Publishing Articles

FACILITATING THE PUBLICATION OF YOUR ARTICLE 

  • Is the text clear, concise and accessible?
  • Does the text conform to the recommended word limit?
  • Have you provided keywords to highlight the key points of your article?
  • Have you included the name and affiliation of all authors?
  • Is the text formatted according to the “instructions for authors”?
  • Are all references to the literature made throughout the article included in your bibliographic references?
  • Do you have written authorisation to use graphs and images?
  • Have you verified the peer-review policy of our journal, to ensure your article is anonymous?

 

INCREASING THE VISIBILITY OF YOUR ARTICLE

A significant number of research articles are published every year. Therefore, it is essential to make sure that others can find your work. As an author, there are a few steps you can take to make your research easier to find:

  • When submitting your article, you need to provide keywords. These will be used to index the article in Finisterra on-line and related search engines. Keywords are the labels of your text which will help others find your article quickly.
  • Reduce the number of keywords to ensure they are as precise as possible, and included in your title and summary (bear in mind that some search engines barely index them).
  • Once your article has been published, create a link to your electronic signature, your personal webpage and/or blog, social networks and your department's website; these steps will make it easier to find on search engines.
  • Register in ORCID. It will allow you to be identified in a unified registry, since all researchers need easy and unified access to datasets, equipment, journal articles, quotations, experiences, patents, media, etc.

 

WRITING AN ARTICLE FOR A SCIENTIFIC JOURNAL

Far-reaching articles generally have a focal point supported by scientific evidence clearly identified in the text.

Make sure that you have described your methodology and explained your approach; even though it may seem obvious to you, it may not be so for the reader. Do not forget to explain acronyms the first time they appear in the text.

Clarity is key: the transmission of your research must be accessible using clear language.

Be aware of other existing literature in your research field (andreference it!) If you cannot review all the relevant literature, do inform the reader about previous key work and how you are building your theory based on this.

Make use of relevant references: when you review the relevant literature take into consideration the current state of the art and pay attention to the origin of key concepts, methodologies, results, etc.

You may be building on an already-existing concept, but adding new content to it. Make sure that you do so in a convincing way and that you demonstrate understanding of the previous references.

Indicate the results obtained in a clear way, as well as potential weaknesses and possible improvements of the conceptual framework used.

 

WHAT YOU MUST KNOW AND EXPECT FROM FINISTERRA'S PEER-REVIEW PROCESS

Peer review follows a series of stages, starting from the submission of your article to Finisterra. During this first stage, the editor responsible for your text will decide whether it is appropriate for the journal, by asking questions such as:

  • Is the article relevant to this journal?
  • Has the author followed the journal's guidelines?
  • Will readers of the journal find it interesting and useful?

The editor can reject the article immediately, otherwise it will proceed to the next stage, that is, peer-review.

The editor will contact two or three other researchers from your field of expertise. They will be invited to read your article and advise the editor on its publication, revision or rejection.

What do reviewers search for?

It depends on the research area, but they will mainly verify the following: (i) it is an original and innovative article; (ii) the study design and methodology are adequate and described in a way that others may replicate them; (iii) results are presented in a clear and accurate way, (iv) conclusions are consistent, reliable and significant to the advancement of current knowledge; and (v) the work meets the high standards required by Finisterra's editorial policy.