How do I publish in a journal?

Mastering the journal publishing process is a vital skill for researchers. Once you have chosen a journal to submit to, there are several steps your paper goes through before it is published.

Before submitting, ensure your manuscript meets the journal’s author guidelines. These usually cover formatting, referencing, figures and data requirements. Check the journal’s website for details, as many provide templates and examples.

“When submitting to a journal, take care to eliminate anything that might distract reviewers from focusing on the ideas and content of your work. Put effort into presenting the strongest possible version of your manuscript, ensure it is proofread, and that the list of references is complete. It may seem minor, but such details can divert attention from your research, and that’s something you want to avoid.”

– Professor Julia Kotlarsky, Business School, Waipapa Taumata Rau, University of Auckland

An editor will review your manuscript for scope, quality and significance. Possible outcomes include:

• Acceptance without review – Rare and may signal a predatory publisher.
• Major or minor revisions – Common before acceptance.
• Rejection – Often an opportunity to revise and submit elsewhere.

Peer review is almost always part of the process.

Once your manuscript completes the editor’s initial check, it goes to experts in your field for review.

Types of peer review:

• Blind: Reviewer is anonymous
• Double-blind: Both parties are anonymous
• Transparent: Review report is published
• Open: Identities are known

Note: Peer‑review models are set by the journal, not selected by researchers. Blind reviews may require removing identifying details, adding time to the process.

Reviewers provide feedback and suggested changes, ranging from minor edits to major research updates. Address all comments professionally; you can challenge suggestions with strong reasoning.

"When it comes to peer review, I believe authors should know they can ask questions and push back if they believe a reviewer is wrong. There’s a common misconception that peer reviewers are always right, but that’s not the case – though we also have to consider if someone doesn’t 'get' something, perhaps we haven’t explained it as clearly as we needed to. Respectful disagreement is a valid and important part of the scholarly process that helps us produce better work.”

– Professor Virginia Braun, Psychology, Faculty of Science, Waipapa Taumata Rau, University of Auckland

Submit your revised manuscript with a response letter. The editor may:

• Reject your manuscript – If this happens, use the revisions and reviewer feedback to strengthen the paper before submitting it to another journal.
• Request another review – Common for major changes.
• Accept your manuscript – You can then deposit your accepted manuscript (AM) to the University repository for Open Access compliance.

Note: You can’t submit the same manuscript to multiple journals simultaneously; you must wait for a rejection before submitting elsewhere.

Publishing timelines vary widely. Fast-track articles may be published in as little as nine weeks, but most take 20 weeks or more, especially if major revisions are needed. In some fields, the process can take a year or longer.

Check your journal’s estimated turnaround times. If your research is urgent or time-sensitive, consider posting a preprint to share findings quickly.

Boost visibility and engagement by:

• Depositing your article and accepted manuscript in the University repository, ResearchSpace, for Open Access compliance
• Adding publications to ORCID and updating professional profiles with the DOI
• Sharing on social media and research networks; engage with comments for future collaborations
• Tracking your metrics to monitor impact