How to publish an ISI article

DR. SHAFIQ FLYNN

What is a journal article?

Journals are publications that specialise in a particular subject area, containing a series of
short, in-depth articles which describe or report on new research. Journal articles go into
detail on very specific subject areas, and recent journal articles are a primary source of
the latest research.
Journal articles are specific, meticulously cited and peer-reviewed.
Journal databases are the best place to look for information on previous research in your
field. However, without background knowledge, journal articles may be hard to
understand - although, you do not need to understand an entire article to be able to get
valuable information from it.
Common Factors for Rejection

Four major reasons articles are rejected are:

It does not make a significant contribution to the body of knowledge. It is either too descriptive or a
repeat of previous studies.

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Poor conceptual framework that lacks definition of core constructs and compelling theoretical
motivation for the research. In other words, the article doesnt have a strong argument, or have any real
discernible purpose to support it.
Flawed methodology, i.e. small and non-representative sample / lack of balance (bias).
Disorganised writing that lacks focus and structure.
 Different Components
of a Journal Article

How to attack the different segments and what to avoid

Title, Abstract, and Keywords

Probably best if you write these last.

Ideas are not concrete until the article has been completed. In other words your initial
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ideas will not be as distinct and definite, until you have worked at developing them in the
process of writing the article.
Write an argument statement to work off initially. This can be revised and perfected as
your research continues.
 A well-reasoned essay sits like an iceberg in the water,
showing us a tip which indicates a deep mass of
knowledge. If you have done the research - the reading
and thinking that is the ice beneath the surface - it will be
abundantly clear to your reader in your introduction
- ACADEMIC SKILLS AND LEARNING CENTRE, AUSTRALIAN NATIONAL UNIVERSITY
How to write the Introduction:

Your introduction:
demonstrates your understanding of the subject. This is usually accomplished via a general
statement regarding the topic, giving the reader an instant understanding of what topic/area/time
period you are focussing on specifically.
establishes/defines any necessary terms/events/concepts methods, etc.
has a clear and comprehensive statement of your argument in relation to the set topic.
prepares your reader for what follows, i.e. signposts how you establish your response and the
arguments to be presented.
IT DOES NOT SIMPLY LIST WHAT YOU WILL DO IN THE RESEARCH.
How to go about writing your introduction:

While there are many ways to go about this, you may find it easier to think of it as a
series of moves:
Move 1:
Broad background or A brief context for the field of inquiry will orient the
context to the reader. Keep the background material to a minimum,
field/discipline and and focus this material towards your argument.
topic What is pertinent to my argument? What does my
reader need to know in order to grasp what Im
about to talk about, in under 2-3 sentences?
Move 2:
Set up the issue -
what's the debate? As you begin to map the debate and identify the key
issues. This is where you will draw more closely
from your research, and summarise other
arguments/research pertaining to your topic. Again
in under 2-3 sentences.
Move 3:
State your
argument/thesis
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This move identifies the issue, and will be at the
heart of the article. It will show the journal, and the
reader, how well you have focused on the key issue,
and will indicate how well you have done your
research.
Move 4:
Signpost and outline
the structure of your This is like a roadmap for your essay. It answers the
essay question by setting up a line of argument. The reader
can clearly identify how you perceive the key issues
and how you will proceed.
Literature Review

An article is NOT a thesis. You dont have time/words/space for one.

The literature review does NOT form an independent section of the article and is NOT a
part of the introductory paragraphs.

An article, in a way, is a literature review, as you are continually asserting and comparing
ideas with what has already been written.
Simple put: do NOT write a separate literature review in an article. REVIEW,
COMPARE, and DISCUSS prior literature as you develop your argument
Prior Literature

represents the theoretical core of an article.

It shows what others have done on the topic.
It critically evaluates, reorganises, and synthesises previous works against your own. Do you
agree? Why? Why not? Can you identify contradictory findings? How can you explain these
contradictions?
Show that you have considered an issue from multiple perspectives.
A good review depends on how the author digests earlier works and relates it to the current
topic.
Keep it focused, relevant to the period of your research, and always related to the topic (how it
fits into the bigger picture).
Developing an argument through paragraphs

The paragraph is a unit of ideas, not a unit of length. It consists of:

a topic sentence which communicates the main idea of the paragraph - an idea that is rarely just
descriptive but always contributes to your overall argument.
sentences that support and develop the main idea in the remainder of the paragraph, where each
sentence is connected to the others to allow a flow of ideas. These sentences usually provide
supporting evidence such as statistics, quotations, critics perspectives, or other documentary
evidence.
coherent development signaled by transitions or linking phrases, i.e. words such as moreover,
nevertheless, for instance, in addition and consequently. Transitions show the reader
how a sentence is related to the sentence that precedes it. In other words, linking phrases
signpost your argument and the direction you wish to take. Do not, however, use transitions at
the start of each supporting sentence.
a logical end. This end may summarise or conclude your argument on that particular evidence;
if possible, it logically leads - and gives some presage to - the argument developed in the next
paragraph.
Tables and Figures

If using figures or tables, stick to this rule: if you can explain it in a sentence/paragraph
do so. Do not repeat the same information in the table and figure.
Have only between 3-5 tables/figures.
Should only be used if essential.
Information in a table/figure should always be summarised (not repeated).
Interpret all research findings.
Highlight the results of interest.
Writing Your Conclusion:

Your conclusion is your last word on your question/issue/debate/problem, and potentially

has great impact (second only to your introduction in importance) in the way it:
states your position/argument, in your own words (preferably in one paragraph)
draws together all the key issues addressed in your essay in an ordered way
links your findings on these issues as components of your argument
draws out the implications of your finding(s)for the topic of interest. Do not add anything
new to your argument. Instead, use your argument to say something (maybe tentatively) about
the consequences of your findings for the issues/debate/problem central to your question. In
some disciplines, it may be appropriate to comment on problems/issues in method.
Back to the Title, Abstract and Keywords
Article Title

A title is read first. It must:

Capture the attention of the reader
Be clear and formal
Reflect the main argument/topic
Be as specific as possible
Include some of the keywords
Include the context
Abstract

An abstract is typically information dense. The language used must include technical
terminology because, for an abstract, the audience is assumed to be already expert in the
subject, and the use of jargon means that the abstract will be found by keyword searches
for those terms. Since abstracts and summaries must be very concise, jargon is also used
to reduce the number of words.
Indicate the main purpose.
The methodology used on the research.
Summarise the main findings.
Identify practical/managerial/academic implications.
Abstracts generally include information about the aims, the methodology, the findings
and conclusions reached, all of which are covered in the body of the text, rather than the
introduction.
Keywords

Keywords are hooks that draw the attention of potential readers. They should reflect the:
Discipline
Theme
Research design
Context
General Principles of Writing: Part 1

Good writing is easy to understand. It should be aimed at intelligent readers with good
foundations in the field.
Unlike newspaper articles, you are NOT writing to the lowest common denominator. You
do NOT need to make what you write simple and easy to understand for the layman.
You ARE writing for other scholars within your field. Get to the point. There is no need
to explain basic concepts to someone who is already familiar with the subject.
Use clear language and avoid unnecessarily complex/unfamiliar terms. You should be
using technical terms, but dont hurt your article by being verbose.
General Principles of Writing: Part 2

Use full sentences when writing. However, do not use unnecessarily long sentences. Ask
yourself: is it concise? Did I make my point? What IS my point? Have I lost it?
Use direct quotations sparingly. Avoid long quotations entirely, if possible.
Be careful not to repeat the same information in other sections. This is where pre-

planning your article helps immensely.

Thinks of your readers as judges who ask:
What evidence do you have for this claim?
On which arguments do you base this conclusion?
How do you know your conclusion is appropriate and scientifically sound?
Dont forget to reference any claims that are not your own.
Thank-you.