Ever wondered how to turn your thesis into a journal article? Whether you've strategically planned your thesis with publication in mind or you're looking to repurpose your completed work, this post will equip you with the knowledge and strategies to successfully navigate the publication process.
Step 1: Plan Your Article
The first step is to work closely with your supervisor to identify the most compelling aspects of your thesis. What is the core message you want to convey? Is it a groundbreaking theory, a novel methodology, or groundbreaking findings? Once you've identified your central message, you need to determine the best format for your article. Will it be a research article, a position paper, or a review?
Consider what sets your research apart. What unique contribution does it make to the field? By clearly articulating your article's unique selling points, you can tailor your writing to appeal to the specific audience of your target journal.
Step 2: Select the Right Journal
- Examine the journals where influential authors in your field have published. These journals are likely to be interested in similar research.
- Find relevant journals by searching Primo.
- Publish open access. Either deposit a copy of your accepted manuscript in your institutional repository (Pure/AURA) or find a journal offering open access with the costs covered by one of the University’s Open Access Agreements.
Step 3: Narrow Down Your Journal Choice
Now that you have a list of potential journals, it's time to narrow down your choices.
- Review the Journal's Aims and Scope. Ensure that your research aligns with the journal's thematic focus and that your article fits within the journal's guidelines.
- Skim through recent issues of the journal to get a sense of the types of articles they publish. Look for articles similar to yours in terms of topic, methodology, and theoretical framework. This will help you assess the fit between your research and the journal's audience.
- Different journals have different peer review processes. Some use single-blind review, while others use double-blind or open review. Understanding the peer review process can help you tailor your manuscript to the specific requirements of the journal.
- Before submitting your article, it's important to understand the journal's copyright and licensing policies. Ensure that your thesis does not violate the journal's policies on prior publication. Additionally, review the licensing terms to determine what rights you retain after publication.
- Evaluate your chosen journal using the Think. Check. Submit. checklist.
By carefully considering these factors, you can select the best journal for your research and increase your chances of a successful submission.
Step 4: Write Your Journal Article
Once you've selected a suitable journal, it's time to start writing your article.
- Follow the journal's author guidelines. This includes formatting, citation style, and word limits.
- While your thesis may follow a different structure, most journal articles adhere to the IMRaD format: Introduction, Methods, Results, and Discussion. Adapt your thesis to fit this structure, focusing on the key findings and their implications.
- Consider the journal's target audience. Adjust your writing style to be clear, concise, and engaging. Avoid jargon and technical terms that may not be familiar to all readers.
- Think like a reviewer. Consider the key criteria reviewers typically look for, such as originality, methodology, clarity of results, and interpretation. Address these points explicitly in your manuscript.
- Before submitting your article, seek feedback from your supervisor, colleagues, and peers. A fresh pair of eyes can help identify errors, inconsistencies, and areas for improvement.
By following these steps, you can create a well-structured, well-written, and publication-ready journal article.
Some publisher resources on converting your thesis into an article:
- Adapting a Dissertation or Thesis Into a Journal Articleby APA
- Eight top tips to help you turn your PhD thesis into an articleby Elsevier
- Extracting a journal article from your thesisby Taylor & Francis
Contact the Open Research Team if you have any questions along the way!
