chance to read the MS
Make sure that all authors have a chance to read your MS before submission
37. WHAT I S ORDER OF THE AUTHORS OF YOUR
PAPER?
• The person who did the work and wrote the manuscript should be first
(=senior) author
• Corresponding author is the one that will be the contact for the journal
and correspondence that may follow after publication
• That may be the group leader
• Senior author and corresponding author can be the same
• The research-team leader appears as the last author
38. ABSTRACT
Crucial: Summarizes paper
Specific contents of an abstract depends on individual author & area of research
An ideal abstract may include:
Background
Problem statement
Methodology
Summary of main results
Significance of the work
Future prospects
Limited to about less than or equal 300 words in most journals
Reader: Always have a ‘global’ reader when drafting your manuscript
39. KEYWORDS
• Choose a limited number of keywords that adequately cover your
research
• Do not use words that already appear in the title
• Think of words that you would look for when doing a literature search
• Arrange alphabetically
• Limit to 5-7 recurrent words in your paper
Keywords will make your paper easily accessible or not. Choose wisely
40. CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION
All paragraphs of the introduction should connect well
Specific contents of an introduction depends on individual author & area of research
Typical introduction may include:
Background
Literature
Problem statement
Research question
The limitations/scope of the study
Main aim & Specific objectives
Overview of other chapters
Limited to not more than 4 double spaced pages
41. A BIT MORE ABOUT THE INTRODUCTION
• Explain why you did your research
• The fact that nobody has done it before is not a good reason
• Your study may follow logically from previous work
• Your project may have been inspired by a practical problem
• Give the aims of your research and a good hypothesis.
• A good hypothesis is one that can be tested, but it doesn’t need to be
correct
42. CHAPTER 2: STUDY AREA, DATA & METHODOLOGY
The question as to how this is effectively written depends on specific field of research
An Ideal methodology will contain either one or all of the following:
2.1- Study Area
Overview of the domain of research as a guide to a global reader
Outline brief information related to the research topic
Could use a diagram adopted ,Google Earth maps or self drawn Figures
Chapter 2 section : Use this part to answer the HOW
STUDY AREA
43. CHAPTER 2: STUDY AREA, DATA & METHODOLOGY
Chapter 2 section : Use this part to answer the HOW
DATA
2.2- Data
Outlines which data was used, from where and why it was chosen
May include data from field surveys/ lab works/ world Bank/modeling
&simulations/ground-based re-analyzed of remotely sensed data.
For Geo-Science give finer details including the duration & data resolution
Be brief and guide the reader for further reading by providing useful citations
and/or links
44. CHAPTER 2: STUDY AREA, DATA & METHODOLOGY
METHODS
2. 3- Technique/Tools/Statistical metrics
State which tools/technique/Statistical metrics was/were used for what and why it
was chosen/preferred.
Could include precise information related to the technique/tool/metrics
…………. In this work, linear regression analysis previously used by aaa et al., 2014 and bbb et al, 2016
was used to xxxxxxxxxxx. The technique which basically does yyyyyyyyyyy was preferred since it
zzzzzzzzzzzzz.
……….. Taylor diagram (Taylor, 2001) was used to asses the similarities/ dissimilarities btw A and B.
Briefly describe the Taylor diagram: In this diagram, the std is rep by xxx, correlation by yyyy and MAE by
zzzz
Statistical metrics: Could give some mathematical formulas and a brief explanation
Example
As to whether to include and to what extend depends on necessity, field of research, level of author or journal requirements
45. SUMMARY POINTS FOR CHAPTER 2
• Include all relevant details
• Check your chosen journal for “how it is done”
• Do not use “modified after”, but describe the modifications
• Describe so that someone else can repeat your experiments
• Be precise
• “Room temperature” is not an accurate description
46. CHAPTER 3: RESULTS & DISCUSSIONS
Main part of the paper
May be written as continuous or in parts
Ensure excellent connections between parts/ subtitles
Scientific facts related to the research topic need to be well explained
Use Tables/ Figures/ Programs to illustrate the topic
The tables/ Figures ought be well introduced
Focus on your results, but occasionally if need be compare your findings with previously
published work
Results: Explain more using few words regarding the research topic
47. MORE DETAILS ABOUT RESULTS &
DISCUSSIONS• Arrange your data in figures and tables
• Are the data best presented as figures or as tables?
• Decide which figure/table comes first then the order of all other
figures/tables
• Make a structure for your Results
• Decide what you wish to describe
• Then make a structure for each section
• Decide what you wish to describe in each section
• Then start writing
48. MORE DETAILS ABOUT RESULTS &
DISCUSSIONS
• Describe what is shown
• Do not discuss what is shown
• Explain abbreviations, if you use any in figures or table
• Even when you use the same abbreviations throughout text
• WUE = water-use efficiency
• Explain errors bars: SE or SD; add n (number of observations)
• Explain meaning of statistical information
• *, **, ***
ALL FIGURES & TABLES REQUIRE APPROPRIATE LEGENGS
49. MORE DETAILS ABOUT RESULTS &
DISCUSSIONSTHE RESULTS
• Figure 1
• Describe what it shows
• Number figures in order of appearance in the text
• Table 1
• Describe what it shows
• Lead the reader through your data
• From one Figure (Table) to the next
• Arrange a logical flow from section to section
50. MORE DETAILS ABOUT RESULTS &
DISCUSSIONSTHE DISCUSSION SECTION
• Make a structure for your Discussion
• Decide what you wish to discuss
• Design the sections in the Discussion
• Then make a structure for each section
• Decide what you wish to describe in each section
• Place your results in a wider context
• Compare your results with those in the literature
• Then start writing
• Finish with a paragraph in which you tell the reader what are the main points
(“take-home-message”)
51. MORE DETAILS ABOUT RESULTS &
DISCUSSIONSTHE DISCUSSION SECTION
• The order in the Discussion may differ from that in Results
• Figure 1, Table 1, etc.
• Explain what they show and why your work is important and
exciting
• Place your results in a wider context and ensure that readers get excited
• How do your data compare with those in the literature?
• Finish with the “take-home-message”
52. CHAPTER 4: CONCLUSION
Summary of the paper
Give a reflection of the topic, the methods and the main results
Give a reflection of the topic, the methods and the main results
Relax &Write: Avoid copy/pasting some parts of the paper
Conclusion: Relax and reflect all the manuscript entails
53. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Not a section of a paper but highly recommended
Who?
Sponsors, Key institutions, Data sources, Software developers, Individual persons (rare)
Make it very brief
Acknowledgments: You cant make it a lone.
54. DECLARATION OF CONFLICT OF INTREST
Required in some journals
How?
Example
The authors declare that there is no conflict of interest on the publication of this work
No organization, Institution or individuals are opposed to the publication
55. LIST OF REFERENCES/BIBLIOGRAPHY
Key part of the paper
This is where literature used is cited
Cite journals used, books used, links used etc
Check the journal requirements on how to cite
Give full details related to citations
Use modern tools of citations as outlined by previous speaker
Cite all references mentioned in the manuscript and
Do not cite anything not in the text
List all the Literature used in your research
56. TENSES IN JOURNAL/THESIS
ABSTRACT
Present tense: is used for highlighting the gaps in your research area, the aim and the
objective of the article and the application
Past tense: is used for highlighting the important methodology and expressing the
executive summary of your results. Achievements can also be expressed in the past
tense.
INTRODUCTION
Present tense: is used for known facts and truths and usually followed by the
appropriate reference.
Past tense: is used for describing work or experiments that have been conducted and
the results of these work
57. TENSES IN JOURNAL/THESIS
INTRODUCTION CONT’….
The active voice: is useful when you discussing previous research and then you
introduce your own hypothesis. (Advisable to avoid the use of pronoun “I” or “we”
Passive tense: is not preferable for introduction but in some sentences, passive voice
can be perfectly acceptable.
METHODOLOGY
Present tense: is used to describe what is normally done or to describe a standard
procedure
Past tense: is used to describe what you did yourself.
58. TENSES IN JOURNAL/THESIS
RESULTS& DISCUSSION
Present tense: is used to present the diagram, figs, tables, and images. Also used to
explain the significance of the results
Past tense: is used to detail the results obtained. You may use past tense to
summarize your findings in combination with present tense to interprate or explain the
results
CONCLUSION
Past tense: is used to summarize the main findings, the major implications of the
study and the limitations of the work.
Future tense: is used to offer suggestions for the future work.
59. FINALLY, A FEW COMMENTS ON LANGUAGE &
STRUCTURE OF SENTENCES & PARAGRAPHS
FEW HINTS
• Avoid complicated sentences
• Do not use words that you think you understand, but have not really
checked carefully
• Too easy to do when using your computer program, without
checking in a dictionary
• Do not make sentences that are too long
• Use a spelling checker, and use either UK English, or US English, but
not a mixture of both
60. FINALLY, A FEW COMMENTS ON LANGUAGE &
STRUCTURE OF SENTENCES & PARAGRAPHS
THE STRUCTURE OF A PARAGRAPH
• Text is organised in paragraphs
• Paragraphs have a distinct structure
• They are not arranged so as to have a certain number of sentences or
lines
• Paragraphs deal with one topic
• Paragraphs begin with a sentence that “sets the scene”
• An introduction to what the paragraph is about
• Paragraphs finish with a conclusion
• A sentence that refers back to the first sentence
63. GET YOUR MANUSCRIPT PUBLISHED
The manuscript you have written in above section is raw/draft 0
Make a copy and name it draft 1. Check 4 the following
Plagiarism
Typos
Violation of language grammar
Use of journal language
Accuracy of the information presented
Check offending language: 2 individuals, reader, institutions etc
Again make subsequent copies and do the following:
Avoid obvious mistakes in your manuscript
64. THREE REVIEWS??
Read your manuscript
How?
Word by word
Line by line
Sentence by sentence
Paragraph by paragraph
Entire ms
Verify Figures & Tables
Read until it satisfies you
You know a lot regarding your manuscript. You are in a better position to make all corrections
1. SELF REVIEW
65. THREE REVIEWS??
2. FRIENDS REVIEW
Ask one or two friends to proof. Start with all the co-authors. Get
senior friends who are familiar with the field of your study.
One or two persons to proofread
Don’t blindly accept his/her suggestions. Evaluate first
Implement his/her important suggestions and read again
If you are a student give to your Professor the final draft after
all peer review.
Read again after implementing Friends review
Get feedback from other researches
66. THREE REVIEWS??
3. PEER REVIEW
MANUSCRIPT SUBMISSION PROCESS
Built a consensus with co-authors on readiness 4 submission and
journal to submit
Get journal requirements and adjust your manuscript to suit the taste
of the journal
Register to get log details
Draft the letter to the Editor –in-Chief highlighting: significance
(why?), Novelty and Relevance to the journal.
Follow the submission process & submit.
Do not submit your manuscript in multiple journals simultaneously. You may attract harsh penalty of being blacklisted
67. What will the Editor-in-Chief do?
Give u automatic massage acknowledging the receipt of your ms same
will be copied to co-authors
Will contact you for further details if need be.
MANUSCRIPT WITH EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Will assess the suitability of your paper and he/she may
☻Ask some adjustments
☻Accept and let proceed for review (not publication)
☻Reject your paper and deny you the chance of publication in his/her
esteemed journal
Preliminary assessment done by Editor-in-Chief
68. MANUSCRIPT WITH EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
☻Editor Rejects your paper?
Of course
If you don’t submit your paper, it will never be rejected
Accept either way
Why would your manuscript be rejected by Editor-in-Chief??
Inaccurate/False/Dangerous information
Subject outside the scope of the journal
Limited analysis
Poorly constructed manuscript
If your paper is rejected by Editor-in-Chief, take it as positive critic geared towards improving its quality. Thank his/her
REJECTED MANUSCRIPT?
69. MANUSCRIPT WITH EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
☻Accept and lets MS. proceed for review (not publication)
Peer review process is professional/voluntary and may take several
months. Be patient
Occasionally check for status and if need be inquire from the Editor-
in-Chief
The anonymous peer reviewers will read entire ms & write detailed
report regarding the suitability/non-suitability of your ms which will
form the basis for the Editor-in-Chief to make judgment
Report made by reviewers regarding your manuscript by reviewers is crucial
70. Accept your manuscript for publication without any
corrections: Rare/Not possible
Accept your manuscript with minor corrections
Accept your manuscript with major corrections.
Reject your Manuscript
Peer reviewer crucial process. Anonymous experts will assess your manuscript and advice the Editor-in Chief
POSSIBLE SCENERIOS FROM PEER REVIEW
PROCESS
71. USEFUL RESPUCES TO HELP IN RESPONDING TO REVIEWERS
COMMENTS
https://www.wiley.com/network/researchers/submission-and-navigating-
peerreview/how-to-deal-with-reviewer-comments;
https://authorservices.wiley.com/author-resources/Journal-
Authors/submissionpeer-review/peer-review.html#5;
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/page/journal/25778196/peer_review_polic
y;
https://www.elsevier.com/authors-update/story/publishing-tips/3-top-
tips-forresponding-to-reviewer-comments-on-your-manuscript
72. Automatically changes status from a manuscript to a
paper
Share your paper using appropriate channels e.g
research gate
Why?
Increase readability
To get your paper cited
Career: Receive invitations to conduct projects, talks,
conferences
Acts as a guide to other researchers
YOUR MANUSCRIPT HAS BEEN
ACCEPTED!!!!!!!!
The aim here is more humble: to provide strategies for identifying exciting research topics for publications. There is no algorithm that yields an exciting topics. Too much depends on your energy and imagination
First, there is no “Right Topic.” What is hot today may be ice cold by the time that you go on the job market. Much more important is to find something that is important and genuinely interests you. There are great papers to be written in almost all fields. You need to settle on an area where you are sufficiently interested that you don’t mind making some investments.
“Summers’ Law” states that it takes just as much time to write an unimportant paper as an important one. Hence . . . you might as well work on important topics. (Note: This is not an incitement to work on broad, vague topics!).
Your research project is something that you will invest a lot of time in, so make sure it is something that arouses your interest and passion.
Pay close attention to Introductions, in which authors explain why their research is important, and conclusions for Suggestions for Future Research, in which authors point readers to areas which lack investigation or need future examination
1. Employ a systematic reviews approach. These papers delve deep into the literature and examine the trends and changes in a discipline or specific field of study and provide summaries of the literature which can in some cases save a lot of research time.
2.Visit the website of the most prominent and influential journals in your field of study. Key Concepts are usually very short articles and each one is dedicated to one specific topic. They are often written by well-known scholars who are expert in that field of study or topic
1.Developed by Thomson Reuters. Some Universities have access to this site. Make use of it if it is accessible.
2.Another tool is Google Trends which provides “regional interest” index; this piece of information shows which topic is hot or popular in your country/region.
3.Social Mention, Springer, Google Ads, and BroadReader which provide more sophisticated information regarding the queries such as their popularity, various bars and charts which demonstrate the trends in different time spans, the most recent articles that have been downloaded and their related tags ad etc.
The websites of prominent journals often have a section called ‘key concepts’ where experts in an area highlight the central ideas in that field. Moreover, you should also look through the reference section of these papers as it can lead you to important resources on the topic.
It is a good practice to note all the questions that cross your mind while reading any published literature. If possible, you should map the question to the resource it is based on.