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ScholarPermalink Reply by Siddhartha Shankar Ray on November 2, 2011 at 21:03

 

 

Dear Sri Lalit Kumar,

 

Thanks for your post.

I presume your queries are (a) How to write a research paper and (b) How to publish (the paper) in a Journal

According to my knowledge, you can consult the book How to Write and Publish a Scientific Paper by Robert A. Day It is originally published by ISI Press but presently it is a Cambridge University Press Book and Indian Edition should be available. This book will enable you to understand many important tit-bits of writing articles. Of course there are several other books on Research Methodology and Scientific writing. If you consult Trade Catalogues especially of Leading India based International Publishers, you will see plenty of such books. I mentioned the book by Prof. Day as I personally found it extremely handy and useful. I referred the book to many Budding Scientists when I worked as In-Charge of Library in a leading National Biomedical Research Institute and I know from their feedback that they too were extremely impressed with the book.

 

What I have written above are basically theoretical inputs. But coming into practice, you need to  (a) identify the topic and in most cases ( and probably in ideal cases!) the topic or issue bubbles on to your own mind. If it is so,  all you need is to analyze the issue from your point of view and at the same time you must be able to analyze the same issue from others' points of views as well. (Then Discuss them and write inference!)  As for example, say, a topic like subscription of journals.in a Library. It has three components for analysis:(i) from Libraries; (ii) from the users and (iii) from the suppliers. Each group has their own perspectives, in case you focus it from the Library's component, you can certainly do so and elaborately but you must keep your mind open for the other two components. In case your article focus the other two components (albeit briefly) along with that of yours, it will be total paper as you did justice to other two components. Otherwise your analysis might be stamped as a biased opinion !!

I hope I could explain the first part of your query.

 

The second part of your query is how to publish it in a journal? well, Many journals have their specific focus while there are many more those accommodate multiple issues. You have to select the journal according to your choice on the basis of the nature and types of your article. However, in case you are a beginner you better choose a soft journal;  that is, those where young professionals usually write. Unbiased Peer Conceptions or Peer Opinions are often found to be helpful  in selecting the journals . However, if you feel that you have addressed a highly technical issue, or a very novel issue of international concern/esteem , you can very well choose a pertinent high ranking journal as well. It all depends upon the quality of the thought content of your article and importance of the issue you have addressed.

 

I believe that I could explain  the second part of your query as well.

 

Wish you good luck for your writing endevour.

 

Siddhartha S. Ray, Calcutta

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