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September 20, 2024
Journal selection, writing, and submission: the journey of scientific publication
Mapping research area publications is essential to select the right journal and avoid pitfalls
“When it comes to academic writing, it’s like Freud’s analysis of sex: ‘Everyone does it, but no one talks about it.’” The phrase is by the author of the book “Writing Your Journal Article in Twelve Weeks: A Guide to Academic Publishing Success,” Wendy Belcher. For her, the taboo surrounding the topic ends up making writing, which should be something natural, a dysfunctional activity.
In her book, Belcher, who is a professor of African literature at Princeton University (USA), highlights two steps as the most important for those who wish to see a study published: to conduct a thorough review of the material that is already drafted (the project) and to select the journal for publication – planning the review according to the chosen outlet.
The professor warns, however, that this selection must be preceded by a thorough analysis of the existing journals in the area, to identify what best fits the theme of the research that is intended to be published. The penalty for the wrong choice is the rejection of the article, a more than fair reason for this stage to appear right at the beginning of the process.
According to the professor, one of the main reasons why a paper is rejected is not being in compliance with the standards of the publication to which it was submitted. Therefore, once the journal is chosen, it is essential to study it to understand what the required parameters for publication are. All of this helps to guide the review of the work and to adjust its writing and formatting as an article, in addition to identifying and avoiding so-called predatory (fraudulent) titles – read more about this subject below.
Start of the journey
In the book, Belcher details the steps needed to go through all stages of this process. According to her, the ideal is to submit the work to a journal that has a peer review system, whose works are published by an academic publisher (university or commercial) and which counts on authors considered specialists in their areas. The articles must cite their sources and detail the methodology used, so that other researchers can replicate or verify the works.
Analyzing the journal’s body and editorial board, as well as its indexing databases, can give the researcher an even broader view of the type of article they should write. Furthermore, an editorial board composed of specialists can add credibility and weight to the publication.
Following Belcher’s steps, the next is the preparation of the text. There are various types of articles within the categories “primary publications” (derived from original research results) and “secondary publications” (those that discuss other works), with different styles and structures – which can also vary according to the parameters of the journal to which the article will be submitted for evaluation. The text must be a concise report of the author’s research.
Article ready, time to submit. Each journal has its own submission system, just follow the instructions of the one chosen. The article must be sent along with the documentation required by the journal, according to its guidelines.
Publication process
Initially, the text and documentation will be analyzed by the editor, to verify if the material meets the scope of the journal. If the article is rejected at this stage, it is the end of the process. If it is accepted, it is forwarded for peer review, in which specialists in the research area evaluate the quality, relevance, and originality of the article.
In this stage, the article can also be rejected and returned to the author. If approved, most of the time, it returns to the author for adjustments, which can be of “major” or “minor” complexity. In the first case, it means that the reviewer asked for major structural changes in the text and it will be necessary to put a little more effort into rewriting some parts. Minor adjustments generally concern standards, spelling or clarification of small doubts.
After the author makes the necessary adjustments, the editor decides if the article is ready for publication and, if so, it is formatted, laid out, submitted for a final read by the author and, finally, published. The flow of this process can take from six months to a year, although there are journals that exceed this time.
Predatory journals
Unlike the process described above, predatory journals are known for promising agility in the review process and high acceptance rates. The proliferation of these journals has become a growing challenge in the academic world. These publications jeopardize the integrity of scientific research and the reputation of researchers seeking to publish their work.
The Ibict (Brazilian Institute of Science and Technology Information), linked to the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MCTI), launched a form to gather information about journals with indications of predatory practices in the country. The objective is to map these periodicals based on the experiences and perspectives of researchers.
The preliminary results, presented at the ABEC Meeting 2023, indicated about 5,338 complaints, with the identification of 478 journals engaging in predatory practices worldwide (Andrade et al., 2023).
The first step to avoid the pitfalls of predatory journals is to understand how to identify them. Unlike legitimate publications, predatory journals often lack a proper editorial process. They may publish virtually any article upon payment of a fee, without quality peer review.
According to Campos and Maricato (2024), these journals have characteristics similar to traditional ones, which attracts researchers. They facilitate the editorial process, making article publication fast, and charge high fees for the service. They present broad thematic coverage, send recurring invitations capturing authors, and their operating and management systems appear to have no flaws. These journals also present metrics of false and imaginary rankings.
An organization formed by volunteer researchers has launched a website called “Predatory Journals”, whose mission is to expose and help researchers identify predatory journals and share their negative experiences with these publications. To access the website, click here.
In 2020, American researcher Matan Shelomi starred in a curious case to expose this problem. He submitted a fictitious article, full of names and references to the Japanese animated series Pokémon, to a publication of doubtful reputation. The topic was how the consumption of Zubat (one of the fictional creatures from the animation) would have been responsible for the outbreak of Covid-19 in a city that only exists in the imagination of Pokémon fans. The fact gained notoriety when detailed in a text written by him and published by The Scientist website.
The article cited other figures from the world of fiction, such as Gregory House, a famous character from the series “House” (2004-2012), as well as characters from the Harry Potter saga. All these mentions were used as if they were true accounts for the study’s events. The villain duo from Pokémon itself, Jesse and James, were presented in the references as “theoretical basis” for the study.
| Jesse J James J (2020) Prepare for trouble: Coronavirus outbreak reaches North America. Rocket Science Monthly 21(2): 45–47 |
According to the article, SpongeBob also had publications, along with his friends Patrick and Sandy, which were used to “substantiate” the work.
| Squarepants, S Star P, Cheeks S (2014) Treatment of Karenovirus infection with processed food. Bikini Bottom Journal of Morbidity and Mortality 32: 2–50. |
The journal accepted the paper four days after its receipt, upon payment of a fee in the amount of US$ 1,179.00. Despite the jokes, this experiment shed light on the lack of criteria in this type of publication.
Impact Metrics
The growing concern with these misleading practices has led the scientific community to be more cautious. As warned by Jornal da USP, the “scientific scam” of predatory journals not only compromises the credibility of published research but can also manipulate impact metrics, deceiving those seeking reliable information. This often happens when researchers, pressured by the need for publication for career progression and visibility, fall into the trap of journals that promise quick publication, which can compromise their reputation in the academic community, as discussed by researcher Ernesto Spinak (2021). The table below presents some considerations to take into account before submitting an article.
Awareness of the dangers of predatory journals is a vital step in protecting the integrity of science and ensuring that published research contributes meaningfully to the advancement of knowledge. As USP researchers Hoch and Mench (2024) highlight, the collective effort to educate the scientific community about responsible publishing practices can help to “nip the problem in the bud,” fostering a culture of ethical and quality research. Science must be treated with seriousness, so that characters like Pokémon, SpongeBob SquarePants, and Harry Potter remain solely in the realm of entertainment and moments of relaxation on TV and video games.
| To access the references of this text click here |
Who wrote this column
Editora Pecege
