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How to publish your research
A step-by-step guide to getting published.
Publishing your research is an important step in your academic career. While there isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach, this guide is designed to take you through the typical steps in publishing a research paper.
Discover how to get your paper published, from choosing the right journal and understanding what a peer reviewed article is, to responding to reviewers and navigating the production process.
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Step 1: choosing a journal.
Choosing which journal to publish your research paper in is one of the most significant decisions you have to make as a researcher. Where you decide to submit your work can make a big difference to the reach and impact your research has.
It’s important to take your time to consider your options carefully and analyze each aspect of journal submission – from shortlisting titles to your preferred method of publication, for example open access.
Don’t forget to think about publishing options beyond the traditional journals format – for example, open research platform F1000Research , which offers rapid, open publication for a wide range of outputs.
Why choose your target journal before you start writing?
The first step in publishing a research paper should always be selecting the journal you want to publish in. Choosing your target journal before you start writing means you can tailor your work to build on research that’s already been published in that journal. This can help editors to see how a paper adds to the ‘conversation’ in their journal.
In addition, many journals only accept specific manuscript formats of article. So, by choosing a journal before you start, you can write your article to their specifications and audience, and ultimately improve your chances of acceptance.
To save time and for peace of mind, you can consider using manuscript formatting experts while you focus on your research.
How to select the journal to publish your research in
Choosing which journal to publish your research in can seem like an overwhelming task. So, for all the details of how to navigate this important step in publishing your research paper, take a look at our choosing a journal guide . This will take you through the selection process, from understanding the aims and scope of the journals you’re interested in to making sure you choose a trustworthy journal.
Don’t forget to explore our journal suggester to see which Taylor & Francis journals could be right for your research.
Go to guidance on choosing a journal
Step 2: writing your paper.
Writing an effective, compelling research paper is vital to getting your research published. But if you’re new to putting together academic papers, it can feel daunting to start from scratch.
The good news is that if you’ve chosen the journal you want to publish in, you’ll have lots of examples already published in that journal to base your own paper on. We’ve gathered advice on every aspect of writing your paper, to make sure you get off to a great start.
How to write your paper
How you write your paper will depend on your chosen journal, your subject area, and the type of paper you’re writing. Everything from the style and structure you choose to the audience you should have in mind while writing will differ, so it’s important to think about these things before you get stuck in.
Our writing your paper guide will take you through everything you need to know to put together your research article and prepare it for submission. This includes getting to know your target journal, understanding your audiences, how to choose appropriate keywords, as a guide through your research publication journey .
You should also make sure you’re aware of all editorial policies for the journal you plan to submit to. Don’t forget that you can contact our editing services to help you refine your manuscript.
Discover advice and guidance for writing your paper
Step 3: making your submission.
Once you’ve chosen the right journal and written your manuscript, the next step in publishing your research paper is to make your submission .
Each journal will have specific submission requirements, so make sure you visit Taylor & Francis Online and carefully check through the instructions for authors for your chosen journal.
How to submit your manuscript
To submit your manuscript you’ll need to ensure that you’ve gone through all the steps in our making your submission guide. This includes thoroughly understanding your chosen journal’s instructions for authors, writing an effective cover letter, navigating the journal’s submission system, and ensuring your research data is prepared as required.
You can also improve your submission experience with our guide to avoid obstacles and complete a seamless submission.
To make sure you’ve covered everything before you hit ‘submit’ you can also take a look at our ‘ready to submit’ checklist (don’t forget, you should only submit to one journal at a time).
Understand the process of making your submission
Step 4: navigating the peer review process.
Now you’ve submitted your manuscript, you need to get to grips with one of the most important parts of publishing your research paper – the peer review process .
What is peer review?
Peer review is the independent assessment of your research article by independent experts in your field. Reviewers, also sometimes called ‘referees’, are asked to judge the validity, significance, and originality of your work.
This process ensures that a peer-reviewed article has been through a rigorous process to make sure the methodology is sound, the work can be replicated, and it fits with the aims and scope of the journal that is considering it for publication. It acts as an important form of quality control for research papers.
Peer review is also a very useful source of feedback, helping you to improve your paper before it’s published. It is intended to be a collaborative process, where authors engage in a dialogue with their peers and receive constructive feedback and support to advance their work.
Almost all research articles go through peer review, although in some cases the journal may operate post-publication peer review, which means that reviews and reader comments are invited after the paper is published.
If you’ll like to feel more confident before getting your work peer reviewed by the journal, you may want to consider using an in-depth technical review service from experts.
Understanding peer review
Peer review can be a complex process to get your head around. That’s why we’ve put together a comprehensive guide to understanding peer review . This explains everything from the many different types of peer review to the step-by-step peer review process and how to revise your manuscript. It also has helpful advice on what to do if your manuscript is rejected.
Visit our peer review guide for authors
Step 5: the production process.
If your paper is accepted for publication, it will then head into production . At this stage of the process, the paper will be prepared for publishing in your chosen journal.
A lot of the work to produce the final version of your paper will be done by the journal production team, but your input will be required at various stages of the process.
What do you need to do during production?
During production, you’ll have a variety of tasks to complete and decisions to make. For example, you’ll need to check and correct proofs of your article and consider whether or not you want to produce a video abstract to accompany it.
Take a look at our guide to the production process to find out what you’ll need to do in this final step to getting your research published.
Your research is published – now what?
You’ve successfully navigated publishing a research paper – congratulations! But the process doesn’t stop there. Now your research is published in a journal for the world to see, you’ll need to know how to access your article and make sure it has an impact .
Here’s a quick tip on how to boost your research impact by investing in making your accomplishments stand out.
Below you’ll find helpful tips and post-publication support. From how to communicate about your research to how to request corrections or translations.
How to access your published article
When you publish with Taylor & Francis, you’ll have access to a new section on Taylor & Francis Online called Authored Works . This will give you and all other named authors perpetual access to your article, regardless of whether or not you have a subscription to the journal you have published in.
You can also order print copies of your article .
How to make sure your research has an impact
Taking the time to make sure your research has an impact can help drive your career progression, build your networks, and secure funding for new research. So, it’s worth investing in.
Creating a real impact with your work can be a challenging and time-consuming task, which can feel difficult to fit into an already demanding academic career.
To help you understand what impact means for you and your work, take a look at our guide to research impact . It covers why impact is important, the different types of impact you can have, how to achieve impact – including tips on communicating with a variety of audiences – and how to measure your success.
Keeping track of your article’s progress
Through your Authored Works access , you’ll be able to get real-time insights about your article, such as views, downloads and citation numbers.
In addition, when you publish an article with us, you’ll be offered the option to sign up for email updates. These emails will be sent to you three, six and twelve months after your article is published to let you know how many views and citations the article has had.
Corrections and translations of published articles
Sometimes after an article has been published it may be necessary to make a change to the Version of Record . Take a look at our dedicated guide to corrections, expressions of concern, retractions and removals to find out more.
You may also be interested in translating your article into another language. If that’s the case, take a look at our information on article translations .
Go to your guide on moving through production
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Table of Contents
It’s sometimes said that writing your article is the easiest part of the process. Publishing it, and getting it into the hands of other researchers and interested parties, is another matter, altogether.
In this post, we’ll go over details on how to get an article published. We’ll also include a checklist for manuscript submission. When you follow these guidelines, you will increase your chances of getting your hard work published in a journal.
Our first step will be to make sure you are submitting your article to the right journal, and following their guidelines. So, it’s important that we include a disclaimer here. Every journal will have different procedures and requirements, so it’s critical that you follow their guidelines exactly. This article is simply meant to be a general guide.
How to Get Published in a Journal
Before you even consider getting published, it’s critical that you select the right journal. Is your article a good fit? You can find out by looking at the journal’s scope and aim, as well as evaluating recent articles. Do they compliment your work? Would your article “make sense” in the context of the other articles being published? Do you want to publish open access? If so, make sure your chosen journal has that option.
Checklist Journal Guidelines
If you have the right journal for you, simply follow these checklist journal guidelines. Again, make sure you check with your specific journal to make sure you’re following their procedure.
1 – Write your paper in accordance to the Instructions for Authors (IFAs)
These will tell you everything that you need to know about what the editorial board of your journal wants to see in your article, including details like style guides and word counts.
2 – Is your article well-written?
Make sure that it flows logically, you’ve described your research completely, and that you’re using clear and accessible language. Have a friend, peer or editing expert make suggestions that will improve the overall quality and clarity of your paper.
3 – Double-check citations
Double, then triple-check the accuracy of your citations. Have any of the articles you’ve cited been withdrawn? Do you have citations that support your text? Do you have any needed permissions for copyrighted material?
4 – Write a killer title and abstract
Here’s your chance to get your audience’s attention. You want to make your title descriptive and catchy, but not overly so. Likewise, with your abstract; think of it as a way to “sell” your article, so that the reader of your abstract will want to explore the rest of your paper.
5 – Find your keywords
Help your audience find you and your work by selecting effective keywords. Consider keyword research to find the most popularly searched phrases that you can include naturally within your abstract, article description, and even the title.
6 – Double-check IFAs
As mentioned previously, before you even begin writing your article, if possible know the IFAs of your chosen journal. Many journal’s offer templates to help you with formatting, and instructions on style, reference section requirements, etc.
7 – Write a Killer Cover Letter
One of the most overlooked elements of the publishing process, your cover letter can make or break your success to publishing in a journal. You want to explain, in a creative way, why your paper is the perfect article for the journal, and why the editorial board should consider your work for publication. Take your time on this step. There are various templates of successfully published cover letters, and templates available online.
8 – Have everything?
Make sure you have all the files you need. This will depend on what type of peer review the journal is utilizing. For example, for a peer, double-blind review, you’ll need to provide an anonymized version of your manuscript. Additionally, make sure you have all your keywords clearly identified on the title page, attached and included illustrations, figures and captions, as well as tables that include their legends, as well as their description, title and any corresponding footnotes.
9 – Who’s submitting the manuscript?
One author should be designated as the contact or corresponding author. Make sure complete information is included, such as email address, the address of the affiliated organization or site, and the full mailing address for the corresponding author.
10 – Have you included everybody?
Make sure you have all the information you need about any co-authors, including names, contact information, institution, etc. It can be tricky to define authorship, so check out our blog on that here.
11 – Have your ORCiD?
This is an identifier that links all of your work together. Make sure you include this identifier when you submit your work.
12 – Disclosure Statements and Competing Interests
Have any? Make sure these are clearly disclosed when you submit your manuscript. Each journal will have a particular format. Make sure you’re being transparent about any conflicts of interest.
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How to get a research paper published in a journal?
Publishing a journal paper.
It's crucial to publish your study as the next stage in your academic journey. The processes in this article are meant to walk you through the common ones involved in publishing a research paper, even if there isn't a one-size-fits-all method. Learn how to publish your work, including how to pick the best journal and what a peer-reviewed article is. Consequently, the following recommendations can be used to publish the study paper.
1. Preliminary
Determine your technical area of interest before beginning to write a technical paper. Make sure you've done enough research on the subject's fundamentals. Then it would help if you kept yourself current with the latest technology developments in your sector of choice. This can be accomplished by researching numerous online technical articles, magazines, and research papers . You can also attend one or more conferences, pay close attention to the greatest presentations, and learn what people think. After completing the aforementioned procedures, you are qualified to write a paper.
2. Review recent papers
Read everything that might be useful to gain a diverse viewpoint on the subject at hand. However, exercise caution to avoid straying too far from your area of interest .
3. A kickstart
Ask your fellow researcher for recommendations on the best journals and conference proceedings to read when you first begin learning about a new area and a list of crucial articles you should read. You'll get going faster if you do this activity.
4. Decipher the technical language
Understanding a document published by someone else is one of the more challenging problems. Reading it several times is the simplest way to do it. You will learn more as you read more frequently. Keep the Internet at hand so you can decipher unfamiliar phrases or jargon.
5. Deciding on a journal
One of the most important decisions you must make as a researcher is which journal to publish your research work in. The audience and impact of your research can significantly vary depending on where it is published. Take your time to thoroughly weigh your alternatives and examine every aspect of journal submission, from your selection of potential titles to your preferred mode of publication. Consider publishing possibilities outside the conventional journal format, such as the open research platform, which provides a rapid publication for various outputs.
6. Formulate a research paper outline
Designing a research paper outline that properly arranges all the research work is essential.
7. Compose the paper's initial draft
An abstract or summary of your study should be included in the current of your research paper. Additionally, the draft should be able to draw readers' attention and persuade them to read the complete study. The basic formatting rules and suggested word count must be adhered to give it a professional appearance.
8. Composing your paper
You must write an engaging, successful research paper to get your research published. But starting from scratch can seem intimidating if you're not used to putting together academic papers. The good news is that you will have enough examples published in the publication you have selected to publish in which to build your paper. The journal you choose, the topic you are writing about, and the kind of paper you are writing will influence how you write your paper. Before you start writing, consider these factors because they will affect everything from the style and structure you use to the audience you should consider. A paper typically contains six sections. They are
Introduction
Review of literature
Research Methodology
Results and Discussion
9. Submitting your paper
Making your submission is the next stage in publishing your research paper after selecting the appropriate journal and writing your manuscript . To submit to a journal, you must adhere to its specific submission guidelines. Carefully review the journal's author instructions.
10. The publication peer-review procedure
Once your work has been submitted, you must learn how to handle the peer review process , one of the most crucial stages of publishing your research paper. Peer review is how unbiased professionals in your field evaluate your research publication. Reviewers—also known as "referees"—are requested to assess your work's truthfulness, importance, and originality. This procedure guarantees that a peer-reviewed article has undergone a rigorous process to ensure that the technique is solid, the work can be duplicated, and it fits with the goals and scope of the journal contemplating publishing it. It serves as an essential method of research paper quality control. Peer review is another excellent source of feedback that can help you polish your work before it is published. It is meant to be a collaborative process where authors converse with their peers and get helpful criticism and assistance to enhance their work.
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How to publish your research A step-by-step guide to getting published. Publishing your research is an important step in your academic career. While... Step 1: choosing a journal. Choosing which journal to publish your research paper in is one of the most significant... Step 2: writing your paper. ...
How to Publish a Research Paper. Choosing the Right Journal for Submission. 1. Familiarize yourself with potential publications. Be aware of the research already published and the ... Strengthening Your Submission. Research Paper Help.
Although your colleagues may not have a completely accurate view of what journals will and won’t publish, says Suls, it’s still a good idea to get a sense of what they think about your chances. Balance ambition and realism. Aim high, but be realistic about where you send your manuscript.
How to get my research papers published? Once again I come to you dear experts, scholars, and academicians for guidance in the area of publication. I have tried getting my papers published even ...
You must write an engaging, successful research paper to get your research published. But starting from scratch can seem intimidating if you're not used to putting together academic papers. The good news is that you will have enough examples published in the publication you have selected to publish in which to build your paper.