PPT describing in detail how to write publishable manuscript in Scientific Citation Index journals.

1. PUBLISHING A SCIENCE CITATION
INDEX PAPER ?
Maximizing your chances to get your
manuscript rapidly accepted.
Ayugi Brian
Email: Ayugi.o@gmail.com

2. My Credentials
First author in 4 SCI papers during the period 2018-2019, with 2 under
peer review.
Co-authored 3 SCI papers during the same period, with many
undergoing review process.
Editorial board member (Reviewer) in a number of Journals.
 Over 7 years of University teaching and research Experience

3. OVERVIEW ABOUT PUBLICATIONS
3
2
1
CHOOSING A RESEACHABLE TOPIC
Content
PREPARING FOR PUBLICATION

4. FUNDAMENTAL QUESTIONS?
Core Questions in to think about before Publishing a paper:
• Why Publication?
• What to publish?
• When to Publish
• Where to Publish?
• How to write a publishable article?
• Core tips of Do’s
• Core tips of Don'ts,
• Take away notes
Other points

5. WHY; WHAT; WHEN; WHERE; &
HOW

6. WHY PUBLISH
2. Sharing knowledge
1. Disseminate new scientific ideas and information
3. Feedback in shaping ideas
4. Career advancement: e.g Invitation 2 talks, conferences,
writing chapters in books, Entire book etc
5. Promotion
You and I have 2 options: We either publish or perish

7. WHY PUBLISH IN A SCIENTIFIC
JOURNAL
•an internationally accepted method of
communication among scientists
•provides some degree of quality assurance for users
•important feedback from reviewers, readers
•writing up work enhances scientific rigour

8. Data that have not been published do not exist!
If you do not publish your data, you might as
well not do the experiments/Analysis.
Published data can make a lasting impression, like the Great
Wall in China.

9. WHAT TO PUBLISH
 Reports
 Theses or dissertations
 Journal articles
 Books & book chapters
 Technical manuals/users guides
 Research or grant proposals
 Slide presentations
 Posters
FORMS OF SCIENTIFIC
COMMUNICATION

10. WHAT TO PUBLISH
• Full-length articles are about 4000 - 5,000 words: a series of
experiments/data analysis making a coherent story and/or Review
articles
• Short notes are about 200 words; also referred as technical note
• General rule: it is better to publish one solid paper than to split it into
two or three short notes
• Articles in books and reports are less prestigious: publish your
primary data in international journals

11. WHEN TO PUBLISH
1. Undergraduate studies
4. Post doctoral studies
2. Masters Level
3.P.hD Level
5. At all times when U have an Idea worth publishing
Publish relevant information

12. WHERE TO PUBLISH-WHO IS THE AUDIENCE?
• your objective in publishing
• scientific paper vs. letter vs. technical report
• “quality” of the journal (vs. the paper)
• editorial policy of journal, types of papers
• accessibility of journal to target audience
• quality of the final product
• speed of refereeing and publishing****
• rigour of refereeing and journal standards
Key points to Consider:

13. WHERE TO PUBLISH-WHO IS THE AUDIENCE?
• Carefully select the right journal
• From which journals do you cite papers in your reference list?
• Which journals publish on a similar topic?
• Final decision
• Prestige (“impact factor”): IF is a rough indicator for the quality of
Journal
• Time to publish (check time between submission of the manuscript and
publication)****
• Publication Fee

14. WHERE TO PUBLISH
SCI; SCIE; IEEE; AIEE; CSCD; CSSCI; SSCI; EI;
ISTP; IEE; IRE…….etc
Sites:

15.  Professional publishers
– Elsevier
– Pergamon Press
– Springer Verlag
– J Wiley & Sons
– Kluwer Academic Publishing
– Blackwell
– Taylor & Francis
– Academic Press
– Hindiwi
Professional Societies
 American Meteorologcal Society (AMS)
 American Geophysical Union (AGU)
 Journal of Medical Society (JMS)/Japan Meteorological Society (JMS)
Journals & Publishers
http://mjl.clarivate.com/cgi-bin/jrnlst/jlresults.cgi
Sources for possible SCI Journals

16. HOW TO WRITE A PAPER

17. No one has an idea on HOW to write a scientific paper.
Where can I begin from?
How can I conceive an idea that can be published.
What are the Do’s and Donts’ in research approach
Our hypothesis
HOW TO BEGIN RESEARCH
KEY QUESTIONS

18. HOW TO WRITE A PAPER
“There are three necessary steps in useful research;
the first to begin it, the second to end it and the third
to publish it.”
Michael Faraday

20. TARGET GOALS:
By the end of this 2nd session, we should be able to:
Generate ideas that will help in identification of the choice for
suitable research topic;
Identify the attributes of a good research topic;

21. GETTING STARTED: OVERVIEW OF THE RESEARCH
PROCESS
Conceptualizing the idea –
what is the question?
Study site?
 What is known on the
subject? >> reading
Refining & writing down
the idea – specific aims,
concept note

22. TAKING A CLOSER LOOK………….

23. CONCEPTUALIZING RESEARCH TOPIC(s)…
Capability: is it feasible?
• Are you fascinated by the topic?
• Do you have the necessary research skills?
• Can you complete the project in the time
available?
• Will the research still be current when you
finish?
• Do you have sufficient financial and other
resources?
• Will you be able to gain access to data?

24. CONCEPTUALIZING RESEARCH TOPIC(s)…
Appropriateness: is it worthwhile?
• Will the NUIST standards be met for degree award?
• Does the topic contain issues with clear links to
theory?
• Are the research questions and objectives clearly
stated?
• Will the proposed research provide fresh insights into
the topic?
• Are the findings likely to be symmetrical?
• Does the research topic match your career goals?

25. FINDING A GREAT IDEA
•The 3 Cs:
•Curiosity to investigate and question
situations
•Critical thinking skills to refine your
curiosity into a clearly stated idea
•Courage to have “bad ideas”

26. FINDING A GREAT IDEA
Sources of literature
• Published manuscripts
• Review articles
• Abstracts
• Conference proceedings
• Expert consultations

27. WHERE TO START?
• Systematic Reviews
• Content Analysis Report
• Citation Analysis Reports
• Meta-Analysis Reports
• Key Concepts sections
• State of the Art paper
1. SIMPLE APPROACHES TO FINDING
GAP/TOPICS

28. WHERE TO START?
• Essential Science Indicator
• Google trends
• Related Searches based on google trends
• Social Mention, Springer, Google Ads and
BoardReader
• Key Concepts sections
2. SOPHISTICATED APPROACHES; focus on one
tool

29. WHERE TO START?
• Read, read, read
• Detailed literature searches
• Attend seminars, conferences and presentations
• Discuss subject area with peers and seniors
• Listen
• Ask questions
• Write down your initial thoughts about the topic

30. REFINING RESEARCH TOPICS
• Discuss with fellow researchers
• Discuss with stakeholders
• Assess what is most critical to learn
• Assess research resources available

31. FINALLLY: QUESTIONS TO ASK YOURSELF
Is this a good idea?
1. Has it been done?
2. Who cares?/ So what?
3. Can it be addressed using appropriate research methods?
4. Will it stimulate interest by others
5. Can you describe, Compare, Associate, Analyze, Apply it and Argue for and against it?

32. SUMMARY GUIDE TO FINDING SUITABLE TOPIC
KEEP THEM SIMPLE
• S – specific
• I -- immediate (why do this project now?)
• M -- measurable (what data will you gather?)
• P -- practical (realistic/feasible?)
• L -- logical (build to achieving goal)
• E -- evaluable (significance, how assess impact?)

33. PARTS OF SCIENTIFIC
PUBLICATION

34. CLASSICAL STRUCTURE OF SCIENTIFIC PAPER
Lindsay, D. (1984) A guide to scientific writing. Longman, Cheshire.
• Title
• Abstract
• (graphical abstract, highlights)
• Introduction
• Geological setting / Previous work
• Methods
• Results
• Discussion
• Conclusions
• Acknowledgments
• References
• Figure and table captions
• Supplementary data (etc.)

35. SECTION ONE: CONTENT OF RESEARCH
JOURNAL
TITLE
 Precise. Not more than 18-20 words
 Relevant to the contents presented. i.e should cover the main aims and/or message
 Eye catching and motivating to read
 Word count depends on the journal: Not too brief, not too long
May be written last
Title: Head of your paper. Think and think again

36. SECTION ONE: CONTENT OF RESEARCH
JOURNAL
AUTHORS & AFFLIATION
 Gives names institutions and organizations concerning authors
 Includes authors names and contacts (mail, phone number etc)
Affiliation: Helps the readers to contact you incase of need. Be accurate
 Never add an author, if this person has not had a chance to read the MS
 Make sure that all authors have a chance to read your MS before submission

37. WHAT I S ORDER OF THE AUTHORS OF YOUR
PAPER?
• The person who did the work and wrote the manuscript should be first
(=senior) author
• Corresponding author is the one that will be the contact for the journal
and correspondence that may follow after publication
• That may be the group leader
• Senior author and corresponding author can be the same
• The research-team leader appears as the last author

38. ABSTRACT
 Crucial: Summarizes paper
 Specific contents of an abstract depends on individual author & area of research
 An ideal abstract may include:
Background
Problem statement
Methodology
Summary of main results
Significance of the work
Future prospects
 Limited to about less than or equal 300 words in most journals
Reader: Always have a ‘global’ reader when drafting your manuscript

39. KEYWORDS
• Choose a limited number of keywords that adequately cover your
research
• Do not use words that already appear in the title
• Think of words that you would look for when doing a literature search
• Arrange alphabetically
• Limit to 5-7 recurrent words in your paper
Keywords will make your paper easily accessible or not. Choose wisely

40. CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION
All paragraphs of the introduction should connect well
 Specific contents of an introduction depends on individual author & area of research
Typical introduction may include:
Background
Literature
Problem statement
Research question
The limitations/scope of the study
 Main aim & Specific objectives
Overview of other chapters
 Limited to not more than 4 double spaced pages

41. A BIT MORE ABOUT THE INTRODUCTION
• Explain why you did your research
• The fact that nobody has done it before is not a good reason
• Your study may follow logically from previous work
• Your project may have been inspired by a practical problem
• Give the aims of your research and a good hypothesis.
• A good hypothesis is one that can be tested, but it doesn’t need to be
correct

42. CHAPTER 2: STUDY AREA, DATA & METHODOLOGY
The question as to how this is effectively written depends on specific field of research
An Ideal methodology will contain either one or all of the following:
2.1- Study Area
Overview of the domain of research as a guide to a global reader
Outline brief information related to the research topic
Could use a diagram adopted ,Google Earth maps or self drawn Figures
Chapter 2 section : Use this part to answer the HOW
STUDY AREA

43. CHAPTER 2: STUDY AREA, DATA & METHODOLOGY
Chapter 2 section : Use this part to answer the HOW
DATA
2.2- Data
Outlines which data was used, from where and why it was chosen
May include data from field surveys/ lab works/ world Bank/modeling
&simulations/ground-based re-analyzed of remotely sensed data.
For Geo-Science give finer details including the duration & data resolution
Be brief and guide the reader for further reading by providing useful citations
and/or links

44. CHAPTER 2: STUDY AREA, DATA & METHODOLOGY
METHODS
2. 3- Technique/Tools/Statistical metrics
State which tools/technique/Statistical metrics was/were used for what and why it
was chosen/preferred.
Could include precise information related to the technique/tool/metrics
…………. In this work, linear regression analysis previously used by aaa et al., 2014 and bbb et al, 2016
was used to xxxxxxxxxxx. The technique which basically does yyyyyyyyyyy was preferred since it
zzzzzzzzzzzzz.
……….. Taylor diagram (Taylor, 2001) was used to asses the similarities/ dissimilarities btw A and B.
Briefly describe the Taylor diagram: In this diagram, the std is rep by xxx, correlation by yyyy and MAE by
zzzz
Statistical metrics: Could give some mathematical formulas and a brief explanation
Example
As to whether to include and to what extend depends on necessity, field of research, level of author or journal requirements

45. SUMMARY POINTS FOR CHAPTER 2
• Include all relevant details
• Check your chosen journal for “how it is done”
• Do not use “modified after”, but describe the modifications
• Describe so that someone else can repeat your experiments
• Be precise
• “Room temperature” is not an accurate description

46. CHAPTER 3: RESULTS & DISCUSSIONS
Main part of the paper
May be written as continuous or in parts
Ensure excellent connections between parts/ subtitles
Scientific facts related to the research topic need to be well explained
Use Tables/ Figures/ Programs to illustrate the topic
The tables/ Figures ought be well introduced
Focus on your results, but occasionally if need be compare your findings with previously
published work
Results: Explain more using few words regarding the research topic

47. MORE DETAILS ABOUT RESULTS &
DISCUSSIONS• Arrange your data in figures and tables
• Are the data best presented as figures or as tables?
• Decide which figure/table comes first then the order of all other
figures/tables
• Make a structure for your Results
• Decide what you wish to describe
• Then make a structure for each section
• Decide what you wish to describe in each section
• Then start writing

48. MORE DETAILS ABOUT RESULTS &
DISCUSSIONS
• Describe what is shown
• Do not discuss what is shown
• Explain abbreviations, if you use any in figures or table
• Even when you use the same abbreviations throughout text
• WUE = water-use efficiency
• Explain errors bars: SE or SD; add n (number of observations)
• Explain meaning of statistical information
• *, **, ***
ALL FIGURES & TABLES REQUIRE APPROPRIATE LEGENGS

49. MORE DETAILS ABOUT RESULTS &
DISCUSSIONSTHE RESULTS
• Figure 1
• Describe what it shows
• Number figures in order of appearance in the text
• Table 1
• Describe what it shows
• Lead the reader through your data
• From one Figure (Table) to the next
• Arrange a logical flow from section to section

50. MORE DETAILS ABOUT RESULTS &
DISCUSSIONSTHE DISCUSSION SECTION
• Make a structure for your Discussion
• Decide what you wish to discuss
• Design the sections in the Discussion
• Then make a structure for each section
• Decide what you wish to describe in each section
• Place your results in a wider context
• Compare your results with those in the literature
• Then start writing
• Finish with a paragraph in which you tell the reader what are the main points
(“take-home-message”)

51. MORE DETAILS ABOUT RESULTS &
DISCUSSIONSTHE DISCUSSION SECTION
• The order in the Discussion may differ from that in Results
• Figure 1, Table 1, etc.
• Explain what they show and why your work is important and
exciting
• Place your results in a wider context and ensure that readers get excited
• How do your data compare with those in the literature?
• Finish with the “take-home-message”

52. CHAPTER 4: CONCLUSION
Summary of the paper
Give a reflection of the topic, the methods and the main results
Give a reflection of the topic, the methods and the main results
Relax &Write: Avoid copy/pasting some parts of the paper
Conclusion: Relax and reflect all the manuscript entails

53. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Not a section of a paper but highly recommended
Who?
Sponsors, Key institutions, Data sources, Software developers, Individual persons (rare)
Make it very brief
Acknowledgments: You cant make it a lone.

54. DECLARATION OF CONFLICT OF INTREST
Required in some journals
How?
Example
The authors declare that there is no conflict of interest on the publication of this work
No organization, Institution or individuals are opposed to the publication

55. LIST OF REFERENCES/BIBLIOGRAPHY
Key part of the paper
This is where literature used is cited
Cite journals used, books used, links used etc
Check the journal requirements on how to cite
Give full details related to citations
Use modern tools of citations as outlined by previous speaker
Cite all references mentioned in the manuscript and
Do not cite anything not in the text
List all the Literature used in your research

56. TENSES IN JOURNAL/THESIS
ABSTRACT
Present tense: is used for highlighting the gaps in your research area, the aim and the
objective of the article and the application
Past tense: is used for highlighting the important methodology and expressing the
executive summary of your results. Achievements can also be expressed in the past
tense.
INTRODUCTION
Present tense: is used for known facts and truths and usually followed by the
appropriate reference.
Past tense: is used for describing work or experiments that have been conducted and
the results of these work

57. TENSES IN JOURNAL/THESIS
INTRODUCTION CONT’….
The active voice: is useful when you discussing previous research and then you
introduce your own hypothesis. (Advisable to avoid the use of pronoun “I” or “we”
Passive tense: is not preferable for introduction but in some sentences, passive voice
can be perfectly acceptable.
METHODOLOGY
Present tense: is used to describe what is normally done or to describe a standard
procedure
Past tense: is used to describe what you did yourself.

58. TENSES IN JOURNAL/THESIS
RESULTS& DISCUSSION
Present tense: is used to present the diagram, figs, tables, and images. Also used to
explain the significance of the results
Past tense: is used to detail the results obtained. You may use past tense to
summarize your findings in combination with present tense to interprate or explain the
results
CONCLUSION
Past tense: is used to summarize the main findings, the major implications of the
study and the limitations of the work.
Future tense: is used to offer suggestions for the future work.

59. FINALLY, A FEW COMMENTS ON LANGUAGE &
STRUCTURE OF SENTENCES & PARAGRAPHS
FEW HINTS
• Avoid complicated sentences
• Do not use words that you think you understand, but have not really
checked carefully
• Too easy to do when using your computer program, without
checking in a dictionary
• Do not make sentences that are too long
• Use a spelling checker, and use either UK English, or US English, but
not a mixture of both

60. FINALLY, A FEW COMMENTS ON LANGUAGE &
STRUCTURE OF SENTENCES & PARAGRAPHS
THE STRUCTURE OF A PARAGRAPH
• Text is organised in paragraphs
• Paragraphs have a distinct structure
• They are not arranged so as to have a certain number of sentences or
lines
• Paragraphs deal with one topic
• Paragraphs begin with a sentence that “sets the scene”
• An introduction to what the paragraph is about
• Paragraphs finish with a conclusion
• A sentence that refers back to the first sentence

61. 3 PREPARING FOR PUBLICATIONS

63. GET YOUR MANUSCRIPT PUBLISHED
The manuscript you have written in above section is raw/draft 0
Make a copy and name it draft 1. Check 4 the following
Plagiarism
Typos
 Violation of language grammar
 Use of journal language
Accuracy of the information presented
Check offending language: 2 individuals, reader, institutions etc
Again make subsequent copies and do the following:
Avoid obvious mistakes in your manuscript

64. THREE REVIEWS??
Read your manuscript
How?
Word by word
Line by line
Sentence by sentence
Paragraph by paragraph
Entire ms
Verify Figures & Tables
Read until it satisfies you
You know a lot regarding your manuscript. You are in a better position to make all corrections
1. SELF REVIEW

65. THREE REVIEWS??
2. FRIENDS REVIEW
Ask one or two friends to proof. Start with all the co-authors. Get
senior friends who are familiar with the field of your study.
One or two persons to proofread
Don’t blindly accept his/her suggestions. Evaluate first
Implement his/her important suggestions and read again
If you are a student give to your Professor the final draft after
all peer review.
Read again after implementing Friends review
Get feedback from other researches

66. THREE REVIEWS??
3. PEER REVIEW
MANUSCRIPT SUBMISSION PROCESS
Built a consensus with co-authors on readiness 4 submission and
journal to submit
Get journal requirements and adjust your manuscript to suit the taste
of the journal
Register to get log details
Draft the letter to the Editor –in-Chief highlighting: significance
(why?), Novelty and Relevance to the journal.
Follow the submission process & submit.
Do not submit your manuscript in multiple journals simultaneously. You may attract harsh penalty of being blacklisted

67. What will the Editor-in-Chief do?
Give u automatic massage acknowledging the receipt of your ms same
will be copied to co-authors
Will contact you for further details if need be.
MANUSCRIPT WITH EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Will assess the suitability of your paper and he/she may
☻Ask some adjustments
☻Accept and let proceed for review (not publication)
☻Reject your paper and deny you the chance of publication in his/her
esteemed journal
Preliminary assessment done by Editor-in-Chief

68. MANUSCRIPT WITH EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
☻Editor Rejects your paper?
Of course
If you don’t submit your paper, it will never be rejected
Accept either way
Why would your manuscript be rejected by Editor-in-Chief??
Inaccurate/False/Dangerous information
Subject outside the scope of the journal
Limited analysis
Poorly constructed manuscript
If your paper is rejected by Editor-in-Chief, take it as positive critic geared towards improving its quality. Thank his/her
REJECTED MANUSCRIPT?

69. MANUSCRIPT WITH EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
☻Accept and lets MS. proceed for review (not publication)
Peer review process is professional/voluntary and may take several
months. Be patient
Occasionally check for status and if need be inquire from the Editor-
in-Chief
The anonymous peer reviewers will read entire ms & write detailed
report regarding the suitability/non-suitability of your ms which will
form the basis for the Editor-in-Chief to make judgment
Report made by reviewers regarding your manuscript by reviewers is crucial

70. Accept your manuscript for publication without any
corrections: Rare/Not possible
Accept your manuscript with minor corrections
Accept your manuscript with major corrections.
Reject your Manuscript
Peer reviewer crucial process. Anonymous experts will assess your manuscript and advice the Editor-in Chief
POSSIBLE SCENERIOS FROM PEER REVIEW
PROCESS

71. USEFUL RESPUCES TO HELP IN RESPONDING TO REVIEWERS
COMMENTS
https://www.wiley.com/network/researchers/submission-and-navigating-
peerreview/how-to-deal-with-reviewer-comments;
https://authorservices.wiley.com/author-resources/Journal-
Authors/submissionpeer-review/peer-review.html#5;
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/page/journal/25778196/peer_review_polic
y;
https://www.elsevier.com/authors-update/story/publishing-tips/3-top-
tips-forresponding-to-reviewer-comments-on-your-manuscript

72. Automatically changes status from a manuscript to a
paper
Share your paper using appropriate channels e.g
research gate
Why?
 Increase readability
To get your paper cited
Career: Receive invitations to conduct projects, talks,
conferences
Acts as a guide to other researchers
YOUR MANUSCRIPT HAS BEEN
ACCEPTED!!!!!!!!

73. Q&A