In the 18th and 19th centuries, literary salons were a popular way for intellectuals to exchange ideas. Today, academic journals serve a similar purpose. But before you submit your work, it's important to familiarize yourself with the journal and the conversations happening within it. Here are the steps you should follow:
READ THE AIM AND SCOPE
Every journal publishes its aim and scope on its website. This information will tell you the type of research the journal is looking to publish. For example, if the journal focuses on undergraduate research, you'll want to make sure your article is relevant to that audience.
Example: Let's say you're interested in publishing an article about climate change. You find a journal that focuses on environmental studies, and their aim and scope mention that they're looking for research that can inform public policy. This gives you an idea of what kind of article to write.
KNOW THE HIDDEN CURRICULUM
Every journal has a "hidden curriculum" - implicit preferences and biases of the editors. You'll need to figure out what these are before you submit your article.
Example: Let's say the environmental studies journal you found in step one has published a lot of articles about renewable energy, but few about conservation efforts. This might suggest that the editors have a preference for articles about new technologies rather than articles about preserving existing ecosystems.
ENGAGE WITH THE SCHOLARSHIP
Read articles that the journal has published in the last 2-5 years to get an idea of the kind of research they prefer. When you write your article, you should position your argument in relation to this existing research.
Example: Let's say the environmental studies journal has published several articles about the impacts of climate change on wildlife. You could write an article about the importance of preserving biodiversity in the face of climate change, building on the work of previous researchers.
ENGAGE THE ASSOCIATE EDITOR
Before you submit your manuscript, email the managing or associate editor and ask if your work would be a good fit for the journal. This will save you time and effort if the editor thinks your work isn't a good match for the journal.
Example: You email the associate editor and provide a brief summary of your article: "I've written an article about the importance of preserving biodiversity in the face of climate change. I'm wondering if this topic would be a good fit for your journal?" The editor responds and says that your topic aligns with the journal's focus, and encourages you to submit your manuscript.
REQUEST FEEDBACK
Before you submit your manuscript, ask a professor or colleague to evaluate it. Ask for feedback on your argument, evidence, structure, and style. Don't get defensive - use the feedback to improve your article.
Example: You ask a professor who specializes in environmental policy to read your article. They provide feedback that your argument could be strengthened by including more examples of successful conservation efforts. You rewrite your article to include this information.
SUBMIT YOUR MANUSCRIPT
Once you've rewritten your article based on feedback, you're ready to submit it to the journal. If you've followed the steps above, your article is more likely to be accepted for peer review.
By following these steps, you'll increase your chances of getting your article published in a reputable academic journal
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