Before we begin about the 09 points to crosscheck before submitting your paper, it is important for you to understand that the process of getting approved by the editorial of the journal can be tiresome. There can be issues starting from the formatting to pixels of the image. However, if the content of the paper is authentic and logically structured with an innovative approach, then you just need to crosscheck these 09 points before submitting your paper to the Journal.
Identify Target Journal
The publication of your paper in a Journal must suit the subject parameters of the Journal. You need to read the ‘About Page’ of the Journal to check if it fits your paper. While doing so, it is highly suggested that the target journal is highly prestigious and lays serious impact on the readers. The identification of the target journal is very important to get genuine readers.
For some journals, this process can take a month, whereas others can take up to 6 months. So, make your selection wisely.
Check Copyright Guidance
The next step is to go through all the rules and regulations related to Copyright guidance. The copyright regulations are meant to protect your rights as an author and to coordinate the process of availing permissions for using your article. This is a very sensitive step and violation of the same can bring rejection of your article. It also harms your reputation. Collect all the norms to attain license to publish your article.
No Plagiarism
The term plagiarism stands for stealing someone’s intellectual property. This can be either the idea or the words of another scholar without offering any recognition. Your paper must be original and there should not be anything copied or pasted from other intellectual materials. In order to make your paper free from plagiarism, it is important to follow the following steps in every draft of your paper-
Read Recent Submissions
In order to attain a fair knowledge about the kind of articles that the target journal accepts, it is always appropriate to read some of the recent publications. As you check through the recent articles, it is necessary to understand the core use of language, theme, concepts, and the format followed by the scholars. You need to confirm that your paper has been-
Get Permissions
Since, a well-written paper must be based on former research; in the process, it is obvious to quote the scholars. Necessary permissions as per the sources are mandatory for your paper. Taking written permissions for copyrighted images and videos is very necessary for your paper. Declaration of references adds authenticity to your article. You need to add the sources in the in-text citation as well as in the Reference List of the paper.
Writing Article
The process of writing your article demands a great amount of reading and relevant collection of information to justify your points. The process of writing a well-managed and coherent article must be crosschecked for the following points –
1. Write Main Body
Add Headings
Add subheadings
2. Write Title
Meet Journal's objectives
Concise, yet Comprehensive
3. Write Abstract
Right length
Appropriate keywords
4. Write Authorial Information
Add authors and contributors
Add affiliates
5. Write Acknowledgement Page
Mention copyright holders
Mention funding sources
6. Write Disclosure
Conflicts of Interest
No Conflicts of Interest
7. Write Appendices
Include lists & tables
Include diagrams & illustrations
8. Write References
Check in-text citations
Follow Citation style
Format as per Parameters
Some journals want the submitted paper in the file format of PDF, while others may prefer Word document. Some may ask for a Latex file, while others may prefer multiple copies. This is totally as per their individual choice of the Journal.
In terms of formatting line space, font size, spacing, are some of the core aspects that you need to fulfil as per the parameters of the respective Journal. The basic features to be checked in the formatting of your paper are-
Margin size
Page size
Font style
Font size
Paragraph breaks
Section breaks
Line spacing,
Alignments
Title style
Heading labels
Sub-heading labels
Heading style
Subheading style
Image formatting
Interestingly, some journals offer templates to the scholars. In that case, it is always preferable to use the prescribed template.
Proofread Drafts
The most effective way to submit an absolutely correct paper is to proofread it several times. This is definitely time taking, yet is worth the efforts. An error free paper attains much credibility by the author than a paper written hurriedly and with innumerable grammatical errors and typos. We would suggest that you crosscheck your paper in the following manner-
Submit Article
The process of submission begins with a final reading of the paper. After the final reading, confirm that all the criteria are met properly by your paper. Gather all the proofs of copyright and written approvals to attach it with the paper. Finally, write a cover letter and mention necessary information about yourself and your paper to the Editor of the Journal.