How to Submit Your Paper to Elsevier: 7 Steps
Publishing your research paper with a reputable publisher like Elsevier is a significant milestone. To increase your chances of successful submission and publication, follow these 7 key steps:
Prepare Your Paper: Start writing early, gather feedback, and thoroughly revise and polish your manuscript. Consider using Elsevier's professional editing services.
Choose the Right Journal: Use Elsevier's JournalFinder tool to match your paper with the most suitable journal. Evaluate metrics like Impact Factor, CiteScore, and SJR to ensure the journal aligns with your research goals.
Follow Journal Guidelines: Carefully review and adhere to the journal's specific guidelines on formatting, aims, and scope to avoid desk rejections.
Write a Clear Title and Abstract: Craft a concise, descriptive title and an informative abstract that accurately reflects your research.
Write the Cover Letter: Highlight your research's importance and relevance to the journal's audience in a well-crafted cover letter.
Navigate the Peer Review Process: Respond professionally to reviewer feedback, address all comments, and resubmit your revised paper following the journal's guidelines.
Promote Your Published Work: Track your paper's progress, share your article on social media platforms, and consider publishing it open access to maximize visibility and impact.
By following these steps, you can increase your chances of successful publication with Elsevier and contribute to the advancement of your field.
Quick Comparison: Metrics to Evaluate Journals
Metric
Description
Impact Factor
Measures frequency of citations to articles
CiteScore
Measures average citations received per document
SJR (SCImago Journal Rank)
Ranks journals based on prestige and impact
SNIP (Source Normalized Impact per Paper)
Accounts for field-specific citation practices
H-index
Measures productivity and citation impact
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Step 1: Preparing Your Paper
Preparing your paper is a crucial step in the submission process to Elsevier. It's essential to ensure your paper meets the high standards of Elsevier, from the initial stages of writing to the final checks before submission.
Early Writing: Building a Strong Base
Start writing your paper early in your research development. This allows you to:
Gather feedback from colleagues and peers
Refine your ideas
Strengthen your argument
A well-structured paper with a clear thesis statement, logical flow, and concise language will increase your chances of successful submission.
Revising and Polishing Your Manuscript
Revising and polishing your manuscript is a critical step in preparing your paper for submission. You should:
Self-edit your work, checking for clarity, grammar, and punctuation
Have colleagues or peers review your work to identify areas for improvement and provide valuable feedback
A thorough revision process will ensure your paper is free of errors, flows smoothly, and presents your research in the best possible light.
Professional Editing Services
If you're not confident in your language skills or want to ensure your paper is error-free, consider using professional editing services. Elsevier's Author Services offers language editing, which can:
Service
Benefit
Language editing
Enhance the clarity and readability of your paper, reducing the risk of errors and improving your chances of successful submission
By following these steps, you can ensure your paper is well-prepared for submission to Elsevier.
Step 2: Choosing the Right Journal
Selecting the right journal for your research paper is crucial when submitting to Elsevier. With numerous journals to choose from, it's essential to pick a journal that aligns with your research goals and objectives.
Using the Journal Finder Tool
Elsevier's JournalFinder is a powerful tool that helps authors match their manuscript with the most suitable scientific journals. To use the JournalFinder, follow these steps:
1. Enter the title and abstract of your paper 2. Select the relevant field of research 3. Choose the type of paper you are submitting (e.g., original research, review, case study) 4. Click "Find Journals" to generate a list of recommended journals
The JournalFinder uses smart search technology and field-of-research specific vocabularies to match your paper to the most appropriate scientific journals. This tool saves you time and effort in finding the right journal for your research.
Evaluating Journal Metrics
When selecting a journal, it's essential to evaluate its metrics to ensure it's the right fit for your research. Consider the following metrics:
Metric
Description
Impact Factor
Measures the frequency of citations to articles in a journal
CiteScore
Measures the average citations received per document published in a journal
SJR (SCImago Journal Rank)
Ranks journals based on their prestige and impact
SNIP (Source Normalized Impact per Paper)
Accounts for field-specific differences in citation practices
H-index
Measures the productivity and citation impact of a journal
By evaluating these metrics, you can determine the journal's reputation, impact, and relevance to your research area. This ensures that your research reaches the right audience and has the desired impact.
Remember, choosing the right journal is a critical step in the submission process. By using the JournalFinder tool and evaluating journal metrics, you can increase the chances of successful submission and publication of your research paper.
Step 3: Following Journal Guidelines
When submitting a paper to Elsevier, it's crucial to carefully read and follow the aims, scope, and author guidelines of your chosen journal. This step is often overlooked, leading to desk rejections. To avoid this, make sure you understand the journal's requirements and tailor your manuscript accordingly.
Aligning Your Research with Journal Requirements
Check the journal's website for specific guidelines on manuscript formatting, including:
Font type
Margin size
Number of panels allowed on a figure
Also, review the journal's aims and scope to ensure your research question is relevant for the journal audience.
Why is this important?
Following journal guidelines increases the chances of successful submission and publication of your research paper.
It's essential to check the journal's specific guidelines, as they can vary significantly.
By carefully following journal guidelines, you can avoid common mistakes and ensure your manuscript is well-prepared for submission.
Step 4: Writing a Clear Title and Abstract
Crafting a Clear Title
When submitting a paper to Elsevier, your title plays a crucial role in grabbing the attention of readers and journal editors. A good title should accurately reflect the main findings and significance of your research. To craft a clear title, follow these tips:
Keep your title concise, ideally between 5 and 15 words in length.
Use keywords relevant to your research to help readers find your paper.
Avoid unnecessary words and jargon that may confuse readers.
Ensure your title is descriptive, indicating the topic, method, sample, and results of your study.
Writing a Clear Abstract
The abstract is a brief summary of your research paper, providing readers with a concise overview of your study. A well-written abstract should include the following elements:
A clear statement of the research aim and objectives.
A description of the methodology used to conduct the study.
A summary of the main results, including any statistical data or findings.
An indication of the implications of your research and its significance.
When writing your abstract, keep the following tips in mind:
Keep your abstract concise, ideally between 150 and 250 words in length.
Use simple language and avoid technical jargon.
Ensure your abstract is accurate and reflects the content of your manuscript.
Avoid citing references in your abstract.
Tips for Writing a Clear Title and Abstract
Tip
Description
Be concise
Keep your title and abstract brief and to the point.
Use keywords
Include relevant keywords to help readers find your paper.
Avoid jargon
Use simple language to ensure your title and abstract are easy to understand.
Be descriptive
Ensure your title and abstract accurately reflect the content of your manuscript.
By following these tips, you can create a clear and informative title and abstract that will help your manuscript stand out and increase its chances of successful submission and publication.
Step 5: Writing the Cover Letter
Highlighting Your Research's Importance
When submitting a paper to Elsevier, a cover letter is a crucial document that accompanies your manuscript. Its primary purpose is to introduce your research to the editor and highlight its significance and relevance to the journal's audience. A well-crafted cover letter can make a positive impression on the editor, increasing the chances of your manuscript being accepted for peer review.
To write an effective cover letter, follow these guidelines:
Address the editor by name, if possible.
Clearly state the title of your manuscript and the journal to which you are submitting.
Provide a brief summary of your research, highlighting its key findings and methodology.
Explain why your research is important and how it contributes to the existing body of knowledge in the field.
Show that you have carefully read the journal's guidelines and that your manuscript aligns with its scope and focus.
Keep your cover letter concise, ideally between 150-250 words in length.
Use a professional tone and avoid technical language that may be unfamiliar to non-experts.
Here is an example of a cover letter:
Dear Dr. [Editor's Name],
I am submitting my manuscript, "Title of Manuscript," for consideration in [Journal Name]. My research investigates [briefly describe the research question and methodology]. The key findings of my study indicate [summarize the main results], which have significant implications for [explain the significance of the research].
My manuscript aligns with the scope of [Journal Name], which focuses on [journal's focus]. I believe that my research will be of interest to the journal's audience.
Thank you for considering my manuscript.
Sincerely, [Your Name]
Tips for Writing a Cover Letter
Tip
Description
Be concise
Keep your cover letter brief and to the point.
Be clear
Use simple language to ensure your cover letter is easy to understand.
Show relevance
Explain why your research is important and how it contributes to the field.
Follow guidelines
Ensure your cover letter aligns with the journal's guidelines and scope.
By following these guidelines and tips, you can create a cover letter that effectively introduces your research to the editor and increases the chances of your manuscript being accepted for peer review.
Step 6: The Peer Review Process
The peer review process is a critical stage in the publication journey. It's an opportunity for experts in your field to review your manuscript, provide feedback, and help you improve your research.
Responding to Reviewer Feedback
When responding to reviewer feedback, it's essential to be polite, respectful, and professional. Here are some tips to help you craft a well-structured response:
Tip
Description
Address each comment
Respond to each reviewer comment individually.
Be transparent
Clearly explain how you've addressed each concern.
Be respectful
Use a professional tone, even if you disagree with a comment.
Here's an example of how you can structure your response:
Reviewer Comment: "The manuscript lacks clarity in the introduction section."
Response: "Thank you for your feedback. We have revised the introduction section to improve its clarity and readability. Specifically, we have added a brief overview of the research question and its significance, and reorganized the section to flow more logically."
Resubmitting Your Revised Paper
Once you've responded to all the reviewer comments, it's time to resubmit your revised paper. Here are some tips to keep in mind:
Step
Description
Address all comments
Ensure you've responded to all reviewer comments.
Check journal guidelines
Follow the journal's guidelines for resubmission.
Provide a detailed cover letter
Explain the changes you've made to the manuscript and highlight its significance.
Be patient
Allow the journal sufficient time to review your revised manuscript.
By following these tips, you can increase the chances of your manuscript being accepted for publication. Remember to stay professional, respectful, and open to feedback throughout the peer review process.
Step 7: Promoting Your Published Work
Promoting your published work is a crucial step in the publication journey. It helps increase the visibility of your research, reaches a broader audience, and maximizes its impact. In this section, we'll explore how to use Elsevier's online tools to track your submission and strategies to promote your published paper.
Tracking Your Paper's Progress
Once your paper is accepted for publication, you can track its publication status using Elsevier's "Track Your Accepted Article" service. This feature allows you to follow the progress of your paper and stay updated on its publication status.
Sharing Your Published Article
Sharing your published article is an essential step in promoting your research. Elsevier provides a 'share link' that you can use to share your article on social media platforms, such as Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter. This link provides 50 days of free access to your newly published article on ScienceDirect to anyone who clicks on it.
Ways to Share Your Article
Platform
Description
Share your article with your friends and colleagues on Facebook.
Share your article with your professional network on LinkedIn.
Share your article with your followers on Twitter.
Complete your Mendeley Profile and showcase yourself.
Additionally, you can promote your article by publishing it open access. Elsevier also offers a free quick guide and an e-learning course on promoting your article effectively via social media. These resources can help you make your article stand out and increase its visibility in the scientific community.
By following these steps, you can effectively promote your published work and increase its impact in the scientific community. Remember to stay proactive and take advantage of the resources available to you to maximize the visibility of your research.
Conclusion: The Path to Publication
Congratulations on completing the 7-step journey to submitting your paper to Elsevier! By following these steps, you have taken a crucial step towards publishing your research in a reputed journal.
Key Takeaways
Remember, submitting a paper to Elsevier requires:
Key Aspect
Description
Patience
Be prepared for a thorough review process.
Attention to detail
Ensure your manuscript meets the journal's guidelines.
Openness to feedback
Be willing to revise and improve your manuscript.
By keeping these key aspects in mind, you can increase your chances of successful publication.
Final Tips
Stay organized and persistent throughout the submission process.
Don't be discouraged by rejections or revisions – they are an essential part of the publication journey.
Follow the guidelines and tips outlined in this article to increase your chances of successful publication.
Best of luck with your submission, and we hope to see your research published in an Elsevier journal soon!
FAQs
How can I publish my research paper on Elsevier?
To publish your research paper on Elsevier, follow these steps:
1. Find a suitable journal: Use the Journal Finder Tool to find a journal that aligns with your research topic and scope.
2. Prepare your paper: Read the guide for authors, which contains specific requirements related to ethics, open access options, copyright, and funding body agreements. Ensure your paper meets the journal's guidelines on article structure, abstract, highlights, and keywords.
3. Submit your paper: Submit your paper through the online system and track its progress using the reference number provided.
4. Revise and resubmit: Revise and resubmit your paper based on the peer-review feedback.
5. Share and promote: Once published, share and promote your research using the 'Track Your Paper' feature and other available tools.
Here's a summary of the steps to publish your research paper on Elsevier:
Step
Description
1
Find a suitable journal
2
Prepare your paper
3
Submit your paper
4
Revise and resubmit
5
Share and promote
By following these steps, you can increase your chances of successful publication on Elsevier.
