Writing Research Paper That Gets Published Muhammad Rafiq Awan

What is a Research Article A manuscript which is the result of a original research and assesses its contribution to the body of knowledge in a given area and published in a peer reviewed scholarly journal. A research paper produced as a primary resource to justify/support or negate the existing theory or to give new theory published in a research journal.

Types of Research Articles Rapid/letter/short articles Written on the basis of some early data or partial data. Review Papers Summarizing recent developments from literature Full-length Articles Significant developments on the basis of data Micro Articles Extensions in existing research

Planning Your Manuscript Topic should be unique, innovative and original You have completed the homework Read some literature on the topic Decide for appropriate research methodology Have you resources and skills Can you seek help from others Why do you want to do that Can topic contribute in the body of knowledge Discuss your construct and hypothesis Where you can publish your study What are the ethical considerations Is work meaningful Get critique on your work Are there audience for your idea

Choosing Right Title Types of Titles Descriptive Titles (Describe phenomenon) Example: “Role of academic conferences on shaping research agenda” Declarative Titles (Focusing on the results) Example: “Academic conferences shaping the short term research agenda” Interrogative Titles Example: “Do academic conferences shape the research agenda”

Choosing Right Title…… Leave out phrases like “a study of”, “investigating into”, “observation on” Do not use abbreviations and jargons Identify article’s main issue Begin with the article’s subject matter Accurate/un-ambiguous and specific Enticing and interesting Words of controlled vocabulary

Authorship Include the names who have real contribution Who have significant contributions in the field Prefer not too many authors Who may contribute with you Expertise you are weak Person from you field of interest Give your own name as corresponding author

Keywords for the Article Important words Prefer concrete words Avoid compound words Use as many as can be Use subject thesaurus Presenter of your article Avoid acronyms

Abstract Parts of abstract Length of Abstract (200 to 250 words) Background, Objectives, Research Problem, Methodology & method, Results, Conclusion Length of Abstract (200 to 250 words) Background 30 To 40 words Objectives 30 To 40 words Method/methodology 50 To 60 words Results 50 To 60 Words Conclusion 40 To 50 words Summary in one sentence (optional) Do not include references Use Past Tense Clear and precise

Introduction Creating a Research Space (CARS) Hourglass Model General points to be consider: Contextual background (one small paragraph) to provide basis to your claim What previous researches contributed (two or three paragraphs) not history What they have not addressed or offshoot (one paragraph) Gap What problem gap is causing Problem being investigated (one small paragraph) Solution to the problem/ answers to the questions Benefit of solutions/ Addition to the existing body of knowledge Avoid unnecessary paragraphs Use headings if required Mostly in Past Tense

Research Design What ontology and epistemology followed? What paradigm of research used? What methodology used (give justification)? What method and tools utilized and why? Give little details State the frequencies Type of data recorded for each observation Precise measurements Describe statistical tests and their justification Assumptions for tests Research ethics for data collection (if human, animal or other aspects) Name techniques if known or give details if new See past research papers on the topic what design they have used and how Use Third Person Passive

Results Objective findings not subjective findings Largely in text form Show how your results adds body of knowledge Clear and logical Interpret your results Preferably in the sequence of table/figures/graphs Emphasize only on significant results Table and figures should be numbered Keep in mind that results are not discussion Do not repeat Not too many tables and figures Only relevant ones

Discussion This is the place where you describe the meanings of you research Presentation of information recapitalization Summary of results Should be in context to your literature review Narrate how your results support/refute previous theories What new theory/ies your research has given Link it with research questions or hypotheses Mention limitations (if any) Suggest further extensions Explain how your research added the body of knowledge Practical applications of your research

Conclusions Are your results directly support your conclusions Do not introduce new vocabulary Conclusions based on facts not imaginary State but never overstate the conclusions Main message of your conclusions Freely mention if your research falsify the previous research Do not include the unnecessary information

References Use prescribed writing style Latest references (possibly last five years) Use Endnote Repeat reference for one idea/ Do not repeat idea See intext reference and then list Do not miss any reference in the list Use last name Use running quotation if it is less than 40 words and “ ……. “ Centralize two tabs from each side if quotation is more than 40 words “…………………………………………………………………………………….................. ……………………………………………………………………………………………….... ……………………………………………………..” (Awan, 2015). Awan (2015)……… …………..(Awan, 2015).

Research Ethics Permission Certificate Authorship Disputes Plagiarism Simultaneous submissions Research frauds Do not borrow the idea without reference

Personal Review From Article

Selection of Journal Scope and coverage Status of journal Ranking Matrix Impact Factor/ Journal Citation Report Acceptance/rejection rate Average time of publishing Fee or free What are alternates Prepare your mail/cover letter professionally Aim high but not too high Open Access journals Avoid fraudulent/fake journals

Submission of Article Read guidelines thoroughly Respect the words length Check the plagiarism again before sending Wait for response Wait for pear review (Single, Double, Open) Welcome revisions Try understand reviewer’s pint of view Do not argue reviewer Use polite tone if you want to explain Submit the article soon after revision Read the terms and conditions Try to be reviewer of the journal (in the beginning voluntarily)

After Publication Share your research Send its link to Communities of Practice Use Social Media Ask friends for referencing Promote your research Join Academic Communities (Research Gate) Give suggestions to the novel researchers