Publishing Research Papers

Submitted to: Submitted by:Prof. Sujata Sanghi Vikram Singh

Dept. of Applied Physics Optical Engg GJUS&T, Hisar

160782001

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

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

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

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.

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 investigation2. Describe the methods used3. Summarize the results, and 4. State the principal conclusions

• 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.

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?

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.

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.

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.

Methods of Presenting the Data

The data should be presented :

1. Directly in the text2. In a table3. 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

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

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.

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

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.

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 ?

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

topic were published.

Identifying the Audience

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Thank You