1st Edition
How to Publish in Biological Sciences A Guide for the Uninitiated
This book is a guide specifically for Early Career Researchers on how to publish in the Biological Sciences, whether that be your first manuscript or if you’re already experienced – there’s something for everyone.
Following on from How to Write a PhD in Biological Sciences: A Guide for the Uninitiated, it will guide you through taking your manuscript to publication in peer-reviewed journals and disseminating your research more broadly. It talks you through the peer-review process, including how to respond to reviewers’ comments, the meaning and importance of Impact Factors and how to get citations. It also explores the challenges in the academic community around Open Access and other debates, including transparency, overlay journals, paywalls, publication bias, predatory journals and the dangers of bullying.
Whether you are a student just completing your studies, or a supervisor struggling with rejections, this book will provide the insider information you need to get ahead.
Welcome
About the Author
Part I - Getting your manuscript ready for submission
Chapter 1 The transition from closed to open
Chapter 2 What is a scientific journal for?
Chapter 3 What is peer review?
Chapter 4 Transparency in publishing
Chapter 5 What can you publish?
Chapter 6 What is Impact Factor, and why is it so important?
Chapter 7 When should you be an author?
Chapter 8 Citations and metrics
Chapter 9 Growing your network
Chapter 10 Preprints
Part II - Submission, reviews and reviewing, revising and resubmitting
Chapter 11 Writing your cover letter
Chapter 12 Suggesting reviewers
Chapter 13 Choosing the right journal
Chapter 14 Open Access or a paywall for your manuscript?
Chapter 15 Submitting a paper to a journal for peer review
Chapter 16 Expectations of peer review?
Chapter 17 Receiving the editor’s decision
Chapter 18 Why should an editor read your submission?
Part III - Once your paper is published
Chapter 19 Now that your manuscript has been accepted
Chapter 20 Once your paper is accepted
Chapter 21 Writing a press release
Chapter 22 Why write a popular article?
Chapter 23 Altmetrics from traditional and social media
Part IV - Further challenges in academia
Chapter 24 Is Open Access good?
Chapter 25 How to conduct peer review
Chapter 26 The problems with peer review
Chapter 27 What are predatory journals?
Chapter 28 Why did some journals go behind paywalls?
Chapter 29 Are researchers writing more, and is more better?
Chapter 30 When should you correct or retract your paper?
Chapter 31 Are you bullying or being bullied?
Chapter 32 Keeping track of your mental health
Chapter 33 Habilitation, DSc and Tenure
Last Note
Bibliography
Biography
John Measey is Associate Professor of Biological Sciences at Stellenbosch Uni>versity. He has authored or co-authored more than 200 peer reviewed scientific papers and book chapters, and five books. He has been the Editor-in-Chief of an ISI journal for 9 years, and currently serves as Associate Editor for 4 other journals. He has graduated more than 20 postgraduate students, and his blog on writing and publishing in biological sciences is read by thousands globally. British born and educated, he lives and works in the beautiful Western Cape, South Africa.
