1. How to write an article Dr. Zahra Abdulqader Amin
Pharmacognosy Department
College of Pharmacy
Hawler Medical University

2. Outlines Writing a paper
How to write a good manuscript for an international journal?
Common errors
Ready for publishing

3. Writing papers: model 1
Idea
Do research
Write paper

4. Writing papers: model 2 Idea Do research Write paper Idea Write paper

5. “There are three necessary steps in a useful research: the first to begin it, the second to end it and the third to publish it.”

6. * Your paper is worthless if no one reads, uses, or cites it

7. How to write a good manuscript for an international journal?
A. Preparation before starting B. Construction of an article C. Technical details

8. A. Preparation before starting
1. Check the originality of your idea at the very beginning of your research

9. A. Preparation before starting (cont.)
2. Decide the type of your manuscript
Full article/original articles
letters
rapid communications/ short communication
review paper /perspectives

10. A. Preparation before starting (cont.)
3. Who are your audiences?

11. A. Preparation before starting (cont.)
4. Choose the right journal

12. A. Preparation before starting (cont.)
WHY PUBLISH IN OPEN ACCESS JOURNALS?
Your article will obtain more citations.
You own the copyright to your article.
Your article will be peer-reviewed and published very fast.
All interested readers can read, download, and/or print open access articles at no cost!
Your article can be read by potentially millions of readers, which is incomparable to publishing in a traditional subscription journal.

13. A. Preparation before starting (cont.)
5. Read the guide for authors again and again

14. B. Construction of an article
Fewest possible words that describe the contents
Keep your name and affiliation consistent
What has been done &
what are the main findings.
It is the advertisement of your article

15. B. Construction of an article
How your manuscript should be labeled or categorized
What problem was studied and why your work is necessary
How was the problem studied

16. B. Construction of an article
What have you found?
Statistical analysis
A figure is worth a thousand word
What do the results mean?
Relate with previous publications
How the work advances the field of study?

17. B. Construction of an article
Is your chance to thank people who have helped & Funding organizations
Make everything conforms to the Guide for Authors of the journal, The correct format is the responsibility of the author, not the Editor!
Experimental details with secondary importance

18. I’ve just stolen other author’s work!
B. Construction of an article (cont.)
To avoid plagiarism, do not try to rewrite an author’s sentences in your own words. You will almost always use too many of that author’s words.
I’ve just stolen other author’s work!
“Plagiarizer”

19. C. Technical details 1. Suggested text layout
2. Suggested length of the article
3. Abbreviations (Acronyms)
4. Cover letter
5. Suggested potential reviewers
6. Revision before submission (checklist)

21. READY for publishing What Happens to Your Article?
Submitted to Editor
Editor’s “assessment” (reject; revise)
Sent to Reviewers
Reviewers reply to Editor
Editor’s decision (accept; reject; revise)
Back to you: revised version and letter
Editor may revert to Reviewers

22. READY for publishing (cont.) What Do I Look For as an Editor?
Originality
What’s new?
Content
Is there enough?
Simplicity
Can it be clearer, shorter?

23. READY for publishing (cont.)

24. Rejection is not the end of the world
READY for publishing (cont.)
Rejection is not the end of the world
Re-evaluate your work and decide whether it is appropriate to submit the paper elsewhere.
If so, begin as if you are going to write a new article. Read the Guide for Authors of the new journal, again and again.

25. Questions?