Author Archive: sticklerproofreading

How to get Published in a Journal: From Writing, to Peer Review, to Acceptance

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Getting your work published in esteemed journals (also known as “periodicals”) is a necessary and important part of academic life, but the process can seem daunting and even confusing at first. Below, we break down the broad strokes of how to get from blank screen to printed article.

First, you have to write

The first step is of course to write a credible article that adds to your field. The writing process involves gathering your research and findings and creating an article that is both informative and engaging. You might work with colleagues to help with research or even co-author your work, and you’ll need to set a definitive objective for your paper. Before you start writing the paper itself, it’s also a good idea to define the audience for your work.

Once you’ve settled on these things, you can start to identify suitable target journals. Researching the different publications in your field and that relate to your objectives and target audience is a good place to start, but you also want to make sure that you’re submitting to recognized and respected journals. The impact factor can help here, but also make sure you look for periodicals that are “peer reviewed” (more on this below).

Once you’ve selected your first-choice journal, and have written your manuscript, you’ll need to polish it up and make sure it conforms to the journal’s style guidelines.

Next, submit to your chosen journal

Once you feel confident in your writing and it meets the criteria mentioned in the section above, it’s time to submit. At this point, assuming you’ve submitted to a high-quality journal, your work will be peer reviewed.

What is peer review?

The peer review process has been around since the 1700s. It entails other academics appraising scholarly work that has been submitted for publication to confirm its quality, which endorses its legitimacy, and to weed out plagiarized or illegitimate work.

The editor of the journal will send your work to a variety of academics in your field (your peers—hence, “peer review”). These scholars will provide feedback to the editor, and, based on their comments, the editor will determine whether your work should be published at this stage. When reviewing your work, reviewers and editors typically want to see that it acknowledges and builds on other work in your field, relies on logical reasoning and well-designed research, and backs up claims with evidence. It must also be well written, conform to the journal’s style guidelines, and have a clear structure.

If you don’t get unconditional acceptance, take on board any feedback and resubmit, or try a different journal

There are several possible outcomes of the peer review stage: your work might be accepted for publication, accepted on condition that certain changes are made, rejected but with the possibility for you to resubmit pending certain changes, or rejected with no opportunity for resubmission. The idea of having your work peer reviewed—and possibly criticized—can feel intimidating, but it’s also a great chance to learn and to enhance your research. Bear in mind also that the submission process is a highly competitive one, and most journals only accept 6–8% of the work sent to them. If you do have to revise your manuscript, take this as an opportunity to strengthen your research, rather than as a personal criticism or a dead end.

If you are asked to revise and resubmit, you’ll typically need to accompany your amended manuscript with a cover letter that details the changes made in response to each point made by the reviewers. It’s important that you take this step seriously and carefully consider the feedback and comments given to you, but that doesn’t necessarily mean you have to incorporate or agree with all the suggestions given. If you do disagree, just be sure to explain in the letter, clearly, politely, and drawing on any relevant evidence, why you have chosen not to follow the reviewer’s advice.

If you receive a rejection, don’t just blindly submit to another journal. Take a step back and ask yourself whether your research could be strengthened in some way; if you’re confident in what you’ve written, move on to the next journal—but do make sure you make any adjustments necessary to meet the new journal’s style guidelines. This might entail, for example, changing the referencing system from APA to Harvard, or making amendments to the language used. We can of course help to make sure your article is styled for your target publication at any stage of the process.

The road to acceptance can be long and arduous; even after acceptance it can sometimes take a year for the work to actually be published. But being published in a peer reviewed journal (as opposed to one that does not incorporate peer review) is a huge accomplishment, because it signals to others that your work is legitimate, meets the standards of your field, and has been accepted and trusted by other respected scholars. Getting published in an esteemed and widely circulated periodical also means that people will read your work, study it, and further their own scholarship and careers because of it.

Don’t forget, in addition to editing your paper we can help you apply style guidelines, get your reference list into shape, and proofread your response letter to make sure it’s not only error free, but strikes the right tone. Get in touch for a quote!

Grant application

How to get Funding for Academic Research

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Research is a vital part of any academic’s career, and getting the money to fund that research is essential. But getting funding, no matter what field you’re in, can be tricky and intimidating. With so many resources out there, how do you know which one to choose? And how do you know the best way to move forward once you’ve chosen one? Below you’ll find some ideas on how to get started on your funding journey.

Learn how to Write Grant Applications

Funding and grant applications (also known as funding/grant proposals) go hand in hand, so it’s a good idea to put some time into learning how to write applications. Fund application writing is a genre of its own that often involves technical jargon and specific formats that can be confusing if you’ve never written one before. Many institutions, such as libraries and universities, offer grant application classes to the public. You can also look for real-world experience by asking if there are any grant writing opportunities at your job, or if a colleague has experience successfully writing funding applications for their own research. The sooner you become familiar and comfortable with writing grant proposals, the sooner you can start applying for funding.

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill has a great resource on writing grant proposals, and we can also help proofread and generally shape up your application once it’s written.

Create a Budget

Most funding applications include a section on how you plan to spend the money you’re seeking. Sitting down and actually creating a budget is key to understanding all of the necessities you might need funds for as you conduct your research. Obvious costs include travel, lodging, and food, but you may also need to allocate some cash to areas such as conducting focus groups, compensating participants, bringing in experts in your field, or hiring the services of a market research company. Make sure you read the requirements and guidelines for each funding application you’re working on, because different sources of funding will have different stipulations regarding what you can and cannot use the money for. Talking with colleagues, professors, and other researchers in your field can give you a better idea of what type of budget makes the most sense for your research.

You can find a couple of budget examples here.

Provide Value for Money

When applying for funding, it’s always important to keep in mind the value that your research will bring to specific organizations and your field as a whole. By closely reading the guidelines on funding applications, you can get a better sense of what they’re looking for in terms of research and project value. Use your application as a way to highlight the importance of your subject, and what your research will contribute to the field you’re in. When funding sources have a clear understanding of what they can expect in return for giving you money, they are more likely to fund your project.

Get Feedback

If you’re at an academic institution, chances are there’s someone around you who has experience applying for funding. Use the resources at hand to get as much feedback as possible on your application. Keep in mind that your application will often not be reviewed by experts in your field, and needs to be clear and make sense to every reader. For this reason, it’s also important to utilize resources outside of academia to ensure your proposal is as strong as it can be, and that typos or poor wording don’t undermine its chances of success. Again, we can help with this stage!

7 Tips for Surviving and Thriving in Graduate School

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It’s no secret that graduate school can be a stressful time for many people, especially with mounting pressure on the appearance of perfection, productivity, and having it all together. These seven tips can help you to not only survive grad school, but thrive in an environment where you are learning about and researching the topic you are most passionate about. By focusing on things like mental health, understanding your work style, and self-care, you can make the most out of your grad school experience.

  1. Don’t be Afraid to Ask for Help

If this is your first time in grad school, it can be a scary transition. Even though being a grad student can feel isolating at times, you should never feel like you’re alone—there are thousands of students across the world and in your own institution who are feeling lonely and maybe even lost. It’s important to reach out and ask for help when you need it, and this should not be seen as a sign of weakness, but a sign of strength. Whether it’s sitting down with current students, faculty, or a mental health professional, there are plenty of people and resources around you that can help you navigate your graduate studies and all the related pressures that come with them.

  1. Keep Your Goals Visible

Grad school can get hectic really quickly. From homework, to research and even teaching responsibilities, grad school suddenly becomes about much more than the thing you’re passionate about. It can be easy to lose sight of your original goals and reasons for wanting to come to grad school in the first place. By taking the time to write out your goals and post them somewhere where you can see them everyday, you can remind yourself of what makes all of this worth it when you’re having a bad day.

  1. Have a Life Outside of School

When you’re in grad school, it can be hard to think about or do anything other than school-related tasks. But it’s equally important to have a life outside of school as it is to be chipping away at your dissertation. This could mean finding a way to connect with friends outside of your program, or even taking up hobbies that interest you. Look towards your local community for things like classes, workshops, and groups that you can join to give your mind a break from school every once in a while.

  1. Focus Less on Grades

Grad school is less about GPA and more about focusing on a topic that interests you and working towards your thesis or dissertation. Yet it can be hard to break out of that mindset of grade-focused schooling. If you get less-than-perfect feedback on a paper, don’t let it throw you off track. Instead, think about your overall grad school experience in terms of the knowledge you’re gaining, as opposed to the grades on your transcript. This way of thinking will help you put less stress on yourself to perform and remind you of the joys of learning.

  1. Practice Self-Care

Self-care is an important part of anyone’s health, but especially those pursuing a postgraduate degree. It can be hard to justify carving out time to take care of yourself when you’ve got so many deadlines looming, but even something as small as one hour a day can really make a different for your physical and mental health. Self-care looks different for everyone, and can include anything from watching a movie on your couch, to hanging out with your friends, doing yoga, cooking your favorite meal, or getting some extra sleep. Whatever self-care means to you, dedicating time to it can help reduce stress levels and keep you sane.

  1. Maintain a Strong Support System

Grad school can be tough to get through alone, but creating or maintaining a strong support system of friends and family who care about your wellbeing is a great way to help you thrive in tough times. Find time to strengthen your relationships with your friends and family, whether that means calling them or hopping in the car for an in-person visit, and don’t be afraid to lean on them in challenging times—after all, they care about you and want you to complete your degree! We often don’t realize how important our support systems are until we need them the most.

  1. Learn How to Manage Your Time

You’ve probably heard this a million times, but time management really is one of the keys to success in grad school. There are countless methods and strategies for time management (check out our recent blog post on the Pomodoro method for an example) that can help you think about the best ways to use your time. But sometimes time management just means cutting out the less valuable commitments in your life and not overscheduling yourself. It can be hard to say no to things, but often that’s the best way to help yourself focus on what’s important to you.

Even though grad school can be stressful and hectic at times, that doesn’t mean that you can’t thrive your time in higher ed. We hope these tips get you one step closer to making your grad school experience more enjoyable!

Plagiarism: What it is and How to Avoid it

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Whether you’re writing academic papers or completing your thesis or dissertation, you’ve probably come across the topic of plagiarism at some point in your writing career. Plagiarism is a big deal, especially in academia—so much so that nearly every educational institute in the world has a policy regarding plagiarism, and often one that involves serious consequences for those who commit it.

Plagiarism, as defined by the New Webster’s Encyclopedic Dictionary of the English Language, is “the unauthorized use of the language and thoughts of another author and the representation of them as one’s own” (508).

6 Types of Plagiarism

There are six distinct types of plagiarism that cover the unauthorized use of ideas and words in different mediums and formats. Gaining a better understanding of these different forms of plagiarism can help you know how to spot them and avoid using them in your own writing.

Verbatim Plagiarism—Copying and pasting another author’s words without giving them the proper credit.

Mosaic Plagiarism—Mixing one’s own words with those of an uncredited source.

Paraphrasing—Restating someone else’s ideas in your own words.

Self Plagiarism—Using your own ideas or words as a source, which, while not a form of theft per se, is a form of dishonesty and still equates to plagiarism.

Cyber Plagiarism—Using a downloaded version of an author’s article or publication and not citing it properly.

Image Plagiarism—Using an image or video without first receiving permission.

How to Avoid Plagiarism

Plagiarism should be avoided at all costs. Not only is it dishonest and a form of theft, it can lead to serious consequences for your academic or professional career. Many institutes and publications have a zero-tolerance policy on plagiarism and will not give you a second chance if you’re caught out. Plagiarism can also ruin your reputation as a credible and trustworthy writer and researcher. Sounds scary, but with some due diligence and attention to detail, you can easily avoid the pitfalls. Here are some of the golden rules.

Learn how to quote and paraphrase correctly—You can usually use as many sources and words from other authors as makes sense for your work, as long as you know how to quote and paraphrase them in the right way. This means always making it clear in your writing that the ideas you’re using are not yours.

Always cite your sources—Citations are how you give credit to other authors’ ideas and thoughts. But citing your sources isn’t enough to avoid plagiarism by itself; you also have to do so correctly. This means following one of the several citation formats that aligns with your discipline. MLA, APA, Harvard, and Chicago are a few popular ones. If you’re not sure which system you should be following, check with your school or the journal you’re planning to submit to.

Get your work checked—One of our jobs as professional editors is to check that all necessary citations are present, adequate, and correctly styled. We can also run plagiarism checks using dedicated software that checks your work against a database of academic sources, highlights any potential issues, and notes the potentially plagiarized documents, making it easy to address the problems as needed.

For more on this topic, check out our August 2016 article, “What’s Mine Is Mine, What’s Yours Is Mine”: A Quick Reminder about Plagiarism.

Writer's block

5 Inspirational Quotes to Help You Overcome Writer’s Block

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Writer’s block is a serious issue that affects authors and academics of every discipline. Whether you’re writing a thesis, an essay, or a novel, feeling stuck can hinder your progress and kill your motivation. Luckily, many other famous and successful writers have dealt with this issue and have tips on how to conquer it. If you’re currently dealing with a bout of writer’s block, let these words of wisdom help you overcome it and get going again.

Get Over Blank Page Syndrome

“Unfortunately, many people suffer from BPS—Blank Page Syndrome. Let’s face it: starting to write is scary. Seeing the cursor blinking at you on that bright white screen, realizing that you now have to come up with three or ten or twenty pages of text all on your own—it’s enough to give anyone a major case of writer’s block!”—Stefanie Weisman

As author Stefanie Weisman puts it, Blank Page Syndrome is real and can be debilitating if you don’t recognize it and work to overcome it. When you know that you have a certain page or word count to hit, being faced with a blank screen can be one of the worst things in the world. One way to get over BPS is to try writing in a range of forms. For example, if you find yourself sidetracked by all the distractions a computer has to offer, or if the blinking cursor on the blank screen is giving you anxiety, going the old fashion route with a pen and paper can help you get back in the groove. You can also try speaking your writing out loud and recording your ideas in audio that can later be transcribed into text.

Write Through the Block

“Writing about writer’s block is better than not writing at all.”—Charles Bukowski

If you’re stuck on a writing project, whether you’re just trying to get started or are somewhere in the middle, writing something is always better than writing nothing. As Bukowski put it, the best way to jumpstart your ideas is to write through the block. This could mean writing about how difficult it is to write, writing about your cat, or writing about basically any other topic—it doesn’t necessarily have to be related to your project. Just the act of writing itself can help you overcome the block.

Break it Down

“The secret of getting ahead is getting started. The secret of getting started is breaking your complex overwhelming tasks into small manageable tasks, and then starting on the first one.”—Mark Twain

Mark Twain was a man of organization and discipline. His suggestion for how to overcome writer’s block involves breaking down a larger task into smaller, more manageable tasks. This is a good strategy for a wide variety of large projects, but especially for writing. Any writing task, whether it’s a thesis, an essay, or a book, can be broken down into multiple steps. For example, you might think of things like research, drafting, writing the introduction, or writing each paragraph or chapter as separate steps. Then write down all of the steps in an order that makes sense and work on each step one at a time to help you feel less overwhelmed.

Persistence is Key

“You don’t start out writing good stuff. You start out writing crap and thinking it’s good stuff, and then gradually you get better at it. That’s why I say one of the most valuable traits is persistence.”—Octavia Butler

Nobody understood writer’s block better that Octavia Butler. Her words of advice involve persistence when writing, even if you feel certain that what you’re writing isn’t good. You should never be afraid to write poorly, because sometimes getting out all the bad writing is the only way to get to the good stuff. No matter how bad you think your writing is, keep at it and eventually it will get better. Persistence and determination are some of the best cures for writer’s block.

Stick to a Schedule

“I only write when I am inspired. Fortunately I am inspired at 9 o’clock every morning.”—William Faulkner

Writing is not all about the creativity and fun of the craft. It’s also about putting in the work and having the self-discipline to write every day. If you find yourself lacking motivation or struggling with writer’s block, sometimes treating writing like a job, complete with a set schedule, can help you be more productive and overcome writer’s block. Consistency and discipline of the kind alluded to by Faulkner is sometimes necessary for progressing on a large project.

Writer’s block can be a writer’s worst enemy, but it doesn’t have to be as daunting as it’s made out to be. If you’re struggling with what to write or being confronted with the blank page, looking to professional writers for advice can be helpful.

Grammar Rules That You Should Forget

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Grammar rules are drilled into our heads from a very young age. As we grow older, we learn how to memorize these rules and incorporate them into our academic and everyday writing. As with most things in life, times change—and so have grammar rules as we know them. With the advent of social media and digital writing, traditional grammar rules have started to be bent, broken, and rewritten. Some grammar rules are just antiquated and others inhibit writers from making creative and beautiful work. Below is a list of four grammar rules that, no matter what your school teacher told you, you should forget. Unlearning these rules will open up a world of freedom and exploration in your future writing projects.

Ending Your Sentences With a Preposition

This antiquated rule stemmed from writers in the 19th century who were obsessed with the way the Latin language structures its sentences. While it’s true that that the English language can find its roots in Latin, they are not one and the same. People who work hard to follow this rule often end up switching their sentences around so they sound unnatural and awkward. See the example below:

Ending with a preposition—“Where did it come from?”

Ending without a preposition (following the rule)—“From where did it come?”

You can see how differently the two sentences sound from one another just by switching the placement of the preposition. As English has modernized, the latter sentence sounds unnatural and out of the ordinary. So feel free to forget this 19th-century grammar rule in exchange for writing that sounds like it’s from the 21st century.

Adverbs Ending with “-ly”

Many grammar students have been taught that an adverb is only an adverb if it ends in “-ly.” This is just not true. There are a number of adverbs that do not have this ending and are just as grammatically correct when used in a sentence. These adverbs that do not end with “-ly” are often referred to as flat adverbs. Some examples of these are “safe,” “fast,” “soon,” and “bright.” Below is an example of a pair of sentences that are both grammatically correct even though one has an adverb with an “-ly” and one doesn’t.

Adverb with an “-ly”—“Drive safely!”

Adverb without an “-ly”—“Drive safe!”

Starting a Sentence with “And” or “But”

Beginning a sentence with a conjunction was once considered a big “no-no” in the grammar rule world. But we’re here to tell you that it’s perfectly okay to start a sentence with “and” or “but.” Children are often taught this rule by grammar teachers so that they don’t fall into the trap of starting every sentence with “and.” As long as you aren’t overdoing it, starting a sentence with a conjunction can add much needed emphasis and clarity to your writing. See the examples below:

Starting without a conjunction—“Mary killed the man who had been chasing her. Additionally, she killed his accomplice.”

Starting with a conjunction—“Mary killed the man who had been chasing her. And she killed his accomplice too.”

Splitting Infinitives

It is a common grammar rule that a writer should never split an infinitive in a sentence. In other words, you shouldn’t place a word in between “to” and its subsequent verb. Splitting an infinitive doesn’t work all the time, but it shouldn’t be a hard and fast rule to avoid it because sometimes splitting an infinitive just feels right. Splitting infinitives can change the mood or tone of a sentence and add emphasis on particular words. Here’s an example a split infinitive that made the sentence better—“To boldly go where no man has gone before.”

The rules of grammar are important for giving structure and stability to writers, especially those who are just learning the English language. But as you become a master of the writing craft, you should rethink how steadfastly you stick to those rules. Breaking some grammar rules can give your writing emphasis, clarity, and a unique voice.

 

How to Reference Your Sources Like a Pro

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Referencing your sources is an important part of any academic writing process. Having correct references can lend to credibility to your arguments, and lets your readers know you’ve analyzed authoritative works in your field. Referencing correctly can lead to higher grades on your papers and allow you to avoid plagiarism.

 

Understand When Citations are Needed

When you’re working with a lot of ideas and extant literature, it can be difficult to know when a citation is needed. But it’s vital to give credit where credit’s due. These six points below can help you identify whether a source needs to be cited, and can help you avoid plagiarism when quoting or summarizing a source.

  1. Ideas that belong to a particular source—Always cite ideas or opinions that are distinctive and not your own.

 

  1. An argument or analysis with a distinctive structure—Whether you’re paraphrasing or summarizing, always cite an author’s particular approach to solving a problem or argument.

 

  1. Specific information and data—If you’re using data that you found in another source, whether it’s facts, diagrams, or statistics, you should always cite the original source and give credit to the author. This can also help your readers if they are looking for additional information from that source.

 

  1. Phrases or quotes—Verbatim phrases or quotes used by an author in their argument should always be cited and placed in quotation marks.

 

  1. Uncommon knowledge—If you mention part of an author’s work in your writing, it’s important that you cite the source even if you’re paraphrasing or not quoting the author directly. Unless the information is common knowledge or widely held opinion, a source has to be cited.

 

  1. If in doubt, cite—If you’re not quite sure whether you should cite something, it’s better to err on the side of caution. That way you don’t have to worry about plagiarism or not giving credit for the work on which your own is based.

 

Identify an Appropriate Referencing System—And Stick to it

Whether you’re working with APA, Chicago, Harvard, MLA, or the myriad other referencing systems available, it’s important that you identify the appropriate one and stick to it. Failing to do so can lead to docking of marks or rejection from your target publication.

The referencing system you use can depend on your field of study, your faculty’s/target publication’s preference, or your paper’s format. Most schools and journals will tell you which style to follow, but if not, consistency is key (some journals, for example, are happy for papers to adhere to any style at submission, provided it’s consistent).

Style guides will help you stay on track and avoid combining different systems, but a professional academic editing service can also polish this up for you—at Stickler, for example, applying referencing styles is a core part of our work.

 

Take Good Notes

One of the keys to referencing effectively is to take good notes. These notes should include important information about your research, including a detailed record of the literature used. Every time you find a source that you might use in your paper, jot down the relevant information based on the style you’re following. Having everything organized and gathering the necessary information as you go will save you a lot of time and step-retracing as you write your paper.

 

Always Get a Second Pair of Eyes

As mentioned above, it’s always a good idea to get a second pair of eyes on your references and citations before submitting your project. In addition to ensuring that your specific referencing system has been applied correctly, we offer plagiarism checks to catch any similarities between your paper and extant work that might require a citation.

Getting your Foot in the Door: How to Write a Cover Letter That Will Get You Hired

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Cover letters are often key when applying for a job. They let your future employers know who you are and get a glimpse of why you might be a great fit for the position. Needless to say, cover letters are a vital part of any job application and can make or break your chances of getting hired. Learning how to write a good one takes some time and effort, but once you master this skill it can help you reach your goals in the future and land your dream job.

Using the right format, length, and customizations are of course vital, but it’s also worth having a professional proofreader look at your letter to help you avoid making simple mistakes and turn your letter from good to great.

Use the Proper Format

While there’s no official way to format a cover letter, there are certain things that you can do to make your cover letter look more professional and appealing to the eye. Always keep it as concise as possible; a guide is to stick to a maximum of three paragraphs that are around three or four sentences each, but you may need to extend this depending on the situation. If you’re not sure where to start when it comes to formatting your cover letter, a good template can be found here: https://bit.ly/2ITEgnQ

Customize the Letter to the Specific Job

If you’re applying to multiple jobs at once or you’re on a job hunt, never write a generic cover letter that could be used for any job on the market. While it’s a good idea to have a base template that you can customize for each job, every letter you write should be specific to the position you’re applying to. The more specific a cover letter, the better. Take time to do some research on the company, the person you’re addressing the letter to, and the position you want so you can tailor your cover letter accordingly.

Don’t Rehash Your Resume

One of the biggest mistakes people make when writing a cover letter is to summarize the information that is already on their resume. Your cover letter is a space for you to show your talents, your likeability, how good you are with language and writing, and your attention to detail. Think of your cover letter as a place to write about things that your resume can’t convey.

Be Authentic

Using a conversational tone in your cover letter is a good way to show your authentic self and personality without coming across as too formal or robotic. That being said, you still want to uphold the standard rules of grammar and language in your writing and avoid things like overused clichés or aphorisms. Show why you’re excited about the job, what led you to apply to this position, why you’d be a good fit, and how likable you are as a person.

Edit, Edit, Edit

Setting your cover letter aside for a few days and coming back to it with fresh eyes is a great way to make sure you’re getting across what you want to say, but getting someone else to look at your letter is also imperative to check for things like typos and confusing wording, and to provide additional suggestions. Your cover letter provides the hiring party with the first impression about you, and is your ticket to an in-person interview, so getting it right can make a world of difference to whether you’re considered for the position.

The Pomodoro Method

The Pomodoro Method—Improve Your Productivity Levels

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Scientists believe that, thanks to technology, the human attention span is now less than that of a goldfish. If you’ve ever had a hard time focusing while studying or writing, a short attention span can be to blame. While there’s not a lot we can do to change our shortening attention spans, there are a few proven techniques that can help you stay focused and improve your productivity levels. Being productive is all about staying away from distractions and keeping your head in your work. The Pomodoro Method of productivity encourages you to take regular breaks while you’re working, in order to stay focused. Keep reading to learn more about the Pomodoro Method and how you can use it to improve your productivity levels.

What is the Pomodoro Method?

Developed in the 1980s by Francesco Cirillo, this time-management technique gets its name from the common tomato-shaped kitchen timer. The system operates on the belief that by dividing your work and breaks into regular, short increments you can avoid feeling overwhelmed by looming tasks while also preventing burn out. Today, it’s a widespread method that’s used by professionals in a variety of fields, from science and technology to writing and academia.

How Does it Work?

  1. Set a timer for 25 minutes, and start your task. You don’t have to use a traditional kitchen timer, of course—there are several apps and websites that were specifically developed to be used with this method.
  2. If a distraction pops into your head, write it down on a piece of paper and return to your task.
  3. When the buzzer rings, put a checkmark on your paper. You’ve completed one increment, also known as a pomodoro.
  4. Take a five-minute break. During this time you can check the distractions that popped into your head, stretch, grab a cup of tea, and so on.
  5. After four pomodoros, take a 30-minute break.
  6. Repeat!

How Does the Pomodoro Method Improve Your Productivity?

Although taking frequent breaks may seem counterproductive, in reality they help keep your mind fresh and focused. The official Pomodoro website says, “You will probably begin to notice a difference in your work or study process within a day or two. True mastery of the technique takes from seven to twenty days of constant use.” By keeping up with the Pomodoro method, you should see steady improvements in your productivity.

 

Whether you’re working on a short project, studying for an exam, or writing something longer, like a thesis, the Pomodoro Method can help you get through projects faster by forcing you to adhere to strict timing. Watching the timer go down can give you the motivation you need to finish up a task before the clock runs out. The constant timing of your work also makes you more accountable for your tasks and minimizes the time you spend procrastinating. Instead of trying to ignore distractions completely, by carving out a specific time for yourself to address distractions you can actually be more productive in the long run.

Library

How to Find the Right Journal for Your Research Paper

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Once you’ve completed the final draft of your research paper and have had it edited by a professional company, you need to find it a home. Choosing the right journal for your paper is a problem both novices and experienced researchers struggle with. One of the worst mistakes you can make for your work is publishing it in an unsuitable journal—and sending it to inappropriate outlets can also be a waste of your valuable time. But how do you know if a journal is suitable for your work? Keeping in mind things like the journal’s scope, restrictions on manuscript types or topics, and the journal’s impact factor can help you find the perfect publication for your paper.

Figure out a Journal’s Aims and Scopes

You can generally find information about a journal’s aims and scopes on its homepage. This section is typically labeled something along the lines of “About the Journal,” or “Full Aims and Scope.” Here, you can assess whether the journal is a good match for your research based on topic and criteria. Some journals have a broader scope than others. For example, the Clinical Cancer Research journal has a very narrow scope: its website states that the journal prioritizes laboratory and animal studies of new drugs and molecular targeted agents with the potential to lead to clinical trials. On the other hand, PLOS ONE accepts reports of original research from all disciplines within science and medicine. Sometimes journals will also clearly state what kind of research they do not publish in their aims and scope section.

Check for Similar Research Publications

Another great way to determine whether a journal is the right fit for your paper is to read through a couple of issues and see if you can find similar research articles to yours. One way you can do this is by searching for your paper’s keywords or title in the journal’s archives. A good rule of thumb is to see whether the journal has published 3–5 works in the last five years that are similar to your paper in terms of quality and scope. Finding published research that is similar to yours is a great sign that your research topic is of interest to a journal’s particular audience, which increases your chance of review.

Watch Out for Specific Restrictions

Before you consider submitting to any journal, you should always check the publication’s restrictions. Things like word count, type of paper, and cost of publication are all important aspects to consider before submitting your research for review. You can usually find out about a journal’s restrictions and requirements in the “Information for Authors” section of its website. Submitting a research paper that goes over the word count or is in the wrong format can mean immediate rejection.

Pay Attention to the Impact Factor

A journal’s impact factor serves as a way for authors to determine its quality and reputation. There has been some controversy when it comes to using the impact factor as the only measurement of a journal’s quality; this is because the impact factor is derived from a number of criteria, not all of which are necessarily relevant to the quality of the research the journal publishes. Nevertheless, it’s worth considering the impact factor in your search for an appropriate journal. Of course, it might be tempting to only submit to journals with high impact factors, but those with a lower number may be more appropriate, particularly for your first attempts at publication. Keep an open mind, and do your research to find a journal that fits your work.

 

Finding the perfect home for your research paper can take time and effort, but putting in this work can ultimately increase its chances of being published and reaching the right audience. It also saves time and rejection-heartache in the long run!