getting published in isi journal

7/24/2019 Getting Published in Isi Journal

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GETTING PUBLISHED IN AN

ISI JOURNAL

Allan B. I. Bernardo, Ph.D.

De La Salle University-Manila

Philippines


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ObjectivesTo provide a discussion of some ofthe broad and basic considerationsfor publishing in ISI journals.

Discuss the significance of publishing in ISI

journals in the context of developing researchin HEIs

Discuss how ISI journals work

Discuss the most important generalconsiderations in publishing in ISI journals

Suggest some strategies for improvingchances of publishing in ISI journals


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WHY DO WE DORESEARCH?

WHY DO WEPUBLISH OUR

REPORTS?


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Some short-term answers:because our universitypresident is requiring us

because faculty membersneed it to get promoted

because faculty membersneed it to becomepermanent

because we need it to attainuniversity status

because we need it to gethigher accreditation level


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The Three Foci of Higher

Education Institutions

TEACHING

EXTENSIONSERVICERESEARCH


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Understanding the Three Foci

TEACHINGKnowledge

Dissemination

RESEARCHKnowledgeGeneration

EXTENSIONKnowledgeApplication

KNOWLEDGE


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OK, researchseems to be

important, but

why do I haveto publish in

national andinternational

journals?


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Publication makesyour research

findings public,that is, opening to

the examinationand use by other

scholars andknowledge users.


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What makes an ISI journals?Strict refereeing process

from 2 to 4 referees for each manuscriptsubmitted

referees are from the highest levels of

publishers in the field/subfield

acceptance rate is less than 50% (some

have less than 20% acceptance rate)Articles published tend to be morehighly cited in the field


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What makes an ISI journals?There are sub-categories and levels

within the category of ISI journalsThe highest level of ISI journals typically

define the most original and importantcontributions in the field/subfield

Publishing in an ISI journal is a verygood indicator that ones research isconsidered a significant contribution to

the field/subfield.


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What types of articles are

published in ISI journals?

Articles that describe original andsignificant contributions to theresearch literature

Articles that effectively present theoriginal and significantcontributions to the researchliterature


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How do you publish an article

in an ISI journal?Do research that has original and

significant contributions to theresearch literature

Write an article that describe youroriginal and significant contributions

Write that article in a way thateffectively presents your original and

significant contributions


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What is a contribution to the

research literature?A contribution to the research literatureneeds to be defined in the context ofthe nature of the research enterprise.

A significant contribution can only beunderstood in the context of the current

research environment and the types ofresearch outputs that are being orconsidered within.


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A Proposed MetaphorResearch isConversation

research is argumentation

basic idea, is that a group

of people are taking turns

in advancing ideas relatingto a particular question or

inquiry

S i l Di i f


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Social Dimensions of

Conversationconversation is a social activity

there are other participants inthe conversation

participants have a relativelycommon goal/purpose in

conversation; purpose might

change as conversation

progresses

S i l Di i f


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Social Dimensions of

Conversationparticipants collectively decide the norms

and standards of the conversation participants collectively decide which

arguments/assertions are pursued

(expanded, refuted, clarified, etc.)

participants collectively decide how to

assess and/or accept the arguments orassertions

participants also decide who can participate

or not in the conversation


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Contributing to a ConversationConversations rarelyConversations rarely

start from scratchstart from scratchThe first contributions toThe first contributions toa conversation typicallya conversation typically

draw from previous ordraw from previous orexisting conversationsexisting conversations

Interesting and importantInteresting and important

conversations maybeconversations maybethose that seem to posethose that seem to posean original line of inquiryan original line of inquiry

Si ifi t C t ib ti t


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Significant Contributions to a

Conversationnew argument

or conjecturenew definition

clarificationillustration orexemplar

elaboration

refutation or

rebuttal

rephrasing of question

recasting of questionevaluation of an earlier

assertionnew or alternativeinterpretation

supportive evidence

contrary evidence

others

Si ifi t C t ib ti t


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Significant Contributions to a

ConversationSignificant contributions

push the conversationforward or towards some

positive direction

always involve building on theprevious contributions

The degree of importance of the

contribution depends on the

degree to which the

contribution advances theconversation.

Insignificant or Bad


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Insignificant or Bad

Contributions to a Conversationsaying something obvious

saying something people already knowrepeating something that has already been said

saying irrelevant, off-track, or even misleading

things

inappropriate response to other contributions

indiscriminately disagreeing or agreeing witheverything

talking about something no one cares aboutoverreaching in arguments (without evidence)


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THEORY

DATA

METHODS

?

The Role of Theory in


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The Role of Theory in

ConversationPerspective or point-of-view

may be explicit or implicit

Prior? or Emergent?

Some dimensions of

perspective evolve or

change as conversationdevelops, but some aspects

are inflexible.

The Role of Data in


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The Role of Data in

ConversationEvidence: supportive,

clarificatory, illustrative, orcontradictory

What makes data useful inconversations?

Credibility? Reliability?

Validity? Relevance?Replicability?

Representativeness?

Th R l f D t G th i


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The Role of Data-Gathering

and Data-Analytic MethodsQuality of data: relevance?representativeness?accuracy? verifiability?completeness?

Quality of analysis: logic ininference; rationality;persuasiveness; vividness;emotional appeals;usefulness, practical,

political & ethicaldimensions


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Applying the metaphorTrying to publish in an ISI journal

is like trying to be included in avery important and exclusive

conversation, and trying tocontribute meaningfully to that

conversationSo, do you really have something toSo, do you really have something to

contribute?contribute?

P bli hi i ISI J l


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Publishing in ISI Journal:

The First Question

IS MY RESEARCH WORTHPUBLISHING or

IS MY RESEARCH REPORTDESCRIBING AN ORIGINAL ANDSIGNIFICANT CONTRIBUTION TOTHE RESEARCH LITERATURE INMY FIELD/SUBFIELD?

Thinking about ones


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Thinking about one s

contribution(s)?Most scholars in my field/subfield now

think/say that ___________________________________________________.

My research shows that ___________________________________________.

Other scholars should appreciate myresearch because _________________

_______________________________.

Realizing what you have to


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contributeIt is important that you find somethingin your research that some group ofother scholars will find interesting.

You need to know the breadth and

depth of existing research literature

You need to consider the diversity

within the community of researchers inyour field/subfield.

Even small contributions will havespace in the research conversation.



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contributeBe clear about what contributions you

will highlight in the manuscript.Your contributions may not be thesame as you had planned in your

research proposal.Your research question/problem should

match your contributions.Be very clear about what yourcontributions are in relation to what

the present literature is stating.


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Most scholars in my field/subfield now

think/say that ___________________________________________________.

My research shows that ___________________________________________.

Other scholars should appreciate myresearch because _________________

_______________________________.


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Considering ones optionsIf you cannot think of good answers to

the last two items, dont even think aboutpublishing in an ISI journal.

If you have answers to the two items, butthey do not seem to be very compelling,you should consider a lower-end ISI

journal or non-ISI refereed journal.If you have very strong answers to the

last two items, GO!


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Choosing the JournalTry to know as much as the journal as

possible (editorial policy, types ofarticles published, audience, etc.)

Make sure the you choose a journalthat fits the scope and nature of yourresearch

The way you prepare the manuscriptshould be appropriate to the journal

you will submit to


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Organizing the ManuscriptKeep in mind what your contribution is.

Know the audience you are writing for;think of the journal you are writing for.

To key principles in preparing your report:

clarity and accuracy.The two principles are important because

your readers will be assessing whetherthey will believe what you are writing. Sodont be vague, obscure, or intentionally

misleading.


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Thesis format vs Journal formatThe thesis/dissertation format was

designed for pedagogical purposes.The journal format was designed forresearch conversations.

Do not make the mistake of simply andmindlessly transplanting the parts of

your thesis to your journal manuscript.

Journal editors and reviewers will easily

see that you are an amateur.


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Writing the introductory sectionsStart with the big picture; talk about

something that readers will understand inconcrete terms.

Begin limiting the problem, gradually

focusing on your topic.In gradually focusing on your topic, you

should already be discussing thesignificance of your topic.

State your research problem in broad

terms; if possible, in one question.


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Writing the introductory sectionsDiscuss what other researchers have said

in relation to the problem.This review of literature should not beenumerative & need not be

comprehensive. It should be selective butrepresentative, and presented in a waythat coherently describes the currentresearch context in which you want tomake a contribution.

In the review, be explicit about how youdefine & use important terms or concepts.


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Writing the introductory sectionsIf appropriate, your review should clearly

state your theoretical premises.End the section with a brief but detailedarticulation of your research problem,variables, (& if appropriate, hypotheses),being explicit about how it relates to the

existing literature.Note the funnel-shape structure of

introduction section


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Writing the methods sectionsThis section should be very detailed and

accurate, without being too detailed.Detail should be sufficient to allowreaders to adequately assess the

sufficiency of the methods.Refer to similar types of articles that havebeen published in terms of how toorganize this section.

Try writing this section following a clear

and linear narrative style.


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Writing the results sectionPreface the presentation of results with a

reminder of the research questions, and ifappropriate, the hypothesis.

Organize the results in ways the clearlyallow the readers to see the answers tothe research questions.

Provide the conceptual answers toquestions before giving the details of the

results and analysis.


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Writing the results sectionUse the conventional forms of reporting

data (e.g., tables, figures, statisticalanalysis); if necessary refer to publishedpapers in your intended journal.

Do not be redundant in data presentation;choose the most effective way of

presenting your data.When describing large data sets, provide

summaries after subsections.


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Writing the discussion sectionBefore embarking on discussion:

very briefly summarize your findings,highlighting how your findings relate toexisting literature.

state possible caveats in your conclusionsbrought about by limitations of the study.

Start discussing your findings: discuss

similarities differences with otherresearch, theoretical and/or practicalimplications, educated speculations, etc.


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Writing the discussion sectionBe careful not to overreach with your

discussion and conclusions.Do not end with future research orlimitations.

End with a bang. Make sure your readersfeel they got something from your report.

Note reversed funnel-shape structure ofdiscussion section.

Note hourglass structure of report.


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Some reminders on writingBe very strict in following all prescriptionsof the journal editors (e.g., citations,headings, tables, figures, etc.)

You conversational academic style of

language. Avoid being abstruse and tooformal (e.g., use of third person).

Use repeated and parallel construction.

Use active voice unless the contentdictates otherwise. Avoid self-references.


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Some reminders on writingBe meticulous in all the details.

Be concise. Make sure every word isabsolutely necessary.

Dont be offensive. Avoid bias (i.e.,gender, stereotyping, prejudice, etc.)

Avoid jargon. If you need to, define itfirst in concrete terms & use an example.

Proofread.


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Important reminders on writingThink of your reader -- one who is fairly

intelligent, with enough background inthe field, but is not a specialist.

Write as if you are teaching your reader.

Revise

Revise

Revise

Revise


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The review processSubmit the manuscript following all the

guidelines stated in journal.You will get acknowledgement andinformation about the process

length of review period

name of action editor (?)

number of referees (?)

Then wait!


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The review processWhen you get reviews, the action editor

gives you his/her comments, the refereescomments, & the action editors decision.

The decision will be one of the following:

Accepted without revisions

Accepted with minor revisions (indicated)

Rejected but encouraged to resubmitwith revisions

Rejected no revision will be accepted


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How to respond to reviews:Whatever the decision, read thereviewers comments carefully, andprocess the comments.

If the reviewers comments indicate that

they did not understand you correctly,dont blame them Its your fault!

Dont take negative comments personally.Take these as feedback that would behelpful in improving your work.


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How to respond to reviews:If you have the option to resubmit,consider whether you want to reviseaccording to the reviewers suggestions.

Remember, you dont have to follow all

the reviewers suggestions.But you should pay attention to thosereviewers comments that are highlightedby the action editor.

You need to think about how far you are

willing to depart from your original work.


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How to respond to reviews:If your are submitting a revision, youshould work on it immediately.

When resubmitting, include a cover letterenumerating your responses to the

comments (detailing your revisions andspecifying why you did not follow somesuggestions made by reviewers)

Editors may send out your revision forpeer-review again. If so, you will have to

wait again.


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How to respond to reviews:Editors may decide to review your revision

on their own.Editors will make a decision on yourrevision; same options as with firstsubmission.

The cycle continues until the editor

pronounces that your paper is finallyaccepted or finally rejected.


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How to respond to reviews:If your work is rejected, or you think you

could not adequately assess the reviews,you have the following options:

Resubmit same paper to another journal

Revise or reconfigure the paper and submitto another journal

Conduct further studies/analysis and submitto same or another journal

Publish in a catch-all journal


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Closing suggestionsRead and model the articles published

in ISI journals.Be courageous and be willing to stickyour neck out.

Set high expectations of yourself, workhard and always try to do your best.

Dont ever take the negative outcomespersonally.

Never give up. Because we can all do it.


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GOOD LUCK!

GETTING PUBLISHED IN ANISI JOURNAL

Allan B. I. Bernardo, Ph.D.

[email protected]

getting published in isi journal

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