How to Prepare a Successful Manuscript for Publication
Posted on April 20, 2015 8:56 am MST, by
Mansureh Kebritchi
This is the third in a four-part series. Use the links below to view the rest of the series:
To successfully develop a manuscript, you should strictly follow the structure suggested by your target journal. If a structure is not suggested, the following structure should be used to develop your research based manuscript.
Structure of a Research Based Manuscript
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Title:
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A descriptive, clear, informative, and inviting title
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Abstract:
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Research context, problem, method, sample, results, and implications
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Section1: Introduction:
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Introduction sets the research context
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Statement of problem, research questions/Hypotheses
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Significance of the study
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Literature review, including theoretical/conceptual framework
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Section2: Method:
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Method, design
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Setting, population, sample size, and sampling method
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Materials and instruments, validity and reliability of instrument, treatment
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Data collection and analysis procedure
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Section3: Results and Conclusions:
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Findings
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Discussions; compare and contrast with the literature and theoretical framework, implications, limitations, future recommendations
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Conclusions and a powerful take home message
Tips for Making a Successful Manuscript
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Tailor your manuscript for your target journal
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Follow journal objectives and preferred language
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Strictly follow your target journal guideline
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Organization, paper format, and their listed style guide (if there isn’t one listed default to APA 6th Edition)
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For length, follow the journal suggestions; if not suggested, it should be about 3000-5000 words
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Ensure your manuscript is not dissertation-like
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Use tables and figures only if necessary
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Tables and figures interrupt the reading of the text, use only if necessary. Justify and explain your tables and figures in your text
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Third party work needs permission
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Make proportional lengths for the manuscript sections
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In order of lowest to highest length: results, method, and introduction
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Show your targeted literature
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Use purposeful and analytical style when presenting the literature
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Use recent literature and reports
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Avoid using direct quotes, instead paraphrase with your own words
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Avoid using secondary sources
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State the significance of your manuscript
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Why your manuscript is important
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State your contribution and audience
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What your unique contributions are to the literature and field
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Who would benefit from your manuscript
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Avoid reporting in-progress research
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Report your preliminary findings instead
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Use appropriate language
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Use correct grammar, be concise and clear
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Wrap up with take-home messages
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State the implications and powerful messages useful for the readers
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Pass “So what?” test
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Evaluate each paragraph and see if it is really necessary to include in the paragraph. Does it pass the “so what?” test; if not, remove it from your manuscript
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Be purposeful, brief, and to the point
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Research components’ alignment
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Make sure your research components, including research purpose, problem, method, and results are aligned.
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Review before submission
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Proofread your manuscript
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Use a peer review procedure, have a friend review your manuscript
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Run your submission through Turnitin
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Do not submit to more than one journal at a time