Publishing your research can seem overwhelming, whether it’s your first time or you’ve published many times before. The process involves several steps, including selecting the appropriate article format and journal, as well as engaging in peer review.

When publishing with Open Research Europe, our friendly and experienced editorial team is available to support authors throughout the entire process. In this blogpost, we’ve compiled seven tips and tricks to help you maximise your publishing experience.

Optimising your paper for acceptance

Choose the correct article type for your research

One of the first decisions you must make is the format in which you would like to publish your work. While traditional Research Articles often comprise most published work and are viewed as the peak of a research project, this outlook can diminish the importance of other article types. Additionally, not all research is appropriate for publication as a Research Article.

For example, new methods may be best represented in a Method Article, or innovative data or software may be best published as a Data Note or Software Tool Article. Therefore, understanding the various article types available is crucial for publishing your research effectively. At Open Research Europe, authors have the option to choose from 14 different article types, each tailored to support a specific stage of the research process.

Choose the most appropriate publishing venue

In addition to deciding on the article type, you must also choose the most suitable journal for your research. Sometimes, your selected article type influences this choice, since not every journal supports all formats. Other times, the decision should be based on the journal’s ethos and approach, ensuring it aligns with your values and priorities as a researcher.

While journal-level metrics like Journal Impact Factor have long been the deciding factor in choosing a journal, we would recommend looking beyond this and thinking about things like:

• Does the journal offer the level of editorial support you need?
• Does it operate editorial or research principles you wish to support, e.g. open access or open peer review?
• Does it support important elements of your research, e.g. the ability to publish large datasets?
• Does it comply with funder or institution requirements, e.g. mandated open access?
• Does it host studies of similar size or methodology?

Additionally, considering these factors before submitting your work can help you gauge the likelihood of your article being accepted by the journal, particularly whether similar content or studies have already been published.

Read all the article guidelines and journal policies thoroughly

Once you have decided on your article format and journal, it’s important to read the article guidelines and policies thoroughly. Every publishing venue is different, so it’s important to do your research to understand the specifics of your chosen journal.

Things to consider include:

• What are their article guidelines and publishing policies?
• What is the publishing process?
• What pre- and post-publication checks will you be required to meet, and how can you best prepare for those?

Open Research Europe, for example, has a set of prepublication checks to pass, and operates a post-publication peer review model. Reading the guidelines and journal policies in detail will save you time in revisions and resubmissions.

Peer Review

Be responsive to editors and develop good relations with the team

Once your paper has been accepted for publication, you’ll communicate with the publishing team at multiple stages of the process, from initial checks to proof reviews and queries. Responding promptly and providing comprehensive feedback are key to building positive relationships.

Additionally, it’s important to manage expectations with editors when delays may occur, to help avoid frustration or confusion on both sides. If there are likely to be lengthy delays, consider appointing a co-author who can arrange responses in your absence.

Be thorough in your responses to any feedback

When revising your paper following peer review, make sure to be thorough in your responses.

Address each point in turn and provide a complete response, including an explanation of any changes made to the paper in light of the comment.

This is especially important in open peer review, where peer review comments, reviewer names, and author responses are open.

By providing detailed responses, you can build relationships with both your reviewer and your readers, increase transparency, and boost the credibility of your work.

Feel empowered to say no

You do not always need to agree with your reviewers and should feel empowered to say no when appropriate. In these instances, you should provide a detailed response explaining why you disagree and use it as an opportunity to provide any further evidence or explanation that may support your response.

Reviewers may have expertise in this area, but there are always opportunities for learning on both sides.

Be prepared for multiple rounds of review

Finally, it’s important to be prepared for multiple rounds of review and revisions – don’t be disheartened by this, and instead see it as a learning opportunity to improve your knowledge and writing skills from experts in your field.

From supporting multiple article types to providing comprehensive editorial support and guidelines, Open Research Europe provides a reputable publishing venue for those looking to publish their latest European Union-funded research – at no cost to authors.

Learn more about the Open Research Europe review process, and if you’re ready we invite you to submit your research to the platform today.