20150706 Edanz Nagasaki

Andrew Jackson, PhD Senior Editor

Increasing your Chances of Manuscript Acceptance

Nagasaki University

6 July 2015

About Andrew …

S

Be an effective communicator

Your goal is not only to be published, but also to be widely read/cited

Importance of publishing

Effectively communicate your ideas in English

Logically present your research in your manuscript

Section 1

Academic publishing

Academic publishing

Publication success = Academic success

S

Publication Metrics and Success on the Academic Job Market van Dijk et al. Current Biology. 2014; 24: R516-R517.

• >25,000 researchers in PubMed • Determined which factors positively correlated

with academic success

• Number of publications • Impact factor of the journal • Number of citations • University ranking • Gender

Academic publishing

What do journal editors want?

Increase impact

High quality research

Interesting to journal’s readership

Original and novel research Well-designed study

Logically organized Real-world applications

Well-written manuscript

Academic publishing

Research that has impact

1. Read primary literature

2. Identify trends: reviews, editorials

3. Identify an important question

• Do you have the expertise/resources? • What is new? • How is it useful? • Is the question focused?

Academic publishing

Do not plagiarize

Do not fabricate or falsify data

Authorship: Study design, data analysis Writing the manuscript Final approval (responsibility)

Declare conflicts of interest: Financial Personal

Publication ethics

Academic publishing

Do not plagiarize

Do not fabricate or falsify data

Authorship: Study design, data analysis Writing the manuscript Final approval (responsibility)

Declare conflicts of interest: Financial Personal

Publication ethics

Academic publishing Altmetrics

Academic publishing ORCiD

Identify yourself!


Which Tanaka Yoshihiro are

you looking for?



Effective writing

Section 2

Customer Service Effective writing Improving readability

Use short sentences Limit your sentences to 15–20 words

One idea per sentence

Use active voice More simple, direct, and easier to read

“Nature journals prefer authors to write in the active voice” (http://www.nature.com/authors/author_resources/how_write.html)

Customer Service Effective writing Use strong verbs

Avoid nominalizations

Converting a verb into a noun

Estimate Estimation

Decide Decision

Confirm Confirmation

Assess Assessment

Customer Service Effective writing

…estimation?

…decision?

…confirmation?

We made a…

Subject Verb

Still no idea what this sentence is about!

Use strong verbs

…cake?

By Puschinka, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons

Customer Service Effective writing Use strong verbs

We estimated…

We decided…

We confirmed…

We made a…

Subject Verb

Still no idea what this sentence is about! Clear and direct


We conducted an evaluation to determine if the program increased the recruitment of students and the maximization of faculty time.

Use strong verbs


We evaluated if the program recruited more students and maximized faculty time.

20 words

12 words

We conducted an evaluation to determine if the program increased the recruitment of students and the maximization of faculty time.

Use strong verbs

Customer Service Effective writing Academic English writing style

Readers focus at the end of the sentence to determine what is important.

1. You deserve a raise, but the budget is tight.

Which sentence suggests that you

will get a raise?

2. The budget is tight, but you deserve a raise.

http://writingcenter.unc.edu/handouts/flow/

Stress position


http://writingcenter.unc.edu/handouts/flow/

The stress position also introduces the topic of the next sentence

The topic position introduces the idea of the current sentence

Academic English writing style

The budget is tight, but you deserve a raise. Your salary will

increase at the beginning of next year. Stress position Topic position


TiO2 surface modification of the scaffold considerably

improved its catalytic efficiency. The increased efficiency was

prominent early in the reaction but decreased over time. The

lack of long-term effects of TiO2 surface modification was likely

due to the reaction being conducted in an aqueous

environment. Evaluating additional solvents to improve the

catalytic efficiency over time is currently being investigated.

idea idea idea idea

Topic link

sentence



Following early breakthrough reports on vacuum-deposited small molecule and solution-processed conjugated polymer organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs),1 tremendous progress has been made in commercializing smartphone, tablet, and television display products. OLED lighting offers additional challenges including very demanding efficiency requirements set by the ≈100 lm W–1 luminous power efficiency of fluorescent lamps. Vacuum-processed OLEDs have recently passed this 100 lm W–1 target,2 thereby stimulating continued interest in large area lighting applications. However, vacuum processing at scale, especially where shadow-masked pixellation is required, remains challenging and costly. Strong and growing interest has consequently been shown in solution-based processes to address these limitations and achieve the ultimate potential of plastic electronics in large-area, low-cost, high-throughput device fabrication.

Realizing solution-processed multilayer OLEDs with efficiency comparable to vacuum-deposited devices remains extremely challenging,4 and Table 1 summarizes the performance of a selection of state-of-the-art devices fabricated using different approaches. We focus here…

Perumal et al. Adv Mater. 2015; 27: 93–100.

Topic sentence

Stress sentence Topic sentence

Supporting sentences



http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/English_language

What does this map represent?

English is official language English is commonly used


To ascertain the efficaciousness of the program, we interrogated the participants upon completion.

Complex words


To ascertain the efficaciousness of the program, we interrogated the participants upon completion.

To determine the success of the program, we questioned the participants upon completion.

Complex words

Customer Service Effective writing Avoid complex words

Preferred Enough Clear Determine Begin Try Very Size Keep Enough End Use

Avoid Adequate Apparent Ascertain Commence Endeavor Exceedingly Magnitude Retain Sufficient Terminate Utilization

Customer Service Effective writing Unnecessary words

“A number of studies have shown that the charged group...”

“...as described in our previous study.”

“...at a flow rate of 1.0 mL/min.”

“As a matter of fact, such a low-temperature reaction…”

“That is another reason why, we believe…”

“It is well known that most of the intense diffraction peaks...” “It is well known that most of the intense diffraction peaks...”

“As a matter of fact, such a This low-temperature reaction…”

“A number of studies have shown that the charged group...”

“That is another reason why Therefore, we believe…”

“...as described previously in our previous study.”

“...at a flow rate of 1.0 mL/min.”


Avoid At a concentration of 2 g/L At a temperature of 37C At a wavelength of 340 nm In order to In the first place Four in number Green color Subsequent to Prior to

Preferred At 2 g/L At 37C At 340 nm To First Four Green After Before

Unnecessary words

When should you choose a journal?

1. After you have written your manuscript?

2. Before you write your manuscript?

Journal selection

Section 3

Journal selection

Author guidelines • Manuscript structure • Word limits • Reference style

Aims and scope • Topics • Readership • Be sure to emphasize

Relevant references

When to choose a journal?

Choose the journal before you write your manuscript

*Recently published articles

Journal selection Evaluating significance

How new are your findings? Low or high impact journal

Novelty

Identify new material to be used as a photocatalyst • Medium to high impact factor journal Improve the photocatalytic efficiency of an existing material • Low to medium impact factor journal

Journal selection

How broadly relevant are your findings? International/regional & general/specialized

Relevance

Applicable only to Asia • Regional journal is more appropriate Applicable worldwide • International journal is more appropriate (need to emphasize)

Evaluating significance

Journal selection

How broadly relevant are your findings? International/regional & general/specialized

Relevance

Applicable only to specific field • Specialized journal is more appropriate Applicable for other fields • Broad-focused journal is more appropriate (emphasize)

Evaluating significance

Journal selection Factors to consider when choosing a journal

Which factor is most important to you?

Aims & scope Readership

Open access Impact factor Indexing

Journal selection Open access

Author retains copyright

Less restrictions on word/figure limits (online only)

Published immediately online

Increased accessibility

• Researchers worldwide can download/read your paper

• Government/industry1

• Emerging markets

Increased downloads

• OA articles downloaded more often2

• Social network advantage3

• More impact in the field

1. Davis PM. Faseb J. 2011; 25: 1–6. 2. http://www.nature.com/press_releases/

ncomms-report2014.pdf 3. Allen et al. PLoS ONE. 2013; 8: e68914

Journal selection

The quality of OA journals is not good

OA journals have the same peer review process as subscription-based journals

IFs are lower partly because they are newer

• Less visibility in the field • Fewer citations

Open access myths

Journal selection 164 BMC journals have a 2013 IF

2013 Impact Factor

5.29

5.4

5.49

5.88

6.22

6.22

6.99

7.28

7.43

10.5

0 5 10 15

Molecular Neurodegeneration

Molecular Cancer

Molecular Autism

Breast Cancer Research

Clinical Epigenetics

Biotechnology for Biofuels

Particle and Fibre Toxicology

BMC Medicine

BMC Biology

Genome Biology

Journal selection Predatory journals

Some OA journals are not good

Easy way to get money from authors

• Promise quick and easy publication • Often ask for a ‘submission/handling’ fee

If you are ever unsure, please check the Beall’s List of Predatory Publishers

http://scholarlyoa.com/2012/12/06/bealls-list-of-predatory-publishers-2013/

Journal selection Trustworthy journals

Reputable publisher Springer, Elsevier, Wiley, PLoS, etc.

Editorial board International and familiar

Indexed Indexed by common databases

Authors Do you recognize the authors?

Fees Only paid after acceptance

Journal selection Journal Selector www.edanzediting.co.jp/journal_selector

Insert your proposed abstract or keywords

Journal selection

Filter by: • Field of study • Impact factor • Indexed in SCI • Open access • Publishing frequency

Journal Selector www.edanzediting.co.jp/journal_selector

Journal’s aims & scope, IF, and publication frequency

Journal selection

• Author guidelines • Journal website

Are they currently publishing similar articles?

Similar published articles

Have you cited any of these articles?

Journal Selector www.edanzediting.co.jp/journal_selector

Journal selection

First impression for journal editors

Significance Relevance

Writing style Interesting to their readers?

Why your work is important!

Cover letters

Journal selection

Dear Dr Lippman,

Please find enclosed our manuscript entitled “Evaluation of the Glasgow prognostic score in patients undergoing curative

resection for breast cancer liver metastases,” which we would like to submit for publication as an Original Article in the Breast

Cancer Research and Treatment.

The Glasgow prognostic score (GPS) is of value for a variety of tumours. Several studies have investigated the prognostic value of the GPS in patients with metastatic breast cancer, but few studies have performed such an investigation for patients undergoing liver resection for liver metastases. Furthermore, there are currently no studies that have examined the prognostic value of the modified GPS (mGPS) in these patients. The present study evaluated the mGPS in terms of its prognostic value for postoperative death in patients undergoing liver resection for breast cancer liver metastases.

A total of 318 patients with breast cancer liver metastases who underwent hepatectomy over a 15-year period were included in this study. The mGPS was calculated based on the levels of C-reactive protein and albumin, and the disease-free survival and cancer-specific survival rates were evaluated in relation to the mGPS. Prognostic significance was retrospectively analyzed by univariate and multivariate analyses. Overall, the results showed a significant association between cancer-specific survival and the mGPS and carcinoembryonic antigen level, and a higher mGPS was associated with increased aggressiveness of liver recurrence and poorer survival in these patients. This study is the first to demonstrate that the preoperative mGPS, a simple clinical tool, is a useful prognostic factor for postoperative survival in patients undergoing curative resection for breast cancer liver metastases. This information is immediately clinically applicable for oncologists treating such patients. As a premier journal covering the broad field of cancer, we believe that the Breast Cancer Research and Treatment is the perfect platform from which to share our results with the international medical community.

Give the background to the research

What was done and what was found

Interest to journal’s readers

A good cover letter

Editor’s name Manuscript title

Article type

Break

Any questions?

Follow us on Twitter

@EdanzEditing

Like us on Facebook

facebook.com/EdanzEditing

Download and further reading edanzediting.co.jp/nagasaki201506

Manuscript structure

Section 4

Coverage and Staffing Plan Manuscript

structure Introduction

Background information

Specific aims Aims

What is currently known

Problem in the field

Why does your study need to be done？

Worldwide relevance? Broad/specialized?

Up-to-date International


structure

Problem

Therefore, it is of great interest to investigate whether reduction in obesity is associated with improvement in insulin secretion and sensitivity. However, the relationship between the changes in obesity and insulin resistance has not been well characterized.

Here, we investigated the associations between changes in obesity and insulin secretion and sensitivity in obese Japanese participants over a 1-year period.

Aims

Identify an important problem State aims that directly address this problem

Writing the Introduction

Modified from: Goto et al. PLoS ONE. 2013; 8: e57964.


structure

Common mistakes in the Introduction

Ideas are not logically organized

Introduce topics that are not discussed later (Results/Discussion)

Not introduce important topics that are discussed later (topics introduced in the Discussion)

Cited studies are not up-to-date

Cited studies are geographically biased

Why study needs to be done?

Keep focused

Write last

<5 years

International


structure Methods/Experimental

How it was done

• General methods • Specific techniques – (discuss controls)

• Quantification methods • Models/equations • Statistical tests

What/who was used

• Samples or participants • Materials

How it was analyzed

Consult a statistician

What did you do？


structure Results

1. Initial observation 2. Characterization 3. Application

Logical presentation

What did you find？

Example:

1. Fabricate new membrane for water treatment

2. Evaluate physical and chemical properties (e.g., under different temperatures/pressures)

3. Efficacy in removing particulate contamination


structure Results

1. Initial observation 2. Characterization 3. Application

Each subsection corresponds to

one figure

What you found, not what it means


Subsections

Factual description

What did you find？


structure Combined

Results–Discussion

Results Interpretation

Figure 1


Figure 2


Figure 3


Figure 4

Initial observation


Characterization

Application


structure Discussion

Summary of findings

Relevance

Conclusion

Similarities/differences Unexpected/negative results Limitations

Implications

How contributes to the field？


structure

Nitrogen pollution in household wastewater tends to lead to eutrophication in natural waters, which can diminish water quality and ecosystem services. However, the comparative cost and effectiveness of conventional and alternative wastewater treatment strategies to reduce nitrogen have not been clearly evaluated. In this study, we found that the most cost-effective alternatives for mitigating nitrogen are decentralized systems, paired with conventional septic systems as necessary. Sensitivity analysis shows that...

Re-introduction

Conclusion

Modified from: Wood et al. J Environ Manage. 2015; 150: 344–354.

Writing the beginning of your Discussion

State the major conclusion of the study

Problem


structure

Modified from: Ketola & Hiltunen. Ecol Evol. 2014; 4: 3901–3908.

Compare your findings with those published by others

Writing the middle of your Discussion

Comparison with previous studies

Current finding

Potential reasons

Our observations suggest that fluctuating growth conditions did not select for generalism at the tested salinity levels. This finding is in contrast to several studies where evidence for an evolved generalism was found to be the consequence of fluctuating environments (Buckling et al. 2006, Ketola et al. 2013, 2014; Condon et al. 2014). One explanation for the lack of expected adaptation in fluctuating environments in the current study could be that our salinity fluctuations were too coarse-grained…


structure

In this study, we found that leaf N, P and N:P of the desert flora were unrelated to mean annual precipitation and only weakly related to mean annual temperature (Fig. 3). Possibly, the range in temperature (5.8–8.8°C) and precipitation (40–200 mm) at our study site was too small to detect strong patterns with leaf N and P. Leaf N and P stoichiometry of different desert plants can temporally fluctuate because of seasonal climate variation that can obscure the spatial relationships between this stoichiometry and mean annual climate parameters. Future studies should evaluate these patterns in other areas throughout the year to address this issue.

Describe any unexpected/negative results

Suggest future directions

Modified from: He et al. Sci Rep. 2014; 4: 6932.


Possible reasons

Negative results


structure

Although this study used T. gondii as a model organism for evaluating terrestrial pathogen transport in coastal ecosystems, the polymer-mediated mechanisms identified here are likely relevant to disease transmission of numerous terrigenous pathogens that pose health risks to marine hosts or humans.

Although the estimated quantum efficiency of the Pt-modified C3N4 catalyst is rather low, this study opens new directions for the search of energy production schemes, using thermally and oxidation-stable polymeric organic semiconductor structures as the functional material that are cheap and commonly available.

Describe your limitations


Modified from: Shapiro et al. Proc R Soc B. 2014; 281: 20141287.

Modified from: Wang et al. Nat Mater. 2008; 8: 76–80. Limitations related to: • Data analysis • Study design

Limitation

Limitation Application

Application


structure

In this paper, we successfully prepared PThTA nanoparticles with Fe3+-catalyzed oxidative polymerization and surfactant-free oxidative polymerization in an aqueous medium. The quantum efficiency increased with polymerization time from 1.43 to 3.22. Moreover, the maximum emission wavelength significantly shifted from 450 nm to 520 nm as the chain length increased as a function of monomer conversion. Our results provide new insights on surfactant-free oxidative polymerization and may serve as guidelines for the preparation of new conjugated polymer emulsion systems for potential optoelectronic devices. Future studies should extend our surfactant-free oxidative polymerization to substituted polythiophene nanoparticles.

Conclusions

Conclusion

Implications

Future directions

Modified from: Ryu et al. Polymer. 2014; 55: 806–812.

What do you want people to remember?

Key findings


structure

Common mistakes in the Discussion

Do not restate your results

After policy implementation, cadmium levels at sites adjacent to the factory significantly decreased from 113.9±12.6 g m–2 to 53.4±6.3 g m–2 (p=0.034). This demonstrates that this policy is effective in reducing cadmium contamination and should be considered in other similar regions as well.

Our results demonstrate that the implementation of the new policy was effective in reducing cadmium contamination at factory-adjacent sites by 53.1%. This suggests that this policy may also be effective in reducing cadmium levels in other similar regions as well.


structure

Do not overgeneralize your findings

Our results demonstrate that the implementation of the new policy was effective in reducing cadmium contamination at factory-adjacent sites by 53.1%. This proves that this policy will be effective in reducing industrial contamination worldwide.

Policy implementation in Japan reduces cadmium contamination

Our results demonstrate that the implementation of the new policy was effective in reducing cadmium contamination at factory-adjacent sites by 53.1%. This suggests that this policy may also be effective in reducing cadmium levels in other similar regions as well.

Common mistakes in the Discussion


structure Linking your ideas

Background information

Objectives

Methodology

Results and figures

Summary of findings

Implications for the field

Relevance of findings

Problems in the field

Current state of the field Introduction

Methods

Results

Discussion

Logically link your ideas together


structure Linking your ideas

Contamination of the soil by heavy metals is a serious environmental problem...

However, little is known how heavy metals affect membrane lipid metabolism…

Here, we showed that Cd stress altered membrane structure and function by changing the profiles of individual polar lipids and unsaturation levels.

Background

Problem

Conclusion

Discussion

Introduction

Modified from: Elloumi et al. Botanical Studies. 2014; 55: 61.

Our aim was to assess how Cd stress affects the composition and biosynthesis of lipids and fatty acids……

Objective


structure

Important points

Summarize key finding Contains keywords Less than 20 words

Avoid

Effective titles

Your title should be a concise summary of your most important finding

Questions Describing methods Abbreviations “New” or “novel”


structure Abstracts

First impression of your paper

Importance of your results

Validity of your conclusions

Relevance of your aims

Judge your writing style

Probably only part that will be read


structure Sections of an abstract

Aims

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Why the study was done

Your hypothesis

Techniques/analyses

Most important findings

Conclusion/implications

Concise summary of your study


structure Unstructured abstract

In the Tahe oilfield in China, heavy oil is commonly lifted using the light oil blending technology. However, due to the lack of light oil, the production of heavy oil has been seriously limited. Here, we aimed to reduce light oil usage and maintain heavy oil production using a new compound technology of light oil blending and electric heating. We developed a pressure and temperature coupling model based on mass, momentum and energy conservation. The heat-transfer parameters and pressure drop are calculated by using the Hasan–Kabir and Hagedorn–Brown methods, respectively. This model also considers the effects of blending light and heavy oils as well as heating the electric rods. Our calculations demonstrate that electric heating coupled with light oil blending is much more effective than either alone. In conclusion, our study shows that the amount of light oil used can be reduced by combining the electric heating technology. This novel method should improve heavy oil production in regions lacking light oil.

Modified from: Zhu et al. J Petrol Explor Prod Technol. 2014; DOI: 10.1007/s13202-014-0126-x.


structure Unstructured abstract

Conclusion In conclusion, our study shows that the amount of light oil used can be reduced by combining the electric heating technology. This novel method should improve heavy oil production in regions lacking light oil.

Results

We developed a pressure and temperature coupling model based on mass, momentum and energy conservation. The heat-transfer parameters and pressure drop are calculated by using the Hasan–Kabir and Hagedorn–Brown methods, respectively. This model also considers the effects of blending light and heavy oils as well as heating the electric rods. Our calculations demonstrate that electric heating coupled with light oil blending is much more effective than either alone.

Aims/ methods

Here, we aimed to reduce light oil usage and maintain heavy oil production using a new compound technology of light oil blending and electric heating.

Background In the Tahe oilfield in China, heavy oil is commonly lifted using the light oil blending technology. However, due to the lack of light oil, the production of heavy oil has been seriously limited.


Implications


structure Writing your abstract

In the Tahe oilfield in China, heavy oil is commonly lifted using the light oil blending technology. However, due to the lack of light oil, the production of heavy oil has been seriously limited. Here, we aimed to reduce light oil usage and maintain heavy oil production using a new compound technology of light oil blending and electric heating. We developed a pressure and temperature coupling model based on mass, momentum and energy conservation. The heat-transfer parameters and pressure drop are calculated by using the Hasan–Kabir and Hagedorn–Brown methods, respectively. This model also considers the effects of blending light and heavy oils as well as heating the electric rods. Our calculations demonstrate that electric heating coupled with light oil blending is much more effective than either alone. In conclusion, our study shows that the amount of light oil used can be reduced by combining the electric heating technology. This novel method should improve heavy oil production in regions lacking light oil.


Why study needs to be done

Aims and methods to address problem

What you found

How study contributes to the field

Peer review

Section 5

Peer review What reviewers are looking for

The science

The manuscript

Relevant hypothesis Good experimental design Appropriate methodology Good data analysis Valid conclusions

Logical flow of information Manuscript structure and formatting Appropriate references High readability

Abstract and Introduction Methods Results and Figures Discussion

Peer review Unclear decision letter

10 January 2015

Dear Dr. Robens,

Manuscript ID JOS-11-7839: “Prediction of the largest peak nonlinear seismic response of asymmetric structures under bi-directional excitation”

Your manuscript has been reviewed, and we regret to inform you that based on our Expert reviewers’ comments, it is not possible to further consider your manuscript in its current form for publication in the Journal of Seismology.

Although the reviews are not entirely negative, it is evident from the extensive comments and concerns that the manuscript, in its current form, does not meet the criteria expected of papers in the Journal of Seismology. The results appear to be too preliminary and incomplete for publication at the present time.

The reviewer comments are included at the bottom of this letter. I hope the information provided by the reviewers will be helpful to revise your manuscript in future. Thank you for your interest in the journal and I regret that the outcome has not been favorable at this time.

Decision

Reason

Comments

Peer review

The Reviewer comments are not entirely negative.

It is not possible to consider your manuscript in its current form.

I hope the information provided will be helpful to revise your manuscript in the future.

I regret that the outcome has not been favorable at this time.

Editor may be interested in your work

Peer review

We cannot publish your manuscript

Your study does not contain novel results that merit publication in our journal.

We appreciate your interest in our journal. However, we will not further consider your manuscript for publication.

We wish you luck in publishing your results elsewhere.

Editor is not interested in your work

Peer review Why send an unclear decision letter?

Publication time

Long revisions = long publication times

Editors hope you fully revise and then resubmit as a new publication

Peer review Clear decision letter

10 January 2015

Dear Dr. Robens,

Manuscript ID JOS-11-7839: “Prediction of the largest peak nonlinear seismic response of asymmetric structures under bi-directional excitation”

Your manuscript has been reviewed, and we believe that after revision your manuscript may become suitable for publication in Journal of Seismology. The reviewer concerns are included at the bottom of this letter.

You can submit a revised manuscript that takes into consideration these comments. You will also need to include a detailed commentary of the changes made. Please note that resubmitting your manuscript does not guarantee eventual acceptance, and that your resubmission may be subject to re-review by the reviewers before a decision is made.

To revise your manuscript, log into https://www.editorialmanager.com/JSeis/ and enter your Author Center, where you will find your manuscript title listed under "Manuscripts with Decisions." Under "Actions," click on "Create a Revision." Your manuscript number has been appended to denote a revision.

…

Manuscript ID number

Decision

How to re-submit

Peer review Clear decision letter

How to respond

Due date for resubmission

…You will be unable to make your revisions on the originally submitted version of the manuscript. Instead, revise your manuscript using a word processing program and save it on your computer. Please also highlight the changes to your manuscript within the document by using bold or colored text. Once the revised manuscript is prepared, you can upload it and submit it through your Author Center.

When submitting your revised manuscript, you will be able to respond to the comments made by the reviewer(s) in the space provided. You can use this space to document any changes you make to the original manuscript. In order to expedite the processing of the revised manuscript, please be as specific as possible in your response to the reviewer(s).

IMPORTANT: Your original files are available to you when you upload your revised manuscript. Please delete any redundant files before completing the submission.

Because we are trying to facilitate timely publication of manuscripts submitted to BBE, your revised manuscript should be uploaded by 10 May. If it is not possible for you to submit your revision in a reasonable amount of time, we may have to consider your paper as a new submission.

Once again, thank you for submitting your manuscript to Journal of Seismology and I look forward to receiving your revised manuscript.

Peer review Writing response letters

Revise your manuscript according to reviewer comments

Communicate revisions to the journal editor

Peer review Writing response letters

Respond to every reviewer comment

Read by the journal editor, not the reviewers

Highlight the text

Easy to see changes

Refer to line and page numbers

Use a different color font

Highlight the text

Strikethrough font for deletions

Peer review

Reviewer Comment: In your analysis of the data you have chosen to use a somewhat obscure fitting function (regression). In my opinion, a simple Gaussian function would have sufficed. Moreover, the results would be more instructive and easier to compare to previous results.

Response: We agree with the reviewer’s assessment of the analysis.

Agreeing with reviewers

Agreement

Journal editors want to know why you agree and what changes you made

Peer review


Response: We agree with the reviewer’s assessment of the analysis. Our tailored function, in its current form, makes it difficult to tell that this measurement constitutes a significant improvement over previously reported values. We describe our new analysis using a Gaussian fitting function in our revised Results section (Page 6, Lines 12–18).

Agreeing with reviewers

Agreement

Revisions

Location

Why you agree

Peer review


Response: It is clear that this reviewer is not familiar with the current analytical methods in the field. I recommend that you identify a more suitable reviewer for my manuscript.

Disagreeing with reviewers

Peer review Disagreeing with reviewers


Response: Although a simple Gaussian fit would facilitate comparison with the results of other studies, our tailored function allows for the analysis of the data in terms of the Smith model [Smith et al., 1998]. We have now explained the use of this function and the Smith model in our revised Discussion section (Page 12, Lines 2–6).

Evidence

Revisions

Location

Support your claim with evidence

Peer review

Reasons why reviewers might make these comments

• Current results are not appropriate for the scope or impact factor of the journal

• Reviewer is being “unfair”

Reviewer comment: Currently, the authors’ conclusion that this questionnaire is appropriate for cross-cultural analyses is not completely valid because their participants all resided in Japan. They should also show the questionnaire’s validity in participants living in other countries.

“Unfair” comments

Peer review

What should you do?

First, contact the journal editor if you feel reviewer is being unfair

• Do the experiments, revise, and resubmit

• Withdraw submission and resubmit current manuscript to a journal with a different scope or lower impact factor – In this example, a regional journal may be more appropriate

“Unfair” comments

S

Be an effective communicator

Your goal is not only to be published, but also to be widely read/cited

Importance of publishing

Effectively communicate your ideas in English

Logically present your research in your manuscript

Thank you!

Any questions?

Follow us on Twitter

@EdanzEditing

Like us on Facebook

facebook.com/EdanzEditing

Download and further reading edanzediting.co.jp/nagasaki201506

Andrew Jackson: [email protected]

Education

20150706 Edanz Nagasaki