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, NCU, NTHU, ITRI - MotivationNCU, NTHU, ITRI - Motivation

Research ResearchersResearch Researchers

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

Understanding feelings about Understanding feelings about writingwriting

A recent survey of 400,000 U.S. faculty revealed A recent survey of 400,000 U.S. faculty revealed 26% spent zero hours per week writing. 26% spent zero hours per week writing. 27% never published a peer reviewed journal paper. 27% never published a peer reviewed journal paper. 43% had published nothing in the last 2 years. 43% had published nothing in the last 2 years. 62% never published a book. 62% never published a book. Only 28% had produced two publications in the past Only 28% had produced two publications in the past two years. two years. Only 25% of faculty spent more than eight hours a Only 25% of faculty spent more than eight hours a week writing. This was self reported the real number week writing. This was self reported the real number could be much lower. (Lindholm 2005) could be much lower. (Lindholm 2005) Some scholars believe this number is 15% of faculty Some scholars believe this number is 15% of faculty being productive writers (Moxley and Taylor)being productive writers (Moxley and Taylor)

MethodMethodData from interviews, phone, conferences Data from interviews, phone, conferences and universitiesand universities

Position as editor has allowed opportunity Position as editor has allowed opportunity

Compiled into 7 basic “habits” which Compiled into 7 basic “habits” which summarize advice and tips in 7 areassummarize advice and tips in 7 areas

To get the most honest responses To get the most honest responses researchers remained anonymous. This researchers remained anonymous. This was an important condition to getting was an important condition to getting practical material. practical material.

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:There were a total of 146 effective researchers: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 raw material when Capturing raw material when

away from the computer:away from 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

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.

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.

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 Sometimes journals have biases and preferencespreferencesSubject matter: Empirical, Subject matter: Empirical, Theoretical papers? Theoretical papers? Check past issues of the journal. How Check past issues of the journal. How many Chinese names can you find? many Chinese names can you find? Preferences are known; biases are Preferences are known; biases are difficult to detect. difficult to detect.

Practice Practice Keep a record of your Keep a record of your

publicationspublicationsSome 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.

Practice Practice Approach different types of journalsApproach different types of journals

Sending all papers to top journals is Sending all papers to top journals is risky risky Sending all papers to low-quality Sending all papers to low-quality journals is unsatisfactory journals is unsatisfactory Quantity and quality important. Quantity and quality important. Having three papers in different Having three papers in different journals is better than three in one journals is better than three in one journal, if the relative quality of the journal, if the relative quality of the journals is the same.journals is the same.

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.This does not mean that you should write This does not mean that you should write 7 new papers each year.7 new papers each 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.

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.

PracticePracticeDevelop template sentencesDevelop template sentences

Parts of the introduction, methods Parts of the introduction, methods and discussion of one paper can and discussion of one paper can often be recycled to make a new often be recycled to make a new paperpaper

Keep a database of words and Keep a database of words and phrases to use in different parts of phrases to use in different parts of your paperyour paper

Consider different subtopicsConsider different subtopicsAverage wait for an acceptance decision = Average wait for an acceptance decision = 3 years. 3 years. Average wait for a rejection = 6 to 8 Average wait for a rejection = 6 to 8 months. months. If you publish in one area, then focus your If you publish in one area, then focus your effort in that fieldeffort in that fieldContinuing to write papers in the same Continuing to write papers in the same narrow area without evidence of success is narrow area without evidence of success is risky. risky. It is like putting all your eggs in one It is like putting all your eggs in one basket. basket.

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

Use professional editorial assistanceUse professional editorial assistance

Particularly 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.

Referees are often biased; they have Referees are often biased; they have an excuse to recommend rejection an excuse to recommend rejection with grammatical errorswith grammatical errors

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

RevisionRevision

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

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

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

Habit #2 Habit #2

Sacrifice other interestsSacrifice other interests Researchers gave up hobbies, games and Researchers gave up hobbies, games and time with friends to become high impact time with friends to become high impact researchers. Most mentioned that they still researchers. Most mentioned that they still had time for family, but less TV, computer had time for family, but less TV, computer games, and sports.games, and sports.

When you play, play hard; when you work,When you play, play hard; when you work, don't play at all. 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 It’s the same with anything you want to be good at. You have to give up something to get at. You have to give up something to get something else. I gave up watching baseball something else. I gave up watching baseball games, it was painful at first, but now I enjoy the games, it was painful at first, but now I enjoy the feeling of publishing so much. I really don’t miss feeling of publishing so much. I really don’t miss it.” it.” —-Mechanical Engineering Assistant Professor #9—-Mechanical Engineering Assistant Professor #9

““I always tell my students that they will get what I always tell my students that they will get what they put in. If they waste time doing research, they put in. If they waste time doing research, time won’t wait for them, and they aren’t getting time won’t wait for them, and they aren’t getting any younger. If they want to make an impact they any younger. If they want to make an impact they better start now because it takes a long timebetter start now because it takes a long time.’”- .’”- Electrical Engineering Associate Professor #30Electrical Engineering Associate Professor #30

Habit #3Habit #3

Practice research like golfPractice research like golf

Researchers talked about the methods, Researchers talked about the methods, writing, grammar, and other parts of their writing, grammar, and other parts of their paper like a golf player talking about paper like a golf player talking about different golf club swings.different golf club swings.

Beautiful swings are great but a few bad Beautiful swings are great but a few bad hits can disqualify you. hits can disqualify you.

Researchers watch and improve the Researchers watch and improve the weaknesses in their publishing game like weaknesses in their publishing game like an athlete perfecting his sport 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

PracticePracticeImitate skillful writersImitate skillful writers

Read how successful writers Read how successful writers introduce their topic and cite introduce their topic and cite literatureliterature

Imitate their words and phrases, and Imitate their words and phrases, and modify them to suit your topicmodify them to suit your topic

Create a file of template sentencesCreate a file of template sentences

Habit #4 Habit #4

Dramatize process by Dramatize process by creating mental modelscreating mental models

Researchers see their writing and Researchers see their writing and researching in dramatic terms. researching in dramatic terms.

Some use strong metaphors to Some use strong metaphors to create exciting mental pictures to create exciting mental pictures to encourage themselves and their labs.encourage themselves and their labs.

““The great struggle”. The great struggle”.

Model of building a house Model of building a house

Killing a monsterKilling a monster

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 : Researchers compare themselves with other researchers and keep themselves with other researchers and keep score score

PoliticalPolitical: Researchers are political.: Researchers are political.

The negative side is that half of peer reviewed The negative side is that half of peer reviewed articles in top rated journals are never referenced articles in top rated journals are never referenced by anyone, including the author. This shows that by anyone, including the author. This shows that low impact papers are often published in the best low impact papers are often published in the best journals because the articles are reviewed by journals because the articles are reviewed by friends of the author. (Holub, Tappeiner, and friends of the author. (Holub, Tappeiner, and Eberharter, SEJ 1991). Eberharter, SEJ 1991).

PracticePracticeDon’t Criticize ReferencesDon’t Criticize References

I think that the author knows his subject I think that the author knows his subject better than I do. I usually use his better than I do. I usually use his references to find a suitable reviewer references to find a suitable reviewer - - Associate Editor, Journal of RetailingAssociate Editor, Journal of Retailing

Don’t emphasize the importance of your Don’t emphasize the importance of your paper by putting down on other papers. paper by putting down on other papers. Your references are probably your Your references are probably your reviewers and they are sensitive. reviewers and they are sensitive.

Examples of offensive citation:Examples of offensive citation:

"The deficiency of Smith's approach is..." "The deficiency of Smith's approach is..." "The problems with Smith’s paper are…" "The problems with Smith’s paper are…" ““A serious weakness with Smith’s A serious weakness with Smith’s argument, however, is that ......”argument, however, is that ......”““The key problem with Smith’s explanation The key problem with Smith’s explanation is that ......”is that ......”““It seems that Smith’s understanding of It seems that Smith’s understanding of the X framework is questionable.”the X framework is questionable.”

A better citation would be:A better citation would be:

““Smith’s model was effective in X Smith’s model was effective in X problem, however in Y…”problem, however in Y…”

““The X benefit of Smith’s approach The X benefit of Smith’s approach are not applicable to Y…”are not applicable to Y…”  

Complement potential reviewersComplement potential reviewers

Important references should be mentioned Important references should be mentioned in the first page. The editor usually in the first page. The editor usually chooses reviewers from those mentioned chooses reviewers from those mentioned in the introduction and references.in the introduction and references.Be generous to all authors, explain why Be generous to all authors, explain why their research is significant for your their research is significant for your analysis. analysis. This uses less than 1% of the space, but This uses less than 1% of the space, but significantly affects the probability of significantly affects the probability of acceptanceacceptance

Practice Practice Cite researchers who like youCite researchers who like you

Include references to authors who Include references to authors who like your papers. They might become like your papers. They might become referees. referees.

Include references to people with Include references to people with who you met at conferences. who you met at conferences.

This is to get a fair chance. Referees This is to get a fair chance. Referees have to make an effort to be fair to have to make an effort to be fair to unknown authors.unknown authors.

Meet 100 active researchersMeet 100 active researchers

There are about a hundred people in your research field There are about a hundred people in your research field who are likely to be referees of your papers. who are likely to be referees of your papers. Prepare a list of one hundred active people in your main Prepare a list of one hundred active people in your main research area. Try to meet them within a five-year period. research area. Try to meet them within a five-year period. Present papers at, or at least attend, two professional Present papers at, or at least attend, two professional meetings a year. When presenting papers or attending meetings a year. When presenting papers or attending regional, national, or international meetings, try to get to regional, national, or international meetings, try to get to know these people. know these people. This is your best opportunity for networking. When you go This is your best opportunity for networking. When you go to conferences smile and “work the room.”to conferences 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 your paper. His work is reference in your 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 Try to find some related articles in the journal to which you wish to submit your journal to which you wish to submit your paper.paper.Authors who published a paper on a Authors who published a paper on a related subject are likely to be referees. related subject are likely to be referees. The editor still remembers them and has a The editor still remembers them and has a connection to them. Obviously, you need connection to them. Obviously, you need to cite their papers. to cite their papers. Even if they are slightly related, try to use Even if they are slightly related, try to use their references. Explain how your work is their references. Explain how your work is related.related.

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. You may need to play “ping pong” with You may need to play “ping pong” with the paper. Submit the paper to another the paper. Submit the paper to another journal within one month. journal within one month. You do not have to revise a paper every You do not have to revise a paper every time it is rejected. But if a paper is time it is rejected. But if a paper is rejected 4 times, there is a serious flaw in rejected 4 times, there is a serious flaw in the paper. Find and fix the problem. the paper. Find and fix the problem. Why? The same referee might get it again. Why? The same referee might get it again.

Emotions on rejected paperEmotions on rejected paper

1) Depression1) Depression

2) Anger at editor.2) Anger at editor.

3) Anger at system.3) Anger at system.

4) Consider changing job.4) Consider changing job.

5) Reviewing manuscripts and 5) Reviewing manuscripts and deciding the reviewers had pointsdeciding the reviewers had points

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

potential refereespotential referees

You can guess the identity of the reviewers You can guess the identity of the reviewers from the reviewers’ comments because of from the reviewers’ comments because of references and writing style. references and writing style. Editors select reviewers from your references. If Editors select reviewers from your references. If some reviewers always recommend rejection of some reviewers always recommend rejection of your papers, drop their papers from your your papers, drop their papers from your references (the first time you submit). You can references (the first time you submit). You can add them later (after the paper is accepted). add them later (after the paper is accepted). You can also put them into the body of the You can also put them into the body of the paper where they are harder to findpaper where they are harder to findThis may require rewriting the introduction with This may require rewriting the introduction with a different perspectivea different perspective

Eliminate any trace of prior Eliminate any trace of prior rejectionsrejections

Do not show when the paper was Do not show when the paper was first written. first written.

Do not show how many times the Do not show how many times the paper has been revised. paper has been revised.

Document property check Document property check

Add current referencesAdd current references

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 a few major institutions, they get a chosen from a few major institutions, they get a larger share of publications. The are subsidized larger share of publications. The are subsidized by associations. (by associations. (AER, Econometrica, IEEE, ACM)AER, Econometrica, IEEE, ACM)

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. Depend on reader preferences or biases. Depend on reader subscriptions. (subscriptions. (Blackwell, North-Holland,Blackwell, North-Holland,Elsevier Elsevier ))

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 is a dead issue. 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. 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 enough references indicates Your inability to find enough references 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.

How to identify “Hot Topics”How to identify “Hot Topics”Look for clues to anticipate the next ‘big Look for clues to anticipate the next ‘big

thing’thing’Read top journals to identify ‘new Read top journals to identify ‘new problems’problems’Read letters to the editor Read letters to the editor Look for controversies and unexplained Look for controversies and unexplained findingsfindingsLook for crossover areas with other Look for crossover areas with other domainsdomainsDo database keyword searchsDo database keyword searchsAttend conferencesAttend conferences

Everyone gets rejectedEveryone gets rejected

Your options:Your options:

Abandon the article.Abandon the article.

Send the article with no changes to Send the article with no changes to another journal.another journal.

Revise the article and send it to Revise the article and send it to another journal.another journal.

Protest the decision and try to Protest the decision and try to resubmit the article to the rejecting resubmit the article to the rejecting journaljournal

PracticePracticeAvoid the journals which consistently Avoid the journals which consistently

reject your papersreject your papersTemporarily avoid journals which always reject Temporarily avoid journals which always reject

youyouThe editor still remembers bad comments about The editor still remembers bad comments 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, If you think there is prejudice on the basis of sex,

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

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

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

Waiting for the Journal’s Waiting for the Journal’s decisiondecision

Causes of quick rejection:Causes of quick rejection:

Back-logBack-log

Previous paper on subjectPrevious paper on subject

Editor doesn’t like topic or styleEditor doesn’t like topic or style

When should you start contacting When should you start contacting the editor about your paper?the editor about your paper?

After three months once a monthAfter three months once a month

Four months twice a monthFour months twice a month

Six months every daySix months every day

The longer the review takes, the less chance The longer the review takes, the less chance you have a publishing-reviewers may be you have a publishing-reviewers may be negativenegative

Internal fighting in JournalInternal fighting in Journal

You may want to consider withdrawing to You may want to consider withdrawing to another journalanother journal

Editor’s feedback is key in making this decisionEditor’s feedback is key in making this decision

Reminder e-mail to editorReminder e-mail to editor

““I’m just e-mailing to inquire about I’m just e-mailing to inquire about the status of my article titled______, the status of my article titled______, which I submitted to your journal on ( which I submitted to your journal on ( date ).”date ).”

Don’t get angrier over time, just Don’t get angrier over time, just keep sending the same e-mail more keep sending the same e-mail more oftenoften

Sometimes editors appreciate the Sometimes editors appreciate the reminderreminder

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, explain why If the referee makes a good point, explain why you are not pursuing that strategy in the you are not pursuing that strategy in the paper.paper.

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

Common misunderstanding that Common misunderstanding that good writers enjoy writing good writers enjoy writing

Many hate writing. But enjoyed the Many hate writing. But enjoyed the results. results.

Forced themselves into a daily Forced themselves into a daily writing routine. writing routine.

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

Planning vs. ActionPlanning vs. Action

Talking about writing isn’t writing. Talking about writing isn’t writing. Thinking about writing isn’t writing. Thinking about writing isn’t writing. Dreaming isn’t writing. Neither are Dreaming isn’t writing. Neither are outlining, researching, or taking notes. All outlining, researching, or taking notes. All these may be necessary to getting a these may be necessary to getting a project completed, project completed, but only writing is but only writing is writingwriting..Pen to paper, fingers to keyboardPen to paper, fingers to keyboard

  

PracticePractice

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

Reseachers first forced themselves Reseachers first forced themselves to write and later developed an to write and later developed an interest in writing.interest in writing.

  Professor William JamesProfessor William James

Building the Writing HabitBuilding the Writing HabitThe same time.The same time. The same place.The same place. Carry a notebookCarry a notebookQuiet place.Quiet place. Get rid of rid of Get rid of rid of negative thoughts.negative thoughts. Sit alone in silence.Sit alone in silence. Ideas, not grammar, for the first Ideas, not grammar, for the first draft. Rewrite.draft. Rewrite.

Make writing a daily habitMake writing a daily habit

Use timed burstsUse timed bursts

Rational and reactive selfRational and reactive self

Lie to yourselfLie to yourself

Do not read too muchDo not read too muchMany researchers use the excuse of more Many researchers use the excuse of more

reading to prevent writing themselves. reading to prevent writing themselves. You can’t read every paper ever written on a You can’t read every paper ever written on a

subject. Remember your goal is to write subject. Remember your goal is to write and publish a paper, not to read and publish a paper, not to read everything. everything.

If you read a dozen papers on a topic, you If you read a dozen papers on a topic, you should have enough material to start should have enough material to start writing a paper. Add your own ideas to this writing a paper. Add your own ideas to this base of knowledge.base of knowledge.

Reasons researchers don’t writeReasons researchers don’t write

I am really too busyI am really too busy. – 15 minutes . – 15 minutes a daya day

Teaching preparation takes all Teaching preparation takes all my extra time.my extra time. Good teachers Good teachers produce more writing (Sax 2002)produce more writing (Sax 2002)

I will write just as soon asI will write just as soon as______ - ______ - You don’t have to be perfect firstYou don’t have to be perfect first

Reasons continuedReasons continued

I’m going to make writing my I’m going to make writing my number one goal in lifenumber one goal in life. “the most . “the most valued activity carries demands for valued activity carries demands for time and perfection that encourages time and perfection that encourages its avoidance (Boice 1997)its avoidance (Boice 1997)

I couldn’t get to my writing siteI couldn’t get to my writing site – – become flexible with your writing become flexible with your writing environmentenvironment

Reasons continuedReasons continued

I have to read just one more I have to read just one more book.book. - Mastery is an illusion, some - Mastery is an illusion, some of the best research done in isolationof the best research done in isolation

I just can’t get started.I just can’t get started. - Reward - Reward yourself for writing, phone or e-mail yourself for writing, phone or e-mail partner. Plan an agenda for next partner. Plan an agenda for next writing sessionwriting session

Reasons continuedReasons continuedI’m afraid of writing because I’m afraid of writing because publication is so permanentpublication is so permanent- Peer - Peer review helpsreview helps

I’m not in the mood to write right nowI’m not in the mood to write right now - Behavior modification theory.- Behavior modification theory.

My childcare responsibilities are My childcare responsibilities are preventing me from writingpreventing me from writing – Use small – Use small blocks of time, babysitters, more efficient blocks of time, babysitters, more efficient (Sax 2002)(Sax 2002)

Reasons continuedReasons continued

My thesis advisor is a bigger My thesis advisor is a bigger problem than a helpproblem than a help - Try writing - Try writing without help first or change advisorwithout help first or change advisor

I can’t sit stillI can’t sit still - Short bursts with an - Short bursts with an alarmalarm

I write so slowly that I never I write so slowly that I never seem to get much doneseem to get much done – Most – Most people write slowlypeople write slowly

Reasons continuedReasons continuedIf I have a long productive writing If I have a long productive writing day, I have a hard time getting day, I have a hard time getting started the next day started the next day -Common problem-Common problem

I am eager to write but I don’t have I am eager to write but I don’t have the material or scrolling resourcesthe material or scrolling resources – – Third World countriesThird World countries

I have to make progress on several writing I have to make progress on several writing projects at one time and I am in a panic – projects at one time and I am in a panic – two projects are better than onetwo projects are better than one

Reasons continuedReasons continued

I get distracted by Web surfing I get distracted by Web surfing e-mailing and text messaginge-mailing and text messaging – – Disconnect yourselfDisconnect yourself

I need big blocks of time to write I need big blocks of time to write in my schedule doesn’t allow in my schedule doesn’t allow such blockssuch blocks – Short blocks more – Short blocks more productiveproductive

Researchers are proud of the term Researchers are proud of the term researcher and their total impactresearcher and their total impact

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

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 game

4) Dramatize process by creating mental 4) Dramatize process by creating mental modelsmodels

5) 5) Use competitive, political and Use competitive, political and supportive energysupportive energy

6) 6) Get rejectedGet rejected

7) Write, (and don’t always enjoy it)7) Write, (and don’t always enjoy it)

For More InformationFor More InformationHandout of our talk available Handout of our talk available

www.editing.twwww.editing.twwww.seminars.twwww.seminars.twEditingEditing from 86 colleges and universities, domain specialized from 86 colleges and universities, domain specialized editors, understand Taiwanese English, educational commentseditors, understand Taiwanese English, educational commentsThree Stage Three Stage translationtranslation process to preserve meaning and clarity process to preserve meaning and clarityBooksBooksHow to write and publish an academic paper in 16 weeksHow to write and publish an academic paper in 16 weeksHow to attend, speak or present a poster at an academic How to attend, speak or present a poster at an academic conferenceconferenceReferencesReferencesMichaelson, Herbert, Michaelson, Herbert, How to Write & Publish Engineering Papers and ReportsHow to Write & Publish Engineering Papers and Reports, Oryx Press, 1990. , Oryx Press, 1990. Chapter 6 discusses abstracts.Chapter 6 discusses abstracts.Bob Bly, Research papers for dummies, Wily and Sons Ltd, 2004Bob Bly, Research papers for dummies, Wily and Sons Ltd, 2004Kwan, a Publishers Handbook, University of Illinois http://www.roie.org/Kwan, a Publishers Handbook, University of Illinois http://www.roie.org/