Answered By: Laurissa Gann Last Updated: Apr 23, 2026 Views: 62
Answered By: Laurissa Gann
Last Updated: Apr 23, 2026 Views: 62
Follow these steps to get started with publishing in a scientific journal. If you have any questions, contact the Research Medical Library.
Planning and Organizing — Before You Write
Gather a Team
Meet with co-authors to determine roles. Identify additional collaborators including a biostatistician, librarian, and editor. Check in with authors and collaborators along the way.
Develop a Manuscript Proposal
Create a proposal and timeline based on the type of article you will be writing. A case report takes significantly less time than a systematic review.
Create a Data Management Plan
Depending on the type of research you are conducting, you may be required to create a data management plan. Learn more about data management plans.
Organize and Track Your Work
Use the Electronic Lab Notebook (ELN) to manage your lab notes, clinical data, and literature from the beginning. Keep a list of experiments, interventions, and articles that will be referenced in the manuscript.
Define Your Hypothesis or Purpose Statement
Write out the hypothesis or purpose statement.
Search the Literature and Track Citations
Search methodology varies depending on the type of article you are writing. Consult with a librarian for help. Keep track of your citations in one place (such as EndNote or Excel). Get help from a librarian.
Extract and Analyze Data
If you are reviewing data from other studies, select articles using the inclusion/exclusion criteria agreed on by co-authors. Meet with a statistician to review your analysis for accuracy.
Review Reporting Guidelines
Review reporting guidelines for your study type (for example, CONSORT for clinical trials, STROBE for observational studies, PRISMA for systematic reviews). Ask a librarian about guidelines.
Choose a Journal
Choose a journal that will accept the type of manuscript you are writing. There are many factors to consider including impact factor, time constraints, and copyright license options.
Writing and Editing Your Paper
Review Journal Guidelines
Familiarize yourself with the journal's policies on formatting, tone, reference style, and other requirements.
Create Figures and Tables
Create figures and tables and write legends. Review the tables for clarity with your co-authors and statistician.
Write the Title Page and Acknowledgements
Create a title that will be easy to search in a database. Be sure to acknowledge all contributors, including participating librarians and editors.
Write the Manuscript
Write the literature review (if required), methods, results, discussion, and conclusions.
Write the Abstract
The abstract should conform to the journal's format and word limit. Include terms that make it easily findable in databases like PubMed.
Cite Literature Appropriately
Cite references in the text and the bibliography according to the journal's requirements.
- Get help from our EndNote guide, classes, or librarians.
Cross-Check the Data
Data should be consistent in the paper. Cross-check the data in the abstract, text, figures, and tables.
Obtain Written Permission
Obtain written permission to use any previously published (copyrighted) material, such as figures and tables. Written permission is also required when citing others' unpublished data.
Review Your Draft
Ask co-authors and/or a colleague to review your draft and offer edits. This may need to happen more than once during the writing process.
Send Manuscript to Library Editors
Scientific editors will review your manuscript for clarity, content, grammar, and punctuation. Email your manuscript to RML-Editing@mdanderson.org.
Review the Final Draft
Ensure that all co-authors review the final draft, including figures and tables. Inform all co-authors of any changes made to the final draft.
Submitting and Revising Your Paper
Prepare Submission Materials
Prepare the cover letter, manuscript, figures, and suggestions for reviewers.
Acknowledge All Funding
NIH funding guidelines require authors to cite NIH funds in peer-reviewed publications. This means citing appropriate funds in the manuscript as well as including funding information during the manuscript submission process.
Review Copyright Agreements
Most journals require a copyright transfer agreement. Confirm with all co-authors which copyright license you will choose during the manuscript submission process. NIH-funded papers require immediate deposit to PubMed Central.
Include Conflict of Interest Information
Include any potential conflict of interest information in the manuscript and when submitting to the publisher.
Submit Your Manuscript
Publishers use a variety of systems to accept manuscripts. Include all funding information in the manuscript submission system to comply with the NIH Public Access Policy.
Communicate Negotiations with Co-Authors
Negotiations about the manuscript or its publication should be communicated to all co-authors.
Address Reviewers' Comments
Authors must respond to comments from peer reviewers and the journal's editor. Authors are often asked to submit a cover letter and detailed response.
Resubmit the Revised Manuscript
Once all comments are addressed and agreed upon by the co-authors and journal, resubmit the revised manuscript.
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