EASA-450 Scientific Communications
Martha Davis - Chapter 7, Publishing in Scientific Journals
Significance of Papers
momentous, ground-breaking, classics
incremental stepping stones, filling in the gaps
We would all like to write the first kind, but 99.99% of science is the second kind. Regardless, both need to be well written to communicate effectively.
Decisions
what is target finishing date or conference deadline?
will you write alone or with co-authors?
will you do the writing (first author)?
for which journal - at what level? Content will play a large part and may even dictate the style and format.)
how long are you willing to wait for reviews (weeks to years)? Generally the more rapid the publication, the shorter you must make the paper and the more significant the content.
Publishing Steps
read the journal style and all instructions for preparation of figures, tables, and references
write the paper (assuming you are the first author)
consult with co-authors (can be frustrating, but essential) and colleagues (if you are unsure of content)
giving the work to someone else, not in the field, may substantially improve the readability
when you have a final version, revise it again critically before submission
submit to editor of one journal only with a simple cover letter
wait for reviews - this can take a long time, but don't forget - a work in review is not yet published, and therefore vulnerable to being scooped
The Reviews
Reviewers can be
quirky
lazy
over-zealous
unfair
helpful
sympathetic
hostile
anonymous
well-known self-identified colleagues
and everything in-between - be prepared for all possibilities!
The editor is responsible for conveying the verdict of the reviewers and making any judgments about the revision of the paper. You will have to correspond with the editor alone (normally).
Decisions can be
accepted as is (5%) - a miracle!
accepted with minor revisions (35%) - small corrections
accepted with major revisions (25%) - some things have to be changed, maybe substantially
rejected (35%)
the figures in brackets are my guesses.
Rejection? It happens often, even when you believe you have done a good job. Read page 78 of the text on the reasons why a paper may be rejected.
Revision
You are not obliged to make every revision - but you are obliged to explain to the editor why you might disagree with a reviewer's request
The editor has the final say.
Acceptance
When a paper has been accepted, it is 'in press', meaning that it will be copyrighted by the journal and you have claimed your place in the history of science.
Have a glass of champagne!
Then make sure you follow the final instructions - such as making a camera-ready version.
You may receive a 'galley proof' sometime later - this is the publisher's attempt to typeset your paper to the journal's standards.
If so - you are responsible for correcting this proof - take extreme care!
Publication Rates
In Earth Sciences, an active researcher will always be working on one or two papers for publication, and should make one or two substantial contributions per year.
Many scientists do much more than this - especially with the help of graduate students and post docs.
The following are reasonable expectations:
Graduate students should have shepherded at least one paper to the 'in-press' stage by the time their Ph. D. thesis is finished
A good Ph. D. thesis should be worth about two papers, and a good M.S. thesis is worth one