Successful Publishing

Part 1
Fundamentals

Dr. Meda Mucundorfeanu

 Why do we do
scientific research?
Wissenschafliche Forschung

Identification of
Systematic Pattern
Exceptions to
Reality Analysis Indentification
these Patterns
Uncertainty
• The results of empirical analyses obtained through scientific studies
appear to provide irrefutable evidence, but they remain uncertain
due to reasons related to the quantity and quality of data, the
instruments used, or the research design.
• Just like in daily life, for example, when crossing the street:
• Green light, crosswalk, look left and right
• BUT also other factors
• All these we call variables.

Power Analysis (Vienna)

WEIRD
Why do we publish research papers?
Research Papers

Procedural reasons:
ü Part of PhD Program
ü Criterion for promotion/ evaluation

Dissemination of research results:

ü Scientific contribution
ü Visibility and Recognition
ü Long-term accessibility
This is resulting in:

• Increased number of articles sent for

publication
• Harsh competition
• Questionable quality of reviewers
Where do we publish?
• ❑ Visibility:
• Low: local journals
• Medium: many good articles
• High: a large number of good articles

• ❑ Quality:
• Low: low impact, few readers
• Medium: many readers
• High: at the top of the hierarchy (high Impact Factor)
To avoid

❑ sending an
❑ sending for
❑ predatory article for
publication
journals (those publication if
something
that invite you to you take
predominantly
submit) criticisms
descriptive.
personally J
What to consider
Cost-benefit calculation:
• ✓ Time to write the paper
• ✓ Time needed for evaluation
• ✓ Profile vs. publication chances

Four possible outcomes:

✓Rejection
✓Major revisions
✓Minor revisions
✓Acceptance (extremely rare)
The Review Process
Fundamental Components

RELEVANCE

RIGOR

ORIGINALITY

STORY
1. RELEVANCE

• It is necessary to identify a gap in the literature (research gap).

• It is relevant to start from a real problem, to have a dilemma to solve:
another case that says the same thing as those before does not
matter.
• To advance the current level of knowledge, something new.

Attract the Attention

 To avoid

• To create a problem, to study a case at length hoping to find

something.
• Vague and pompous formulations intended to impress.*
• Multiple directions, without a clear and concise idea.

*Might be a virtue when it comes to a public speech, but its not when it comes to science.
2. RIGOR

• Clear purpose/ explicit research question.

• A solid theoretical framework that is connected to the purpose:
✓ Clear concepts
✓ Literature review
✓ Theoretical arguments/ analytical framework - very often, this
component is missing, and this is problematic.
Consistency

• A methodology that answers the research question and aligns with

the theory.
✓ There is no preferred method; it should be suitable.

• Analysis that complements the theory and methodology:

✓ Systematic (step by step) and preferably easy to follow.

• Use simple language

3. ORIGINALITY
• Topic studied from a new angle/ perspective
• New trend
• Own findings contradict previous findings
• New theory developed

State the originality once and bring arguments. Do not repeat.

4. STORY
• We build arguments and present them clearly and logically.
• We conduct a critical analysis, not just describe what is happening.
• We tell a story based on the analysis and empirical evidence or theory
How do you chose your research topic(s)?
Themenauswahl
• The suitable topic fulfills three criteria:

• 1. Provides benefits for both society and science.

• 2. Targets a clearly defined research gap.
• 3. Personally interests the researcher."
(Koch et al. 2019)
How do you find a research gap?
Finding a Research Gap
1. Meta-analyses. These provide an overview of the literature in your
field and it's a good way to understand trends and changes in
research over a long period of time.
2. Future directions sections of papers. It usually gives an indication of
where authors think more research is required. Here, they will also
present the limitations of the current study which again can inform
what else can be overcome or needs to be covered.
3. Conference websites. Real-time information about ongoing research
4. Publications from the field. Ex. AdWeek
Research Gap
q You must identify something that is missing from the
literature
ÞA new angle
ÞContradictory evidence
ÞSomething puzzling: a unicorn
ÞA new country if it has something special

q Without a gap in the literature, do not write

Very Important!
qJust because it was not studied, it does not mean that it is
important

qOn the contrary, maybe nobody studied it because it is not

worth being studied

qArgue for its importance: theoretical, methodological or

empirical
How do you create a title?
The title of a research article
• It is important for the title to reflect the essence of your
article/argument.
Examples

*Peak of creativity
Questions?