Getting Published in Journals: A Panel Discussion

Greetings again. I hope that all is going well.

My intensive course in research writing has now ended. This year the end of the course included something new: a panel discussion featuring several faculty members who are journal editors or editorial board members.

First the panelists, who came from varied academic fields, each stated points that they considered important for authors to remember. A question-and-answer period followed.

The panelists urged the audience members to read and follow the journal’s instructions to authors. A related point was to find out the journal’s scope, to help ensure that the journal is a suitable place for the paper being submitted.

One panelist, Dr. Noah Cohen, showed a list of 10 points for authors to remember. This list, which is adapted from material that he and editor Dr. Ken Hinchcliff presented at a conference, appears below (with permission). The list included the boldface.

1. Have a clear message.

2. Do high-quality work.

3. Target your journal.

4. Read, and follow, the guidelines for authors.

5. Write well.

6. Pay attention to detail.

7. Follow the journal’s submission processes.

8. Respond to the reviewers’/editors’ comments thoughtfully and in detail.

9. Make it easy for the reviewers and editors to find and understand your revisions or rebuttals.

10. Pay attention to the galley proofs.

Another point was to contact the editor if questions arise, for example about requests for revision. Editors want to help, the panelists emphasized.

Special thanks to the panelists for sharing their advice.

Until the next post—

Barbara