Since 2009, I have been following the doubts of hundreds of people who are looking to submit their scientific papers to journals. One of the most common doubts concerns the submission process of articles to open-access journals. Therefore, I decided to write this article, entitled “Submitting your scientific paper to an open journal system: A Quick and Easy Guide.”
As a researcher, publishing your scientific article in academic journals is a crucial part of the scientific process and a crucial process for any researcher’s career. So, we will provide a quick and easy guide to your scientific article being published in an Open Journal System (OJS). But first, let’s clarify why you should prioritize submitting your scientific paper to an OJS journal.
Why submit your scientific article to an Open Journal System?
Sharing your findings and research with others in the field helps to further the knowledge and understanding of your area of study. Basically, it is important to ensure that your work is published in an appropriate and prestigious journal so that it can be recognized and valued in the scientific community.
Step 1: Choose the Appropriate Journal
The first thing to do is choose the appropriate journal to submit your article to. So, it is important to check if the journal publishes works in your area of interest and if it meets your quality and impact criteria. Certainly, this can be a daunting task as there are many different journals available, each with its specific focus and requirements.
You can find appropriate journals by searching in specialized databases such as Google Scholar, Directory of Open Access Journals (DOAJ), or the Scientific Journal Selector (SJS). Additionally, you can consult the lists of recommended journals by your research institutions or your scientific community.
To find the best fit for your work, consider the following factors:
- Journal scope:
- Is your research aligned with the scope of the journal you are interested in?
- Does the journal focus on topics or areas of research that are similar to yours?
- Article type:
- Does the journal accept the type of article you are submitting?
- Some journals only accept research articles, while others may also accept review articles, case reports, or commentary.
- Journal impact:
- Consider the impact factor of the journal. This is a measure of the number of citations that the journal’s articles receive and can give you an idea of the journal’s prestige and visibility.
- One of the most used mechanisms to know the impact factor is the Google Scholar metrics. But there are even more important ones like Elsevier’s metrics and those of Clarivate Analytics.
Step 2: Check the Journal’s Requirements
Once you have chosen the appropriate journal, it is important to check the article submission requirements. Evidently, this information can usually be found on the journal’s website and will include details on the types of articles the journal accepts, formatting requirements, the language accepted, the number of authors, as well as on copyright and open access, ethical, plagiarism, and review policies.
It is important to strictly follow the journal’s requirements, as this will ensure that your article is considered for publication. Additionally, it is important to check for any restrictions on funding sources or collaborations, as well as any other specific requirements.
Take the time to read these guidelines carefully, and make sure you are fully aware of the requirements before you submit your article.
One of the main reasons for the rejection of articles by the editors in the first phase of evaluation is precisely the inadequacy of the focus, scope, and guidelines of the journal.
Consider reading “Identifying and Overcoming the Top 7 Mistakes in Journal Article Writing” to be able to achieve your goals without experiencing the same problems as so many users do when submitting their papers. So, if you want to publish your article, please read the guidelines for authors very carefully and, if in doubt, consult the journal’s editorial team.
Step 3: Prepare Your Article
Once you have checked the journal’s requirements, the next step is to prepare your article. This includes writing and formatting the article according to the journal’s guidelines, as well as ensuring that it is of high quality and meets the required standards.
It is important to use a clear and concise writing style and to provide a comprehensive and well-structured overview of your research. You should also carefully proofread your article to ensure that it is free of errors and typos. Hence, check out the following three steps to assist in your article preparation:
- Formatting: Make sure your article is formatted according to the journal’s guidelines. This may include requirements for font, margins, and spacing.
- Writing: Write clearly and concisely, and make sure your work is well-structured. Use headings, subheadings, and bullet points to help break up the text and make it easier to read.
- References: Make sure you have cited all of your sources correctly, and that your references are formatted according to the journal’s guidelines.
Step 4: Submit Your Article
Once your article is prepared, the final step is to submit it to the journal. This is usually done through the journal’s online submission system, which will guide you through the process. It is important to carefully follow the submission instructions and to provide all the required information and attachments.
You may also be required to provide a cover letter, which should briefly summarize your research and explain why you believe it is a good fit for the journal.
Please note: some journals still accept articles in their forms or by e-mail, even when they are published with an OJS system. Please refer to the guidelines for authors to be sure.
There are four steps that need to be observed during the submission process:
- Log in to the journal’s submission system.
- Complete the submission form, providing information on your article, including the title, abstract, keywords, biographical information, and ORCID.
- Upload your article and any additional files, such as figures or tables.
- Submit your article.
Step 5: Track Your Submission
After submitting your article, it is important to track its status and respond promptly to any requests or feedback from the editors. This may include revisions to your article or additional information or clarification on specific aspects of your research.
Conclusion
By following these five steps and providing high-quality, well-prepared articles, you can increase your chances of getting published in an open journal system and advancing your scientific career.
Now that you have just found out why and how to quickly and easily publish your scientific paper in a scientific journal, consider one of our open journals published by Telos.
