Publishing research papers is an important part of the scientific process. It allows researchers to present new results and methods, advance their careers, and contribute to their field. The key parts of a research paper are the title, abstract, introduction, materials and methods, results, and discussion sections. Authors must record their findings, write drafts, get feedback, and revise their paper before submitting it to a suitable journal. The goal is to clearly communicate their research and findings to the intended audience of the publication.

1. Publishing Research Papers
Submitted to: Submitted by:
Prof. Sujata Sanghi Vikram Singh
Dept. of Applied Physics Optical Engg
GJUS&T, Hisar 160782001

2. Why Publish?
• Publishing is one of the necessary steps embedded in the
scientific research process.
We should publish:
• To present new and original results or methods
• To rationalize (refine or reinterpret) published results
• Advance professionally
• Qualify for grants
• Contribute to your institution
• Contribute to your field
• Personal satisfaction & development – you can learn

3. Before Starting to Write the Paper
• Record your readings (results)
• Make tables
• Draw graphs
• Keep file to record summaries of results and any observation
however insignificant
• Date the files
• Revise your readings, you may need to repeat an experiment
while you still have the materials.
• Write ideas when ever they come to you

4. Parts of a Research Paper
• Essentially a research paper consists of the following
major sections :
• Title : Describe concisely the core contents of the paper
• Abstract : Summarize the major elements of the paper
• Introduction : Presents the nature and scope of the
problem investigated
• Materials : Describe the experimental design so it is
reproducible
• Methods : Describe the experimental procedures
• Results : Summarize the findings without interpretation
• Discussion : Interpret the findings of the study

5. Title
• Title describes concisely the core contents of the paper.
• It should be concise, specific and informative.
• A good title is defined as the fewest possible words that
adequately describe the contents of the paper.
• An improperly titled paper will get lost and will never be read.

6. Abstract
• An abstract can be defined as a summary of the information
in a document.
• It provides an in-depth analysis of a particular subject or
discipline.
• It should provide a brief summary of each of the main
sections (IMRAD) of the paper:
1. State the principal objective and scope of the investigation
2. Describe the methods used
3. Summarize the results, and
4. State the principal conclusions

7. • It helps the reader to quickly ascertain the paper's purpose.
• An abstract always appears at the beginning of a manuscript,
acting as the point-of-entry for any given scientific paper or
patent application.
• It is easier to write the abstract after completion of the paper.

8. Introduction
• It is the foremost preliminary step for proceeding with any
research work writing.
• It should present the nature and scope of the problem
investigated.
• The introduction should answer the following questions:
• What was I studying?
• Why was this an important question?
• What did I know about this topic before I did this
study?
• What model was I testing? and
• What approach did I take in this study?

9. How to write the Materials section
• Provide full details so that the experiments are reproducible.
• Describe the experimental design in detail.
• If the reviewer has doubts that the experiments could be
repeated, the manuscript will be rejected.
• Organize the methods under subheadings, with related
methods described together.

10. Methods
• This part of the manuscript must be clear, precise and concise
so that it can be reproducible.
• If the method is new, all details must be provided.
• If the method has been previously published in a scientific
journal, only the reference should be given with some
identification.
• Questions such as “how” or “how much” must be answered
and not left to be puzzled over.

11. How to write the Results
• Results section is written in the past tense.
• It is the core or heart of the paper.
• It needs to be clearly and simply stated since it constitutes the
new knowledge contributed to the world.
• The purpose of this section is to summarize and illustrate the
findings in an orderly and logical sequence, without
interpretation.

12. Methods of Presenting the Data
The data should be presented :
1. Directly in the text
2. In a table
3. In a figure
• All figures and tables must be accompanied by a textual
presentation of the key findings
• Never have a table or figure that is not mentioned in the
text

13. How to write the Discussion
• It is the hardest section to write.
• Its primary purpose is to show the relationships among
observed facts
• It should end with a short summary or conclusion regarding
the significance of the work.
• Some important components of the discussion part are:
– Show how your results and interpretations agree or
contrast with previously published work
– Discuss the theoretical implications of your work, and any
possible practical applications.
– State your conclusions as clearly as possible

14. Publishing Research Papers
• A scientific experiment is not complete until the results have
been published and understood.
• When the paper writing is finished and the authors consider
the paper to be worth publishing, the next step is to submit it
for publication (e.g. to a conference, a journal or a book
editor).
• The selective focus here is on journal articles and conference
papers.

15. Process of Publishing a Research Paper
• Publishing a Research Paper involves the following steps:
– Familiarizing with the potential publications
– Identifying a Target Journal
– Identifying the Audience
– Preparing the Manuscript
– Reviewing the Research Paper
– Revising the Research Paper
– Submitting the Research Paper
– Keep Trying

16. Familiarizing with the potential
publications
• It is important to be aware of the research already published
and the current questions and studies in your field.
• Pay special attention to how other research papers are
written: the format, the type of articles , the writing style, the
subject matter, and the vocabulary.
• Read academic journals related to your field of study.
• Search online for published research papers, conference
papers, and journal articles.
• Ask a colleague or professor for a suggested reading list.

17. Identifying a Target Journal
• Choose one right journal for your work. DO NOT gamble by
scattering your manuscript to many journals. Only submit
once!
• Read recent publications (at least go through the abstracts) in
each candidate journal. Find out the hot topics, the accepted
types of articles, etc.
• Ask yourself the following questions:
• Who is this journal’s audience ?
• How long will it take to see your article in print ?
• Is this a prestigious journal ?

18. • Use your own references.
• Check databases to find in what journals most articles on your
topic were published.

19. Identifying the Audience
• Each publication has its own audience and tone of writing.
• Identify the interest of the audience and write accordingly.

20. Preparing the Manuscript
• Format the research paper so it fits the guidelines for that
publication.
• Most journals provide a document called "Instruction to
Authors" or "Author's Guide" that offers specific instructions
about layout, type font, and length.
• What makes a good manuscript?
• It must contain a scientific message that is clear , useful and
exciting.
• It must convey the author’s thoughts in a logical manner such
that the reader arrives at the same conclusion as the author.
• It must be constructed in the format that best showcases the
author’s material.

21. Reviewing the Research Paper
• Edit the paper for grammar, spelling errors.
• Ask a colleague or Professor to verify the content.
• Have two or three people review the paper, more if possible.
• Research papers need to present an issue that is significant
and relevant.

22. Revising the Research Paper
• Go through three or four drafts before final submission of the
research paper.
• Effort should be made to make the paper clear, engaging, and
easy to follow.
• This will greatly increase the chances of the paper being
published.

23. Submitting the Research Paper
• Go back to the Author's Guide to review submission
requirements.
• Once you are satisfied that the paper meets all of the
guidelines, submit the paper through the appropriate
channels.
• Some journals allow online submission, while others prefer a
hard copy.

24. Keep Trying
• Sometimes journals will ask to revise the paper and
resubmit.
• Study their critiques carefully and make the necessary
changes.
• Do not get over-attached to your original submission.
• Instead, remain flexible and rework the paper in light of the
feedback you received.
• Use all of your skills as a researcher and a writer to create a
superior paper.
• Even if you are ultimately rejected by your "target"
publication, continue to re-write the research paper and
submit it to other publications.

25. Thank You