1. Successful publishing managing the review process Professor Janet R. McColl-Kennedy, PhD 2004 Services Doctoral Consortium Miami, Florida 28 October

2. Step 1: Prepare well Do your homework on the journal aim for a journal before writing who is on the editorial board? who are the readers? philosophy of the journal look at some recent issues check the guidelines for submission what type of paper is it? (eg. conceptual, case study, meta analysis, empirical)

3. What is the contribution? the “wow” factor how does the paper add to our understanding? you need to argue that you have done something unique and significant you need to identify the gap(s) in the literature and show clearly where and how your paper adds significantly

4. What is the contribution (cont)? it must have –a strong conceptual development –precise definitions –compelling argument –technically correct (method and analysis) it needs to be better than all the others that are compelling at that time! journals have limited space

5. As a reviewer what do I look for? significant contribution (several studies) “Wow”…this is something very interesting and worth publishing! appropriate methodology and analysis thoughtfulness and completeness in the paper compelling argument clarity of writing appropriate to the journal

6. Compelling argument demonstrate why this paper should be published how does it add to what we know (what’s unique?, contrary findings?) state purpose clearly and right at the beginning (in the first page) –“In this study we seek to extend…by addressing the gaps…”

7. Presentation write clearly (clear thoughts = clear writing) “Don’t write merely to be understood. Write so that you cannot be misunderstood” (Summers, 2001). checks –contribution to length ratio –are all figures/tables included? –numbered and named correctly

8. Reviewer’s check list is there a clear structure? do I know what this paper is about in the first page? does the paper flow well? is the length appropriate? (eg. typically 20- 25 pages) are all the figures included? relevant? are the tables and figures correctly numbered and named?

9. Peer review before you send off your paper have a couple of colleagues read it over and give you honest feedback have the reviewers in mind when you write. They like to be cited!!!! check that you have written (rewritten) for the particular journal (check format again)

10. Why articles are rejected? Prof Bob Lusch’s view (Editor of J of Marketing at that time) poorly written not scholarly and/or not literature based fatal flaws research mis-positioned for the journal weaknesses outweighed strengths of the article insufficient contribution too new/unique that reviewers did not have frame of reference to effectively review the paper

11. Communicate with the editor cover letter- show how the paper is unique (key areas - should help identify reviewers) key words are very important follow up for a progress report (but be polite!) “Revise and resubmit” is good news! Do just that. Some people send it to another journal and it may be reviewed again by the same reviewer(s)!

12. What to do with reviewers comments do not ignore them!!!!!! take a walk ask a colleague to read the paper and give their view of the comments consolidate the recommendations do not take the comments personally make every effort to incorporate all the suggestions

13. What to do with reviewers comments(cont) show exactly how you have addressed each comment one by one show how the revisions have strengthened the paper remember that your response will be sent back to the reviewers don’t put the reviewers or the editor down!!!!! be professional, tell them that you appreciated the comments!

14. Rewrite, rewrite, rewrite writing journal articles is a process even the very best researchers have to rewrite their work. sometimes it takes years to get the paper published try to see it as a process and enjoy the process. You learn by doing! stay positive

15. The reject letter! take a walk! come back re read the comments go for another walk! re read the comments - maybe they have a point! learn from and build on rejection! most comments are worth thinking about give another angle…something you hadn’t considered rework and resubmit…

16. Recognise that it is a process remember you are an artisan – crafting a masterpiece …it takes time (lots of time) and hard work quality pays off be persistent learn to enjoy writing you want to be proud of your work several years later architects have opera houses (buildings)… artists have mona lisas… good researchers have great papers