female researcher in a labcoat, at a desk looking concentrated, reviewing papers

Publishing a Research Paper: 2nd Edition

For researchers in the natural sciences seeking to improve their chances of successfully publishing research papers

With insights from 12 experts in scientific publishing, including Nature Portfolio Editors and prominent researchers

6 hours of learning

10-30-minute lessons

2-module course with certificate

About this course

Publishing a scientific paper is an essential stage in the research process. Whether you are new to academic publishing or seeking to improve your publication success, this course offers a comprehensive overview of how to navigate the editorial process, including submissions, peer review and revisions.

It will provide you with widely applicable best practices and strategies to help you progress towards smooth and seamless publication at a scholarly journal. 

This is the second edition of our highly popular ‘Publishing a Research Paper’ course. We recommend you take this updated version. If you have already started the previous version of this course, you can still complete it and get your certificate.

What you'll learn

  • Become familiar with journal editorial guidance and policies
  • Format your paper for submission and write an engaging cover letter
  • Understand the editorial and peer review process and different editorial decisions
  • Learn how to revise your manuscript and respond to reviewer comments, and understand your options if your manuscript is rejected
  • Be aware of self-archiving and embargo policies to ensure you share your paper appropriately.

The benefits of this new 2nd edition

  • Restructured content for a better learning experience
  • Updated content to cover new topics such as open science and journal transfers
  • Detailed examples for explaining concepts, taken from real papers where possible
  • ‘Apply what you’ve learned’ activities that empower you to transfer knowledge into practice
  • Bite-sized lessons on each topic to fit busy schedules.

The course

Free Sample
About this course

1 lesson 15m

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Free Sample
Submitting your paper

8 lessons 1h 30m

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Free Sample
From submission to publication

9 lessons 1h 45m

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Free Sample
Key takeaways and knowledge check

1 lesson 15m

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Free Sample
Publishing a Research Paper: 2nd Edition: Free Sample

Select the dropdown to explore an overview of the course content

About this course

Submitting your paper

  • Welcome to this course
  • When is your draft ready to be submitted?
  • Familiarise yourself with the journal’s editorial policies
  • Formatting guidelines: Prepare your manuscript for submission
  • How to write an engaging cover letter
  • Make reviewer suggestions
  • Understand open science requirements
  • Fulfil open science requirements
  • Register for an ORCID identifier
  • Frequently asked questions
  • Module summary

From submission to publication

  • Your manuscript’s journey after submission
  • Demystifying desk review
  • The peer review process
  • Types of editorial decisions after peer review
  • Make changes to your manuscript
  • Write a rebuttal letter
  • What do you do after rejection?
  • Manuscript transfers
  • What happens after acceptance?
  • Frequently asked questions
  • Module summary

Key takeaways

Developed with experts in scientific publishing

The course was developed and refined by an international panel of experienced editors and prominent researchers.

Meet the expert panel that have helped shape and refine the content of the course:

Kizzmekia S. Corbett-Helaire

Associate Professor, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health

Jan Eldridge

Head of Physics, University of Auckland

Davide Esposito

Chief Editor, Nature Catalysis

Nathalie Le Bot

Editorial Director, Health and Clinical Sciences, Nature Communications

Rafal Marszalek

Chief Editor, Scientific Reports

Advice from experienced editors, researchers and professionals

The course contains additional insights from a range of professionals with expertise across the scientific publishing process.

Harith Farooq

Lecturer, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Lúrio University

Zoltan Fehervari

Senior Editor, Nature

Bryden Le Bailly

Senior Editor, Nature

Wade Petersen

Senior Lecturer, Department of Chemistry, University of Cape Town

Andrea Taroni

Director, Submissions and Author Services, Springer Nature

Alexia-Ileana Zaromytidou

Chief Editor, Nature Cancer

Xun (Jerry) Zou

Atmospheric scientist, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California San Diego

Video

Why should you take this course?

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Writing and Publishing a Review Paper: 2nd Edition

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