The 7 Habits of Highly The 7 Habits of Highly Effective ResearchersEffective Researchers

Steve WallaceSteve Wallace

IntroductionIntroduction

Technical writing teacher – NCTU, Technical writing teacher – NCTU, NTHU, ITRI - MotivationNTHU, ITRI - Motivation

Research ResearchersResearch Researchers

Habits to produce more papers in Habits to produce more papers in higher impact journals. higher impact journals.

MethodMethodData from interviews, phone, conferences and Data from interviews, phone, conferences and universitiesuniversitiesPosition as editor has allowed opportunity Position as editor has allowed opportunity Compiled into 7 basic “habits” which summarize Compiled into 7 basic “habits” which summarize advice and tips in 7 areasadvice and tips in 7 areasTo get the most honest responses researchers remainTo get the most honest responses researchers remained anonymous. This was an important condition to geed anonymous. This was an important condition to getting practical material. tting practical material. This was especially true in the area of submission and This was especially true in the area of submission and handling the political elements of review. handling the political elements of review.

Overview of ResearchersOverview of ResearchersAn effective researcher was defined as a researcher who An effective researcher was defined as a researcher who has publish a average of five or more SCI or SCCI papers a has publish a average of five or more SCI or SCCI papers a year every year for the last five years. year every year for the last five years. There were a total of 146 effective researchers involved There were a total of 146 effective researchers involved from the following domains:from the following domains:34 - Engineering34 - Engineering17 - Management and Business17 - Management and Business11 - Foreign Language and Literature11 - Foreign Language and Literature10 - Education10 - Education31 - Natural sciences31 - Natural sciences20 - Medicine20 - Medicine12 - Social sciences12 - Social sciences6 - Law6 - Law5 - History and Liberal Arts 5 - History and Liberal Arts

Habit #1 Habit #1 Effective researchers have a Effective researchers have a

publication supply chainpublication supply chain..Quote Quote

““I view producing every paper like I view producing every paper like producing a product, a creative product producing a product, a creative product like a movie. We have screenings, editors like a movie. We have screenings, editors and deadlines to release our product. I am and deadlines to release our product. I am not always the director of the movie, that not always the director of the movie, that might be me or it could be one of my might be me or it could be one of my students. But I am always the producer. students. But I am always the producer. The producer needs to push everybody so The producer needs to push everybody so that the movie can be released on time.” that the movie can be released on time.” - - Civil Engineering Professor # 78Civil Engineering Professor # 78

Practice Practice Capturing ideas when away from Capturing ideas when away from

the computer:the computer:

Collect ideas: - Notebook, Post It Collect ideas: - Notebook, Post It notesnotes

Transferred to ongoing files Transferred to ongoing files

Notes could be organized and edited Notes could be organized and edited into the beginning of a paper.into the beginning of a paper.

Easier to begin writing when there Easier to begin writing when there were already ideaswere already ideas

PracticePracticeCollect a pool of potential journals for each articleCollect a pool of potential journals for each article

For each paper, note the pool of For each paper, note the pool of potential journals. potential journals.

Do not submit two papers to the Do not submit two papers to the same journal in two months, same journal in two months, especially if the two articles are especially if the two articles are related. related.

Editors prefer to publish two articles Editors prefer to publish two articles by different authors.by different authors.

PracticePracticeRecycle parts of other papers to Recycle parts of other papers to

make new papersmake new papers Parts of the introduction, methods and Parts of the introduction, methods and discussion can often be recycled to make discussion can often be recycled to make a new papera new paperA paper can look at the same problem A paper can look at the same problem from a different perspective. Social, from a different perspective. Social, political, environment, financial, etc. political, environment, financial, etc. Collaborating across disciplines often Collaborating across disciplines often creates interesting topics journals are creates interesting topics journals are eager to publish. eager to publish.

Practice Practice Creating a Supply Chain for Creating a Supply Chain for

Paper PublicationPaper Publication. . Some effective researchers use a Some effective researchers use a “research log” to: “research log” to: 1) Know when to send a reminder to the 1) Know when to send a reminder to the editor editor 2) Prevent resubmission of a rejected 2) Prevent resubmission of a rejected paper to the same journal and paper to the same journal and 3) Avoid multiple submission of several 3) Avoid multiple submission of several papers to the same journal within a short papers to the same journal within a short period of time. period of time.

PracticePracticePick journals like you pick stocksPick journals like you pick stocks

Do homework on journals. Do homework on journals.

Submit paper to a journal with a rising Submit paper to a journal with a rising impact factor and higher acceptance rates. impact factor and higher acceptance rates. avoid declining journals with low avoid declining journals with low acceptance and diminishing impact factor. acceptance and diminishing impact factor.

Could cause the journal to be removed Could cause the journal to be removed from the SSCI and SCI ranking. from the SSCI and SCI ranking.

Practice Practice Identifying journals with rising impact factorsIdentifying journals with rising impact factors

Good specialty journal’s impact factors are rising. Good specialty journal’s impact factors are rising. General journal’s impact factor, except for a few General journal’s impact factor, except for a few at the top, are expected to decline at the top, are expected to decline In general journals, "readers are confronted with In general journals, "readers are confronted with a decreasing probability of finding at least one a decreasing probability of finding at least one important article in their field." (Holub, Tappeiner, important article in their field." (Holub, Tappeiner, and Eberharter, 1991). and Eberharter, 1991). In the 1970s, the top ten journals in every field In the 1970s, the top ten journals in every field were general journals. were general journals. In the 1990s, half of the top ten journals were In the 1990s, half of the top ten journals were specialized journals. specialized journals.

Practice Practice Betting your research where you have the Betting your research where you have the

highest probability for publication.highest probability for publication.

Sometimes journals have biases and preferencesSometimes journals have biases and preferencesSubject matter preferences are seen by checking Subject matter preferences are seen by checking back issues of a journal. Empirical papers? Theory back issues of a journal. Empirical papers? Theory papers? papers? Check past issues of the journal. If you find few or Check past issues of the journal. If you find few or no other Chinese names in that journal, it might no other Chinese names in that journal, it might be better to try your luck somewhere else. be better to try your luck somewhere else. However, if there are many other Taiwanese and However, if there are many other Taiwanese and Chinese authors who have previously published in Chinese authors who have previously published in that journal than it is reasonable that they will that journal than it is reasonable that they will consider your paper as well. consider your paper as well. Preferences are known; biases are difficult to Preferences are known; biases are difficult to detect. detect.

Practice for master’s studentsPractice for master’s students Generate papers from your thesisGenerate papers from your thesis

You invested two or more years writing You invested two or more years writing your thesis. your thesis.

Try to generate a couple of papers from Try to generate a couple of papers from the most important chapters of the thesis. the most important chapters of the thesis.

This is easier than writing a totally new This is easier than writing a totally new paper from scratch. Work jointly with your paper from scratch. Work jointly with your advisor to help market your papers. advisor to help market your papers.

Practice Practice Maintain a stock of papers under review Maintain a stock of papers under review

constantlyconstantly

If the acceptance rate of the top-ranking If the acceptance rate of the top-ranking journals is 15%, you need about 7 papers journals is 15%, you need about 7 papers under review at all times to have one under review at all times to have one paper accepted per year.paper accepted per year.If your goal is to get 10 papers accepted in If your goal is to get 10 papers accepted in the first 5 years of your career, you need the first 5 years of your career, you need about a dozen papers under review at all about a dozen papers under review at all times. times. This does not mean that you should write This does not mean that you should write 12 new papers each year. 12 new papers each year.

PracticePracticeDon't put two good ideas in one paperDon't put two good ideas in one paper

Separate them into two papers. Separate them into two papers. As the paper's length increases beyond 15 pages, As the paper's length increases beyond 15 pages, the chance of acceptance drops. the chance of acceptance drops. When a topic is split into two papers, the When a topic is split into two papers, the probability of getting at least one of them probability of getting at least one of them accepted more than doubles. accepted more than doubles. You also will get a paper accepted sooner. You also will get a paper accepted sooner. – Editors like short papers. Editors like short papers. – The chance that a referee will detect a The chance that a referee will detect a

mathematical error declines. mathematical error declines. – Referees will return the report faster. Referees will return the report faster.

The chance that a referee will misunderstand the The chance that a referee will misunderstand the paper also decreases. paper also decreases.

Consider different subtopicsConsider different subtopicsAverage wait for an acceptance decision = 3 years. Average wait for an acceptance decision = 3 years. Average wait for a rejection = 6 to 8 months. Average wait for a rejection = 6 to 8 months. Survival is more important than glory in the early stages of Survival is more important than glory in the early stages of your career. your career. Diversifying the research portfolio is particularly important Diversifying the research portfolio is particularly important during the first five or six years of your teaching career during the first five or six years of your teaching career when each publication counts heavily. Diversify research when each publication counts heavily. Diversify research topics for possible publication. topics for possible publication. If you have a solid hit in one area, then focus your effort in If you have a solid hit in one area, then focus your effort in that field before you move into another field. that field before you move into another field. Continuing to write papers in the same narrow area without Continuing to write papers in the same narrow area without clear evidence of success is risky. It is like putting all your clear evidence of success is risky. It is like putting all your eggs in one basket. eggs in one basket.

Practice Practice Approach different types of journalsApproach different types of journals

Sending all papers to top journals is risky. Sending all papers to top journals is risky. Sending all papers to low-quality journals Sending all papers to low-quality journals also is unsatisfactory. also is unsatisfactory. Your curriculum vitae should contain some Your curriculum vitae should contain some publications in the top journals. publications in the top journals. Quantity of publications also is important. Quantity of publications also is important. Having three papers in different journals is Having three papers in different journals is better than three in one journal, if the better than three in one journal, if the relative quality of the journals is the same.relative quality of the journals is the same.

Practice Practice Incorporate English editing into your supply chainIncorporate English editing into your supply chain

Use professional editorial assistanceUse professional editorial assistanceParticularly if you are not a native Particularly if you are not a native English speaker English speaker Editors will not publish papers with Editors will not publish papers with grammatical errors. grammatical errors. It is safe to assume that referees are It is safe to assume that referees are biased; they have an excuse to biased; they have an excuse to recommend rejection when recommend rejection when grammatical errors are detected. grammatical errors are detected.

4%

9%

7%

8%

13%

2%

16%

7%7%

English Errors 27%

Faulty methodology

Inadequate references

Poor quality supporting figures

Outside the scope of journal

Not enough contribution to field

Authors did not follow manuscript instructions

Poor writing style and use of English

Title not representative of study

Subject of little novel interest or not generally applicable

Poorly written discussion

Reasons for major revision or rejection of Taiwanese journal papers

Habit #2 Habit #2

Sacrifice other interestsSacrifice other interests Many researchers mentioned that they gave uMany researchers mentioned that they gave up hobbies, games and time with friends in ordp hobbies, games and time with friends in order to become high impact researchers. Most mer to become high impact researchers. Most mentioned that they still had time for family, but entioned that they still had time for family, but less TV, computer games, and sports.less TV, computer games, and sports.When you play, play hard; when you work, don't play at all. Theodore RooseveltTheodore Roosevelt

Quotes about sacrifice:Quotes about sacrifice:““It’s the same with anything you want to be good at.It’s the same with anything you want to be good at. You have to give up something to get something else. You have to give up something to get something else. I gave up watching baseball games, it was painful at fiI gave up watching baseball games, it was painful at first, but now I enjoy the feeling of publishing so much. rst, but now I enjoy the feeling of publishing so much. I really don’t miss it.” I really don’t miss it.” —-Mechanical Engineering Assistant Profess—-Mechanical Engineering Assistant Professor #9or #9

““I always tell my students ‘you get what you put in. I always tell my students ‘you get what you put in. If you take your time doing something, time won’t wIf you take your time doing something, time won’t wait for you, and you aren’t getting any younger. If yoait for you, and you aren’t getting any younger. If you want to make an impact you better start now becauu want to make an impact you better start now because it takes a long timese it takes a long time.’”- Electrical Engineering Associate Professor .’”- Electrical Engineering Associate Professor #30#30

Habit #3Habit #3

Practice research like golfPractice research like golf

Researchers talked about the methods, writinResearchers talked about the methods, writing, grammar, and other parts of their paper like g, grammar, and other parts of their paper like a golf player talking about different golf club sa golf player talking about different golf club swings.wings.Research is a bit like golf. Beautiful swings are Research is a bit like golf. Beautiful swings are great but a few bad hits can disqualify you. great but a few bad hits can disqualify you. Researchers watch and improve their publishiResearchers watch and improve their publishing game like an athlete perfecting his sport. ng game like an athlete perfecting his sport.

PracticePracticeQuote on specific skillsQuote on specific skills

““Traditionally my introduction is a bit Traditionally my introduction is a bit weak; I have a challenge selling the weak; I have a challenge selling the problem to reviewers. I’ve got to be problem to reviewers. I’ve got to be able to present the problem better if able to present the problem better if I want people to be interested in my I want people to be interested in my solution. I’m getting better but I’m solution. I’m getting better but I’m constantly aware that this is a constantly aware that this is a weakness, and I need to practice to weakness, and I need to practice to improve.” improve.” – Mechanical Engineering Professor # 31– Mechanical Engineering Professor # 31

Revision as practiceRevision as practiceWriters revise all the time. No one writes perfect sentences Writers revise all the time. No one writes perfect sentences the first time. They are edited and reworked many times.the first time. They are edited and reworked many times.

““After finishing a journal paper I don’t immediately submit it tAfter finishing a journal paper I don’t immediately submit it to a journal. It is not finished yet. I always find small errors in text, o a journal. It is not finished yet. I always find small errors in text, notations, explanations, or missing references, in my finished panotations, explanations, or missing references, in my finished paper. I’m especially careful when rereading the introduction and per. I’m especially careful when rereading the introduction and abstract before submission. A small error on the first page of intrabstract before submission. A small error on the first page of introduction or abstract indicates I was careless. Errors here make reoduction or abstract indicates I was careless. Errors here make referees and editors conclude that the paper should be rejected. Tferees and editors conclude that the paper should be rejected. They conclude that the author is likely to be careless in content as hey conclude that the author is likely to be careless in content as well as English. And they might be right.”well as English. And they might be right.” - Educational Psychology Associ- Educational Psychology Associate Professor #12ate Professor #12

Revision (Continued) Revision (Continued) ““If you don't proofread your own introdIf you don't proofread your own introduction, why expect the referees to spot auction, why expect the referees to spot and correct all the errors?” nd correct all the errors?” - Chinese History Professor - Chinese History Professor - # 2 - # 2

““You should always check spelling befoYou should always check spelling before submission. But there are no substitutre submission. But there are no substitutes for reading the papers personally. Spes for reading the papers personally. Spelling checkers do not check word meanelling checkers do not check word meanings.” ings.” – Electrical Engineering Post Doctoral Researcher # 102 – Electrical Engineering Post Doctoral Researcher # 102

PracticePracticeImitate skillful writersImitate skillful writers

Observe how other successful writers Observe how other successful writers introduce their topic, cite literature, introduce their topic, cite literature, and get on with their task. and get on with their task.

Imitate their words and phrases, and Imitate their words and phrases, and modify them to suit your purpose. modify them to suit your purpose.

It is easier to imitate what someone It is easier to imitate what someone else has written than to create a else has written than to create a totally new paragraph. totally new paragraph.

Habit #4 Habit #4

Dramatize process by creatinDramatize process by creating mental modelsg mental models

Researchers see their writing and researResearchers see their writing and researching in dramatic terms. ching in dramatic terms. Some use strong metaphors to create exSome use strong metaphors to create exciting mental pictures to encourage theciting mental pictures to encourage themselves and their labs.mselves and their labs.““The great struggle”. The great struggle”. Model of building a house Model of building a house Killing a monsterKilling a monster

PracticePracticeResearchers find meaning and purpose in their researchResearchers find meaning and purpose in their research

Active and Involved Active and Involved Faces lit up as they described how they solved Faces lit up as they described how they solved a problem a problem Happy in the active, seeking sense. Happy in the active, seeking sense. Quotes about struggleQuotes about struggle““The struggle is the glory. We enjoy the resultThe struggle is the glory. We enjoy the results of publishing so we and so put up with the prs of publishing so we and so put up with the process of writing and submitting.” – Managemocess of writing and submitting.” – Management Science Professor# 66ent Science Professor# 66

Habit #5 Habit #5 Writers use the competitive, political and Writers use the competitive, political and supportive energy of other researchers.supportive energy of other researchers.

Supportive energySupportive energy: Support groups : Support groups Competitive energyCompetitive energy: Researchers compare themselv: Researchers compare themselves with other researchers and keep score es with other researchers and keep score PoliticalPolitical: Researchers are political.: Researchers are political.The negative side is that half of peer reviewed articles The negative side is that half of peer reviewed articles in top rated journals are never referenced by anyone, iin top rated journals are never referenced by anyone, including the author. This shows that low impact papencluding the author. This shows that low impact papers are often published in the best journals because the rs are often published in the best journals because the articles are reviewed by friends of the author. (Holub, articles are reviewed by friends of the author. (Holub, Tappeiner, and Eberharter, SEJ 1991). Tappeiner, and Eberharter, SEJ 1991).

PracticePracticeDon’t Criticize ReferencesDon’t Criticize References

Don’t emphasize the importance of your papDon’t emphasize the importance of your paper by putting down on other papers. Your referer by putting down on other papers. Your references are probably your reviewers and they arences are probably your reviewers and they are sensitive. e sensitive. I think that the author knows his subject betteI think that the author knows his subject better than I do. I usually use his references to find a r than I do. I usually use his references to find a suitable reviewer suitable reviewer - Associate Editor, Journal of - Associate Editor, Journal of Retailing Retailing

Complement potential reviewersComplement potential reviewersImportant references should be mentioned in the first page. The Important references should be mentioned in the first page. The editor usually chooses reviewers from those mentioned in the inteditor usually chooses reviewers from those mentioned in the introduction and references.roduction and references.Works of potential referees should be mentioned in the introductWorks of potential referees should be mentioned in the introduction, rather than buried in footnotes or the main body. Give (accurion, rather than buried in footnotes or the main body. Give (accurate) credit generously to the most likely referees. ate) credit generously to the most likely referees. Be generous to all authors cited, but particularly to those who arBe generous to all authors cited, but particularly to those who are likely to be referees. Explain why their research is significant for e likely to be referees. Explain why their research is significant for your analysis. your analysis. Write one or two sentences about the contributions of each of thWrite one or two sentences about the contributions of each of the most likely referees and how their works are related to yours. e most likely referees and how their works are related to yours. This takes up less than 1% of the space, but it can affect the probThis takes up less than 1% of the space, but it can affect the probability of acceptance significantly.ability of acceptance significantly.

Practice Practice Cite researchers who like youCite researchers who like you

Include references to authors who are kInclude references to authors who are known to like your papers. Perhaps they nown to like your papers. Perhaps they might become referees. Include referencmight become referees. Include references to people with who you met at conferes to people with who you met at conferences. ences. This is not to bias opinions, but to get a fThis is not to bias opinions, but to get a fair chance. Referees have to make a conair chance. Referees have to make a conscious effort and must be alert in order tscious effort and must be alert in order to be fair to unknown authors.o be fair to unknown authors.

Meet 100 active researchersMeet 100 active researchers

There are about a hundred people in your research field who are There are about a hundred people in your research field who are likely to be referees of your papers. likely to be referees of your papers. Prepare a list of one hundred active people in your main researcPrepare a list of one hundred active people in your main research area. Try to meet them within a five-year period. h area. Try to meet them within a five-year period. Present papers at, or at least attend, two professional meetings Present papers at, or at least attend, two professional meetings a year. When presenting papers or attending regional, national, oa year. When presenting papers or attending regional, national, or international meetings, try to get to know these people. r international meetings, try to get to know these people. This is your best opportunity for networking. When you go to conThis is your best opportunity for networking. When you go to conferences smile and “work the room.”ferences smile and “work the room.”

PracticePracticePay attention to reviewers’ commentsPay attention to reviewers’ comments

““I don’t’ think you treated Smith I don’t’ think you treated Smith fairly in your literature review, his fairly in your literature review, his insights deserve more respect.”insights deserve more respect.”

““You forgot to include Smith as a You forgot to include Smith as a reference in you paper. His work is reference in you paper. His work is fundamental to understanding your fundamental to understanding your research.” research.”

Scan journal for related articles Scan journal for related articles Try to find some related articles in the journal Try to find some related articles in the journal to which you wish to submit your paper.to which you wish to submit your paper.Authors who published a paper on a related suAuthors who published a paper on a related subject are likely to be referees. The editor still rbject are likely to be referees. The editor still remembers them and has a connection to theemembers them and has a connection to them. Obviously, you need to say something aboum. Obviously, you need to say something about, or at least cite, their papers. t, or at least cite, their papers. Even if they are slightly related, try to incorporEven if they are slightly related, try to incorporate their references. Make some effort to explaate their references. Make some effort to explain how your work is related.in how your work is related.

PracticePracticeDelete or hide the references to undesirable Delete or hide the references to undesirable

potential refereespotential referees

Even with double blind reviews, you can often guess Even with double blind reviews, you can often guess the identity of the reviewers from the reviewers’ cothe identity of the reviewers from the reviewers’ comments because of references and writing style. mments because of references and writing style. Editors often select reviewers from your references. Editors often select reviewers from your references. If some reviewers consistently recommend rejection If some reviewers consistently recommend rejection of your papers, drop their papers from your referencof your papers, drop their papers from your references (the first time you submit). You can add them latees (the first time you submit). You can add them later (after the paper is accepted). r (after the paper is accepted). This may require rewriting the introduction with a sThis may require rewriting the introduction with a somewhat different perspective, but it is probably woomewhat different perspective, but it is probably worth the effort. rth the effort.

Habit #6 Habit #6 Get rejectedGet rejected

When rejected, try againWhen rejected, try againEven Nobel Laureates get rejection letters. Even Nobel Laureates get rejection letters. Play “ping pong” with the paper. Submit the Play “ping pong” with the paper. Submit the paper to another journal within one month. paper to another journal within one month. You do not have to revise a paper every time it You do not have to revise a paper every time it is rejected. But if a paper is rejected 4 times, this rejected. But if a paper is rejected 4 times, there is a serious flaw in the paper. Find and fix tere is a serious flaw in the paper. Find and fix the problem. he problem. Why? The same referee might get it again. Why? The same referee might get it again.

Eliminate any trace of prior Eliminate any trace of prior rejectionsrejections

Do not show when the paper was first Do not show when the paper was first written. written. Do not show how many times the papeDo not show how many times the paper has been revised. r has been revised. Document property check Document property check

Problems of JournalsProblems of JournalsAssociation journals: Editors change every few Association journals: Editors change every few

years, and they usually accept more papers from years, and they usually accept more papers from colleagues and friends. Since the editors are colleagues and friends. Since the editors are chosen from among a few major institutions, they chosen from among a few major institutions, they get a larger share of publications. The are get a larger share of publications. The are subsidized by associations. (AER, Econometrica, subsidized by associations. (AER, Econometrica, IEEE)IEEE)

University journals: Universities protect their own University journals: Universities protect their own interests. Will often have a stated preference for interests. Will often have a stated preference for their own teachers’ and students’ papers. their own teachers’ and students’ papers. Subsidized by universities. (HBR, MIT Sloan)Subsidized by universities. (HBR, MIT Sloan)

Commercial journals: Least likely to have Commercial journals: Least likely to have preferences or biases. Survive on reader preferences or biases. Survive on reader subscriptions. (Blackwell, North-Holland)subscriptions. (Blackwell, North-Holland)

PracticePracticeAvoid the journals which consistently Avoid the journals which consistently

reject your papersreject your papers Temporarily avoid journals which always reject youTemporarily avoid journals which always reject youThe editor still remembers all those bad remarks about The editor still remembers all those bad remarks about

your papers. your papers. Wait until a new editor is appointed. Wait until a new editor is appointed. If you think there is prejudice on the basis of sex, race, or If you think there is prejudice on the basis of sex, race, or

nationality, you may consider using initials instead of nationality, you may consider using initials instead of spelling out the first and middle names. spelling out the first and middle names.

First and middle names, as well as last name, often reveal First and middle names, as well as last name, often reveal the sex, race, or nationality of the authors.the sex, race, or nationality of the authors.

You may write your full name after the paper is accepted.You may write your full name after the paper is accepted.

Habit #7Habit #7Writers write (and don’t always enjoy it.)Writers write (and don’t always enjoy it.)

Common misunderstanding that good wCommon misunderstanding that good writers enjoy writing riters enjoy writing Many hate writing. Many hate writing. However, they enjoyed the results. However, they enjoyed the results. Forced themselves into a daily writing roForced themselves into a daily writing routine. utine. They wrote whether or not they felt like iThey wrote whether or not they felt like it.t.

Quotes about actionQuotes about action““Inspiration is overrated, it’s all about hard Inspiration is overrated, it’s all about hard work and there’s really no way around it.” work and there’s really no way around it.” – Computer Science Professor #77– Computer Science Professor #77

““Nobody loves English writing. It is only a weNobody loves English writing. It is only a weapon, a necessary weapon , without it no one apon, a necessary weapon , without it no one will appreciate our good ideas and reviewers will appreciate our good ideas and reviewers will kill us” – Electrical Engineering researchewill kill us” – Electrical Engineering researcher- # 3r- # 3

Planning vs. ActionPlanning vs. Action

Talking about writing isn’t writing. ThiTalking about writing isn’t writing. Thinking about writing isn’t writing. Dreanking about writing isn’t writing. Dreaming isn’t writing. Neither are outlininming isn’t writing. Neither are outlining, researching, or taking notes. All these g, researching, or taking notes. All these may be necessary to getting a project comay be necessary to getting a project completed, mpleted, but only writing is writingbut only writing is writing..

PracticePractice

Researchers Researchers learnlearn motivation for motivation for writing about their topic. writing about their topic.

Reseachers fist forced themselves to wriReseachers fist forced themselves to write and later developed an interest in writte and later developed an interest in writing.ing. Professor William JamesProfessor William James

Researchers are proud of the term researResearchers are proud of the term researcher and their total impactcher and their total impact

QuoteQuote““I used to think that research all happened in I used to think that research all happened in a lab. That my results were the only thing that a lab. That my results were the only thing that mattered. I now realize that the experiment ismattered. I now realize that the experiment isn’t over and the results haven’t really happn’t over and the results haven’t really happened until they have been shared with a wider ened until they have been shared with a wider academic community. Writing is part of researacademic community. Writing is part of research and I’m proud to be both a researcher and ch and I’m proud to be both a researcher and author because the two can’t be separated.author because the two can’t be separated.” – Computer Science Professor - #77” – Computer Science Professor - #77

Do not waste time on dead or Do not waste time on dead or dying topicsdying topics

If your most recent references are ten years old, If your most recent references are ten years old, it will be difficult to publish it. It is a dead issue. it will be difficult to publish it. It is a dead issue. If the most recent references closely related to If the most recent references closely related to your paper are 5 years old, it is a dying issue. your paper are 5 years old, it is a dying issue. Editors hesitate to accept such papers, even if the Editors hesitate to accept such papers, even if the referees recommend publication. referees recommend publication. It is also difficult for the editor to find suitable It is also difficult for the editor to find suitable referees for outdated topics. referees for outdated topics. Your inability to find sufficient references Your inability to find sufficient references indicates indicates – You have not read the literature. You have not read the literature. – Others are not interested in the topic, so, it is unlikely to Others are not interested in the topic, so, it is unlikely to

get published. get published.

RevisionRevision– There might be a time limit for resubmission, usually six There might be a time limit for resubmission, usually six

months to a year from the date of the invitation letter. months to a year from the date of the invitation letter. – If you do not plan on revising and resubmiting the paper If you do not plan on revising and resubmiting the paper

for whatever reason, let the editorial office know your for whatever reason, let the editorial office know your planplan

– Remember that this is probably your Remember that this is probably your lastlast chance to chance to revise the paper. The probability that you will succeed is revise the paper. The probability that you will succeed is about 50%, depending on the journal. Poor revisions will about 50%, depending on the journal. Poor revisions will surely result in rejection. The editorial office will not surely result in rejection. The editorial office will not continue to provide communication between the continue to provide communication between the referees and authors because there are other papers referees and authors because there are other papers which need attention. which need attention.

– You received an invitation to revise the paper because it You received an invitation to revise the paper because it might contain a publishable idea. However, papers will might contain a publishable idea. However, papers will not be accepted unless they are presentable and not be accepted unless they are presentable and polished enough for publication. polished enough for publication.

Be optimistic and get excited Be optimistic and get excited about revisionabout revision

Don't lose your chance to submit. (If Don't lose your chance to submit. (If you do, you may wait three more you do, you may wait three more years to get another favorable years to get another favorable letter.) letter.) – Take the time to do a good job. The goal Take the time to do a good job. The goal

is to ensure acceptance, not to minimize is to ensure acceptance, not to minimize the effort. the effort.

– Do not save your effort. Go the extra Do not save your effort. Go the extra mile. You have a chance (about 50%).mile. You have a chance (about 50%).

Write a detailed response to Write a detailed response to individual refereesindividual referees

– Take every comment of the referee Take every comment of the referee seriously. seriously.

– In a note to be transmitted to the referee, In a note to be transmitted to the referee, first thank him or her. first thank him or her.

– Number all relevant comments and Number all relevant comments and respond to those (explain what you did in respond to those (explain what you did in the revised paper). the revised paper).

– Indicate that you are doing everything Indicate that you are doing everything possible and more. possible and more.

– If you cannot accommodate the demands, If you cannot accommodate the demands, thank the referee for the suggestion, but thank the referee for the suggestion, but offer explanations why they are beyond offer explanations why they are beyond the scope of the paper or why it is not the scope of the paper or why it is not possible at the time.possible at the time.

Do not attack refereesDo not attack refereesGenerally, it is not a good idea to attack the Generally, it is not a good idea to attack the

reviewers. reviewers. – Do not say: "The referee's idea is bad, but Do not say: "The referee's idea is bad, but

mine is good." mine is good." – Better to say, the referee has an interesting Better to say, the referee has an interesting

idea, but the proposed idea is also good, idea, but the proposed idea is also good, particularly because of this or that fact. particularly because of this or that fact.

– If the referee makes a good point (you can If the referee makes a good point (you can almost always find conditions under which the almost always find conditions under which the referee's points are good), explain why you are referee's points are good), explain why you are not pursuing that strategy in the paper.not pursuing that strategy in the paper.

Conclusion: Effective ResearchersConclusion: Effective Researchers

1) P1) Publication “Supply Chain”ublication “Supply Chain”2) Sacrifice other interests2) Sacrifice other interests

3) 3) Practice research like a golf gamePractice research like a golf game4) Dramatize process by creating mental 4) Dramatize process by creating mental modelsmodels

5) 5) Use competitive, political and supportive eUse competitive, political and supportive energynergy6) 6) Get rejectedGet rejected7) Write, (and don’t always enjoy it)7) Write, (and don’t always enjoy it)

For More InformationFor More Information

Editing.twEditing.tw

Michaelson, Herbert, Michaelson, Herbert, How to Write & Publish Engineering How to Write & Publish Engineering Papers and ReportsPapers and Reports, Oryx Press, 1990. Chapter 6 discusses , Oryx Press, 1990. Chapter 6 discusses abstracts.abstracts.Bob Bly, Research papers for dummies, Wily and Sons Ltd, Bob Bly, Research papers for dummies, Wily and Sons Ltd, 20042004Kwan, a Publishers Handbook, University of Illinois Kwan, a Publishers Handbook, University of Illinois Robert W. Bly, The White Paper Handbook, Thomson, 2006Robert W. Bly, The White Paper Handbook, Thomson, 2006