Publishing a Research Paper: 2nd edition
Publishing your research findings is a significant milestone in your career. It’s the culmination of a great deal of time and effort, so it’s important to know what’s required for the best chances of success.
For many researchers, publishing a paper is also one of the hardest parts of research. The publication process can seem daunting, with multiple journals and publishers, not to mention the pressure of fierce competition around low acceptance rates.
"As a scientific researcher, your currency is getting your data out to the world, and the best way to do that is by publishing your research in respected journals. It’s important to know very early on in your career how to do that."
Kizzmekia S. Corbett-Helaire, Associate Professor, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health
Key challenges
A recent global survey by Nature Masterclasses confirmed how important publishing a paper is:
- 94% of researchers (n=498) said publishing a research paper was important for them to succeed in their careers
- 75% find it a challenging process
- The most challenging aspect of the publication process was choosing a suitable journal (68%), followed by analysing and implementing a journal’s peer review (54%) and rewriting a paper based on feedback (42%)
Figure 1. Publishing a research paper is highly important but challenging for researchers.
Figure 2. Main challenges in publishing a research paper.
It’s all in the preparation
In spite of this, only 10% of researchers said they had access to satisfactory training around publishing a research paper, with over half having no access at all.
Figure 3. Access to training around publishing a research paper.
With this in mind, Nature Masterclasses has developed a course which addresses the issues researchers face when publishing their work. “Publishing a Research Paper: 2nd edition” is a new, on-demand course suitable for all researchers, whether you’re new to academic publishing or seeking to improve your publication success.
Offering a comprehensive overview of how to navigate the editorial process, including submissions, peer review and revisions, the course equips you with what you need to publish your paper successfully.
“Publishing a Research Paper: 2nd edition” follows on from the our flagship 2015 course, “Publishing a Research Paper”. With an improved learning experience, this updated edition covers a range of new topics including open science and journal transfer, as well as extensive real-life examples and practical activities.
“This course will help demystify many stages of the publication process, and will help you understand the expectations of the journals as well as interpret the decisions of editors.”
Rafal Marszalek, Chief Editor, Scientific Reports
Essential skills for researchers
“Publishing a Research Paper: 2nd edition” offers the best practices and strategies for publishing a paper successfully. You’ll learn how to:
- Keep abreast of journal editorial guidance and policies
- Format your paper for submission and write an engaging cover letter
- Understand the editorial process, as well as different editorial decisions
- Approach the peer review process
- Revise your manuscript and respond to reviewer comments, and understand the options if your manuscript is rejected
- Share your paper appropriately, by being aware of self-archiving and embargo policies.
“This course provides you with an excellent roadmap and unpacks some of the key questions involved about publishing your research.”
Wade Petersen, Senior Lecturer, Department of Chemistry, University of Cape Town
Relevant, practical and engaging advice
This engaging course was developed and refined by an international panel of experienced editors and prominent researchers. Representing a wide range of backgrounds, geographical locations and career levels, they provide a broad perspective on publishing a research paper:
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
A further range of professionals with expertise across the scientific publishing process offer additional insights and advice:
Harith Farooq, Lecturer, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Lúrio University
Zoltan Ferhervari, 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
Flexible, on-demand learning
“Publishing a Research Paper: 2nd edition” covers six hours of tuition in two self-study modules - Submitting your paper (2 hours 30 minutes) and From submission to publication (3 hours 30 minutes).
- Bite-sized individual lessons, which can be completed in 10-15 minutes, are designed to slot into natural gaps in researchers’ busy schedules.
- The course can be completed in order from start to finish for a logical flow, or dipped into according to the learner’s needs and experience.
- Each lesson offers optional ‘Apply what you’ve learned’ activities, designed to help participants apply the course content to their own projects.
- Interactive activities keep learners engaged and allow them to check their understanding of the concepts covered.
“Researchers should take this course because it will help them navigate the maze of publishing a research paper”
Jan Eldridge, Head of Physics, University of Auckland
Supporting researchers throughout the research lifecycle
By following the expert advice in “Publishing a Research Paper: 2nd edition”, researchers will be one step ahead in publishing their work. They can further expand their knowledge and broaden their skills with a number of other on-demand courses from Nature Masterclasses, including “Writing a Research Paper: 2nd edition”, and “Writing & Publishing a Review Paper: 2nd edition”.
Nature Masterclasses strive to support the research community by making crucial training available at all stages of their academic careers. Investing in these skills ensures researchers publish with impact, gaining the attention they deserve in a competitive research environment.