Deciding where to submit your journal article can be a daunting task. Not all journals are created equal. Journals differ in content and, of course, in the more elusive, status within the discipline. What I will write about here is how to select and refine your submission based on the journal’s status within your discipline. Two strategies can smooth out the submission process. The first strategy illustrates one way to decide on the journal in which you want to publish. The second strategy is how to analyze the articles within that selected journal to focus your writing to that audience.
How to turn a seminar paper into a publication
The Director of Graduate Studies for your department has made noises about “the professional turn,” namely, writing for publication and not merely to demonstrate to the professor what you know. While you had a vague idea of what was meant, this is the first indication you have that you may be in the turn. What do you do now?
Your first stop is a meeting with your professor. Ask where it is likely to be publishable. And ask what else needs to be done to the paper to make it able to pass review.
5 Tips for writing a journal article abstract
When writing an abstract, consider its aim. An abstract is intended to tell the reader the basic, most important aspects of your work so that he or she can decide whether or not to read the rest of the paper.
Those five basic aspects are:
- What it is that you’re talking about (the subject matter)
- Why he/she should care (why the subject matter is important)
- What you found (or hope to find out) about the subject matter (what your research question or intention is)
- How you learned (or intend to learn) about the subject matter (the research methodology)
- What your conclusions were (when appropriate–conclusions don’t belong in the abstract of a dissertation or thesis proposal)
Q&A: Your dissertation as a journal article-Where do you submit it?
Q: “I have an idea for an article based on my dissertation, but I don’t know where to send it. How can I make a reasonable choice?”
A: Tara Gray, presenter of the Publish & Flourish: Become A Prolific Author workshop, sponsored by TAA:
“Ask your colleagues and consider the journals in your own bibliography. Then, query the journal editor by asking him or her if your manuscript fits their understanding of the journal’s mission.”
Q&A: Maximize your chances of being published: Know the journal’s style expectations
Q: “How do I find out what a journal’s style expectations are?”
A: Kären Hess, the author or co-author of more than 30 trade books and college-level textbooks on a variety of topics including financial planning, dental marketing, art, literature, engineering, hospice care, reading, management and report writing:
“Most journals publish their manuscript requirements (usually at the end of the journal). Also, read several articles from the journal(s) of interest to see what gets published.”