how to create a research journal

A DIY guide to starting your own journal

An antidote to frustrations with traditional academic publishing might be to launch a grass-roots open access journal. Here are the steps to consider

Judith Johnson

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Academic publishing’s profit margins are reportedly higher than those of Apple, Google and Amazon . It has long struck me as a racket: academics sign their work over to private businesses for free, then their universities pay the same businesses hefty fees to read what they publish. Academics also edit these journals and provide the peer reviews, usually for free.

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Open access journals are growing in number, but most of these charge fees for publication that far outstrip real costs. For years, I have been intrigued and encouraged to see the development of peer-reviewed open access journals that do not charge authors to publish with them. These include the International Journal of Music, Health and Wellbeing (IJMHW), whose principal editor is James Williams , a senior lecturer at the University of Derby, and Psychreg Journal of Psychology (PJP) , whose chief editor is Dennis Relojo-Howell , founder of the psychology blog Psychreg . These journals offer a solution that previously would have been regarded as impossible: they are both free to the authors and free to readers.

10 steps for starting an academic journal

Whatever the focus of your journal, the steps for setting one up are similar.

• Identify the gap. What is the need your journal will meet? How will it improve information-sharing in your field? Once you’ve identified this gap, you need to set the scope of your journal. Decide which types of articles you will include and those you won’t.
• Build a website that will home your journal. A full description of this process is beyond the capacity of this article (and my expertise!), but the key parts of this are to buy a domain name, find a web-hosting company and then prepare the content within this. Popular web-creation platforms are wordpress.com, wix.com and weebly.com. Relojo-Howell suggested that it’s also worth looking into the Public Knowledge Project : this provides Open Journal Systems (OJS), software designed to support the setting up and management of open access journals.
• Set up an editorial board. Both Williams and Relojo-Howell highlighted the importance of this. First, this group can provide the strategic direction and support that can get your journal started and help it grow. Second, this group can provide credibility to the project. As Relojo-Howell said: “When I started, potential contributors were only interested in who was on the editorial board. I have never been asked about the journal’s impact factor.”
• Involve associate editors who can provide support. Williams described the importance of including a multi-skilled team. “We have editors with different areas of expertise and skillsets, including people who are familiar with copy-editing and academic publishing.”
• Call for papers. You can spread the word about your new journal via social media and personal networks and by contacting relevant university departments. As Williams said: “We have only ever advertised the journal in the UK, but we have received submissions from Australia, Canada, the US and Asia.”
• Manage your submissions. Traditional journals use manuscript-management software, but this can come with a steep price tag. Open Journal Systems (OJS)  provides a free-to-use alternative, but this isn’t necessary. “I use a spreadsheet to keep on top of submissions,” Williams said. “It works fine.”
• Copy-edit and typeset your articles. While this might feel like a challenge, it is possible to do using widely available software. Williams uses Word and Adobe programmes to provide a professional-looking finish to his articles. Relojo-Howell uses “a combination of paid-for fonts and free Google fonts”.
• Apply for an international standard serial number (ISSN). In the UK, this involves submitting an application to the British Library . Williams suggested that the British Library would expect to see evidence of around three or four previous publications and a commitment to continue publishing on a regular basis.
• Plan how to give your articles a digital object identifier (DOI). DOIs are a string of numbers, letters and symbols that are used to permanently identify an article or document and link it to the web. Relojo-Howell recommends using Zenodo for this purpose. Initially funded by EU project funding, Zenodo is now open to all research outputs and offers its services free of charge for open access publishers.
• Wider registration. There are a variety of international platforms with which to register journals, including Web of Science, PubMed and SCOPUS . This will be a longer-term process, however. Dom Mitchell  from the Directory of Open Access Journals (DOAJ)  has stated: “DOAJ requires that an open access journal has published five original research articles, among other things, before we will consider it for indexing...We also require that the journal has an ISSN that has been registered and fully confirmed.”

Other challenges include finding peer reviewers ( “ We approach academics who are working closely in the field of the article and send personal requests,” said Williams) and establishing that your journal is a genuine academic grass-roots initiative, in light of the growth of predatory journals.

Judith Johnson is an associate professor in the School of Psychology at the University of Leeds.

This is an edited version of a post, “ How to start a journal and beat the academic publishing racket ”, that was first published on Judith Johnson’s blog.

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• Getting Started
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Launching a New Journal

Starting a new scholarly journal can be a complex process.  Many decisions have to be made before accepting submissions and publishing the first issue.   The resources on this page can help guide editors and boards through the process.  

Some things to consider when starting a new journal:

• What is the journal's purpose?  What unique niche will it fill?
• What is the administrative structure of the journal?  Editorial board?  Advisory board?
• Who is going to manage the journal if you become unable to do so?  
• What standards will you use to judge articles for inclusion?
• Who will do copy editing and proofreading?
• What is the format of the journal?  Print, online, or both?
• Is the journal going to be Open Access, available only by subscription, or a combination?
• Where is the journal going to be hosted/printed?  Is there a Memorandum of Agreement (or Memorandum of Understanding) that spells out expectations for the journal and the host/printer?
• Who will obtain the journal's ISSN from the Library of Congress’ ISSN website ?
• What are the terms for the journal's publication agreements with authors?
• How will the journal be funded initially?  How will funding for the journal be sustained?
• How will you recruit peer reviewers?
• How will you solicit content?  
• How will you advertise your journal?

When starting a new journal, look at other journals for inspiration.  Take careful note of what you like about the information on the journal websites, the look and feel of the website, the way that issues are arranged and journal articles are formatted.  This information will be a great starting point for your new journal, so save links to be shared with your journal support team as examples. 

See the following for more detailed information about the process of starting a new journal:

Getting Started Michigan Publishing's wiki has many resources for editors and scholarly societies thinking of starting a new journal.

A Baker's Dozen of Issues Facing Online Academic Journal Start-ups This issue of the Web Journal of Mass Communication Research contains a history of the online publishing movement, as well as a step-by-step guide to navigating through the issues involved in starting a new academic journal.  There is also an extensive list of references that might be helpful.

How to Start an Open Access Journal: A Starter's Guide to Familiarize Yourself with the Key Issues in Starting an Open Access Journal (infographic) This infographic from the Hybrid Publishing Lab is a great visual overview of the steps needed to start a new Open Access journal. The authors describe seven issues that need consideration: -- Scope and Content Strategy -- People and Workflows -- Journal Management -- Design -- Marketing and Distribution -- Financing -- Licenses

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How to start a journal and beat the academic publishing racket

Academic publishing is a multi-billion pound industry , with profit margins reportedly higher than those of Apple, Google and Amazon . It has always struck me as a racket: academics sign over their work to private businesses for free, and then their universities pay the same businesses hefty fees in order to read what they publish. Academics are also responsible for editing these journals and providing the peer-reviews, usually for free.

It hasn’t always been this way. In a remarkable brief history of the academic publishing industry, Stephen Buranyi highlights the key role of Robert Maxwell, a brash business tycoon whose greatest desire was to “be a millionaire”. Maxwell arrived on the scene just after the Second World War, which was a key turning point in academic history. The post-war years saw a huge growth in the number of people attending higher education and also in the academic publishing trade. In 1950, there were 10,000 journals published worldwide, but by 1980, this was had reached 62,000 . Robert Maxwell and other businessmen capitalised on this growth and took the opportunity to privatise what had previously been a largely non-profit sector. There is now growing awareness that this industry is both ludicrous and detrimental, unwieldily costly and harmful to the progression of science . However, solutions are slow in coming. While open-access journals are growing, the majority of these charge fees for publication that far outstrip real costs . For these reasons, I have been intrigued and encouraged to see the development of peer-reviewed open access journals which do not charge authors to publish with them. These include the International Journal of Music, Health and Wellbeing (IJMHW) , whose Principal Editor is Dr James Williams , Senior Lecturer at the University of Derby, and Psychreg Journal of Psychology (PJP) , whose Chief Editor is Dennis Relojo-Howell , founder of leading psychology blog Psychreg . These journals offer a solution that previously would have been regarded as impossible: they are both free to the authors and free to readers. I spoke to Williams and Relojo-Howell to understand more about their journals.

Why start a peer-reviewed academic journal?

As both Williams and Relojo-Howell attested, self-publishing an academic journal is a significant amount of work. So why do it? Williams said his motivation arose from his experience as a PhD Student and early career researcher. “Acceptance of manuscripts in current musicology-based journals can sometimes feel a little elitist. Editors and traditional publishers prefer to go with already-known academics, and are less likely to take on manuscripts from early-career scholars”. Williams also described his dissatisfaction with the traditional academic publishing industry, and its money-oriented focus. IJMHW  meets this gap by focusing on publishing the work of early career researchers, and by managing all copy-editing and manuscript management in-house. Relojo-Howell’s motivation was different. As a psychology blog editor, he had begun to receive blog post submissions that were overly long and technical. These posts weren’t suitable for publication as blog posts, but he could see their importance and academic merit. He created the journal to provide an outlet for these articles, and to broaden the overall scope of Psychreg .  

Ten steps for starting a journal

Whatever the focus of your journal, the steps for setting one up are similar.

• Build a website that will home your journal. A full description of this process is beyond the capacity of this article (and my expertise!) but the key parts of this are to buy a domain name, find a web hosting company and then prepare the content within this. Popular web-creation platforms are wordpress.com, wix.com and weebly.com. Relojo-Howell suggested that it’s also worth looking into the Public Knowledge Project : this provides Open Journal Systems (OJS), federally funded software designed to support the set up and management of open access journals.
• Set up an editorial board. Both Williams and Relojo-Howell highlighted the importance of this. First, this group can provide the strategic direction and support that can get your journal started and help it grow. Second, this group can provide credibility to the project. As Relojo-Howell said, “When I started, potential contributors were only interested in who was on the editorial board. I have never been asked about the journal’s impact factor”.
• Involve associate editors who can provide support. Williams described the importance of including a multi-skilled team. “We have editors with different areas of expertise and varying skillsets, including people who are familiar with copy-editing and academic publishing”.

• Manage your submissions. Traditional journals use manuscript-management software, but this comes with a steep price tag. “I contacted Emerald about their systems”, Relojo-Howell said, “but they asked for £38k”. Open Journal Systems (OJS)  provides an alternative, free-to-use alternative, but this isn’t necessary. “I use a spread-sheet to keep on top of submissions”, Williams said. “It works fine”.
• Copy-edit and type-set your articles. While this may feel like a challenge, both Williams and Relojo-Howell said it was possible to do using widely available software. Williams said that he uses Word and Adobe programs to provide a professional-looking finish to his articles. Relojo-Howell commented on the fonts he uses: “I use a combination of paid-for fonts and some free Google fonts”.
• Apply for an International Standard Serial Number (ISSN). For us in the UK, this involves submitting an application to the British Library . Williams suggested that the British Library will expect to see evidence of around 3-4 previous publications and a commitment to continue publishing on a regular basis.
• Plan how to give your articles a Digital Object Identifier (DOI). DOIs are a string of numbers, letters and symbols used to permanently identify an article of document and link it to the web. Relojo-Howell recommends using Zenodo for this purpose. Initially funded by EU project funding, Zenodo is now open to all research outputs and offers its services free of charge for open access publishers.
• Wider registration. There are a variety of international platforms with which to register journals, including Web of Science, PubMed and SCOPUS . This may be a longer term process, however. Dom Mitchell , from the Directory of Open Access Journals (DOAJ) has stated, “DOAJ requires that an open access journal has published 5 original research articles, among other things, before we will consider it for indexing… We also require that the journal has an ISSN which has been registered *and* fully confirmed.”

Other considerations

• Finding peer-reviewers. My colleagues who edit traditional journals have described to me the challenges of finding peer-reviewers. While Williams and Relojo-Howell suggested this could also be challenging with new, open access journals, Williams suggested a personal touch could help support a positive response rate. “We approach academics who are working closely in the field of the article, and send personal requests. 60 or 70 per cent of the time, they agree”.
• Clarify that you are a genuine academic ground-roots initiative . Unfortunately, at the same time that the genuine open-access field is growing, the number of predatory journals is proliferating at great speed. In a previous post , I clarify the warning signs of academic spam emails. However, if your potential contributors are concerned, let them know that the first clear distinction is that predatory journals ask for large sums of money and usually offer to rush through submissions at great speed. The second clear distinction is your academic board. You can signpost potential contributors to contact your board members for reassurances, if they are concerned.

Is it worth it?

Both Williams and Relojo-Howell admitted that their journals were time consuming and offered no financial benefits. However, what is clear is that starting these journals offers significant job satisfaction. As Williams said, “I saw it as a real problem – I wanted to help other graduating PhD music students… I don’t think I have reaped any rewards for myself, but I do know a lot of people now. It’s great for networking”. Similarly, for Relojo-Howell, the reward lies in contributing towards open science: “I wanted to demonstrate that dissemination of science can be reconstructed to become more democratic – a science that is shared for wider consumption”.

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Hi Judith, DOAJ requires that an open access journal has published 5 original research articles, among other things, before we will consider it for indexing, not that a journal has been running for 5 years. We also require that the journal has an ISSN which has been registered *and* fully confirmed. Thank, Dom

Thanks Dom, for this correction!

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Many years I started one and learnt many of these by hard lessons. Thanks for documenting them all together in one piece

Are you still publishing?

Thank you for this! As a new PhD student working as a research assistant, I am astounded at how elitist and sometimes, ignorant those in charge of academic journals are when it comes to critical race theory submissions. I am seriously contemplating teaming up with fellow music colleagues, critical race theory scholars and professors to begin or our own academic journal. My motto: If they don’t accept you, create your own path and empower yourself! It is ON now!

M also on same route Kelly nice to see you with same thinking

Thank you Judith. Your article is informative and guiding, and providing genuine thoughts. I most appreciate it. Great job. Good luck. – Milton

Thank you Judith. Is it possible to start without a PhD yet? I have a huge gap, I want to fill.

Thanks for sharing

Thank you for this. Can you possibly share some insights on choosing journal longevity, Do’s and Don’ts on website aesthetics, and also on a young journal’s guide to indexing? Much thanks!

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You will not find many academics who disagree with you!

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What, in you opinion is a steep price for publishing an article? I have been asked for anything between $100 and $3000. Thank you for your initiative

@Phillipa . Good. I too has such thoughts (dreams?) of starting a high quality maintaining Journal.

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Excellent article and just in time! We are considering starting a journal mostly but not only for African scientists but others from resource limited countries – we created a small society and are about to have our 5th conference and workshops in Kenya ( https://www.aibbc-society.org ). Our goal now is to provide a high quality journal with about 20 top internationally recognized scientists on the board plus leading African scientists and make sure scientists have an opportunity at open access for free avoiding the predatory journals. It’s a big task, but we hope we can achieve it. Your article was perfect timeing for us.

This is an amazing write-up, I must say. Perhaps all like minded people, who are intending to start a new journal (including myself) are going through the similar phase. My best wishes to all researchers.

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So, who get all the money that people pay to access or read journals?

The publishers.

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Home » How to Publish a Research Paper – Step by Step Guide

How to Publish a Research Paper – Step by Step Guide

Table of Contents

Publishing a research paper is an important step for researchers to disseminate their findings to a wider audience and contribute to the advancement of knowledge in their field. Whether you are a graduate student, a postdoctoral fellow, or an established researcher, publishing a paper requires careful planning, rigorous research, and clear writing. In this process, you will need to identify a research question , conduct a thorough literature review , design a methodology, analyze data, and draw conclusions. Additionally, you will need to consider the appropriate journals or conferences to submit your work to and adhere to their guidelines for formatting and submission. In this article, we will discuss some ways to publish your Research Paper.

How to Publish a Research Paper

To Publish a Research Paper follow the guide below:

• Conduct original research : Conduct thorough research on a specific topic or problem. Collect data, analyze it, and draw conclusions based on your findings.
• Write the paper : Write a detailed paper describing your research. It should include an abstract, introduction, literature review, methodology, results, discussion, and conclusion.
• Choose a suitable journal or conference : Look for a journal or conference that specializes in your research area. You can check their submission guidelines to ensure your paper meets their requirements.
• Prepare your submission: Follow the guidelines and prepare your submission, including the paper, abstract, cover letter, and any other required documents.
• Submit the paper: Submit your paper online through the journal or conference website. Make sure you meet the submission deadline.
• Peer-review process : Your paper will be reviewed by experts in the field who will provide feedback on the quality of your research, methodology, and conclusions.
• Revisions : Based on the feedback you receive, revise your paper and resubmit it.
• Acceptance : Once your paper is accepted, you will receive a notification from the journal or conference. You may need to make final revisions before the paper is published.
• Publication : Your paper will be published online or in print. You can also promote your work through social media or other channels to increase its visibility.

How to Choose Journal for Research Paper Publication

Here are some steps to follow to help you select an appropriate journal:

• Identify your research topic and audience : Your research topic and intended audience should guide your choice of journal. Identify the key journals in your field of research and read the scope and aim of the journal to determine if your paper is a good fit.
• Analyze the journal’s impact and reputation : Check the impact factor and ranking of the journal, as well as its acceptance rate and citation frequency. A high-impact journal can give your paper more visibility and credibility.
• Consider the journal’s publication policies : Look for the journal’s publication policies such as the word count limit, formatting requirements, open access options, and submission fees. Make sure that you can comply with the requirements and that the journal is in line with your publication goals.
• Look at recent publications : Review recent issues of the journal to evaluate whether your paper would fit in with the journal’s current content and style.
• Seek advice from colleagues and mentors: Ask for recommendations and suggestions from your colleagues and mentors in your field, especially those who have experience publishing in the same or similar journals.
• Be prepared to make changes : Be prepared to revise your paper according to the requirements and guidelines of the chosen journal. It is also important to be open to feedback from the editor and reviewers.

List of Journals for Research Paper Publications

There are thousands of academic journals covering various fields of research. Here are some of the most popular ones, categorized by field:

General/Multidisciplinary

• Nature: https://www.nature.com/
• Science: https://www.sciencemag.org/
• PLOS ONE: https://journals.plos.org/plosone/
• Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS): https://www.pnas.org/
• The Lancet: https://www.thelancet.com/
• JAMA (Journal of the American Medical Association): https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama

Social Sciences/Humanities

• Journal of Personality and Social Psychology: https://www.apa.org/pubs/journals/psp
• Journal of Consumer Research: https://www.journals.uchicago.edu/journals/jcr
• Journal of Educational Psychology: https://www.apa.org/pubs/journals/edu
• Journal of Applied Psychology: https://www.apa.org/pubs/journals/apl
• Journal of Communication: https://academic.oup.com/joc
• American Journal of Political Science: https://ajps.org/
• Journal of International Business Studies: https://www.jibs.net/
• Journal of Marketing Research: https://www.ama.org/journal-of-marketing-research/

Natural Sciences

• Journal of Biological Chemistry: https://www.jbc.org/
• Cell: https://www.cell.com/
• Science Advances: https://advances.sciencemag.org/
• Chemical Reviews: https://pubs.acs.org/journal/chreay
• Angewandte Chemie: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/15213765
• Physical Review Letters: https://journals.aps.org/prl/
• Journal of Geophysical Research: https://agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/2156531X
• Journal of High Energy Physics: https://link.springer.com/journal/13130

Engineering/Technology

• IEEE Transactions on Neural Networks and Learning Systems: https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/xpl/RecentIssue.jsp?punumber=5962385
• IEEE Transactions on Power Systems: https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/xpl/RecentIssue.jsp?punumber=59
• IEEE Transactions on Medical Imaging: https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/xpl/RecentIssue.jsp?punumber=42
• IEEE Transactions on Control Systems Technology: https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/xpl/RecentIssue.jsp?punumber=87
• Journal of Engineering Mechanics: https://ascelibrary.org/journal/jenmdt
• Journal of Materials Science: https://www.springer.com/journal/10853
• Journal of Chemical Engineering of Japan: https://www.jstage.jst.go.jp/browse/jcej
• Journal of Mechanical Design: https://asmedigitalcollection.asme.org/mechanicaldesign

Medical/Health Sciences

• New England Journal of Medicine: https://www.nejm.org/
• The BMJ (formerly British Medical Journal): https://www.bmj.com/
• Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA): https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama
• Annals of Internal Medicine: https://www.acpjournals.org/journal/aim
• American Journal of Epidemiology: https://academic.oup.com/aje
• Journal of Clinical Oncology: https://ascopubs.org/journal/jco
• Journal of Infectious Diseases: https://academic.oup.com/jid

List of Conferences for Research Paper Publications

There are many conferences that accept research papers for publication. The specific conferences you should consider will depend on your field of research. Here are some suggestions for conferences in a few different fields:

Computer Science and Information Technology:

• IEEE International Conference on Computer Communications (INFOCOM): https://www.ieee-infocom.org/
• ACM SIGCOMM Conference on Data Communication: https://conferences.sigcomm.org/sigcomm/
• IEEE Symposium on Security and Privacy (SP): https://www.ieee-security.org/TC/SP/
• ACM Conference on Computer and Communications Security (CCS): https://www.sigsac.org/ccs/
• ACM Conference on Human-Computer Interaction (CHI): https://chi2022.acm.org/

Engineering:

• IEEE International Conference on Robotics and Automation (ICRA): https://www.ieee-icra.org/
• International Conference on Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering (ICMAE): http://www.icmae.org/
• International Conference on Civil and Environmental Engineering (ICCEE): http://www.iccee.org/
• International Conference on Materials Science and Engineering (ICMSE): http://www.icmse.org/
• International Conference on Energy and Power Engineering (ICEPE): http://www.icepe.org/

Natural Sciences:

• American Chemical Society National Meeting & Exposition: https://www.acs.org/content/acs/en/meetings/national-meeting.html
• American Physical Society March Meeting: https://www.aps.org/meetings/march/
• International Conference on Environmental Science and Technology (ICEST): http://www.icest.org/
• International Conference on Natural Science and Environment (ICNSE): http://www.icnse.org/
• International Conference on Life Science and Biological Engineering (LSBE): http://www.lsbe.org/

Social Sciences:

• Annual Meeting of the American Sociological Association (ASA): https://www.asanet.org/annual-meeting-2022
• International Conference on Social Science and Humanities (ICSSH): http://www.icssh.org/
• International Conference on Psychology and Behavioral Sciences (ICPBS): http://www.icpbs.org/
• International Conference on Education and Social Science (ICESS): http://www.icess.org/
• International Conference on Management and Information Science (ICMIS): http://www.icmis.org/

How to Publish a Research Paper in Journal

Publishing a research paper in a journal is a crucial step in disseminating scientific knowledge and contributing to the field. Here are the general steps to follow:

• Choose a research topic : Select a topic of your interest and identify a research question or problem that you want to investigate. Conduct a literature review to identify the gaps in the existing knowledge that your research will address.
• Conduct research : Develop a research plan and methodology to collect data and conduct experiments. Collect and analyze data to draw conclusions that address the research question.
• Write a paper: Organize your findings into a well-structured paper with clear and concise language. Your paper should include an introduction, literature review, methodology, results, discussion, and conclusion. Use academic language and provide references for your sources.
• Choose a journal: Choose a journal that is relevant to your research topic and audience. Consider factors such as impact factor, acceptance rate, and the reputation of the journal.
• Follow journal guidelines : Review the submission guidelines and formatting requirements of the journal. Follow the guidelines carefully to ensure that your paper meets the journal’s requirements.
• Submit your paper : Submit your paper to the journal through the online submission system or by email. Include a cover letter that briefly explains the significance of your research and why it is suitable for the journal.
• Wait for reviews: Your paper will be reviewed by experts in the field. Be prepared to address their comments and make revisions to your paper.
• Revise and resubmit: Make revisions to your paper based on the reviewers’ comments and resubmit it to the journal. If your paper is accepted, congratulations! If not, consider revising and submitting it to another journal.
• Address reviewer comments : Reviewers may provide comments and suggestions for revisions to your paper. Address these comments carefully and thoughtfully to improve the quality of your paper.
• Submit the final version: Once your revisions are complete, submit the final version of your paper to the journal. Be sure to follow any additional formatting guidelines and requirements provided by the journal.
• Publication : If your paper is accepted, it will be published in the journal. Some journals provide online publication while others may publish a print version. Be sure to cite your published paper in future research and communicate your findings to the scientific community.

How to Publish a Research Paper for Students

Here are some steps you can follow to publish a research paper as an Under Graduate or a High School Student:

• Select a topic: Choose a topic that is relevant and interesting to you, and that you have a good understanding of.
• Conduct research : Gather information and data on your chosen topic through research, experiments, surveys, or other means.
• Write the paper : Start with an outline, then write the introduction, methods, results, discussion, and conclusion sections of the paper. Be sure to follow any guidelines provided by your instructor or the journal you plan to submit to.
• Edit and revise: Review your paper for errors in spelling, grammar, and punctuation. Ask a peer or mentor to review your paper and provide feedback for improvement.
• Choose a journal : Look for journals that publish papers in your field of study and that are appropriate for your level of research. Some popular journals for students include PLOS ONE, Nature, and Science.
• Submit the paper: Follow the submission guidelines for the journal you choose, which typically include a cover letter, abstract, and formatting requirements. Be prepared to wait several weeks to months for a response.
• Address feedback : If your paper is accepted with revisions, address the feedback from the reviewers and resubmit your paper. If your paper is rejected, review the feedback and consider revising and resubmitting to a different journal.

How to Publish a Research Paper for Free

Publishing a research paper for free can be challenging, but it is possible. Here are some steps you can take to publish your research paper for free:

• Choose a suitable open-access journal: Look for open-access journals that are relevant to your research area. Open-access journals allow readers to access your paper without charge, so your work will be more widely available.
• Check the journal’s reputation : Before submitting your paper, ensure that the journal is reputable by checking its impact factor, publication history, and editorial board.
• Follow the submission guidelines : Every journal has specific guidelines for submitting papers. Make sure to follow these guidelines carefully to increase the chances of acceptance.
• Submit your paper : Once you have completed your research paper, submit it to the journal following their submission guidelines.
• Wait for the review process: Your paper will undergo a peer-review process, where experts in your field will evaluate your work. Be patient during this process, as it can take several weeks or even months.
• Revise your paper : If your paper is rejected, don’t be discouraged. Revise your paper based on the feedback you receive from the reviewers and submit it to another open-access journal.
• Promote your research: Once your paper is published, promote it on social media and other online platforms. This will increase the visibility of your work and help it reach a wider audience.

Journals and Conferences for Free Research Paper publications

Here are the websites of the open-access journals and conferences mentioned:

Open-Access Journals:

• PLOS ONE – https://journals.plos.org/plosone/
• BMC Research Notes – https://bmcresnotes.biomedcentral.com/
• Frontiers in… – https://www.frontiersin.org/
• Journal of Open Research Software – https://openresearchsoftware.metajnl.com/
• PeerJ – https://peerj.com/

Conferences:

• IEEE Global Communications Conference (GLOBECOM) – https://globecom2022.ieee-globecom.org/
• IEEE International Conference on Computer Communications (INFOCOM) – https://infocom2022.ieee-infocom.org/
• IEEE International Conference on Data Mining (ICDM) – https://www.ieee-icdm.org/
• ACM SIGCOMM Conference on Data Communication (SIGCOMM) – https://conferences.sigcomm.org/sigcomm/
• ACM Conference on Computer and Communications Security (CCS) – https://www.sigsac.org/ccs/CCS2022/

Importance of Research Paper Publication

Research paper publication is important for several reasons, both for individual researchers and for the scientific community as a whole. Here are some reasons why:

• Advancing scientific knowledge : Research papers provide a platform for researchers to present their findings and contribute to the body of knowledge in their field. These papers often contain novel ideas, experimental data, and analyses that can help to advance scientific understanding.
• Building a research career : Publishing research papers is an essential component of building a successful research career. Researchers are often evaluated based on the number and quality of their publications, and having a strong publication record can increase one’s chances of securing funding, tenure, or a promotion.
• Peer review and quality control: Publication in a peer-reviewed journal means that the research has been scrutinized by other experts in the field. This peer review process helps to ensure the quality and validity of the research findings.
• Recognition and visibility : Publishing a research paper can bring recognition and visibility to the researchers and their work. It can lead to invitations to speak at conferences, collaborations with other researchers, and media coverage.
• Impact on society : Research papers can have a significant impact on society by informing policy decisions, guiding clinical practice, and advancing technological innovation.

Advantages of Research Paper Publication

There are several advantages to publishing a research paper, including:

• Recognition: Publishing a research paper allows researchers to gain recognition for their work, both within their field and in the academic community as a whole. This can lead to new collaborations, invitations to conferences, and other opportunities to share their research with a wider audience.
• Career advancement : A strong publication record can be an important factor in career advancement, particularly in academia. Publishing research papers can help researchers secure funding, grants, and promotions.
• Dissemination of knowledge : Research papers are an important way to share new findings and ideas with the broader scientific community. By publishing their research, scientists can contribute to the collective body of knowledge in their field and help advance scientific understanding.
• Feedback and peer review : Publishing a research paper allows other experts in the field to provide feedback on the research, which can help improve the quality of the work and identify potential flaws or limitations. Peer review also helps ensure that research is accurate and reliable.
• Citation and impact : Published research papers can be cited by other researchers, which can help increase the impact and visibility of the research. High citation rates can also help establish a researcher’s reputation and credibility within their field.

About the author

Muhammad Hassan

Researcher, Academic Writer, Web developer

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Writing a Research Paper for an Academic Journal: A Five-step Recipe for Perfection

The answer to writing the perfect research paper is as simple as following a step-by-step recipe. Here we bring to you a recipe for effortlessly planning, writing, and publishing your paper as a peer reviewed journal article.

Updated on March 15, 2022

As a young researcher, getting your paper published as a journal article is a huge milestone; but producing it may seem like climbing a mountain compared to, perhaps, the theses, essays, or conference papers you have produced in the past.

You may feel overwhelmed with the thought of carrying innumerable equipment and may feel incapable of completing the task. But, in reality, the answer to writing the perfect research paper is as simple as following a recipe with step-by-step instructions.

In this blog, I aim to bring to you the recipe for effortlessly planning, writing, and publishing your paper as a peer reviewed journal article. I will give you the essential information, key points, and resources to keep in mind before you begin the writing process for your research papers.

Secret ingredient 1: Make notes before you begin the writing process

Because I want you to benefit from this article on a personal level, I am going to give away my secret ingredient for producing a good research paper right at the beginning. The one thing that helps me write literally anything is — cue the drum rolls — making notes.

Yes, making notes is the best way to remember and store all that information, which is definitely going to help you throughout the process of writing your paper. So, please pick up a pen and start making notes for writing your research paper.

Step 1. Choose the right research topic

Although it is important to be passionate and curious about your research article topic, it is not enough. Sometimes the sheer excitement of having an idea may take away your ability to focus on and question the novelty, credibility, and potential impact of your research topic.

On the contrary, the first thing that you should do when you write a journal paper is question the novelty, credibility, and potential impact of your research question.

It is also important to remember that your research, along with the aforementioned points, must be original and relevant: It must benefit and interest the scientific community.

All you have to do is perform a thorough literature search in your research field and have a look at what is currently going on in the field of your topic of interest. This step in academic writing is not as daunting as it may seem and, in fact, is quite beneficial for the following reasons:

• You can determine what is already known about the research topic and the gaps that exist.
• You can determine the credibility and novelty of your research question by comparing it with previously published papers.
• If your research question has already been studied or answered before your first draft, you first save a substantial amount of time by avoiding rejections from journals at a much later stage; and second, you can study and aim to bridge the gaps of previous studies, perhaps, by using a different methodology or a bigger sample size.

So, carefully read as much as you can about what has already been published in your field of research; and when you are doing so, make sure that you make lots of relevant notes as you go along in the process. Remember, your study does not necessarily have to be groundbreaking, but it should definitely extend previous knowledge or refute existing statements on the topic.

Secret ingredient 2: Use a thematic approach while drafting your manuscript

For instance, if you are writing about the association between the level of breast cancer awareness and socioeconomic status, open a new Word or Notes file and create subheadings such as “breast cancer awareness in low- and middle-income countries,” “reasons for lack of awareness,” or “ways to increase awareness.”

Under these subheadings, make notes of the information that you think may be suitable to be included in your paper as you carry out your literature review. Ensure that you make a draft reference list so that you don't miss out on the references.

Step 2: Know your audience

Finding your research topic is not synonymous with communicating it, it is merely a step, albeit an important one; however, there are other crucial steps that follow. One of which is identifying your target audience.

Now that you know what your topic of interest is, you need to ask yourself “Who am I trying to benefit with my research?” A general mistake is assuming that your reader knows everything about your research topic. Drafting a peer reviewed journal article often means that your work may reach a wide and varied audience.

Therefore, it is a good idea to ponder over who you want to reach and why, rather than simply delivering chunks of information, facts, and statistics. Along with considering the above factors, evaluate your reader's level of education, expertise, and scientific field as this may help you design and write your manuscript, tailoring it specifically for your target audience.

Here are a few points that you must consider after you have identified your target audience:

• Shortlist a few target journals: The aims and scope of the journal usually mention their audience. This may help you know your readers and visualize them as you write your manuscript. This will further help you include just the right amount of background and details.
• View your manuscript from the reader's perspective: Try to think about what they might already know or what they would like more details on.
• Include the appropriate amount of jargon: Ensure that your article text is familiar to your target audience and use the correct terminology to make your content more relatable for readers - and journal editors as your paper goes through the peer review process.
• Keep your readers engaged: Write with an aim to fill a knowledge gap or add purpose and value to your reader's intellect. Your manuscript does not necessarily have to be complex, write with a simple yet profound tone, layer (or sub-divide) simple points and build complexity as you go along, rather than stating dry facts.
• Be specific: It is easy to get carried away and forget the essence of your study. Make sure that you stick to your topic and be as specific as you can to your research topic and audience.

Secret ingredient 3: Clearly define your key terms and key concepts

Do not assume that your audience will know your research topic as well as you do, provide compelling details where it is due. This can be tricky. Using the example from “Secret ingredient 2,” you may not need to define breast cancer while writing about breast cancer awareness. However, while talking about the benefits of awareness, such as early presentation of the disease, it is important to explain these benefits, for instance, in terms of superior survival rates.

Step 3: Structure your research paper with care

After determining the topic of your research and your target audience, your overflowing ideas and information need to be structured in a format generally accepted by journals.

Most academic journals conventionally accept original research articles in the following format: Abstract, followed by the Introduction, Methods, Results, and Discussion sections, also known as the IMRaD, which is a brilliant way of structuring a research paper outline in a simplified and layered format. In brief, these sections comprise the following information:

In closed-access journals, readers have access to the abstract/summary for them to decide if they wish to purchase the research paper. It's an extremely important representative of the entire manuscript.

All information provided in the abstract must be present in the manuscript, it should include a stand-alone summary of the research, the main findings, the abbreviations should be defined separately in this section, and this section should be clear, decluttered, and concise.

Introduction

This section should begin with a background of the study topic, i.e., what is already known, moving on to the knowledge gaps that exist, and finally, end with how the present study aims to fill these gaps, or any hypotheses that the authors may have proposed.

This section describes, with compelling details, the procedures that were followed to answer the research question.

The ultimate factor to consider while producing the methods section is reproducibility; this section should be detailed enough for other researchers to reproduce your study and validate your results. It should include ethical information (ethical board approval, informed consent, etc.) and must be written in the past tense.

This section typically presents the findings of the study, with no explanations or interpretations. Here, the findings are simply stated alongside figures or tables mentioned in the text in the correct sequential order. Because you are describing what you found, this section is also written in the past tense.

Discussion and conclusion

This section begins with a summary of your findings and is meant for you to interpret your results, compare them with previously published papers, and elaborate on whether your findings are comparable or contradictory to previous literature.

This section also contains the strengths and limitations of your study, and the latter can be used to suggest future research. End this section with a conclusion paragraph, briefly summarizing and highlighting the main findings and novelty of your study.

Step 4: Cite credible research sources

Now that you know who and what you are writing for, it's time to begin the writing process for your research paper. Another crucial factor that determines the quality of your manuscript is the detailed information within. The introduction and discussion sections, which make a massive portion of the manuscript, majorly rely on external sources of information that have already been published.

Therefore, it is absolutely indispensable to extract and cite these statements from appropriate, credible, recent, and relevant literature to support your claims. Here are a few pointers to consider while choosing the right sources:

Cite academic journals

These are the best sources to refer to while writing your research paper, because most articles submitted to top journals are rejected, resulting in high-quality articles being filtered-out. In particular, peer reviewed articles are of the highest quality because they undergo a rigorous process of editorial review, along with revisions until they are judged to be satisfactory.

But not just any book, ideally, the credibility of a book can be judged by whether it is published by an academic publisher, is written by multiple authors who are experts in the field of interest, and is carefully reviewed by multiple editors. It can be beneficial to review the background of the author(s) and check their previous publications.

Cite an official online source

Although it may be difficult to judge the trustworthiness of web content, a few factors may help determine its accuracy. These include demographic data obtained from government websites (.gov), educational resources (.edu), websites that cite other pertinent and trustworthy sources, content meant for education and not product promotion, unbiased sources, or sources with backlinks that are up to date. It is best to avoid referring to online sources such as blogs and Wikipedia.

Do not cite the following sources

While citing sources, you should steer clear from encyclopedias, citing review articles instead of directly citing the original work, referring to sources that you have not read, citing research papers solely from one country (be extensively diverse), anything that is not backed up by evidence, and material with considerable grammatical errors.

Although these sources are generally most appropriate and valid, it is your job to critically read and carefully evaluate all sources prior to citing them.

Step 5: Pick the correct journal

Selecting the correct journal is one of the most crucial steps toward getting published, as it not only determines the weightage of your research but also of your career as a researcher. The journals in which you choose to publish your research are part of your portfolio; it directly or indirectly determines many factors, such as funding, professional advancement, and future collaborations.

The best thing you can do for your work is to pick a peer-reviewed journal. Not only will your paper be polished to the highest quality for editors, but you will also be able to address certain gaps that you may have missed out.

Besides, it always helps to have another perspective, and what better than to have it from an experienced peer?

A common mistake that researchers tend to make is leave the task of choosing the target journal after they have written their paper.

Now, I understand that due to certain factors, it can be challenging to decide what journal you want to publish in before you start drafting your paper, therefore, the best time to make this decision is while you are working on writing your manuscript. Having a target journal in mind while writing your paper has a great deal of benefits.

• As the most basic benefit, you can know beforehand if your study meets the aims and scope of your desired journal. It will ensure you're not wasting valuable time for editors or yourself.
• While drafting your manuscript, you could keep in mind the requirements of your target journal, such as the word limit for the main article text and abstract, the maximum number of figures or tables that are allowed, or perhaps, the maximum number of references that you may include.
• Also, if you choose to submit to an open-access journal, you have ample amount of time to figure out the funding.
• Another major benefit is that, as mentioned in the previous section, the aims and scope of the journal will give you a fair idea on your target audience and will help you draft your manuscript appropriately.

It is definitely easier to know that your target journal requires the text to be within 3,500 words than spending weeks writing a manuscript that is around, say, 5,000 words, and then spending a substantial amount of time decluttering. Now, while not all journals have very specific requirements, it always helps to short-list a few journals, if not concretely choose one to publish your paper in.

AJE also offers journal recommendation services if you need professional help with finding a target journal.

Secret ingredient 4: Follow the journal guidelines

Perfectly written manuscripts may get rejected by the journal on account of not adhering to their formatting requirements. You can find the author guidelines/instructions on the home page of every journal. Ensure that as you write your manuscript, you follow the journal guidelines such as the word limit, British or American English, formatting references, line spacing, line/page numbering, and so on.

Our ultimate aim is to instill confidence in young researchers like you and help you become independent as you write and communicate your research. With the help of these easy steps and secret ingredients, you are now ready to prepare your flavorful manuscript and serve your research to editors and ultimately the journal readers with a side of impact and a dash of success.

Lubaina Koti, BS

Scientific Writer

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How to Write and Publish a Research Paper in 7 Steps

What comes next after you're done with your research? Publishing the results in a journal of course! We tell you how to present your work in the best way possible.

This post is part of a series, which serves to provide hands-on information and resources for authors and editors.

Things have gotten busy in scholarly publishing: These days, a new article gets published in the 50,000 most important peer-reviewed journals every few seconds, while each one takes on average 40 minutes to read. Hundreds of thousands of papers reach the desks of editors and reviewers worldwide each year and 50% of all submissions end up rejected at some stage.

In a nutshell: there is a lot of competition, and the people who decide upon the fate of your manuscript are short on time and overworked. But there are ways to make their lives a little easier and improve your own chances of getting your work published!

Well, it may seem obvious, but before submitting an academic paper, always make sure that it is an excellent reflection of the research you have done and that you present it in the most professional way possible. Incomplete or poorly presented manuscripts can create a great deal of frustration and annoyance for editors who probably won’t even bother wasting the time of the reviewers!

This post will discuss 7 steps to the successful publication of your research paper:

• Check whether your research is publication-ready
• Choose an article type
• Choose a journal
• Construct your paper
• Decide the order of authors
• Check and double-check
• Submit your paper

1. Check Whether Your Research Is Publication-Ready

Should you publish your research at all?

If your work holds academic value – of course – a well-written scholarly article could open doors to your research community. However, if you are not yet sure, whether your research is ready for publication, here are some key questions to ask yourself depending on your field of expertise:

• Have you done or found something new and interesting? Something unique?
• Is the work directly related to a current hot topic?
• Have you checked the latest results or research in the field?
• Have you provided solutions to any difficult problems?
• Have the findings been verified?
• Have the appropriate controls been performed if required?
• Are your findings comprehensive?

If the answers to all relevant questions are “yes”, you need to prepare a good, strong manuscript. Remember, a research paper is only useful if it is clearly understood, reproducible and if it is read and used .

2. Choose An Article Type

The first step is to determine which type of paper is most appropriate for your work and what you want to achieve. The following list contains the most important, usually peer-reviewed article types in the natural sciences:

Full original research papers disseminate completed research findings. On average this type of paper is 8-10 pages long, contains five figures, and 25-30 references. Full original research papers are an important part of the process when developing your career.

Review papers present a critical synthesis of a specific research topic. These papers are usually much longer than original papers and will contain numerous references. More often than not, they will be commissioned by journal editors. Reviews present an excellent way to solidify your research career.

Letters, Rapid or Short Communications are often published for the quick and early communication of significant and original advances. They are much shorter than full articles and usually limited in length by the journal. Journals specifically dedicated to short communications or letters are also published in some fields. In these the authors can present short preliminary findings before developing a full-length paper.

3. Choose a Journal

Are you looking for the right place to publish your paper? Find out here whether a De Gruyter journal might be the right fit.

Submit to journals that you already read, that you have a good feel for. If you do so, you will have a better appreciation of both its culture and the requirements of the editors and reviewers.

Other factors to consider are:

• The specific subject area
• The aims and scope of the journal
• The type of manuscript you have written
• The significance of your work
• The reputation of the journal
• The reputation of the editors within the community
• The editorial/review and production speeds of the journal
• The community served by the journal
• The coverage and distribution
• The accessibility ( open access vs. closed access)

4. Construct Your Paper

Each element of a paper has its purpose, so you should make these sections easy to index and search.

Don’t forget that requirements can differ highly per publication, so always make sure to apply a journal’s specific instructions – or guide – for authors to your manuscript, even to the first draft (text layout, paper citation, nomenclature, figures and table, etc.) It will save you time, and the editor’s.

Also, even in these days of Internet-based publishing, space is still at a premium, so be as concise as possible. As a good journalist would say: “Never use three words when one will do!”

Let’s look at the typical structure of a full research paper, but bear in mind certain subject disciplines may have their own specific requirements so check the instructions for authors on the journal’s home page.

4.1 The Title

It’s important to use the title to tell the reader what your paper is all about! You want to attract their attention, a bit like a newspaper headline does. Be specific and to the point. Keep it informative and concise, and avoid jargon and abbreviations (unless they are universally recognized like DNA, for example).

4.2 The Abstract

This could be termed as the “advertisement” for your article. Make it interesting and easily understood without the reader having to read the whole article. Be accurate and specific, and keep it as brief and concise as possible. Some journals (particularly in the medical fields) will ask you to structure the abstract in distinct, labeled sections, which makes it even more accessible.

A clear abstract will influence whether or not your work is considered and whether an editor should invest more time on it or send it for review.

4.3 Keywords

Keywords are used by abstracting and indexing services, such as PubMed and Web of Science. They are the labels of your manuscript, which make it “searchable” online by other researchers.

Include words or phrases (usually 4-8) that are closely related to your topic but not “too niche” for anyone to find them. Make sure to only use established abbreviations. Think about what scientific terms and its variations your potential readers are likely to use and search for. You can also do a test run of your selected keywords in one of the common academic search engines. Do similar articles to your own appear? Yes? Then that’s a good sign.

4.4 Introduction

This first part of the main text should introduce the problem, as well as any existing solutions you are aware of and the main limitations. Also, state what you hope to achieve with your research.

Do not confuse the introduction with the results, discussion or conclusion.

4.5 Methods

Every research article should include a detailed Methods section (also referred to as “Materials and Methods”) to provide the reader with enough information to be able to judge whether the study is valid and reproducible.

Include detailed information so that a knowledgeable reader can reproduce the experiment. However, use references and supplementary materials to indicate previously published procedures.

4.6 Results

In this section, you will present the essential or primary results of your study. To display them in a comprehensible way, you should use subheadings as well as illustrations such as figures, graphs, tables and photos, as appropriate.

4.7 Discussion

Here you should tell your readers what the results mean .

Do state how the results relate to the study’s aims and hypotheses and how the findings relate to those of other studies. Explain all possible interpretations of your findings and the study’s limitations.

Do not make “grand statements” that are not supported by the data. Also, do not introduce any new results or terms. Moreover, do not ignore work that conflicts or disagrees with your findings. Instead …

Be brave! Address conflicting study results and convince the reader you are the one who is correct.

4.8 Conclusion

Your conclusion isn’t just a summary of what you’ve already written. It should take your paper one step further and answer any unresolved questions.

Sum up what you have shown in your study and indicate possible applications and extensions. The main question your conclusion should answer is: What do my results mean for the research field and my community?

4.9 Acknowledgments and Ethical Statements

It is extremely important to acknowledge anyone who has helped you with your paper, including researchers who supplied materials or reagents (e.g. vectors or antibodies); and anyone who helped with the writing or English, or offered critical comments about the content.

Learn more about academic integrity in our blog post “Scholarly Publication Ethics: 4 Common Mistakes You Want To Avoid” .

Remember to state why people have been acknowledged and ask their permission . Ensure that you acknowledge sources of funding, including any grant or reference numbers.

Furthermore, if you have worked with animals or humans, you need to include information about the ethical approval of your study and, if applicable, whether informed consent was given. Also, state whether you have any competing interests regarding the study (e.g. because of financial or personal relationships.)

4.10 References

The end is in sight, but don’t relax just yet!

De facto, there are often more mistakes in the references than in any other part of the manuscript. It is also one of the most annoying and time-consuming problems for editors.

Remember to cite the main scientific publications on which your work is based. But do not inflate the manuscript with too many references. Avoid excessive – and especially unnecessary – self-citations. Also, avoid excessive citations of publications from the same institute or region.

5. Decide the Order of Authors

In the sciences, the most common way to order the names of the authors is by relative contribution.

Generally, the first author conducts and/or supervises the data analysis and the proper presentation and interpretation of the results. They put the paper together and usually submit the paper to the journal.

Co-authors make intellectual contributions to the data analysis and contribute to data interpretation. They review each paper draft. All of them must be able to present the paper and its results, as well as to defend the implications and discuss study limitations.

Do not leave out authors who should be included or add “gift authors”, i.e. authors who did not contribute significantly.

6. Check and Double-Check

As a final step before submission, ask colleagues to read your work and be constructively critical .

Make sure that the paper is appropriate for the journal – take a last look at their aims and scope. Check if all of the requirements in the instructions for authors are met.

Ensure that the cited literature is balanced. Are the aims, purpose and significance of the results clear?

Conduct a final check for language, either by a native English speaker or an editing service.

7. Submit Your Paper

When you and your co-authors have double-, triple-, quadruple-checked the manuscript: submit it via e-mail or online submission system. Along with your manuscript, submit a cover letter, which highlights the reasons why your paper would appeal to the journal and which ensures that you have received approval of all authors for submission.

It is up to the editors and the peer-reviewers now to provide you with their (ideally constructive and helpful) comments and feedback. Time to take a breather!

If the paper gets rejected, do not despair – it happens to literally everybody. If the journal suggests major or minor revisions, take the chance to provide a thorough response and make improvements as you see fit. If the paper gets accepted, congrats!

It’s now time to get writing and share your hard work – good luck!

If you are interested, check out this related blog post

[Title Image by Nick Morrison via Unsplash]

David Sleeman

David Sleeman worked as Senior Journals Manager in the field of Physical Sciences at De Gruyter.

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What is a Research Journal? A Complete Guide to Publishing in Research Journal

Introduction

Characteristics of reputable research journals, types of research journals, why publish in research journals, selecting the right research journal, navigating the peer-review process of research journal, ethics in research journal publishing, open access journals, research journal examples.

Research journals are the cornerstone of academic communication and play a vital role in the advancement of research fields. They serve as a platform for researchers to share their findings, exchange ideas, and contribute to the collective knowledge of the academic community. Research journals facilitate the dissemination of new knowledge, promote critical thinking, and foster academic discourse.

For example, in the field of medicine, prestigious journals like The New England Journal of Medicine , The Lancet, and JAMA (Journal of the American Medical Association) publish groundbreaking research that has a significant impact on clinical practice and patient care. Research published in these journals can influence guidelines, policies, and treatment protocols, shaping the field of medicine and improving healthcare outcomes.

Similarly, in the field of computer science, journals such as IEEE Transactions on Pattern Analysis and Machine Intelligence , ACM Transactions on Computer-Human Interaction , and Journal of Artificial Intelligence Research publish cutting-edge research on artificial intelligence, machine learning, and human-computer interaction. Research published in these journals can shape the development of new technologies, algorithms, and applications, driving advancements in the field of computer science.

The article will provide an overview of research journals and their significance for research scholars, highlighting the importance of publishing in reputable journals to contribute to the academic community, gain recognition, and advance their careers. It will also discuss various aspects of research journals, including the peer-review process, ethical considerations, and the growing trend of open-access journals, to help research scholars make informed decisions when choosing where to publish their research.

What are Research Journals?

Research journals are periodical publications that publish original research articles, reviews, and other scholarly content related to a specific academic discipline or interdisciplinary field. They serve as a platform for researchers to communicate their findings and share their work with the broader academic community.

• Peer-review process: Reputable research journals typically employ a rigorous peer-review process, where submitted manuscripts are reviewed by experts in the field before they are accepted for publication. Peer review helps ensure the quality, accuracy, and validity of the research published in the journal.

For example, journals like Nature, Science, and Cell are well-known for their stringent peer-review process, where manuscripts undergo thorough evaluation by a panel of experts in the respective fields before they are accepted for publication.

• Editorial board: Reputable research journals have an editorial board comprising experts in the field who oversee the journal’s operations, provide guidance on its direction, and ensure the quality and integrity of the published content. The editorial board may include editors-in-chief, associate editors, and editorial reviewers who collectively make decisions on manuscript submissions.

For example, journals like Journal of Marketing Research, Journal of Finance, and Journal of Biological Chemistry have distinguished editorial boards comprised of leading scholars and researchers in their respective fields.

• Indexing: Reputable research journals are often indexed in well-known databases and indexing services, which enhance their visibility and accessibility to the academic community. Indexing services, such as PubMed , Scopus , and Web of Science , ensure that research published in these journals is easily discoverable and citable.

For example, journals like Journal of Applied Psychology, Journal of Computer-Mediated Communication, and Journal of Materials Science are indexed in popular databases, making them widely recognized and cited within their respective fields.

• Disciplinary journals: These journals focus on specific academic disciplines, such as physics, chemistry, sociology, or psychology, and publish research articles and content within that particular discipline.

For example, journals like Journal of Neuroscience, Journal of Marketing, and Journal of Political Economy are disciplinary journals that cater to specific fields of study.

• Interdisciplinary journals: These journals publish research articles and content that span across multiple disciplines, bringing together research from different fields and encouraging interdisciplinary collaborations.

For example, journals like Science Advances, PLOS ONE, and Frontiers in Psychology are interdisciplinary journals that cover a wide range of topics and attract research from multiple disciplines.

• Open access journals: These journals make research articles freely available to readers without any paywalls or subscription fees, ensuring that research is accessible to a wider audience.

For example, journals like PLOS Biology, BioMed Central, and eLife are open access journals that provide unrestricted access to research content, promoting knowledge dissemination and democratizing access to scholarly information.

Understanding the different types of research journals and their characteristics can help research scholars choose the most appropriate journal for publishing their research, considering the scope, readership, and impact of their work.

Publishing research in reputable journals offers numerous benefits to research scholars, including:

• Academic recognition: Publishing in reputable research journals can enhance the visibility and recognition of researchers’ work within the academic community. Research articles published in well-established journals are often considered as valuable contributions to the field, which can lead to increased credibility and recognition among peers.

For example, publishing a research article in a prestigious journal like Nature or Science can significantly boost the academic reputation of the researcher and may lead to invitations for collaborations, speaking engagements, and other opportunities.

• Credibility: Publishing in reputable research journals adds credibility to the research findings. The peer-review process followed by reputable journals ensures that the research articles are rigorously evaluated by experts in the field, validating the quality and reliability of the research.

For example, research published in journals like The Lancet, Journal of the American Chemical Society, or IEEE Transactions on Information Theory is considered to be of high quality and reliable, which can strengthen the credibility of the research findings.

• Visibility: Publishing in reputable research journals increases the visibility of research work among the wider academic community. Many reputable journals have a large readership and broad reach, which can help researchers disseminate their findings to a larger audience.

For example, research articles published in journals like Nature Communications, Journal of Applied Physics, or Journal of Marketing Research are often widely read and cited by researchers, which can enhance the visibility and impact of the research.

• Career advancement: Publishing in reputable research journals can contribute to career advancement for research scholars. Publications in well-established journals are often considered important for securing academic positions, promotions, and research grants.

For example, having a strong publication record in reputable journals can be a significant factor in obtaining tenure or promotion in academia, securing funding from funding agencies, and advancing the career trajectory of a researcher.

• Building academic networks: Publishing in research journals can facilitate networking opportunities with fellow researchers, experts, and scholars in the field. It can lead to collaborations, discussions, and interactions that can foster the growth of research scholars’ academic networks.

For example, researchers who publish in reputable journals often receive invitations to conferences, workshops, and other academic events, providing opportunities to connect with other researchers, exchange ideas, and collaborate on future research projects.

• Promoting scientific rigor and integrity: Research journals play a crucial role in promoting scientific rigor and integrity through the peer-review process. The peer-review process helps ensure that research articles published in reputable journals are based on robust methodology, reliable data, and valid conclusions.

For example, the peer-review process followed by journals like Journal of Clinical Investigation, Journal of Experimental Medicine, or Psychological Bulletin ensures that the research articles are thoroughly evaluated by experts in the respective fields, maintaining the standards of scientific rigor and integrity.

Selecting the appropriate research journal for publishing research is a critical step that can impact the visibility, credibility, and impact of the research. Here are some tips for researchers to consider when selecting a research journal:

• Scope, readership, and impact factor: It’s essential to carefully evaluate the scope and readership of a research journal to ensure that it aligns with the research topic and target audience. Researchers should also consider the journal’s impact factor, which is a measure of the journal’s influence and citation rate in the field.

For example, if a researcher is conducting research in the field of environmental science, a journal like Environmental Science & Technology or Environmental Research would be more appropriate compared to a general science journal like Science or Nature.

• Publishing policies, submission guidelines, and copyright policies: Researchers should thoroughly review the publishing policies, submission guidelines, and copyright policies of research journals before submitting their research. This includes understanding the journal’s requirements for formatting, word count, referencing style, and other submission guidelines.

For example, some journals may have specific requirements for data sharing, ethical considerations, or authorship, which researchers need to be aware of and adhere to during the submission process.

• Predatory journals: It’s crucial to avoid predatory journals, which are low-quality or fraudulent journals that lack proper peer-review processes and editorial standards. Publishing in predatory journals can have negative consequences on the credibility and impact of the research.

For example, researchers should be cautious of journals that spam their email inbox with solicitation emails, promise rapid publication with minimal peer review, or charge exorbitant publication fees without providing proper editorial services.

I have written an article on Avoiding Predatory Conferences and Journals: A Step by Step Guide for Researchers . This article will help you in avoiding predatory conferences and journals.

Publishing in reputable journals with high editorial standards and a rigorous peer-review process ensures that the research undergoes a thorough evaluation and maintains the integrity and quality of the research. Researchers should aim to publish in journals that are indexed in reputable databases, recognized by their peers, and have a good reputation in their respective fields.

By selecting the right research journal, understanding the publishing policies and submission guidelines, and avoiding predatory journals, researchers can enhance the visibility, credibility, and impact of their research publications.

The peer-review process is a crucial step in the publication process of research journals. It involves the evaluation of research papers by experts in the field to ensure the quality, validity, and rigor of the research. Here’s what researchers need to know about navigating the peer-review process:

• Peer-review process and its significance: Researchers should explain the peer-review process and emphasize its significance in ensuring the quality and validity of research. Peer-review helps to identify and rectify any potential flaws, errors, or biases in the research, and ensures that only high-quality research is published in reputable journals.

For example, the peer-review process typically involves submission of the research paper to the journal, followed by evaluation by experts in the field who review the research for its originality, methodology, results, and conclusions. Reviewers provide feedback, suggestions, and comments to the authors, which help in improving the research before final publication.

• Types of peer-review: Researchers should discuss the different types of peer-review, such as single-blind, double-blind, and open peer-review. In single-blind peer-review, the reviewer’s identity is concealed from the authors, while in double-blind peer-review, the identities of both reviewers and authors are concealed. In open peer-review, the identities of both reviewers and authors are disclosed.

For example, in single-blind peer-review, the reviewer remains anonymous, which can help reduce biases, while in double-blind peer-review, both the reviewer and author remain anonymous, which can further reduce potential biases. Open peer-review promotes transparency and accountability, as the identities of both reviewers and authors are disclosed, allowing for a more collaborative and constructive feedback process.

• Responding to reviewer comments and revising research papers: Researchers should provide tips on how to respond to reviewer comments and revise research papers accordingly. It’s important to carefully consider and address all reviewer comments in a respectful and professional manner. Researchers should revise the research paper based on the feedback received, provide clarifications, and make necessary changes to improve the quality and validity of the research.

For example, researchers should avoid being defensive or dismissive of reviewer comments and instead view them as opportunities for improvement. It’s important to provide well-justified responses to reviewer comments and revise the research paper accordingly to address any concerns or suggestions raised by the reviewers.

Navigating the peer-review process can be challenging, but it is a crucial step in ensuring the quality and validity of research publications. By understanding the peer-review process, familiarizing oneself with different types of peer-review, and responding to reviewer comments in a constructive manner, researchers can enhance the chances of their research being accepted and published in reputable research journals.

I have written an article on Expert Tips for Responding to Reviewers’ Comments on Your Research Paper . This article will help you in replying to reviewer’s comments effectively.

Ethical considerations in publishing research are critical to ensure the integrity, credibility, and transparency of the scientific literature. Researchers should discuss the following ethical aspects of publishing research:

• Plagiarism: Researchers should emphasize the importance of avoiding plagiarism, which involves presenting someone else’s work, ideas, or words as one’s own without proper attribution. Plagiarism can result in serious consequences, including retraction of published papers, loss of credibility, and damage to reputation.

For example, researchers should highlight the need to properly cite and reference all sources used in their research, including text, figures, tables, and other scholarly works. They should also be aware of different types of plagiarism, such as verbatim copying, paraphrasing without proper attribution, and self-plagiarism, and take steps to avoid them.

Read my article on The Consequences of Plagiarism: What You Need to Know? . This article will help you to understand the consequences of plagiarism.

• Authorship: Researchers should discuss the principles of authorship and highlight the importance of giving proper credit to all individuals who have made substantial contributions to the research. Authorship should be based on meaningful intellectual contributions to the research, and all authors should be accountable for the accuracy and integrity of the published work.

For example, researchers should explain the criteria for authorship, such as conception and design of the study, data collection and analysis, interpretation of results, and drafting and revising the manuscript. They should also discuss the need for obtaining consent from all authors before submitting the research paper for publication.

Please refer my blog post on Does Author Position in a Research Paper Matter? . This blog will help you in deciding the authorship and giving proper credit to the contributors of the research work in research paper.

• Conflicts of interest: Researchers should highlight the need to disclose any conflicts of interest that could potentially bias the research findings or its interpretation. Conflicts of interest can arise from financial, personal, or professional relationships that may influence the research design, conduct, analysis, or reporting.

For example, researchers should disclose any funding sources, affiliations, or relationships that may have influenced the research. They should also explain how they have addressed or managed any conflicts of interest to ensure the integrity and transparency of the research.

• Data integrity: Researchers should emphasize the importance of maintaining data integrity throughout the research process, including data collection, analysis, interpretation, and reporting. Data should be accurate, complete, and transparent, and any manipulation, fabrication, or falsification of data is unacceptable.

For example, researchers should explain the need for proper data management, including data storage, backup, and documentation. They should also highlight the importance of data sharing and reproducibility to promote transparency and rigor in scientific research.

• Ethical guidelines: Researchers should highlight the importance of adhering to ethical guidelines set by reputable organizations, such as the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) and the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE) . These guidelines provide standards and best practices for authors, editors, and reviewers in publishing research.

For example, researchers should familiarize themselves with the ethical guidelines provided by COPE and ICMJE , which cover various aspects of research publication, including authorship, conflicts of interest, data integrity, and plagiarism. Adhering to these guidelines helps ensure the ethical conduct of research and enhances the credibility and integrity of published research.

Adhering to ethical considerations in publishing research is essential to maintain the integrity, credibility, and transparency of the scientific literature. By avoiding plagiarism, giving proper credit to authors, disclosing conflicts of interest, maintaining data integrity, and following ethical guidelines, researchers can contribute to responsible and ethical research publishing practices.

Open access journals are a type of research journal that provides free and unrestricted access to research articles online, without the need for a subscription or paywall. Here are some points to consider when discussing open-access journals:

• Concept of open access journals: Open access journals aim to make research findings widely accessible to the global community, removing barriers to accessing scholarly knowledge. This means that anyone, regardless of their institutional affiliation or financial resources, can freely access, read, download, and share research articles published in open-access journals.

For example, researchers should discuss the importance of open-access journals in democratizing access to scientific knowledge, particularly for researchers and readers from developing countries or institutions with limited access to subscription-based journals. Open-access journals provide an opportunity for broader dissemination of research findings, leading to increased visibility and potential impact.

• Types of open access models: Open access journals can operate under different models, including gold, green, and hybrid open access.
• Gold open access: In the gold open access model, the research articles are published in open-access journals that make articles freely available to readers immediately upon publication. In this model, the costs of publication are typically covered by article processing charges (APCs), which are paid by the authors or their institutions.
• Green open access: In the green open access model, researchers self-archive or deposit their accepted manuscripts in a repository or an institutional repository after publication in a subscription-based journal. These manuscripts are made freely accessible to readers after an embargo period or without any embargo, depending on the publisher’s policies.
• Hybrid open access: In the hybrid open access model, a journal may offer both open-access and subscription-based options. In this model, authors can choose to pay APCs to make their individual articles freely available while other articles remain behind a subscription paywall.

For example, researchers should explain the differences between these open-access models and how they affect the availability, visibility, and cost of accessing research articles. They should also discuss the implications of each model for researchers, institutions, and readers, including the potential benefits and limitations.

• Potential challenges and criticisms of open-access journals: Despite the advantages of open-access journals, there are also potential challenges and criticisms associated with them.
• Funding and sustainability: One challenge of open-access journals is the need to cover the costs of publication, typically through APCs. This can be a barrier for researchers or institutions with limited funding resources, leading to concerns about the sustainability of open-access journals.
• Quality and credibility: Another criticism of open-access journals is the perception that they may have lower quality or less rigorous peer-review processes compared to subscription-based journals. This can raise concerns about the credibility and reliability of research published in open-access journals.
• Predatory publishing: Open-access journals have also been associated with the rise of predatory publishing, where unethical publishers charge high APCs but provide little or no peer review or editorial oversight. This can result in low-quality or even fraudulent research being published in open-access journals.

Open-access journals offer advantages in terms of wider accessibility and visibility of research findings, but they also come with potential challenges and criticisms. Researchers should be aware of different open-access models, discuss the advantages and limitations of open-access journals, and carefully consider the quality and credibility of the journals they choose to publish their research in.

Visit my article on Open Access Journals: What do you Need to Know as a Researcher? . This article will help you in understanding the way in which open-access journals function.

One more article I have written about Avoiding Predatory Conferences and Journals: A Step by Step Guide for Researchers . This artcle will help you in avoiding predatory journal publications.

Here’s the list of open access and subscription-based journal examples.

• Open Access Journals: These journals provide free, unrestricted access to their content online. They typically do not charge readers or institutions for access and allow users to read, download, copy, distribute, print, search, or link to the full texts of articles.
• Subscription-Based Journals: These journals require a subscription or payment to access their content. Readers or institutions must pay for access, either through individual subscriptions, institutional licenses, or pay-per-view options.

Publishing in research journals is a crucial step for research scholars to share their findings, establish their reputation, and contribute to the scholarly community. Carefully selecting reputable research journals, navigating the peer-review process, adhering to ethical considerations, and understanding open access options are important aspects of publishing research. By following best practices and contributing to reputable research journals, research scholars can make meaningful contributions to the advancement of knowledge in their fields and contribute to the scholarly community.

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Nicole Brown

November 4th, 2021, keeping a research journal that works for you.

0 comments | 63 shares

Estimated reading time: 7 minutes

Think of a research journal and you may imagine a well-thumbed notebook replete with insightful entries, answers to research questions and a chronicle of the key moments that led to this point. However, as Nicole Brown  (author of Making the Most of Your Research Journal ) outlines, misconceptions about the perfect research journal often derail this project before it has even begun. Highlighting four common myths about ‘the’ research journal, she suggests finding an enjoyable and creative medium for recording a range of activities around your work is more important than striving to replicate an ideal model.

Writing, and more specifically, academic writing plays a key role in Higher Education. We write for assignments, for publications in journals and books, for public engagement, for research impact, for grant applications, for stakeholder reports; the list is endless. It is therefore not surprising that there are so many courses and guides on how to write faster, better, more effectively. Alongside all these tasks, we are often advised to keep a research journal for our personal and professional development. Yet, there is little specific guidance for how to keep an effective research diary, which notes to take, or what to do with our entries in a research journal. Consequently, many feel under pressure to maintain the perfect research journal, to create relevant and appropriate research entries in specific formats, and to record entries regularly and consistently.

In reality, there are just too many myths around research journaling. Our misconceptions and our belief in those myths often lead us to give up. It does not have to be that way. Research journaling is a step towards academic writing, towards developing an authorial voice and a researcher identity. We just have to face some facts, first.

Myth 1: Research journaling is to accompany the research process

Well, yes and no. In many research methods handbooks and dissertation modules, we are indeed told to maintain a research journal to ensure we are working reflexively, to develop our positionality statement and, of course, to record anything that is important to the research process. The research journal does have that purpose. But it is not its only purpose. We may also journal to keep a record of our professional development, of our achievements, of our professional activities, of our networks and contacts, and so, to prepare us for and support us in our work as researchers beyond any single project.

Myth 2: Research journaling is academic writing

Again, this is partly true. Through writing we are indeed able to develop our authorial voice, our thought processes, our analyses, but then for some this may happen better in ways and means other than writing. You may find that recording yourself speak on a Dictaphone or creating a collage will help you with moving from the descriptive to the analytical. In this respect, research journaling is definitely academic work, but it does not need to be writing.

Myth 3: There is the entry in the research journal

No. When research reports and publications quote extracts from a research journal, the entries are fully formulated sections written in the most beautiful prose language with significant analytical insights and identifications of key concepts. That entry will have been developed by research journaling, but that is most often not the first entry on that same topic. Even in disciplines where notetaking in the field and developing theories from those notes on observations are intrinsic ways of working, there are processes. It is only natural to move from rough notes to more in-depth descriptions in several iterations until we arrive at the conceptualised, analytical prose that we will share in articles and reports.

Myth 4: There is the research journal

No, definitely not. We rarely get to see each other’s research journals, but when we do, we may find our misconceptions are skewed. I myself have attended conferences or workshops where I ended up sitting next to the person with the research journal: a perfect, pristine, beautiful, well organised, hand-paginated book with cross-references and annotations, containing key words and search terms along with an index, and all in perfect cursive handwriting. My own scribbles across several loose, unnumbered pages not only pale in comparison, but become a source of deep embarrassment, guilt and envy in those moments. What I have learned over the years is that for many academics the research journal they bring to conferences or workshops is not their only one, and that their other research journals look quite different. I cannot speak for others, but I know I have a blog, files on my computer, recordings on my iPad, pieces of papers and post-it notes alongside some sketchbooks and notebooks – fully or partially filled, some neat, others messy. My “research journal” is the combination of all those.

In sum, as there is no guidance, there are also no rules around research journaling, which we should see as an opportunity to be playful and creative and to experiment. A good research journal will be a source of fun or pleasure, rather than pressure and dread.

Note: This post gives the views of the authors, and not the position of the LSE Impact Blog, or of the London School of Economics.

Image Credit:  Mathilde Langevin via Unsplash.

About the author

Dr Nicole Brown is Associate Professor at UCL Institute of Education and Director of Social Research &amp; Practice and Education Ltd. Her numerous publications include the books Lived Experiences of Ableism in Academia: Strategies for Inclusion in Higher Education, Ableism in Academia: Theorising Experiences of Disabilities and Chronic Illnesses in Higher Education, Embodied Inquiry: Research Methods, and Making the Most of Your Research Journal. She tweets as @ncjbrown and @AbleismAcademia

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Dr. Karen Palmer

As you research, it’s important to keep a record of the information you find. It might not seem difficult to remember a handful of sources, but, as you continue on in your academic career, you may have a source list of 10, 20, or even more sources for a single paper. Getting in the habit of keeping track of your sources by using a research journal will help you to keep your information organized and make writing your paper much less work.

Keeping a research journal is simple.

• First, create a new Word document.
• As you do your research, take note of the correct citation of each source.
• Write a short summary of the source, including any important notes (ie this source contains a lot of data).
• Finally, write any quotes that stand out. Make sure to put the quotes in quotation marks and add the in-text citation at the end of the quote.

Notes and Quotes

Since, at the note taking stage, you do not know for sure how you will use the information you find, you will not know for sure which kind of notes to take for which sources. Use the following general guidelines to decide:

• Summarize lengthy information that will add to your paper without including the smaller details.
• Paraphrase information and details that will serve as significant support for your core points but that isn’t so eloquently stated that you want to use the exact words. Also, paraphrase texts with vital details that are simply too lengthy to quote.

You will use most of the information you find in either a summarized or paraphrased format. So use those formats as you write. Make your best guess about how you will want to use the information. Do not ever copy and paste from a source directly into your working files unless you intend to use the information as an exact quotation. If you do intend to use an exact quotation, use the quotations when you take the initial note.

For all notes you take, record the page(s) where you found the information. Doing so will assure you have the information at hand if you need it for your reference. In addition, having the page numbers readily available will allow you to easily revisit sources. So that you do not inadvertently leave a page number where you do not want it, add bolding and color to your page numbers to make them stand out.

1. Using the guidelines above, create a research journal on your computer. Follow your instructor’s directions on what to begin putting into the research journal.

Attributions

• Content written by Dr. Karen Palmer  and licensed under CC BY NC SA.
• “Notes and Quotes” adapted from “ Chapter 7: Researching ” and licensed under CC BY NC SA .

The RoughWriter's Guide Copyright © 2020 by Dr. Karen Palmer is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License , except where otherwise noted.

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IAJW » IAJW Journal Blog » How to Journal » How to Journal

How to Journal

Your complete guide to getting started with journaling.

Do you want to learn how to journal, but are unsure where to start?  Or you want to know what to write in a journal?  Maybe you’ve heard of creative journaling and are curious what it is? Perhaps you’re a writer and want to journal to deepen your craft?

This comprehensive “How to Journal” article will answer all of your questions about journal writing. For example, what journal writing is, how you can use it, and what benefits you can experience from this type of writing.  It also includes many journal writing prompts to help you get started. Lastly, while journal writing is typically a solitary act, you don’t have to journal alone or in isolation.  This article will tell you where you can get some help and support for your journal writing, including being part of a journal writing community or group.

This Article Covers:

What is Journal Writing?

What can i use journaling for.

• How to Journal – What are the Benefits?
• Getting Started with Journaling
• Creating a Journal Writing Ritual
• How to Journal – What To Write?
• How Often Should I Write in my Journal?

Do You Need to Write Regularly in a Journal?

• How To Journal Consistently –  Creating the Journaling Habit
• How to Journal – What Help and Support Can I Get?
• In Conclusion

Before we talk about how to journal, let’s look at what journaling is.

Journal Writing is the practice of taking time for yourself to write and reflect on your thoughts, feelings and life experiences.  There are many suggestions for how to journal and what to write about. However, the beauty of journal writing is you can do it in your own way. This means you can really make it your own creative and life enhancing practice.

There are lots of people who write in a journal.  I recently heard that 16% of the world’s population regularly writes in a journal. You could loosely test this claim yourself by asking a group of friends or family if they write in a journal and see what percentage say yes.

Each person will give a slightly different answer when asked, “What is journaling?” But in essence, journaling is the simple and profound act of capturing and understanding our lives through expressive writing and story. Expressive writing includes writing about our thoughts and feelings while gaining self-awareness and new discoveries along the way. Journaling is all about exploring and enriching life through narrative, words and creative self-expression through writing.

Journaling is…

• a powerful tool for personal growth, self-discovery, improved health and creative self-expression
• a fun and creative life enhancing practice
• used by many successful people, including Oprah and Jack Canfield (author of Chicken Soup for the Soul books), to achieve success in life and work

“Journal writing is one of the rare forms of writing in which freedom of form and content support each other magically.”   –  Stephanie Dowrick

You can use journal writing to get to know yourself better, solve problems, make life decisions, improve your health and increase feelings of gratitude and joy.  Journaling can also help you heal from stressful life circumstances, deal with grief and loss, or other life transitions. Or just journal for the pure love it!

Journaling is a fun, nourishing and creative practice that simply requires something to write with and write on. Whether it’s a pen and notebook, loose paper, cue cards, you get to choose your journaling tools!

People use journal writing in different ways for a variety of reasons. One person might journal to heal a broken heart writing an unsent letter sharing what they wish they’d said to that person.  Someone else might journal to celebrate their accomplishments and make a list of their recent successes in their journal.

There are also a wide variety of journaling methods and techniques to get the most out of your journaling. You can use it for whatever matters most to you at this time in your life.

Sign up now to get our “How to Journal” guide.

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How to Journal – What are the Benefits?

There are many evidence-based benefits of journal writing from over 30 years of research in the expressive writing field.  Yes, journal writing is a field of work!

People use the journaling process for many reasons, including to:

• stimulate a healthier mind and body
• vent and express thoughts and feelings in a healthy, constructive manner
• increase self-awareness
• create clarity for decision-making
• track progress and personal growth
• celebrate successes
• heal emotional pain and trauma
• increase self-care
• manage stress and prevent burnout
• gain broader and multiple perspectives
• practice writing in a non-judgmental setting
• improve creative thinking
• preserve memories
• get closer to God or a divine energy source

Today, journaling is widely accepted as a means for cultivating wellness as part of a whole person health approach. This includes the emotional, physical, psychological and spiritual dimensions of well-being. Journaling is also being used across various disciplines, such as education, psychology, leadership, business, health, creative writing, coaching and counselling fields, as a powerful tool for learning and growth.

How to Journal – Getting Started

Get organized.

One of the first things to do when you start a journal is get your journaling tools organized.

It can be fun to pick out your favourite pen and an inspiring journal. Look online or go into any book, stationary or office supply store and you’ll find all kinds of journals, pens, markers and other things you might like to use in your journal such as stickers or other creative touches.

So over time, you can experiment with your journaling tools. Do you like blank pages or lined? Would you prefer a small journal or a large sketchbook style journal?  Would you use the same style journal or mix it up and try something new each time you begin a new one?

Sometimes people use loose leaf paper and put their journaling pages in a binder, or write small entries on cue cards. And some people even use big 18 x 24 pages of paper for larger visual journaling entries. You can create a mixed media art journal and much more.

Just Write!

The key is to pick some simple journaling tools to start with – a pen and notebook – and just start writing.

Your writing will teach you what you need. For example, I used to write in a small lined journal and over the years, my writing longed for larger, open, clear spaces to fill. Now I use an 8 ½ by 11 blank page sketchbook, spiral bound and I keep my pilot pen in the spine of the journal.

Find your own tools and make your own way as you write. The only way to journal, is to write. And then write some more.

Whether you’re an avid journal writer, someone who journaled in the past, or have never written in a journal before:

“There is a Spanish proverb which says: there is no road, we make the road as we walk. I would say the same thing about journal writing: we make the path as we write.” Christina Baldwin

How to Journal – Creating Writing Rituals

What is a journaling writing ritual.

Dr. James Pennebaker, author of Writing to Heal: A Guided Journal for Recovering from Trauma & Emotional Upheaval , suggests some conditions that help enhance the expressive writing process.  His research shows that creating a journal writing ritual is very beneficial.

Being focused, non-judgmental, and connected to your interior world fosters deeper writing. But, it’s not a frame of mind that everyone can simply switch on and off.

The idea behind creating a ritual is to create a unique environment and/or behavior which helps you sink into the best journal writing mindset possible. The purpose of the ritual is to take you away from everyday life. Your ritual contains the cues you create for yourself which help you become relaxed, alert, and reflective.

How do you Create a Journal Writing Ritual?

Here are some suggestions, but remember, the ritual you create to transition into deeper journal writing is uniquely yours.

• Select some music that creates a sense of serenity. Play it for five minutes, focusing on simply listening to the music. Consider closing your eyes. Do not read your mail or straighten out your desk! You may want to have just one piece of music you use each time as your centering pre-writing ritual. Or choose three or four pieces you love for some variety.
• Begin with several minutes of a meditation or a prayer. You can write just for the occasion or create something spontaneously each time.
• Brew a cup of tea or coffee, or pour yourself some fresh juice. Perhaps a glass of wine? Spend a few minutes holding the cup, feeling the warmth, smelling the aromas of your drink and deeply enjoy those sensations.

Write in an environment that’s inspiring for your journal writing

• This could be by a bright and sunny window or a softly lit corner nestled in a cozy chair.
• Light a candle and while lighting the candle say an affirmation, your intention or make a wish.

Journal at approximately the same time each day

• This doesn’t have to be at the same hour each day, but it’s helpful if it’s at the same time in your daily routine. For example half an hour before bed, which will work whether you go to bed at 10pm or at midnight.

The trick, of course, is to find the cues that help you settle in quickly. Initially, experiment with different rituals to see which feels best and then stick with the practice once you’ve found one you like. Remember to use as many of your senses (smell, sight, touch, hearing and taste) as you can when creating your centering ritual.

How to Journal – What To Write

You can write about anything you want to write about. For example write about your day including your thoughts, feelings, problems, challenges, upsets, joys, successes and dreams. Here are some journaling prompts to help you get started:

• Right now, I am feeling…
• In the moment, I notice…
• Currently, I am thinking about…
• So far, the best part about my week is…

You can also write about what you don’t want to write about—and explore your resistance!

Resistance offers you information about where you’re feeling stuck, perhaps procrastinating, or simply not quite sure how to proceed. Here are some journaling prompts to play with around resistance:

• At the moment, I don’t really want to write about (and then write about it anyways)…
• I am feeling resistant because…
• If I wasn’t feeling resistant, what might be different in my life right now…

You can free write (simply go to the page and start writing) or you can do more structured journal writing activities such as using prompts.

There are many other journal writing techniques and methods such as mind maps, cluster drawings, dialogue writing, captured moments, poetic writing and more that you can learn about and use to keep your journal writing fresh and interesting.

Access our free 7 Servings of Journal Juice for new ideas on what to write about in your journal. And you’ll also receive journal writing prompts, exercises, tips and our inspiring Journaling Museletter .

How To Journal – How Often Should I Write

There are no rules about how often you should write in your journal. Like anything, the more often you do something that’s good for you, the more benefits you get from it. I doubt you would go for one walk around the block and expect to experience significant health benefits from it.

The same is true for journaling. While that one walk would have offered you ‘in the moment’ benefits like time to relax, feeling good from moving your body, fresh air and more, the same is true for journaling.

You could gain a sense of relief, renewal and replenishment from just 10 minutes of writing about your thoughts, feelings and life observations.

Journal Regularly

Much like any other activity that’s good for you like brushing your teeth, meditating or eating a healthy diet, journaling can also be done regularly. Journaling makes a great healthy daily habit.

Set a Timer

I often facilitate timed journal writing exercises in workshops and retreats that I offer. It’s a core part of my Transformational Writing for Wellness Salon , a 6 week group coaching program that takes people into the heart and art of transformational journaling.

So often people say, “I can’t believe how much I wrote in just 5 minutes” or “I can’t believe I gained new insights when I just wrote for 7 minutes!”

Journaling to Cope

Many people only write in their journals when they are going through difficult times. Then once things are going better, they stop writing. This is also a valuable way to use your journal as a life companion to help you cope during stressful or troubled times.

The key is not to get too caught up in “shoulds”: I should journal today, I should journal more often. That’s because ‘shoulds’ can open the door for negative self-talk and feelings of inadequacy and shame. Instead, your journaling practice is best treated like a kind friend. You journal because you want to, and because it’s an enjoyable, or at least helpful, relaxing experience.

It’s a question that most journal writers face at some point. Does it matter if you write often in your journal? Well, whether you write regularly depends on your purpose for writing. Is it to preserve memories? To sort out issues? To track physical or emotional, spiritual, or intellectual progress? Track health symptoms?

If journal writing is pleasurable, then writing is its own reward. If journal writing becomes a task you “should” do, rather than something you enjoy, then you’ll write less consistently.

So part of the issue can be reframed by asking, ”How do I make journal writing pleasurable?” The answer to this question will help you find your own way to make journaling a consistent and enjoyable habit.

How To Journal Consistently –  Creating the Journaling Habit

Think of writing a journal entry as the lowest cost and highest benefit way of taking care of your health. Remember that writing about meaningful events or activities in your life has been proven to positively impact your overall health without major cost of time or money and without having to leave your home!

If you do want to write in your journal on a regular basis and truly create the journaling habit, here are a few ideas to help you keep writing consistently:

Make your journal writing more upbeat

• Review the good things that have happened in your day—your attitude, your progress toward a goal, a minor victory, even a two-minute interaction with someone that went well.
• Remind yourself about the good stuff in your life and your good qualities.

Write when you have difficult issues in your life that need to be resolved

• Who doesn’t experience difficult times? Consider the time that you write in your journal as an oasis of self-nurturing in your day. It’s a time to vent, rant, reflect, and process just for you.

If possible, write at the same time every day

• Incorporate your writing practice into a daily routine.

Make it short and fun!

• Write a one-word journal entry that captures your day.
• It’s a challenge to come up with that one word. You can think about it while you are doing some mindless life maintenance activity—like flossing your teeth, taking out the garbage, or folding clothes.
• Then once you’ve determined that word, writing your journal entry takes almost no time.

Go deeper with our How to Journal Consistently article >>

Back to the question: Does it really matter that you write consistently?

Writing consistently helps you maintain your journaling practice. It means that when you re-read your journal, there are enough entries to have meaning and flow.

Your ability to write consistently in your journal will be determined by how you feel and doing what’s right for you. So, while you’re writing and when you finish, notice how you feel.

• Did you like the process?
• Were you feeling relaxed and soothed during or after writing?
• Did you feel at times frustrated, angry, confused, despairing?

This whole spectrum of emotions is simply part of the process of journal writing. I know that I feel better most of the time after I write – like I’ve released a burden or relived a pleasurable part of my day.

How to Journal – What Help and Support Can I Get?

One of the best ways to learn more about how to journal is with the support of a like minded community. When we join with fellow journal writers there are regular opportunities to connect, learn and be inspired about journaling. People who like yoga connect in yoga communities, and the same is true for meditation, scrapbooking, running and more. There is a human instinct to find supportive communities who share our passion or interest, so we can learn and grow together.

At the IAJW, our journal writing community is for extroverts and introverts alike. Perhaps you want the inspiration and support of a community, but would rather sit back quietly and take it all in. Or maybe you want to chat with fellow journal writers live on our monthly Zoom Chats with guest experts. You can gain regular  help and support for your unique approach to journal writing.

Join our Online Journal Writing Community

We know there is power in community. So come join fellow journal writers in the International Association for Journal Writing ! We offer a learning and inspirational community for journal writers worldwide. Access monthly online writing circles, interviews with guest experts in the field of journaling and expressive writing, courses, journaling tools, e-books and much more.

Treat Yourself to a Journal Writing Retreat

Lastly, you might want to join one of our virtual Renew You Writing Retreats . Take 3 hours for yourself to journal in a guided and nourishing way. Whether you want to kick-start or reinvigorate your journaling practice, this retreat gives you time for creative self-care and renewal!

“Wow! What an awesome experience! I must admit I was a tad bit skeptical about an online retreat. But woah! Was I wrong! The Renew You Writing Retreat was so invigorating, uplifting, therapeutic, inspirational….just plain awesomesauce. Have you ever had an experience like that? You go in a little skeptical and come out blown away? Have you had the experience of being deeply inspired through writing and sharing with others? If not, you’re missing out! Thank you, Lynda, for creating such a wonderful space and experience.” Airial W. Dandridge, Certified Life Coach

Sign up now to get your copy of our “How to Journal” guide.

How to Journal – In Conclusion

If you’ve read this far, I know you’re passionate (or at least curious about) the many benefits of  journal writing. Journaling is an empowering experience because you’re always the expert of your own life. Journaling helps you explore both your inner and outer worlds and make sense of your life experience.

As a Registered Social Worker and Certified Co-Active Life Coach, I have been immersed in human transformation, growth, change and wellness for the past 30 years. I’ve learned many different tools and techniques for self-care, healing and growth through my studies and first-hand experience. Journaling is my go to practice that helps me live an intentional, healthy and happy life. And it has helped many people to do the same! Including you, perhaps?

There is only one way to experience the many benefits of journal writing—pick up your pen and write!

“Writing was the healing place where I could collect bits and pieces, where I could put them together again…written words change us all and make us more than we could ever be without them.” bell hooks

May your journaling support you to live an incredible life!

Next steps:.

• Join our Journaling Community with IAJW Membership>>
• Check out our  Journal Writing Facebook group>>
• Explore our Journal Writing Store>>

Authors :  Lynda Monk, Director of IAJW and Ruth Folit, Founder of IAJW , partnered to write this How to Journal article, attempting to answer some of the most common questions that new and, in some cases, even seasoned journal writers have.

23 Comments

Such a wonderful article. Thank you for sharing!

Thanks, Diana!

I went to write lots bits to remember and copied it almost word for word in my common place book,but I love to write and am trying to get back into it,I’m writing for recovery from am 8yr relationship with a covert gaslighting narcissist,and I couldn’t write,let alone relax,I have been out for almost 2yrs,and when I start to feel joy or something didn’t work out and I’m hard on myself,I swear I can feel his presence in my house,he doesn’t know where I am,I left him and moved 2hr away in a different state,the feeling is almost overwhelming

Hi Dixie, personal writing can help heal from painful relationships. It’s great you are getting back into it!

Thank you both Lynda and Ruth for this wonderfully informative resource. Never too old to learn something new! Thank you both for bringing this to us.

Thanks, Lyn. Glad it offered some new ideas!

Great article Lynda! You’ve covered so many bases – lots of work, and very informative and knowledgeable as always :) Emma-Louise

Hi Emma, thanks for your kind feedback!

You two put together a beautiful and accessible piece here. It’s filled with all the vast experience and love you have for journaling. Thanks, Beth

Thanks so much, Beth! Your feedback means a lot to us.

Lynda, a beautiful gift to receive, words combing thoughts, insightful expressions and creative suggestions. Thank you for sharing a writing world held in heart, pen or typing starts journaling what is seen, felt or sensed from a human inner essence. Whole ❤️ Namaste.

Thank you, Denise! Namaste.

My name is Jacki Smallwood. I have been watching your sight on Facebook, and all the various gifts you have given while on the sight. I have been in a nursing home for 3 years and in quarantine for the past 11 months, not leaving my room, no guests, no funerals or graduation s. To keep my sanity u journal, I share my journaling with other residents through Messenger to help others cope. I don’t have access to copy machine nor anyone to take it out to staples. I am asking if anyone of your organization would donate material that would help me so much and then share with others. I get 45.00 a month from SS and need every penny for my needs. Anything you can do would be so helpful.

Seniors are a special group often ignored through this Covid.

Thank you for anything you could for me.

Jacky Smallwood

Hi Jacky, thank you for your note and request. I removed your mailing address from your original comment before publishing it for your privacy. I will reach out to you by email. I am glad journaling is helping you during this difficult time. More to follow, Lynda

Lynda, I’m very grateful to have ran across this article. I used to journal a lot when I was younger and I write poetry and music pretty consistently for the last few years. I have been told journaling could be amazing for me to get over some of my past pains and nasty relationships and getting to know myself, growing into a stronger (as well as better person), and just for my general mental health. So, as I begin to journal this very day, I was writing down many things that I want to include and accomplish with this journal inside the front pages of my book and I happened to run across your article! Now I just want to give you a big thank you BECAUSE I attained a lot of information, ideas, and format to include in my new journaling experience! I’m very excited to embark and I just wanted to let you know again I’m grateful for running across your words.

Chelsea Venice, Florida

Hi Chelsea, thanks for your note and for sharing some of your journaling hopes! I love the serendipity that you found our journaling website. We have lots of free journaling resources, including journaling prompts, that might be helpful along the way. You can find them here if you are interested: https://iajw.org/free-journaling-resources/ Happy journaling!

Thanks for your article esp the prompts to change the language and freshen up what I usually write.

wonderful article

Thank you so much for this article! When I was in my deepest months I would always journal but then once I got better I stopped journaling. I really want to get back into it but instead of writing about the bad in my life, I am going to focus on the good.

thank you for this article!

You’re welcome, Gwen. Thanks for reading.

I love the ideas for making journaling more appealing in order to journal more consistently. Sometimes I get so caught up in the “should do’s” that I forget that there really are no rules!

Very informative article on journaling! I’ve found journaling to be a wonderful practice for self-discovery and personal growth.

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How to Make a Research Paper Title with Examples

What is a research paper title and why does it matter?

A research paper title summarizes the aim and purpose of your research study. Making a title for your research is one of the most important decisions when writing an article to publish in journals. The research title is the first thing that journal editors and reviewers see when they look at your paper and the only piece of information that fellow researchers will see in a database or search engine query. Good titles that are concise and contain all the relevant terms have been shown to increase citation counts and Altmetric scores .

Therefore, when you title research work, make sure it captures all of the relevant aspects of your study, including the specific topic and problem being investigated. It also should present these elements in a way that is accessible and will captivate readers. Follow these steps to learn how to make a good research title for your work.

How to Make a Research Paper Title in 5 Steps

You might wonder how you are supposed to pick a title from all the content that your manuscript contains—how are you supposed to choose? What will make your research paper title come up in search engines and what will make the people in your field read it? 

In a nutshell, your research title should accurately capture what you have done, it should sound interesting to the people who work on the same or a similar topic, and it should contain the important title keywords that other researchers use when looking for literature in databases. To make the title writing process as simple as possible, we have broken it down into 5 simple steps.

Step 1: Answer some key questions about your research paper

What does your paper seek to answer and what does it accomplish? Try to answer these questions as briefly as possible. You can create these questions by going through each section of your paper and finding the MOST relevant information to make a research title.

Step 2: Identify research study keywords

Now that you have answers to your research questions, find the most important parts of these responses and make these your study keywords. Note that you should only choose the most important terms for your keywords–journals usually request anywhere from 3 to 8 keywords maximum.

Step 3: Research title writing: use these keywords

“We employed a case study of 60 liver transplant patients around the US aged 20-50 years to assess how waiting list volume affects the outcomes of liver transplantation in patients; results indicate a positive correlation between increased waiting list volume and negative prognosis after the transplant procedure.”

The sentence above is clearly much too long for a research paper title. This is why you will trim and polish your title in the next two steps.

Step 4: Create a working research paper title

To create a working title, remove elements that make it a complete “sentence” but keep everything that is important to what the study is about. Delete all unnecessary and redundant words that are not central to the study or that researchers would most likely not use in a database search.

“ We employed a case study of 60 liver transplant patients around the US aged 20-50 years to assess how the waiting list volume affects the outcome of liver transplantation in patients ; results indicate a positive correlation between increased waiting list volume and a negative prognosis after transplant procedure ”

Now shift some words around for proper syntax and rephrase it a bit to shorten the length and make it leaner and more natural. What you are left with is:

“A case study of 60 liver transplant patients around the US aged 20-50 years assessing the impact of waiting list volume on outcome of transplantation and showing a positive correlation between increased waiting list volume and a negative prognosis” (Word Count: 38)

This text is getting closer to what we want in a research title, which is just the most important information. But note that the word count for this working title is still 38 words, whereas the average length of published journal article titles is 16 words or fewer. Therefore, we should eliminate some words and phrases that are not essential to this title.

Step 5: Remove any nonessential words and phrases from your title

Because the number of patients studied and the exact outcome are not the most essential parts of this paper, remove these elements first:

 “A case study of 60 liver transplant patients around the US aged 20-50 years assessing the impact of waiting list volume on outcomes of transplantation and showing a positive correlation between increased waiting list volume and a negative prognosis” (Word Count: 19)

In addition, the methods used in a study are not usually the most searched-for keywords in databases and represent additional details that you may want to remove to make your title leaner. So what is left is:

“Assessing the impact of waiting list volume on outcome and prognosis in liver transplantation patients” (Word Count: 15)

In this final version of the title, one can immediately recognize the subject and what objectives the study aims to achieve. Note that the most important terms appear at the beginning and end of the title: “Assessing,” which is the main action of the study, is placed at the beginning; and “liver transplantation patients,” the specific subject of the study, is placed at the end.

This will aid significantly in your research paper title being found in search engines and database queries, which means that a lot more researchers will be able to locate your article once it is published. In fact, a 2014 review of more than 150,000 papers submitted to the UK’s Research Excellence Framework (REF) database found the style of a paper’s title impacted the number of citations it would typically receive. In most disciplines, articles with shorter, more concise titles yielded more citations.

Adding a Research Paper Subtitle

If your title might require a subtitle to provide more immediate details about your methodology or sample, you can do this by adding this information after a colon:

“ : a case study of US adult patients ages 20-25”

If we abide strictly by our word count rule this may not be necessary or recommended. But every journal has its own standard formatting and style guidelines for research paper titles, so it is a good idea to be aware of the specific journal author instructions , not just when you write the manuscript but also to decide how to create a good title for it.

Research Paper Title Examples

The title examples in the following table illustrate how a title can be interesting but incomplete, complete by uninteresting, complete and interesting but too informal in tone, or some other combination of these. A good research paper title should meet all the requirements in the four columns below.

Tips on Formulating a Good Research Paper Title

In addition to the steps given above, there are a few other important things you want to keep in mind when it comes to how to write a research paper title, regarding formatting, word count, and content:

• Write the title after you’ve written your paper and abstract
• Include all of the essential terms in your paper
• Keep it short and to the point (~16 words or fewer)
• Avoid unnecessary jargon and abbreviations
• Use keywords that capture the content of your paper
• Never include a period at the end—your title is NOT a sentence

Research Paper Writing Resources

We hope this article has been helpful in teaching you how to craft your research paper title. But you might still want to dig deeper into different journal title formats and categories that might be more suitable for specific article types or need help with writing a cover letter for your manuscript submission.

In addition to getting English proofreading services , including paper editing services , before submission to journals, be sure to visit our academic resources papers. Here you can find dozens of articles on manuscript writing, from drafting an outline to finding a target journal to submit to.

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How to Start a Reading Journal: Step-By-Step Guide

Wondering how to start a reading journal? You’re not alone! Tons of book lovers these days have realized the benefits of keeping a reading journal, and luckily there are lots of easy methods to use to get started!

But since reading journals are so popular, there are also a lot of different options to consider. Which is, perhaps, unlucky if you’re new to the reading journal world and don’t know where to start. But I’ve got you covered—read on to learn what you need to know to choose and start your own reading journal!

What is a Reading Journal?

Wondering what a reading journal actually is? I talk in more depth about the concept of reading journals here , but in short they’re a dedicated place for you to record your response to and thoughts about books you’re reading. There’s lots of things you can record in a reading journal, but that’s the basics that it all comes down to!

Benefits of a Reading Journal

There are so many benefits of keeping a reading journal ! One of my favorite benefits is that I no longer forget or can’t find information about a book I read and loved but for the life of me can’t remember the title. The days of having to find a book from a vague description are over!

But reading journals also provide lots of other benefits, including better information retention, better reading comprehension, improved writing skills, are an outlet to process your feelings about what you read, and more.

How to Start a Reading Journal

Ok, so you know a little about reading journals now and the benefits of keeping one, but how do you actually start a reading journal? Here’s your step-by-step guide to how to set up a reading journal!

1. Choose Your Reading Journal Format

When looking to start a reading journal, it’s important to first decide on what format you want to use. By format, I mean do you want your journal to be physical or digital?

Once you’ve decided between the physical and digital mediums, you’ll also need to decide on a sub-format type. For instance, physical journals can look like a printable journal (you can get a free one here !), a premade reading journal, or a bullet journal (which allows you full control over what information you want to record).

If you decide to go the digital route, then you’ll need to decide between options like choosing a reading app, choosing a premade spreadsheet (you can buy the one I made and use myself here !), or creating your own spreadsheet from scratch.

Feeling overwhelmed by the options and don’t know where to start? That’s ok! I talk about some of the most popular reading trackers and apps here , so you can see some of the options available. Check it out to help you decide what method is best for you if you’re feeling stuck or overwhelmed with this first step!

2. Set Up Your Journal

The next step for how to create a reading journal is either a BIG one (if you’re doing it all from scratch yourself, like bullet journaling or setting up your own spreadsheet) or super easy (if you’re using a premade template or spreadsheet like mine ).

We’ll start with the easy part. If you decide to go the premade route by using a free or paid app, using a free or paid printable journal, buying a premade physical journal, or buying a premade spreadsheet, then all you need to do is open your new journal and start recording your books as you read! It’s that simple.

However, if you decide you want more control over what you track (or maybe even more artistic creativity) and go the self-made bullet journal or spreadsheet route, then you’re going to have a little more set-up to do before you can get to tracking your reading. You’re going to have to decide what to include in your journal and how you want it to look.

Some things you might want to add to your journal includes space for:

• Title, author, and published date
• Star Rating
• Thoughts or notes
• Reading Goals
• Book Wish Lists
• Reading Challenges (you could include a popular internet reading challenge or create your own challenge, and then mark each book off as you read).
• TBR (To Be Read) List
• Visual reading tracker (for bullet journals…make book outlines and fill them in with titles of books you’ve read)
• Reading by month of the year
• And lots more!

There are so many different and fun reading journal ideas for things to include in your custom bullet journal spreads, and as for spreadsheets, whatever data your heart desires to track can be included!

I recommend you start simple and see what works well and what information you actually want to use, and then the more you use your journal the more data or fun bullet journal spreads you can add in once you get the hang of it.

3. Start a Routine for Journaling

Lastly, a reading journal how-to wouldn’t be complete without talking about creating some sort of routine for your journaling to make sure you actually use your new journal. Creating a reading journal is only the start of the journey!

My routine consists of religiously entering the books I’ve read into my journaling spreadsheet as soon as I finish a book, because otherwise there’s a big chance that book won’t make it into my records. And then I won’t be able to find it again if I can’t remember it…or if I need to look up a detail about it I forgot.

Your reading book journal routine doesn’t have to be the same as mine, but choosing a time or habit to help trigger the action of journaling can be a big help, especially in the early days of journaling. Later on it will eventually become habitual, but in the beginning you’re going to need to make an effort and start creating journaling as a good reading habit .

Final Thoughts About Starting a Reading Journal

In the end, the best reading journal is one you actually will use. It doesn’t have to be the fanciest, it just has to capture your fancy. Maybe that means you make it really simple and practical or go with a premade version that means you don’t have to deal with all the setup. Or maybe that means you want creative control or are more likely to use it if it’s beautiful and artistic (like bullet journaling!)

Ultimately, the decision is up to you…but the only way to get the benefit of using a reading journal is to actually use it! So go discover the method that works for you , and get started with your very own reading journal!

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There’s more to academic writing than simply knowing what to write. But delivering a strong, well-written manuscript is not easy and even ground-breaking research papers risk desk rejection because they are hard to follow or because of avoidable errors like poor grammar, spelling, and punctuation. By the time you finish the first draft, you would have already invested a significant amount of time and effort in communicating your findings accurately. This is then followed by multiple rounds of editing and research paper grammar checks to refine your work for submission, which can delay the publication of possibly time-sensitive results. Although academic writing isn’t easy, scientific writing tools for researchers powered by artificial intelligence and machine learning are transforming the experience. Paperpal for Word for instance provides real-time suggestions to improve your grammar, spelling, punctuation, clarity and structure, empowering you to enhance and speed up the writing process from the first draft itself.

Simplifies and optimizes scientific editing for researchers

It’s not just academic writing, but high-quality English language editing plays a key role in improving your writing style and ensuring clarity. Finding an online tool that acts as a basic spelling, grammar, and sentence corrector is straightforward, but finding thesis writing and scientific editing tools that are tailored for researchers and academic writing is not so easy. There is a need for precise scientific editing, which includes accurate research paper grammar checks, using the right language, understanding and applying the necessary academic writing conventions, and getting the style and structure right. This is where Paperpal can help. In a 2022 University of Cambridge study of seven English editing tools for researchers, Paperpal stood out as the preferred English editing and scientific writing tool for researchers. It suggested a high number of accepted edits, providing alternative words and phrases that were in line with those made by human editors to enhance the language and readability of text. Paperpal was also the simpler tool for researchers to use for editing and research paper grammar checks.

Streamlines journal submissions with comprehensive checks

Imagine if after all the work you put in preparing your manuscript for submission, you’re rejected because it fails the basic technical checks. Being rejected for avoidable snags like a missing conflict of interest statement or ethics statement is not only disappointing, it further delays research publication. Most journals have a core set of submission requirements that need to be followed in order for a manuscript to be considered. But with so many things to check and do, researchers often stumble at this stage. This is where Paperpal for Manuscript, which checks your research paper across key language and technical parameters, is the perfect tool for researchers to check their submission readiness. Upload your ready manuscript and for just $29 you can download a Word file with all the suggestions included in mark-ups or comments. Accept or reject suggestions with a few clicks, and recheck your work unlimited times to create the best version of your manuscript. Premium editing has never been simpler.

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Paperpal for Word is a thesis writing and scientific editing tool for researchers who want to polish their academic writing as they work. The plugin is easy to install and use, making it a great tool for researchers to consistently deliver high-quality academic writing. If you don’t want to commit to the Word add-in, you can explore Paperpal for Web, a robust research paper writing tool that has an in-built grammar checker for scientific writing. All you need to do is write, paste or even upload your academic text into your web browser to get instant suggestions on how to fix your language and grammar. Once you’re ready to submit, take this up a notch with Paperpal for Manuscript. With instant checks for disclosures, figures and/or tables, word counts, references, language, structure, and much more, this secure and trusted academic research tool should be part of every researcher’s pre-submission kit.

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Levelling the playing field for researchers

English has long been established as the language of academic publications. And even then, different journals prefer a specific variation, such as British or American English. While this can trip up even native English-speaking researchers, it makes the task of creating a compelling high-quality manuscript for publication even more challenging for those with English as a second language. Paperpal’s AI-powered research paper grammar check and scientific writing tools were built with a vision to democratize scholarly publishing by ensuring your academic writing meets the highest publication standards. Where you are in the world doesn’t matter. We’re part of an academic writing revolution that empowers anyone, anywhere to polish their academic writing skills with access to our precise research paper writing tools for researchers. Paperpal differentiates between British and American English and offers appropriate suggestions in terms of spellings, vocabulary, pronunciation, and grammar. Moreover, our AI is trained on millions of corrections made by professional editors across 1,300 subject areas, which means you get tailored suggestions to enhance your research writing and boost your chance of publication success.

Amplify your reach, impact, and researcher reputation by delivering high-quality manuscripts.

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Paperpal is the preferred AI writing assistant for more than 20,000 academics and endorsed by 13 leading publishers with over 400 journals across the globe. Journals are now offering the Paperpal Preflight tool for researchers on their websites, which allows you to upload your manuscript and check it against the journal’s house style before submission, reducing the risk of desk rejection. Our partners include Wolters Kluwer, Cambridge University Press, and The American Association for Cancer Research, among others and this list is only set to grow as we partner with the best. See our full list of publisher partners below

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World’s #1 Research Paper Generator

Over 5,000 research papers generated daily

Have an AI Research and write your Paper in just 5 words

See it for yourself: get your free research paper started with just 5 words, how smodin makes research paper writing easy, instantly find sources for any sentence.

Our AI research tool in the research paper editor interface makes it easy to find a source or fact check any piece of text on the web. It will find you the most relevant or related piece of information and the source it came from. You can quickly add that reference to your document references with just a click of a button. We also provide other modes for research such as “find support statistics”, “find supporting arguments”, “find useful information”, and other research methods to make finding the information you need a breeze. Make research paper writing and research easy with our AI research assistant.

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Writing a research paper can be a complicated task, even more so when you have limited time and resources. A research paper generator can help you streamline the process, by quickly finding and organizing relevant sources. With Smodin's research paper generator, you can produce high-quality papers in minutes, giving you more time to focus on analysis and writing

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With our user-friendly interface and advanced AI algorithms, you can trust Smodin's paper writer to deliver accurate and reliable results every time. While Smodin's research paper generator is designed to be easy to use, there are a few tips you can follow to get the most out of Smodinl. First, be sure to input a clear and concise abstract or title to ensure accurate results. Second, review and edit the generated paper to ensure it meets your specific requirements and style. And finally, use the generated paper as a starting point for your research and writing, or to continue generating text.

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How to Create and Keep a Research Journal

Leather journals are fantastic repositories for thoughts about fictional characters, holding botanical observations, drawing sketches, and strengthening spiritual relationships.  Research journals are another type of journal, serving as libraries of natural curiosity, housing the questions and connections made from reading and researching.  The insights and connections made in research journals form the foundation for more profound work in the future.

For many, the need to have a research journal started in school. As a part of class, students are asked to take notes about experiments as well as make observations and give insights about their results.  Research papers are a matter of course, and a research journal acts as a running narrative of what’s being read, something that bridges the gap between all of the books that go into a paper.  Making notes and following curiosity is essential to keeping the scientific spirit alive.

See TWO very famous examples below.

Leonardo Da Vinci’s Research Journal

Perhaps no one has influenced scientists, researchers and thinkers around the world more than Leonardo DaVinci . DaVinci’s copious notes, sketches and observations of the world around him have provided clues and precious groundwork which would have left the average researcher flailing.

Raymond O. Faulkner’s Research Journal

Another example of such a research journal is that of philologist and Egyptologist, Raymond O. Faulkner. During his academic career, Faulkner made detailed notes of his studies of Ancient Egyptian hieroglyphs. While he loved the subject, he found that many of the reference books he used were large or would extend over several volumes. Faulkner would make detailed notes and would carefully assemble them so he could refer to them more quickly.  Though he had only intended to use these notes himself, his students and colleagues found them to be invaluable.  He was later persuaded to collate and publish his handwritten notes to make them available to students and researchers.Today, Faulkner’s “Concise Dictionary of Middle Egyptian, ”  is considered the historical and scientific standard for understanding the ancient texts.

Keeping Track of your Work

Whether you are a hobbyist, a researcher, or simply enamored about a subject, writing it down is important.

Scientists, craftsmen, chefs, and others find that keeping track of their work in a journal provides an invaluable record of how an experiment was done or how a result was achieved. Detailed information similar to that found in a botanical journal , can help to successfully duplicate the same result multiple times. It can also help to determine what part of an experiment worked or should be altered.  You can see this type of trial and error when browsing the notebooks of Albert Einstein, Thomas Edison, Alexander Graham Bell, Isaac Newton, and Marie Curie. Each of these famous researchers noted both their failures and their successes.

Write it Down!

Along with giving insight to their own works authors, artists, musicians, inventors, and researchers have also used the documentation found in their journals in other ways. Having a research journal can be invaluable if questions arise or provide evidence of past work.

Keeping good notes in your journal can also validate your work because it documents and illustrates ideas. In cases involving trademarked, copy written, or patented ideas, if those ideas are ever contested by those having done similar work, a research notebook can be instrumental in strengthening your case.

Starting your own research journal takes a leather journal, a pen, and your passion. Write notes when you first think of them and explain what you mean as thoroughly as possible.  That way, when you come back to it later you’ll have a more thorough understanding of the content and the context in which they were written. Remember that your inspiration inspires others.

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Conformal Geometry and Dynamics

Published by the American Mathematical Society since 1997, the purpose of this electronic-only journal is to provide a forum for mathematical work in related fields broadly described as conformal geometry and dynamics. All articles are freely available to all readers and with no publishing fees for authors.

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A gene long thought to just raise the risk for Alzheimer’s may cause some cases

FILE - A section of a human brain with Alzheimer’s disease is displayed at the Museum of Neuroanatomy at the University at Buffalo, in Buffalo, N.Y., Oct. 7, 2003. A long-feared gene appears to do more than raise people’s risk of Alzheimer’s: Inheriting two copies can cause the mind-robbing disease, according to research published in the journal Nature Medicine on Monday, May 6, 2024. (AP Photo/David Duprey, File)

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WASHINGTON (AP) — For the first time, researchers have identified a genetic form of late-in-life Alzheimer’s disease — in people who inherit two copies of a worrisome gene.

Scientists have long known a gene called APOE4 is one of many things that can increase people’s risk for Alzheimer’s, including simply getting older. The vast majority of Alzheimer’s cases occur after age 65. But research published Monday suggests that for people who carry not one but two copies of the gene, it’s more than a risk factor, it’s an underlying cause of the mind-robbing disease.

The findings mark a distinction with “profound implications,” said Dr. Juan Fortea, who led the study the Sant Pau Research Institute in Barcelona, Spain.

Among them: Symptoms can begin seven to 10 years sooner than in other older adults who develop Alzheimer’s.

An estimated 15% of Alzheimer’s patients carry two copies of APOE4, meaning those cases “can be tracked back to a cause and the cause is in the genes,” Fortea said. Until now, genetic forms of Alzheimer’s were thought to be only types that strike at much younger ages and account for less than 1% of all cases.

Scientists say the research makes it critical to develop treatments that target the APOE4 gene. Some doctors won’t offer the only drug that has been shown to modestly slow the disease, Leqembi, to people with the gene pair because they’re especially prone to a dangerous side effect, said Dr. Reisa Sperling, a study coauthor at Harvard-affiliated Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston.

Sperling hunts ways to prevent or at least delay Alzheimer’s and “this data for me says wow, what an important group to be able to go after before they become symptomatic.”

But the news doesn’t mean people should race for a gene test. “It’s important not to scare everyone who has a family history” of Alzheimer’s because this gene duo isn’t behind most cases, she told The Associated Press.

HOW DO GENETICS AFFECT ALZHEIMER’S?

More than 6 million Americans, and millions more worldwide, have Alzheimer’s. A handful of genes are known to cause rare “early-onset” forms, mutations passed through families that trigger symptoms unusually young, by age 50. Some cases also are linked to Down syndrome.

But Alzheimer’s most commonly strikes after 65, especially in the late 70s to 80s, and the APOE gene – which also affects how the body handles fats -- was long known to play some role. There are three main varieties. Most people carry the APOE3 variant that appears to neither increase nor decrease Alzheimer’s risk. Some carry APOE2, which provides some protection against Alzheimer’s.

APOE4 has long been labeled the biggest genetic risk factor for late-in-life Alzheimer’s, with two copies risker than one. About 2% of the global population is estimated to have inherited a copy from each parent.

RESEARCH POINTS TO A CAUSE FOR A SUBSET OF ALZHEIMER’S

To better understand the gene’s role, Fortea’s team used data from 3,297 brains donated for research and from over 10,000 people in U.S. and European Alzheimer’s studies. They examined symptoms and early hallmarks of Alzheimer’s such as sticky amyloid in the brain.

People with two APOE4 copies were accumulating more amyloid at age 55 than those with just one copy or the “neutral” APOE3 gene variety, they reported in the journal Nature Medicine. By age 65, brain scans showed significant plaque buildup in nearly three-quarters of those double carriers – who also were more likely to have initial Alzheimer’s symptoms around that age rather than in the 70s or 80s.

Fortea said the disease’s underlying biology was remarkably similar to young inherited types.

It appears more like “a familial form of Alzheimer’s,” said Dr. Eliezer Masliah of the National Institute on Aging. “It is not just a risk factor.”

Importantly, not everyone with two APOE4 genes develops Alzheimer’s symptoms and researchers need to learn why, Sperling cautioned.

“It’s not quite destiny,” she said.

HOW THE NEW FINDINGS MAY AFFECT ALZHEIMER’S RESEARCH AND TREATMENT

The drug Leqembi works by clearing away some sticky amyloid but Sperling said it’s not clear if carriers of two APOE4 genes benefit because they have such a high risk of a side effect from the drug – dangerous brain swelling and bleeding. One research question is whether they’d do better starting such drugs sooner than other people.

Masliah said other research aims to develop gene therapy or drugs to specifically target APOE4. He said it’s also crucial to understand APOE4’s effects in diverse populations since it’s been studied mostly in white people of European ancestry.

As for gene tests, for now they’re typically used only to evaluate if someone’s a candidate for Leqembi or for people enrolling in Alzheimer’s research – especially studies of possible ways to prevent the disease. Sperling said the people most likely to carry two APOE4 genes had parents who both got Alzheimer’s relatively early, in their 60s rather than 80s.

The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Science and Educational Media Group. The AP is solely responsible for all content.