Writing problems, rejections, choosing suitable journal Topics What editors suggest? Editor’s suggestion: https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Ho w+to+Get+Published+in+a+Peer+Reviewed+Journal+ Part https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=- plfe8DYvN4&t=241s Common mistakes Being rejected – writing problems https://www.elsevier.com/authors- update/story/publishing-tips/5-ways-you-can- ensure-your-manuscript-avoids-the-desk-reject- pile Writing style •Clear •Unambiguous •Unemotional •No misplaced abbreviations •Science, not journalism •Formatted headings Common pitfalls - introduction •Not comprehensive / no context which relates the study to the wider research discipline •Too focused on a few key sources •Fails to generate a rationale for the study Methods – common problems •Methods not described adequately •Methods used are inappropriate •Appropriate method not included •No quantification of error of measurement •Misuse of statistics – e.g. • to use correlation as agreement •failure to adjust for multiple comparisons •lack of effect size measurements •Inadequate test used •Etc. Discussion – Key weaknesses in rejected papers •No comparison with literature •Re-statement of results •No inference / implication for knowledge or professional practice •No balancing up of the strengths and weaknesses •No pointing to what this study had added and what needs to be researched Conclusions – weaknesses in rejected papers •Long and rambling •Conflated with future research needs •Not supported by evidence •Say the same thing in several points •Absent! Top 7 misdemeanors in rejected manuscripts •No ethical permission •Article is incapable of being understood because English is so poor •Study design is fundamentally flawed •Discussion is a simple re-statement of the results •Conclusions are not supported by the study data •Study cannot be generalized to a wider population •Study lacks sufficient importance to pass the “sowhat?” test How to choose a journal Editor’s suggestion •https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=- plfe8DYvN4&t=241s How to choose a journal? Where the papers you cite were published? Are these journals impacted? Are these journals predatory? Journal suggesters • Taylor & Francis group: https://authorservices.taylorandfrancis.com/publishing-your- research/choosing-a-journal/journal-suggester/ • Elsevier: https://journalfinder.elsevier.com/ • Springer: https://journalsuggester.springer.com/ Journal suggester: • Sage: https://en-author-services.edanz.com/journal-selector/publisher/sage# • Wiley: https://journalfinder.wiley.com/search?type=match Journal suggester: • American Journal Experts https://www.journalguide.com/ • Conpher: https://conpher.com/ • Country of papers: http://www.countryofpapers.com/search-journals