How to publish your first review paper (Step by step guide)

I am Kopal Khanna. A Microbiology graduate from Mumbai, India. How to Publish First Review Paper? this is a comment and genuine question faced by all students. But don’t worry.

I have learned and successfully published my first review paper in the International Journal. And now I am sharing everything that you need to publish your first review paper.

Let’s start

A review paper is a consolidated document that analyses and summarises previously published research work carried out on a particular subject topic, alongside providing constructive feedback and suggestions. It allows the reader to understand the problem and all its possible solutions in a convenient way.  

Why to write review paper?

The primary objective of writing a review paper is to summarize the available literature from various sources. To provide a possible solution to a problem in the area of research. There are numerous advantages of writing a review paper such as :

1. To create network 
2. Enhances the CV
3. Increase chances to get a job 
4. Helps strengthen the writing and research skills
5. Provides a superior understanding of the particular topic/subject
6. It helps identify patterns in existing research and suggests a new direction for research 
7. Applying for a Ph.D. program gets easier when your profile is backed by review papers/ articles
8. Develops the tendency of critical thinking 

How to select the topic?

Consider the following key points while selecting the topic.

• Relevance of the topic with the current circumstances. 
• What kind of problem is it addressing? 
• In case of availability of several review papers on the same or similar topic, the significance of another review paper will lessen. 
• The availability of research information and references. 

How to collect review paper material?

Once the topic is decided, the next step is collecting all the relevant research papers, articles, and books to begin with. 

You can search for research papers on :

1. Scopus
2. Google Scholar
3. ResearchGate
4. Science.gov
5. References from various Research papers

It is of vital importance to go through each and every piece of information twice or thrice in order to understand and interpret the data correctly. 

This is followed by the selection/highlighting of the required information from a pile of data. The most crucial step is the documentation of the particulars without modifying the facts. The incorporation of various tables, figures, or graphs makes the review paper interactive and easily understood.  

The basic structure of a Review Paper :

• Title and Author (s)
• Abstract 
• Keywords 
• Introduction 
• Literature review 
• Main body 
• Tables/ Figures/ Graphs
• Conclusion
• References 

Once the review paper is completed, the next important step is the selection of the journal to get the paper published. 

Journal Selection

The journal should be selected based on the following :  

• Journal standard/quality  
• If the review paper fits within the scope of the journal  
• Indexing status (It determines the higher quality of the journal in terms of better article discoverability, vast online presence, and publication of high-quality papers, as compared to other journals that are not indexed. To check if the journal is indexed, visit the official website of the journal OR confirm by checking the ISSN number of the journal on the official website of Scopus and clarivate analysis.)
• Impact factor (This number evaluates the rank of the journal based on the calculation of times its articles are cited. Journal with an impact factor of 10 or greater is considered excellent.)
• Time is taken for the paper to get published  
• Publication charges if any 
• If the journal comes under the UGC Care list of journals (Specific to India) 
• Peer-reviewed journals should be preferred  

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While framing the references it is important to follow the reference style which is instructed by the particular Journal. Follow the instructions carefully given for the authors on the Journal website and only after careful scrutiny, submit the manuscript.  

It is not necessary for the review paper to get approved and published in one go, so one should not get disheartened, instead work on the required changes and thrive to make the best of the given chance.  

I would like to conclude by saying that writing a review paper requires patience and highest level of discipline, focus, so trust the process and believe in yourself, be inquisitive and never be hesitant to work hard.  

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