Recommendations for Submitting an Article to a Scientific Journal

by Nicolas Sacchetti

On September 14th, doctoral students, as well as early-career researchers who are members of 4POINT0, participated in a day of hybrid workshops organized at Polytechnique Montréal. The main aim of this event was career development. Here are some insights gleaned from the day.

Nicholas S. Vonortas is a part of the editorial and article selection team for the Science and Public Policy journal from the Oxford University Press. During this professional development day, he offered advice on how to submit an article to a scientific journal.

From the outset, Professor Vonortas advises choosing a journal that publishes internationally and specifies that the publication language for a scientific article should be English. This is due to the fact that internationally published articles tend to be seen and cited by a larger audience, aiding the recognition of the research work.

He also underscores the importance of considering both publication paths – academic journals and practitioner-oriented articles – to build a versatile academic profile.

Academic Journals

Academic journals have stringent standards, demanding solid theoretical and empirical contributions from authors. However, one should expect a longer publication process when opting for these journals.

Practitioner-Oriented Articles

Alternatively, practitioner-oriented articles focus on clear and valuable implications for both managers and scholars. They offer a quicker path to publication, although usually with a lower impact factor.

Regarding rejections, Nicholas S. Vonortas also discussed the inevitability of facing denials in the academic publishing world. He points out that they are not a reflection of an individual's skills or capability. Instead of getting disheartened, it's vital to understand that every researcher, regardless of their experience level, encounters rejections.

Direct Rejections

If an article is outright rejected, meaning declined without peer review, Professor Vonortas suggests politely inquiring about the reason if it hasn’t been provided. Such feedback can be invaluable for resubmitting or making adjustments.

Quality and Quantity

While the quality of research is paramount, he emphasizes that striking a balance between quality and quantity is vital in the academic publishing landscape.

Analytical Articles

He notes a growing trend in scientific publications towards analytical articles. These are based on data analysis, facts, logic, or other forms of systematic exploration, as opposed to purely descriptive articles.

Nicholas S. Vonortas is also a Professor of Economics and International Affairs at George Washington University. He highlights the importance of combining theory and empirical analysis in research. Theory provides a conceptual framework for understanding a phenomenon, while empirical analysis delves into the phenomenon through real observation and experimentation. Together, they enhance the robustness and relevance of a study.

Submission Guide

Reiterating the importance of adhering to guidelines, Professor Vonortas stressed the need to thoroughly read the journal's submission guide. This ensures your article meets the journal's formatting and structural requirements.

As mentioned in the Manuscript Preparation Instructions of the Science and Public Policy journal: "Editors reserve the right to return manuscripts that do not adhere to these instructions." The professor notes that several articles are rejected by the selection committee because they fail to comply with submission instructions.

He then delves into the formal schema on which the article should be constructed.

Formal Schema

Each section has its significance, and this is how Professor Vonortas suggests tackling them:

Abstract
Introduction (paragraph by paragraph)
Lit Review and Hypotheses
Analysis
Discussion
Conclusion

When drafting a scientific article, it's crucial to adhere to a clear and precise structure to maximize impact and facilitate comprehension by readers, reviewers, and editors. Professor Vonortas recommends the following formal schema, enriched with his specific advice:

Abstract

First impressions are critical. If the abstract is deemed unsatisfactory, the introduction might never be read. Hence, drafting a compelling and concise abstract is essential.

Introduction

Start by clearly introducing the topic and the central research question.
In the second paragraph, discuss previous work on the subject and identify what hasn’t been addressed yet or what your research adds.
In the third paragraph, detail your methodology. Present main findings and highlight their implications, particularly in policy matters.
Lastly, guide the reader on what to expect from subsequent sections of the paper. Remember, you're the expert. Demonstrate your research's relevance and avoid mere knowledge display.

Literature Review and Hypotheses

It's vital to detail previous works and pinpoint the gap that the current research fills.

Analysis

This section wasn’t elaborated upon in the notes, but it should display data, methodologies, and results in a clear and structured manner.

Discussion

According to Nicholas S. Vonortas, this is one of the most crucial sections for reviewers and the editor. It should address the implications, limitations, and relevance of the obtained results. The selection committee tends to read papers inconsistently, prioritizing the abstract, introduction, discussion, and conclusion before considering the analysis and literature review.

Conclusion

Summarize the key points of your research, its implications, and potential future directions or further studies to undertake.

Nicholas S. Vonortas also emphasizes the importance of clarity in writing. He advises favoring short sentences. Rejecting an article isn't always based on its intrinsic research quality but often on the author's ability to articulate their ideas clearly. For those yet to gain recognition in their field, collaborating with established individuals might be beneficial.

By following these recommendations, you should enhance your chances of having your work acknowledged and published, thus contributing to the progress of scientific knowledge and society.

This content has been updated on 2023-11-15 at 16 h 46 min.