How to Publish in Biological Sciences: A Guide for the Uninitiated

by John Measey

Overview

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.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781032116419
Publisher:	CRC Press
Publication date:	07/29/2022
Pages:	278
Product dimensions:	6.12(w) x 9.19(h) x (d)

About the Author

John Measey is Associate Professor of Biological Sciences at Stellenbosch University. 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.

Table of Contents

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

Editorial Reviews

Reviewer: January D Haile, Ph.D., Biochemistry (Centre College)
Description: This book discusses all aspects of publishing an article in a scientific journal. Readers will learn how to submit an article to a journal, what to expect once that article is submitted, and how to proceed when the article is accepted for publication. One of the important features of the book is the short chapters which enable readers to reference very specific aspects of publishing an article.
Purpose: The book's purpose is to serve as a reference that will enable individuals to better understand the publishing process. By helping readers understand the "black box of scientific publishing," the book intends to create a more open and transparent system. It provides excellent knowledge and context for researchers working to publish in scientific journals.
Audience: The book is intended for early career researchers. It targets research scientists in biological fields, but much of the knowledge can be applied across other disciplines. The book's specific purpose meets the needs its audience. The author does an excellent job of demystifying the publication process and providing important insights on the economics of scientific publishing. He has authored or co-authored over 200 peer-reviewed publications and has been an editor or associate editor for multiple journals. The author is more than qualified to help early career researchers understand the world of publishing in scientific journals.
Features: The book is organized into four parts: Getting Ready for Submission, Publishing Your Work, After Your Paper is Accepted, and Further Challenges in Academia. Readers can benefit from starting at various points in the book depending on their level of experience. The table of contents is very detailed and serves as an easy reference for readers to answer specific questions about the publishing process.
Assessment: This book is important as the scientific community works to become more transparent. The prose is concise, and the author shares some hard realities about the economics of scientific publishing. The book is also an important addition to the author's previous work: How to Write a PhD in Biological Sciences (Routledge, 2022).

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