Submission and Revision: Getting Published

The reviewing and revision of scientific manuscripts are major factors contributing to the progress of science and technology. Reviewers help to identify errors in the design, performance, or interpretation of a scientific study that the original researchers were unaware of, as well as to provide new ideas for additional experiments or interpretations that can help improve the researcher’s work. The reviewers may also be able to provide suggestions on how the results can be presented in a more compelling and understandable fashion, which could increase the impact of your research. Reviewers are often the unsung heroes of science – receiving no financial rewards or broader recognition. The results of the submission and revision process can be highly rewarding (if your manuscript gets accepted) or highly disparaging (if your manuscript gets rejected). It is good advice to develop a respectful and constructive attitude when responding to reviewers’ comments. If your manuscript does get rejected by one journal, do not take it personally, this is a normal part of the scientific process. If you can, you should carry out any additional research needed, revise your manuscript, and then submit it to another journal. If your research has merit, then it should eventually get published, thereby advancing our understanding of the world. This chapter discusses how to decide where to publish your research, how to prepare the different materials needed for submission, how to deal with reviewers’ comments, and how to promote your work once published.