This document provides tips for publishing research in academic journals. It discusses choosing the right journal by reviewing its scope and previous articles. Authors should follow submission guidelines closely and seek guidance from mentors when necessary. The title, abstract, methodology, and references should be chosen carefully to accurately represent the paper and meet journal standards. Statistical analysis must be valid and figures should clarify the results. Authors should view revision requests as opportunities to improve the paper and work to address reviewer feedback to achieve publication. Maintaining motivation throughout the process is important.

1. ENTER 2015 PhD Workshop Slide Number 1
Publishing in
Research Journals
Rob Law
The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong
rob.law@polyu.edu.hk
www.polyu.edu.hk/htm

2. ENTER 2015 PhD Workshop Slide Number 2
Introduction
• After the completion of a carefully planned and time
consuming research project, the next phrase involves
sharing that knowledge with the scientific community at
large.
• Maintain your sense of purpose throughout the publication
process.
• Some important points to remember when writing and
submitting manuscripts, to prevent future manuscript
rejections and minimize revisions.
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3. ENTER 2015 PhD Workshop Slide Number 3
Choose the Right Journal
• Articles of scientific merit are often rejected because they
are submitted to ill-suited journal.
• Manuscript may deal with issues outside the scope of
interest for an individual journal.
• Authors can review previous issues of the journal prior to
submitting a manuscript.
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4. ENTER 2015 PhD Workshop Slide Number 4
Choose the Right Journal
• Experienced authors will have an idea of what will or will not
be accepted by a particular journal. Less experienced
authors could [should?] seek the guidance of a mentor to
aid in making a journal selection decision.
Put an adequate amount of time and effort into
researching which journal/s to approach for publication in
order to ensure the right match.
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5. ENTER 2015 PhD Workshop Slide Number 5
Follow the Rules
• Obtain a copy of the journal’s most recently published
guidelines for authors.
• These guidelines cover journal requirements on abstract
and text limits, tables and graph instructions, and reference
styles.
• Guidelines are subject to change without notice.
• Never assume that all guidelines or journal submission
instructions are the same.
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6. ENTER 2015 PhD Workshop Slide Number 6
Follow the Rules
• Thoroughly edit the manuscript to ensure compliance.
Be careful to fulfil all journal requirements to reduce the
chance of your manuscripts being rejected for technical
reasons.
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7. ENTER 2015 PhD Workshop Slide Number 7
Play the Name Game
• Title is an important phrase in the entire manuscript. It
should be simple, concise, and uncomplicated. Not too
abbreviated which may lack vital information, limited to 15
words and phrased without the use of jargon.
• If the purpose of the article is the utilization of a specific
instrument, technique, or treatment, it should also be
included in the title.
 Be extremely diligent and thoughtful in choosing a title that will
provide appropriate clues to the subject matter to solicit interest.
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8. ENTER 2015 PhD Workshop Slide Number 8
Avoid Making the
Abstract too abstract
• Abstract is often the most read portion of the manuscript.
• A concise summary of the manuscript providing insight into
the manuscript’s key components.
 Make sure that the abstract is truly reflective of the material
contained within the article.
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9. ENTER 2015 PhD Workshop Slide Number 9
Allow Others to
Follow in Your Footsteps
• Studies should be reproducible.
• Reproducibility of scientific research provides the best
assurance that a scientific finding is valid.
• The study design, interventions, and procedures must be
distinctively transparent.
 Affirm that your methods are clearly documented so that reviewers
can verify your work and validate your findings.
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10. ENTER 2015 PhD Workshop Slide Number 10
Conquer your Statistical Difficulties
• Statistical content and complexity of research has increased
steadily over recent decades.
Be extremely diligent in reviewing all statistical or other
analyses and ensure that sound scientific methods are
utilized throughout the study.
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11. ENTER 2015 PhD Workshop Slide Number 11
Figure out all
Figures/Tables/Diagrams/Graphs
• The purpose of tables, figures, and graphs is to illustrate key
features of the methods and results of the manuscript in a
clear and concise manner.
• They summarize and clarify data and show comparisons
between/among variables, and should be designed to stand
alone.
 Include tables and/or figures in the articles that provide a substantial
format for reflection of associated data and significant statistics.
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12. ENTER 2015 PhD Workshop Slide Number 12
Respect your References
• References are of critical importance as they acknowledge
the work of other researchers and enable readers to locate
works of science if required.
• Do not depend on the accuracy of reference citations in
other published articles.
• The use of too many or too few references may become
equally problematic.
• Use updated references if applicable.
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13. ENTER 2015 PhD Workshop Slide Number 13
Respect your References
• Too many references: may reflect a broad search of
citations with flawed selection.
• Too few references: may be the result of poor search criteria
or imply “laziness” on the part of the author.
• May choose self-citation when the author’s contribution to a
particular field is innovative or unique.
 Be sure to correctly identify sources according to journal instructions
in order to meet professional standards.
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14. ENTER 2015 PhD Workshop Slide Number 14
Correct Grammar
• Tools of communication are words rather than numbers and
formulas in scientific manuscripts.
• Avoid using too many words or too few words, using the
wrong words, or using the right words in the wrong place.
• Use of too many words may produce redundancies.
 Pay special attention to the grammatical details of your manuscripts
to ensure that they are reviewed for technical merit as well as
scientific merit.
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15. ENTER 2015 PhD Workshop Slide Number 15
Revise Without Fear of Rejection
• The indication of an editor’s willingness to evaluate a
revision means that the manuscript could be publishable
after the author has satisfactorily addressed the reviewer’s
concerns.
• Requests for revisions should be viewed positively.
• Minor faults, minor inaccuracies and faulty deductions etc.
are reasons for revisions.
• Manuscripts should be revised according to reviewers’ or
editors’ comments.
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16. ENTER 2015 PhD Workshop Slide Number 16
Revise Without Fear of Rejection
 Maintain your motivation throughout the revision process in
order to gain final approval for publication. Those who
persevere will be rewarded.
 reference: Law & Chon (2007), McKercher et al. (2007), Law (2008),
Garner et al. (2012).
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17. ENTER 2015 PhD Workshop Slide Number 17
Use the Correct Tool
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18. ENTER 2015 PhD Workshop Slide Number 18
Use the Tool Correctly
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19. ENTER 2015 PhD Workshop Slide Number 19
Research is Fun
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20. ENTER 2015 PhD Workshop Slide Number 20
Thank you
Q&A
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