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Conclusions and Reflection Topic

Once you have completed your field work and data collection, you will have to draw conclusions from what you have found, reflect on what those conclusions mean and finish writing your dissertation or thesis. The learning units in this topic will help you to both form conclusions from your findings and to explain them, as well as covering issues such as effective writing and presentation, defending your thesis in viva voce examinations, and thinking about what you might want to do after you have finished your research.
Conclusions and reflection > Writing for publication > Obtaining author guidelines

Obtaining author guidelines

Examples of journalsBefore you start to write, get a copy of the section entitled "Guidelines for authors/contributors" which should be available within the journal, or on the journal's online home page. Read the author guidelines carefully and look out for format requirements such as:

  • the maximum word count
  • how many references can be used
  • is there a particular way to report your study?
  • what format do any images have to be in? Are the number of images limited?

It is important to also consider that you will be submitting your final version of the paper. You will most likely have the opportunity to check through the manuscript for spelling mistakes but you will not be able to make any other changes without incurring significant charges and delay in publication.

You must also ensure that you comply exactly with the formatting aspects of the guidelines to ensure that your paper is not returned without consideration.

Some likely formatting aspects

  • The structure of the paper.
  • The style of the abstract.
  • The paper should be typed or word processed and possibly submitted electronically.
  • The text should be spaced to a specified distance and the margins a certain size.
  • A specific word count may apply to the whole paper and also to the abstract. You may be required to state the word count upon submission.
  • You may be asked to select some key words - these will be used by others to search for your article so choose them carefully!
  • Follow the guidelines regarding any tables, photographs and charts that you wish to include. There may be a limit on the number you can include as well as formatting guidelines. Sometimes there are limits on the number of colour images. Consider whether you also need to gain copyright permission for any images used.
  • A specific style of referencing may be required.
  • Information regarding the authors such as; posts, qualifications, addresses and email addresses. It is also usual to elect one of the authors as a point of contact for any correspondence.
  • Summary Boxes. Some journals will require you to provide a few summarising sentences detailing what is already known about the topic and what the paper contributes to this knowledge. This information will appear in a box within the text of your paper so that it is distinguished from the rest of the text.

Take a few moments to look through the links below, which will take you to the author guidelines for several journals. You will notice there are some significant differences in the requirements of each journal and in particular that some of the guidelines are much more detailed than others.

Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Royal Society of Chemistry
Electronic Journal of E-Learning
Therapy Today

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