In past few days I was struggling to finalize a research paper and subsequent to finding a Journal where it can be published. Similar issues were faced while I was pursuing Masters in Environment Management and was very keen in writing about the Environmental Trends and issues. Later during my dissertation, I found that the six-month work done can be summarized into a nice research paper which I can submit for Publication to journals. I was not sure which journal can be considered for submitting paper, how it can be done and how much time it will take to get the work Published.
This article will help you to understand all the key fact about the research paper publication and in preparing a checklist or to do list before you submit the same for publication.
During higher studies almost every student gets an opportunity to work on a unique concept of their subject area and submit his finding as a project work. There are various project work and corresponding writeups are getting submitted as part of academic curriculum. At times these works later identified as subject areas for further research or helps other researchers to take reference in case they are doing similar work.
- Should I write a research Paper?
This is important question which one can think of and analyses. If you find the work what you have done in your academics is unique and others can get rightly benefited directly or indirectly then definitely yes, you should summaries your findings as a paper. Following points will further help you for decision making to move ahead or not
- Does your work is Unique or innovative?
- Does it help others for reference if they are doing similar work
- Does this paper get noticed for reading or review by others?
- Who will be audience?
If you have a justified answer for above four question, then I think you can move ahead for next important question as discussed further in this article.
- What should be type of your Write up?
It is important to understand that there are several types of writeups that is being published by Journal. Hence the work done can be understood first and then writeups needs to be summaries accordingly. Below mentioned types can be considered (There may be other types as well)
Review Paper: It includes understanding the past research work done on a subject and writing the same based on findings from various research paper. Here some latest data can be analyzed and can be compared with the findings and conclusion can be made accordingly. These papers don’t include any unique results as more or less it includes interpretation of proven results already available in other research paper.
Research Paper: Research paper is an outcome of a work done.At times it can be termed as project work why So? Do you understand definition of a Project? Project is a temporary endeavor, undertaken to create unique product services or results. In a Project the product service or result is well know before initiation. Hence the result may or may not be unique. In case the result is not unique then the paper can be summarized with the innovation in methodology adopted or any alternate or unique method of doing the similar things done in past. In case the work results in generation of any unique output then the paper can be summarized with Material and Methodology, results, conclusion etc.
- Take suggestions from Supervisor or Guide
It is very useful to get suggestions from seniors or supervisors during research work as well as while writing paper. The written paper can also be submitted with them to have a first hand review and corrections if any. It will also be helpful in deciding the types of writeups (review paper or research paper) and selection of Journal.
- Understanding the of mode of publication
It is important and key factor to get your work acknowledged. Hence selection of the same can be done carefully. There may be various journal available for your specific domain however you must understand your audience. Few of the journal types may be as below (not limited to)
- Online Journal: There are various journals which has online publication only. There audience include people who can have web access for reading online paper.
- Journal (online + Hardcopy): They have reach in masses as their target audience is online as well as students and research across the universities and other institutions
- Conference Paper: Various institution and independent authorities are arranging for International or national conference for specific domain. These proceedings include the live Presentation on work done by researchers, academicians etc and publication of their findings.
- Selection of Journal for final submission
It is the major challenging task and can be done by taking following points into consideration;
- Scope of the journal, as it should match with your domain or objective
- Performance Index of the Journal
- Indexing of the journal
- Impact Factor of the journal
******* How to do the above can be seen in next blog
- Checklists for research paper
Usually all the journal accepts the paper in their own format, however following sections are most common amongst many of them;
- Title of Paper: It must be unique in a way that, it represents the soul of your work summarized in article
- Abstract: It includes the brief summary of the work done and your results. A small and impressive writeup with appropriate selection of words can make the reader understand why the rest of the sections in paper is worth for reading.
- Key Words: It includes the iconic words used in paper which you want to highlight. It also includes the short length word which has repetitively used in paper such as GPS (global positioning system).
- Introduction: It includes the brief objective or pain area or current situation of a problem and what can be the expected approach for resolution of the same. It includes the summary of why this work has been taken for research or review.
- Methodology: It includes writeup in detail about the Material and Methodology used
- Results: This section can be summarized in detail with the results or output for the work done
- Conclusion: This section includes the meaningful work you have done with reference to similar work already done earlier
- acknowledgement: This includes the vote of thanks to people, guide, friends who helped you in this research work
- Reference: This includes the list of all research papers which has taken as a reference for the current study.
******* This section can be referred in detail in my next blog