Understanding feelings about writing,Method,Overview of Researchers,Capturing raw material when away from the computer: Master’s students Generate papers from your thesis, Collecting your Journal options, Pick journals like you pick stocksIdentifying journals with rising impact factors

1. The 7 Habits of HighlyThe 7 Habits of Highly
Effective ResearchersEffective Researchers
Dr. Steve WallaceDr. Steve Wallace

2. IntroductionIntroduction
Technical writing teacher – TaiwanTechnical writing teacher – Taiwan
University, Chaio Tung University,University, Chaio Tung University,
Tsing Hwa UniversityTsing Hwa University
Class and writing labClass and writing lab
Habits that produce more papers inHabits that produce more papers in
high impact journalshigh impact journals

3. Understanding feelings aboutUnderstanding feelings about
writingwriting
A survey of 400,000 U.S. faculty showed 26%A survey of 400,000 U.S. faculty showed 26%
spent zero hours per week writingspent zero hours per week writing
27% never published a journal paper27% never published a journal paper
43% had published nothing in the last 2 years43% had published nothing in the last 2 years
62% never published a book62% never published a book
Only 28% produced two publications in the pastOnly 28% produced two publications in the past
two yearstwo years
Only 25% of faculty spent more than eight hoursOnly 25% of faculty spent more than eight hours
a week writing (Lindholm 2005)a week writing (Lindholm 2005)
15% of faculty are productive writers (Moxley and15% of faculty are productive writers (Moxley and
Taylor)Taylor)

4. MethodMethod
Data from interviews, phone, conferencesData from interviews, phone, conferences
and universitiesand universities
Position as editor has allowed opportunityPosition as editor has allowed opportunity
Compiled into 7 basic “habits” whichCompiled into 7 basic “habits” which
summarize advice and tips in 7 areassummarize advice and tips in 7 areas
To get the most honest responsesTo get the most honest responses
researchers remained anonymousresearchers remained anonymous

5. Overview of ResearchersOverview of Researchers
An effective researcher was defined as a researcher whoAn effective researcher was defined as a researcher who
published an average of five or more SCI papers a yearpublished an average of five or more SCI papers a year
every year for the last five yearsevery year for the last five years
146 effective researchers:146 effective researchers:
34 - Engineering34 - Engineering
17 - Management and Business17 - Management and Business
11 - Foreign Language and Literature11 - Foreign Language and Literature
10 - Education10 - Education
31 - Natural sciences31 - Natural sciences
20 - Medicine20 - Medicine
12 - Social sciences12 - Social sciences
6 - Law6 - Law
5 - History and Liberal Arts5 - History and Liberal Arts

6. Habit #1Habit #1
Effective researchers have aEffective researchers have a
publication supply chainpublication supply chain..
More than one stepMore than one step
More than one productMore than one product
Think about the customerThink about the customer

7. Capturing raw material whenCapturing raw material when
away from the computer:away from the computer:
Collect ideas: Notebook, Post-ItCollect ideas: Notebook, Post-It
notesnotes
Transfer to ongoing filesTransfer to ongoing files
Notes can be organized and editedNotes can be organized and edited
into the start of a paperinto the start of a paper
Easier to begin writing when thereEasier to begin writing when there
were already ideaswere already ideas

8. Master’s studentsMaster’s students
Generate papers from your thesisGenerate papers from your thesis
You spent two years writing a thesisYou spent two years writing a thesis
Generate a couple of papers from theGenerate a couple of papers from the
most important chapters of themost important chapters of the
thesisthesis
Easier than writing a new paperEasier than writing a new paper
Work with advisor to market yourWork with advisor to market your
paperspapers

9. Collect several potential journals forCollect several potential journals for
each articleeach article
Do not submit two papers to theDo not submit two papers to the
same journal in two months,same journal in two months,
especially if the two articles areespecially if the two articles are
relatedrelated
Editors prefer to publish two articlesEditors prefer to publish two articles
by different authorsby different authors

10. Collecting your Journal optionsCollecting your Journal options
KeywordsKeywords
Relatedness metricsRelatedness metrics
ReferencesReferences
ScopusScopus
Aims and scopeAims and scope
Editor’s letterEditor’s letter
Reviewing the journalReviewing the journal

11. Pick journals like youPick journals like you
pick stockspick stocks
Submit paper to journals with risingSubmit paper to journals with rising
impact factors and higher acceptanceimpact factors and higher acceptance
ratesrates
Avoid declining journals with lowAvoid declining journals with low
acceptance and diminishing impact factoracceptance and diminishing impact factor
Low impact could cause the journal to beLow impact could cause the journal to be
removed from the SCIremoved from the SCI

12. Identifying journals with rising impact factorsIdentifying journals with rising impact factors
Good specialty journal’s impact factors are risingGood specialty journal’s impact factors are rising
General journal’s impact factor, except for a fewGeneral journal’s impact factor, except for a few
at the top, are expected to declineat the top, are expected to decline
In general journals,In general journals,
““Readers are confronted with a decreasingReaders are confronted with a decreasing
probability of finding at least one importantprobability of finding at least one important
article in their field."article in their field." (Holub, Tappeiner, and(Holub, Tappeiner, and
Eberharter, 1991).Eberharter, 1991).
In the 1970s, the top ten journals in every fieldIn the 1970s, the top ten journals in every field
were general journalswere general journals
In the 1990s, half of the top ten journals wereIn the 1990s, half of the top ten journals were
specialized journalsspecialized journals

13. PracticePractice
Betting your research where you have theBetting your research where you have the
highest probability for publication.highest probability for publication.
Journals have biases and preferencesJournals have biases and preferences
Empirical vs TheoreticalEmpirical vs Theoretical
Country or university of originCountry or university of origin
Check past issues of the journalCheck past issues of the journal
How many Chinese names can youHow many Chinese names can you
find?find?
Preferences are known; biases arePreferences are known; biases are
difficult to detect.difficult to detect.

14. Keep a record of yourKeep a record of your
publicationspublications
Some researchers use a “researchSome researchers use a “research
log”log”
1) Know when to send a reminder to1) Know when to send a reminder to
the editorthe editor
2) Prevent resubmission of a2) Prevent resubmission of a
rejected paper to the same journalrejected paper to the same journal
3) Avoid multiple submission to the3) Avoid multiple submission to the
same journal within a short period ofsame journal within a short period of
timetime

15. Approach different types of journalsApproach different types of journals
Quantity and quality importantQuantity and quality important
Sending all papers to top journals isSending all papers to top journals is
riskyrisky
Sending all papers to low-qualitySending all papers to low-quality
journals is unsatisfactoryjournals is unsatisfactory
Having three papers in differentHaving three papers in different
journals is better than three in onejournals is better than three in one
journal, if the relative quality of thejournal, if the relative quality of the
journals is the samejournals is the same

16. Maintain papers under review constantlyMaintain papers under review constantly
If the acceptance rate of the top-rankingIf the acceptance rate of the top-ranking
journals is 15%, you need about 7 papersjournals is 15%, you need about 7 papers
under review to have one paper acceptedunder review to have one paper accepted
per yearper year
This does not mean that you should writeThis does not mean that you should write
7 new papers each year7 new papers each year

17. PracticePractice
Don't put two good ideas in one paperDon't put two good ideas in one paper
Separate them into two papers.Separate them into two papers.
As the paper's length increases beyond 15As the paper's length increases beyond 15
pages, the chance of acceptance dropspages, the chance of acceptance drops
When split into two papers, the probabilityWhen split into two papers, the probability
of getting one of them accepted doublesof getting one of them accepted doubles
– Editors like short papersEditors like short papers
– The chance that a referee will detect aThe chance that a referee will detect a
mathematical error declinesmathematical error declines
– Referees will return the report fasterReferees will return the report faster
– The chance that a referee willThe chance that a referee will
misunderstand the paper also decreasesmisunderstand the paper also decreases

18. Develop template sentencesDevelop template sentences
Parts of the introduction, methodsParts of the introduction, methods
and discussion of one paper canand discussion of one paper can
often be recycled to make a newoften be recycled to make a new
paperpaper
Keep a database of words andKeep a database of words and
phrases to use in different parts ofphrases to use in different parts of
your paperyour paper

19. Consider different subtopicsConsider different subtopics
Average wait for an acceptanceAverage wait for an acceptance
decision = 3 yearsdecision = 3 years
Average wait for a rejection = 6 to 8Average wait for a rejection = 6 to 8
monthsmonths
If you publish in one area, then focusIf you publish in one area, then focus
your effort in that fieldyour effort in that field
Continuing to write papers in theContinuing to write papers in the
same narrow area without evidencesame narrow area without evidence
of success is riskyof success is risky

20. Use English editingUse English editing
Use professional editorial assistanceUse professional editorial assistance
Editors will not publish papers withEditors will not publish papers with
many grammatical errorsmany grammatical errors
Referees often recommend rejectionReferees often recommend rejection
for excessive grammatical errorsfor excessive grammatical errors

21. 4%
9%
7%
8%
13%
2%
16%
7%7%
English Errors
27%
Faulty methodology
Inadequate references
Poor quality supporting figures
Outside the scope of journal
Not enough contribution to field
Authors did not follow manuscript instructions
Poor writing style and use of English
Title not representative of study
Subject of little novel interest or not generally
applicable
Reasons for major revision or rejection of Chinese
journal papers

22. Revision (Continued)Revision (Continued)
““If you don't proofread your ownIf you don't proofread your own
introduction, why expect the refereesintroduction, why expect the referees
to spot and correct all the errors?”to spot and correct all the errors?” --
Chinese History Professor - # 2Chinese History Professor - # 2
““You should always check spellingYou should always check spelling
before submission. But there are nobefore submission. But there are no
substitutes for reading the paperssubstitutes for reading the papers
personally. Spelling checkers do notpersonally. Spelling checkers do not
check word meanings.”check word meanings.” – Electrical Engineering– Electrical Engineering
Post Doctoral Researcher # 102Post Doctoral Researcher # 102

23. Habit #2Habit #2
Sacrifice other interestsSacrifice other interests
Researchers gave up hobbies,Researchers gave up hobbies,
games and time with friends togames and time with friends to
become high impact researchers.become high impact researchers.
When you play, play hard; when youWhen you play, play hard; when you
Theodore RooseveltTheodore Roosevelt

24. Habit #3Habit #3
Practice research like golfPractice research like golf
Researchers watch and improve theResearchers watch and improve the
weaknesses in their publishing game likeweaknesses in their publishing game like
an athlete perfecting his sportan athlete perfecting his sport

25. PracticePractice
Quote on specific skillsQuote on specific skills
““Traditionally my introduction is a bitTraditionally my introduction is a bit
weak; I have a challenge selling theweak; I have a challenge selling the
problem to reviewers. I’ve got to beproblem to reviewers. I’ve got to be
able to present the problem better ifable to present the problem better if
I want people to be interested in myI want people to be interested in my
solution. I’m getting better but I’msolution. I’m getting better but I’m
constantly aware that this is aconstantly aware that this is a
weakness, and I need to practice toweakness, and I need to practice to
improve.”improve.” – Mechanical Engineering Professor # 31– Mechanical Engineering Professor # 31

26. PracticePractice
Imitate skillful writersImitate skillful writers
Read how successful writersRead how successful writers
introduce their topic and citeintroduce their topic and cite
literatureliterature
Imitate their words and phrases, andImitate their words and phrases, and
modify them to suit your topicmodify them to suit your topic
Create a file of template sentencesCreate a file of template sentences

27. Habit #4Habit #4
Dramatize process byDramatize process by
creating mental modelscreating mental models
Researchers see their writing andResearchers see their writing and
researching dramaticallyresearching dramatically
Use strong metaphors to createUse strong metaphors to create
exciting mental pictures toexciting mental pictures to
encourage themselvesencourage themselves
““The great struggle”The great struggle”
Model of building a houseModel of building a house
Killing a monsterKilling a monster

28. Habit #5Habit #5
Writers use the competitive, political andWriters use the competitive, political and
supportive energy of other researcherssupportive energy of other researchers
Supportive energySupportive energy: Support groups: Support groups
Competitive energyCompetitive energy: Researchers compare: Researchers compare
themselves with other researchersthemselves with other researchers
Political energyPolitical energy: The negative side of publishing: The negative side of publishing
is that half of peer reviewed articles in top ratedis that half of peer reviewed articles in top rated
journals are never referenced by anyone,journals are never referenced by anyone,
including the author.including the author.
This shows that low impact papers are oftenThis shows that low impact papers are often
published in the best journals because the articlespublished in the best journals because the articles
are reviewed by friends of the author. (Holub,are reviewed by friends of the author. (Holub,
Tappeiner, and Eberharter, SEJ 1991).Tappeiner, and Eberharter, SEJ 1991).

29. PracticePractice
Don’t Criticize ReferencesDon’t Criticize References
I think that the author knows his subjectI think that the author knows his subject
better than I do. I usually use hisbetter than I do. I usually use his
references to find a suitable reviewerreferences to find a suitable reviewer
Associate Editor, Journal of RetailingAssociate Editor, Journal of Retailing
Don’t emphasize the importance of yourDon’t emphasize the importance of your
paper by strongly criticizing other paperspaper by strongly criticizing other papers
Your references are probably yourYour references are probably your
reviewers and are sensitivereviewers and are sensitive

30. Examples of offensive citation:Examples of offensive citation:
"The deficiency of Smith's approach is...""The deficiency of Smith's approach is..."
"The problems with Smith’s paper are…""The problems with Smith’s paper are…"
““A serious weakness with Smith’sA serious weakness with Smith’s
argument, however, is that ......”argument, however, is that ......”
““The key problem with Smith’s explanationThe key problem with Smith’s explanation
is that ......”is that ......”
““It seems that Smith’s understanding ofIt seems that Smith’s understanding of
the X framework is questionable.”the X framework is questionable.”

31. A better citation would be:A better citation would be:
““Smith’s model was effective in XSmith’s model was effective in X
problem, however in Y…”problem, however in Y…”
““The X benefit of Smith’s approachThe X benefit of Smith’s approach
are not applicable to Y…”are not applicable to Y…”

32. PracticePractice
Pay attention to reviewers’ commentsPay attention to reviewers’ comments
““I don’t think you treated SmithI don’t think you treated Smith
fairly in your literature review, hisfairly in your literature review, his
insights deserve more respect.”insights deserve more respect.”
““You forgot to include Smith as aYou forgot to include Smith as a
reference in your paper. His work isreference in your paper. His work is
fundamental to understanding yourfundamental to understanding your
research.”research.”

33. Complement potential reviewersComplement potential reviewers
The editor usually chooses reviewers fromThe editor usually chooses reviewers from
those mentioned in the introduction andthose mentioned in the introduction and
references.references.
Be generous to all authors, explain whyBe generous to all authors, explain why
their research is important for yourtheir research is important for your
analysisanalysis
This uses less than 1% of the space, butThis uses less than 1% of the space, but
significantly affects the probability ofsignificantly affects the probability of
acceptanceacceptance

34. PracticePractice
Cite researchers who like youCite researchers who like you
Include references to authors whoInclude references to authors who
like your papers. They might becomelike your papers. They might become
refereesreferees
Include references you met atInclude references you met at
conferencesconferences
Referees have to make an effort toReferees have to make an effort to
be fair to unknown authorsbe fair to unknown authors

35. Meet 100 active researchersMeet 100 active researchers
There are less than hundred people inThere are less than hundred people in
your field who are likely to be refereesyour field who are likely to be referees
Prepare a list of one hundred active peoplePrepare a list of one hundred active people
in your research areain your research area
Try to meet them within a five-year periodTry to meet them within a five-year period
Present papers at, or attend, twoPresent papers at, or attend, two
professional meetings a yearprofessional meetings a year
This is your best opportunity forThis is your best opportunity for
networkingnetworking

36. Scan journal for related articlesScan journal for related articles
Find related articles in the journal toFind related articles in the journal to
which you wish to submit your paperwhich you wish to submit your paper
Authors who published a paper onAuthors who published a paper on
your subject are likely to be refereesyour subject are likely to be referees
The editor remembers them and hasThe editor remembers them and has
a connection to thema connection to them
Cite their papers even if slightlyCite their papers even if slightly
relatedrelated
Explain how your work is relatedExplain how your work is related

37. Habit #6Habit #6
Get rejectedGet rejected
When rejected, try againWhen rejected, try again
Even Nobel Laureates get rejection letters.Even Nobel Laureates get rejection letters.
Submit the paper to another journal withinSubmit the paper to another journal within
one monthone month
You do not have to revise a paper everyYou do not have to revise a paper every
time it is rejectedtime it is rejected
If a paper is rejected 4 times, there is aIf a paper is rejected 4 times, there is a
serious flaw in the paper. Find and fix theserious flaw in the paper. Find and fix the
problem.0problem.0
Why? The same referee might get it again.Why? The same referee might get it again.

38. Emotions on rejected paperEmotions on rejected paper
1) Depression1) Depression
2) Anger at editor2) Anger at editor
3) Anger at system3) Anger at system
4) Consider changing job4) Consider changing job
5) Reviewing manuscripts and5) Reviewing manuscripts and
deciding the reviewers had pointsdeciding the reviewers had points

39. Eliminate any trace of priorEliminate any trace of prior
rejectionsrejections
Do not show when the paper wasDo not show when the paper was
first writtenfirst written
Do not show how many times theDo not show how many times the
paper has been revisedpaper has been revised
Document property checkDocument property check
Add current referencesAdd current references

40. Everyone gets rejectedEveryone gets rejected
Your options:Your options:
Abandon the article.Abandon the article.
Send the article with no changes toSend the article with no changes to
another journal.another journal.
Revise the article and send it toRevise the article and send it to
another journal.another journal.
Protest the decision and try toProtest the decision and try to
resubmit the article to the journalresubmit the article to the journal

41. Waiting for the Journal’sWaiting for the Journal’s
decisiondecision
Causes of quick rejection:Causes of quick rejection:
Back-logBack-log
Previous paper on subjectPrevious paper on subject
Editor doesn’t like topic or styleEditor doesn’t like topic or style

42. When should you start contactingWhen should you start contacting
the editor about your paper?the editor about your paper?
After three months once a monthAfter three months once a month
Four months twice a monthFour months twice a month
Six months every daySix months every day
The longer the review takes, the lessThe longer the review takes, the less
chance to publishchance to publish
Reviewers may be negativeReviewers may be negative
May have internal issues at the journalMay have internal issues at the journal
You may want to consider withdrawingYou may want to consider withdrawing
Editor’s feedback is keyEditor’s feedback is key

43. Reminder e-mail to editorReminder e-mail to editor
““I’m just e-mailing to inquire aboutI’m just e-mailing to inquire about
the status of my article titled______,the status of my article titled______,
which I submitted to your journal onwhich I submitted to your journal on
( date ).”( date ).”
Don’t get angrier over timeDon’t get angrier over time
Sometimes editors appreciate theSometimes editors appreciate the
reminderreminder

44. Do not attack refereesDo not attack referees
It is not a good idea to attack the reviewers.It is not a good idea to attack the reviewers.
– Do not say:Do not say:
– "The referee's idea is bad, but mine is"The referee's idea is bad, but mine is
good."good."
– BetterBetter
– ““The referee has an interesting idea, butThe referee has an interesting idea, but
the proposed idea is also good,the proposed idea is also good,
particularly because of this or that fact.”particularly because of this or that fact.”
– If the referee makes a good point,If the referee makes a good point,
explain why you are not doing itexplain why you are not doing it

45. Habit #7Habit #7
Writers write (and don’t always enjoy it)Writers write (and don’t always enjoy it)
Common misunderstanding thatCommon misunderstanding that
good writers enjoy writinggood writers enjoy writing
Many hate writing, but enjoy theMany hate writing, but enjoy the
resultsresults
Forced themselves into a dailyForced themselves into a daily
writing routinewriting routine

46. Building the Writing HabitBuilding the Writing Habit
The same timeThe same time
The same placeThe same place
Carry a notebookCarry a notebook
Quiet placeQuiet place
Get rid of rid of negativeGet rid of rid of negative
thoughtsthoughts
Sit alone in silenceSit alone in silence
Ideas, not grammar, for the firstIdeas, not grammar, for the first
draft. Rewritedraft. Rewrite

47. Do not read to avoid writingDo not read to avoid writing
Many use more reading to prevent writingMany use more reading to prevent writing
You can’t read every paper on a subjectYou can’t read every paper on a subject
Your goal is to write and publish a paper,Your goal is to write and publish a paper,
not to read everythingnot to read everything
If you read a dozen papers on a topic, youIf you read a dozen papers on a topic, you
should have enough material to startshould have enough material to start
writingwriting

48. Researchers are proud of the termResearchers are proud of the term
researcher and their total impactresearcher and their total impact
QuoteQuote
““I used to think that research all happenedI used to think that research all happened
in a lab. That my results were the onlyin a lab. That my results were the only
thing that mattered. I now realize that thething that mattered. I now realize that the
experiment isn’t over and the resultsexperiment isn’t over and the results
haven’t really happened until they havehaven’t really happened until they have
been shared with a wider academicbeen shared with a wider academic
community. Writing is part of research andcommunity. Writing is part of research and
I’m proud to be both a researcher andI’m proud to be both a researcher and
author because the two can’t beauthor because the two can’t be
separated.” – Computer Science Professorseparated.” – Computer Science Professor
- #77- #77

49. Conclusion: Effective ResearchersConclusion: Effective Researchers
1) Publication “Supply Chain”1) Publication “Supply Chain”
2) Sacrifice other interests2) Sacrifice other interests
3) Practice research like a golf game3) Practice research like a golf game
4) Dramatize process by creating mental4) Dramatize process by creating mental
modelsmodels
5) Use competitive, political and5) Use competitive, political and
supportive energysupportive energy
6) Get rejected6) Get rejected
7) Write, (and don’t always enjoy it)7) Write, (and don’t always enjoy it)

50. For More InformationFor More Information
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