Publishing Journal Articles: 5 Tips for Success

It presents five actionable tips for achieving publishing success: Set yourself up for publishing success. Use effective tools to streamline the research and publishing process. Improve writing skills using articles, books, and online platforms. Build productive collaborations with fellow researchers. Focus on making an impact through your research. Publishing in high-reputation journals can enhance a researcher's profile and lead to better career opportunities. However, family commitments, such as caring for children, complicate the process by limiting the time available for research and writing. Additionally, managing assistants and guiding students through writing and submission processes adds other layers of responsibility. Balancing various commitments while striving to write and publish can be particularly challenging for early career researchers. In November 2023, 11 early career researchers attended the workshop “Publication Strategies” at the University of Konstanz, Germany. They came from different disciplines: biology, chemistry, computer science, linguistics, literature studies, medicine, and physics. They came from different countries: Argentina, Brazil, Germany, India, Italy, Nigeria, Sri Lanka, and Ukraine. Participants were in different stages of their careers: PhD students, postdocs, and assistant professors. Despite these differences, they faced similar obstacles in their everyday lives: multiple responsibilities and lack of time. What united them was one shared goal: publishing articles in high-quality academic journals. The didactic design of the workshop was based on Experiential Learning Theory and followed Kolb's learning cycle (see Kolb 2015). In this cycle, reflective observation and abstract conceptualisation play key roles in the learning process (Wien et al. 2020). Furthermore, our approach was informed by the concept of a growth mindset (Dweck 2007), which encourages scholars—especially those from underrepresented or structurally disadvantaged backgrounds—to view challenges in publishing not as fixed limitations but as opportunities for development. In this context, persistence, openness to feedback, and strategic learning are crucial. The Social Cognitive Theory (SCT) (Stajkovic and Luthans 1998) stresses how learning is influenced by self-efficacy, social influence, and behavioural reinforcement. Applying this framework can shed light on the challenges young researchers face and how the factors shape their publishing capacity (Samsudin et al. 2017). Based on the aforementioned theoretical frameworks and drawing from observations and conceptualisations during and after the workshop, a list of tips for getting published was developed. Five participants, together with the trainer, transformed this list into a paper. Here are their 5 tips for getting published (see Figure 1). Writing and publishing is time-consuming and challenging. In the face of challenges, questions like: “What can I do to help myself?”, “How else can I do this?”, “Is there a way to do this even better?” helps to trigger problem-solving abilities (Chen et al. 2020). These questions help to think about one's thinking and to adopt a strategic mindset (Chen et al. 2020). A strategic mindset could complement other progress-related attributes such as grit, self-control, and a growth mindset (Chen et al. 2020). A growth mindset is the belief that we can grow from failures and that we can develop our skills (Dweck 2007). Understanding that writing is a skill that can be developed like other skills helps us to become better (Grogan 2021). Thus, it matters how we think about our writing activities. Alshwairikh et al. (2023) showed that graduate students and postdocs with a negative sentiment towards scientific writing had fewer first-author publications. The observation of successful peers, willingness to accept constructive criticisms, and building confidence are crucial to strengthening self-efficacy (Artino 2012; Stajkovic and Luthans 1998) which is essential for navigating the rigours of the publishing process. In addition to an appropriate mindset, clear goals help early-career researchers to achieve publishing success. Goals are needed because it is easy for researchers to spend their days with activities that do not really matter. Therefore, find out what matters to you. Create a hierarchy of goals and act according to your goals. On a general level, define your academic mission. A helpful template for an academic mission statement is provided by Cathy Mazak (Mazak 2017): “I use [methodologies/theoretical frames] to study [population] [phenomenon] [context] to [change you want to see in the world].” On a more specific level, define your publishing goals: What are the topics of my next articles? What are my target journals? When do I plan to submit to these journals? On an even more specific level, define weekly or daily writing goals: What do I want to write? When will I do it? We also recommend cultivating habits for success. Habits for success are regularly performed actions helping to achieve personal goals. In the influential book “The 7 habits of highly effective people”, Covey (2004) advises for example “to begin with the end in mind”, “to be proactive”, “to put first things first”. In “High performance habits”, Burchard (2022) recommends seeking clarity (self, social interactions, impact on society), generating energy (mental and physical), increasing productivity (setting priorities, avoiding distractions) and showing courage (starting, persisting). Covey (2004) and Burchard (2022) describe high level habits, which can be labelled “macro habits”. These “macro habits” should be put into practice with actionable “micro habits”. A micro habit for increasing writing productivity is, for example, a regular, brief writing session in the morning. A micro habit for improving text quality is, for instance, a specific routine to ask colleagues for feedback. Finally, there are divergent opinions regarding the quality versus quantity of academic publications (see Donaldson and Cooke 2014; Sandström and Van Den Besselaar 2016; Michalska-Smith and Allesina 2017; Liu et al. 2024). Although quantity remains an important factor in research evaluation metrics, the importance of focusing on the quality of research articles cannot be overstated. The quality of a publication reflects dedication, rigour, and excellence in academic pursuits, ultimately contributing to the advancement of knowledge. A high-quality article should have a clearly defined objective, a critical assessment of existing literature, a coherent structure, sound research methods appropriate for addressing the research question, and accurate, thoroughly reviewed findings that effectively support the conclusions. Furthermore, the article should be clear, concise, and precise, emphasising the significance of the research findings and their contribution to the existing body of knowledge by highlighting potential implications and applications (see Donaldson and Cooke 2014; Sandström and Van Den Besselaar 2016; Michalska-Smith and Allesina 2017). Key points that highlight the importance of quality over quantity in academic publishing are credibility and reputation, impact and contribution, peer recognition, effectiveness of communication, time and resource management, and career development. Choosing effective tools is paramount for publishing success, as helpful tools enhance process efficiency and manuscript quality. With an abundance of online and desktop tools available, making appropriate selections is demanding. Extensive lists of tools are provided by Behzadi and Gajdács (2021) and Kruse et al. (2023). In the literature survey phase, bibliographic databases such as Google Scholar, OpenAlex, PubMed, Semantic Scholar, Scopus, and Web of Science streamline the search for relevant articles (see searchsmart.org for comparisons between databases). Reference management tools like EndNote, Zotero, or Mendeley assist in managing and organising literature efficiently, ensuring that citations are correctly formatted and easily accessible throughout the writing process. At the drafting phase, tools like Google Docs, Etherpad, Microsoft 365, and Overleaf (based on LaTeX) can facilitate real-time collaboration with co-authors. Overleaf and LaTeX allow for custom formatting of manuscripts in accordance with journal guidelines. When conducting data analyses, statistical software like Python or R facilitate sophisticated analyses and the generation of precise, high-quality plots. These tools offer advanced functionality, ensuring accuracy and the ability to reveal deep insights from the data. Additionally, AI-based data analysis tools, for example Julius (julius.ai), can enhance the efficiency of uncovering patterns and trends. AI-powered tools have transformed various aspects of writing processes. For example, AI assistants such as Grammarly, DeepL Write, Paperpal, Trinka, and Writefull not only correct grammatical errors but also enhance the text in terms of style and clarity. These AI tools help to improve the overall readability of scientific texts. In the editing and proofreading phase, plagiarism checkers like Turnitin and iThenticate play a crucial role in maintaining academic integrity by assessing text similarity against an extensive database of published works. While these tools undoubtedly enhance the quality and style of manuscripts, it is ultimately the researcher's innovative contribution to the field that drives impactful publications. Special care must be taken to avoid unethical use of AI tools (see Buriak et al. 2023; European Commission 2024). Information provided by AI tools like ChatGPT should not be trusted blindly. Studies showed that AIs make mistakes, sometimes referred to as hallucinations (Alkaissi and McFarlane 2023). Therefore, it is crucial to double-check facts before using AI-generated content. Another potential danger of using AI writing tools is plagiarism. While AI systems generate newly written responses, they learn from pre-existing texts and may follow similar patterns, sometimes even using identical wording. AI algorithms are also often trained on confidential data sets, making them black boxes to users such as researchers and authors, who have no clear understanding of the depth of knowledge these tools have on respective topics. Despite these limitations, AI tools can significantly enhance the efficiency and quality of human efforts. It is essential, therefore, to use these tools ethically and be transparent about their usage (Chetwynd 2024). In order to find target journals with matching scope, journal finder tools provided by publishers are helpful (e.g., Elsevier Journal Finder, Sage Journal Recommender, Taylor & Francis Journal Suggester). Jane (jane.biosemantics.org) is a journal finder for the life sciences including journals of many publishers. Bibliometric data, e.g., numbers of citations, are provided by Scimago Journal and Country Rank (scimagojr.com/journalrank.php), Scopus Preview Sources (scopus.com/sources), and CWTS Journal Indicators (journalindicators.com/indicators). Experiences of other scientists with journals, the duration of the peer review process is an example, can be explored with SciRev (scirev.org). For finding open access journals, we recommend consulting the Directory of Open Access Journals (doaj.org). The Directory of Open Access Preprint Repositories (doapr.coar-repositories.org) helps to find appropriate preprint servers. Thus, various online tools help to find publishing opportunities. For more tools and tips, see Glover et al. (2016). In addition, we have tabulated some of the key tools that can be used at different stages of scientific writing in Table 1. Scientific writing is a demanding activity and polishing one's writing skills remains a life-long journey. We listed some resources that may facilitate this journey in Table 2. The suggested resources are categorised into articles, books, videos, online writing labs, and learning platforms. For example, the videos section in Table 2 features several YouTube channels that focus on productivity and scientific writing, offering tips on managing academic stress, writing efficiently, and navigating graduate school. For more structured support, online writing labs from established universities provide comprehensive resources, including tutorials on academic writing and grammar, as well as tips for writing in different disciplines. Finally, learning platforms, some of which are without costs, offer many helpful guidelines, videos, and tutorials. These resources assist researchers in developing stronger academic writing skills and enhance their chances of getting published. Building international collaborations and networking are crucial activities for enhancing research quality. Establishing strong connections through interactions with other scholars fosters the organisation of international research projects, which often lead to high-quality articles published in high-impact journals. Collaboration is particularly beneficial for career progression in academic science, especially for female researchers, as noted by van der Wal et al. (2021). International research efforts are more likely to be recognised and valued in top-tier academic journals, thereby enhancing the visibility and impact of the research. A strategic approach not only broadens the scope of research but also enriches the scientific community through diverse perspectives and sets of expertise. Baumgartner et al. (2023) highlight that big team science offers a practical model for expanding collaborations, especially in large-scale, interdisciplinary projects, thus amplifying the reach and impact of academic work. Several strategies can be implemented to establish, expand, and sustain successful collaborations. Begin by sending out emails to potential collaborators to initiate contact. Attending conferences and following up with people you meet is another excellent way to build relationships. Regularly syncing up with collaborators and keeping them informed about your recent publications helps to maintain engagement and to keep collaborations productive. Additionally, platforms like LinkedIn and ResearchGate are valuable tools for reaching out to potential collaborators and expanding your network. Frassl et al. (2018)'s recommendations are instructive for writing scientific articles with co-authors. We converted their recommendations into a ten-item checklist (Table 3). Worldwide visibility is crucial for making an impact and significantly enhances the likelihood of your research being discovered, read, used, and cited by other scholars, thereby increasing its academic influence. Reaching out to other stakeholders such as government agencies, NGOs, and the public is vital for extending the impact of your research. Research funders and institutions prioritise disseminated research (for instance, Horizon 2020 General Model Grant Agreement (European Commission 2017)). Thus, high visibility ensures that research reaches a broader audience, leading to more citations, greater recognition, and increased opportunities for collaboration and funding. One approach to improving visibility is through Academic Search Engine Optimisation (ASEO) techniques and engaging with academic social networking sites like ResearchGate and Academia.edu. ASEO focuses on making scholarly content easily discoverable by academic search engines while maintaining the integrity and quality of the research. Striking this balance ensures that your work is both visible and credible, attracting genuine interest from the academic community (Beel et al. 2010). This not only boosts the immediate visibility of your research but also its long-term impact and relevance within the academic community. Ross-Hellauer et al. (2020) suggest 10 rules to promote research and visibility, starting with dissemination in mind and deploying preprints to make your work discoverable early. In addition to these tips, we recommend using the journal's resources by providing detailed protocols and data to enhance visibility and reproducibility. Engage your institution's press office and use their repository for better accessibility. 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