UEF // University of Eastern Finland

How to publish scholarly journal articles? 10 STEPS TO FOLLOW

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By Päivi Eriksson

UEF // University of Eastern Finland

1. Write short Abstract

Clarify the idea of your article by writing two sentences on each point.

•FOCUS - This paper focuses on... More specifically...

•OBJECTIVES – The purpose of the paper... The aim...

•METHODS – Data collection... Data analysis...

•RESULTS - The findings... The implications...

Formulate a working title which describes the main results of your study.

Make it interesting and informative.

12.2.2015 Päivi Eriksson 2

UEF // University of Eastern Finland

2. Choose journal

Choose your journal early on in the publishing process. Here is some criteria

that you can use.

•WHICH journals have published the main references that you use, can your research add to an on-going discussion in these journals?

•WHAT is your level of ambition, which journals fit with that?

•WHAT do the author guidelines say, does your article fit with the goals of the journal?

•WHAT do your colleagues say, ask for their advice

•DECIDE on the journal and start to follow its technical guidelines

12.2.2015 Päivi Eriksson 3

UEF // University of Eastern Finland

3. Write extended Abstract

Work on the story that your article tells, write 4-5 sentences on each

point. Keep it simple, but make the story as interesting as you can.

•FOCUS – Focuses on... More specifically... Prior research... We suggest...

•OBJECTIVES – Purpose... Aims... Research questions... Contribution...

•METHODS – Methodology... Methods... Data collection... Data analysis...

•RESULTS – Findings... Implications... Limitations... Conclusion...

12.2.2015 Päivi Eriksson 4

UEF // University of Eastern Finland

4. Write about Theory

Analyze prior research to be able to identify what is new in your

research. Outline the theoretical framework for your study.

•WHAT are the research gaps or problems in the research area?

•WHAT are the main theoretical concepts of your study?

• WHAT is your main argument in relation to prior research?

•WHAT is the theoretical framework of your study?

•WHAT does your study contribute to the research area?

12.2.2015 Päivi Eriksson 5

UEF // University of Eastern Finland

5. Write about Methods

Show and tell how you performed your study.

•WHAT is the methodological approach of your study?

•WHAT are the data collection methods that you used?

•HOW did you collect the data?

•WHAT are the data analysis methods that you used?

•HOW did you analyze the data?

12.2.2015 Päivi Eriksson 6

UEF // University of Eastern Finland

6. Write about Results

Show and tell the analysis that you did, outline and explain the results

that you got from your study.

•HOW did you proceed with the analysis ? Show data excerpts, tables and figures and write in detail what you see in them.

•WHAT are the main findings from the analysis? Summarize what you found.

•HOW do you understand your findings, what do they mean? Explain in detail.

12.2.2015 Päivi Eriksson 7

UEF // University of Eastern Finland

7. Write about Implications

Discuss the new knowledge that your study provides and the relevance,

implications and limitations of this knowledge.

•WHAT is the new knowledge that your study provides?

•WHAT is the relevance of this knowledge, to whom?

•WHAT are the theoretical implications of this new knowledge

•WHAT are the practical implications of this new knowledge?

12.2.2015 Päivi Eriksson 8

UEF // University of Eastern Finland

8. Write Introduction

Now that you know what your story is really about, you are ready to

write the Introduction. Try to make it interesting!

•CORE CONTENT: Revise your extended Abstract to match the current contents of the article. The revised version of your Abstract provides the core content for the Introduction.

•EXTEND: Extend the four points of the Abstract, especially FOCUS and OBJECTIVES. Add background information if necessary.

•STRUCTURE: Explain the structure of the article and describe what each of the main sections of it consist of.

12.2.2015 Päivi Eriksson 9

UEF // University of Eastern Finland

9. Get feedback and revise

Perform one or more rounds of revision on the basis of feedback from

others. Improve your story!

•FEEDBACK: Ask your colleagues to read the manuscript and give constructive feedback. Ask for more detailed feedback on the problem points of the manuscript.

•ANALYSIS: Analyze the feedback and plan how to revise the manuscript.

•REVISION: When revising the manuscript, do not forget what advice has been given earlier in this guide.

12.2.2015 Päivi Eriksson 10

UEF // University of Eastern Finland

10. Submit

Perform some key check-ups before submitting the manuscript to the

journal.

•TECHNICAL CHECK: Read the author guidelines once more and see that the manuscript meets with the technical requirements.

•LANGUAGE CHECK: If you are not a native speaker of the language used in the article, get it checked by a professional.

•FINAL CHECK: Make sure that the manuscript is picture perfect.

•SUBMIT: Send the manuscript to the journal.

12.2.2015 Päivi Eriksson 11

UEF // University of Eastern Finland

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