Preparing an article for publication is not just a stage, but an important foundation that determines how quickly your work will be reviewed and accepted by the editorial board. It is often due to inattention to details and requirements of the editorial office that authors face long deadlines for review or rejection of the manuscript. In this article, we will discuss how to prepare the material correctly to speed up the review process and increase the chances of publication.
What is peer review?
Peer review is a peer review process in which experts in a particular field of science analyse the research of their colleagues in order to check its validity, quality and scientific novelty.
The peer review procedure is initiated as soon as an article is submitted to the editorial board of a scientific journal. Independent experts proceed to analyse the work for academic integrity, reliability of research results and quality of the article.
In addition to its role as a quality control mechanism for academic journals, peer review is an invaluable source of feedback for authors. The comments and recommendations of reviewers can be used by scientists to significantly improve an article even before it is published.
How to speed up the peer review process: top 5 tips from the experts at Scientific Publications
1. Follow all the requirements of the journal
The first and most important step is to carefully study the instructions for authors on the publication's website. Each scientific journal has its own requirements for the structure of the article, its volume, tables, figures and reference list. It may also specify the recommended citation style, acceptable file formats, and rules for writing the abstract and keywords. Failure to comply with these requirements is often the reason for returning an article even without review.
2. Follow the international IMRAD format
A well-structured article is easier to read and raises fewer questions from reviewers. Most often, reputable journals included in the prestigious Scopus and WoS databases recommend following the IMRAD structure – an international standard for consistent presentation of research results. The IMRAD structure consists of four sections: introduction, methods, results, and discussion. Adherence to the IMRAD standard increases the chances of a favourable decision by reviewers and successful publication.
3. Devote sufficient time to editing
Even the most scientifically strong article can get lost amidst grammatical and stylistic errors. Read the text carefully before submitting it. It is desirable to do this more than once and, if possible, give the material to colleagues for proofreading. If you are publishing in a rating publication Scopus or Web of Science, it is better to ask for professional help from editors and translators (if your paper is not in English). It is also worth making sure that the style meets academic standards: avoid colloquialisms, vague and complex wording.
4. Check that the references and bibliography are correct
Many reviewers start reading a paper by analysing the bibliography. Make sure that all sources are up-to-date, especially if we are talking about studies of recent years. References within the text should strictly correspond to the reference list, be arranged according to the citation style specified by the journal editors (e.g. APA, MLA, Chicago, etc.) and without errors.
5. Respond promptly to reviewers' comments
Once the paper has been submitted, you may need to make revisions suggested by the reviewers. It is important to take comments not as criticism, but as an opportunity to improve your work. Responses to expert comments should be polite, structured and reasoned. It is best to prepare them in the form of a separate document with the following markup: citation of the comment – your response. Show what changes you have made to the text and where exactly. Do not ignore any comments – even if you disagree with something, argue your position. Such effective communication with reviewers speeds up the final decision.
Still have questions regarding the publication of scientific research? Experts of Scientific Publications will help you deal with all complex stages of publication – from preparation of a scientific article to its successful review. Fill out the form below – and our manager will contact you within a business day.
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