GUIDE TO WRITING A JOURNAL ARTICLE

By SAGE publishers

* US$ 3,000 to publish an article via SAGE

1. Abstract
 -  do not just introduce the title/topic
 -  get the reader to have the interest
 -  use it as a tool to sell your article
 -  don't have an abstract that reads like a plan
 -  have a plan/structure
 -  shout out to the readers
 -  do not include footnotes/citations

2. Example of a good abstract
 -  why u embark on the project?
 -  a gap/debate/persistent social problem
 -  state why/what/how
 -  state your agruments
 -  state your recommendations

3. Why articles are rejected?
 -  too narrow/broad/poor structure/insignificant/dogmatic
 -  too defensive/not really original/too many spellings and grammatical errors
 -  NO ARGUMENT!!

4. 5 R's in Selecting journals:-
 -  Relevance - aims/scope
 -  Ranking on JCR
 -  Reputation of journal and editors
 -  Research the referencees
 -  Rejection rate

5. Query Letters to the Editors:-
 -  how many journals recieved per year?
 -  what is the turn around time?

6. Guidelines:-
 -  is the right reference?
 -  have you compelled with the word limit?
 -  past tense

*submit manuscript via SAGE track:- http://mc.manuscriptcentral.com/

WHAT DOES YOUR SUPERVISOR EXPECT FROM YOU?

by Dr. Vishalache Balakrishnan (PhD from Victoria University in Wellington, NZ)

- your research proposal is a good indicator that you are prepared for to uptake your PhD/MSc
- audit papers e.g. Research Methodology which can help you in your research
- attend conferences/seminars and share your work by presenting to experts in the field to get feedbacks/advices/suggestions to validate your work.

by Prof Datuk Dr. Abdul Rahman Idris (PhD from Manchester, UK)

- PhD is an acedemic pursuit
- there is a huge difference between the education system between the US and the UK.
- US-more opportunity to learn whereas in the UK more to apply and contribute

by Emeritus Prof Dato Dr Abu Bakar Nordin (PhD from USA)

- PhD is not solving the world's problem, but rather than looking at a world's problem from a tiny window. Must describe your window properly - that is called conceptualize framework
- present papers in seminars and conferences

Thesis Management (what the examiners look for during viva?):-
- thesis- hypothesis- to test whether to accept/reject?
- u want the readers to know your point
- managing the format (is given by most universities/institutions)
- contents - test - background of the theory
- from the background of the theory, produce a focul theory that is the sythesis of the thesis (an inverse pryamid)
- from the focul theory, churn the conceptualize framework.
- a theory explains and predicts
- data realibility and validity
- contribution - development

Tips given by Dr. Visha's supervisor:-
1. plan your chapters well - crucial
2. type in 500 words everyday - make it a habit to type in anything but not lesser than 500 words
3. virtual library -Endnote - extremely important to build your reference library
4. keep a good group of friends - who can cheer and keep you motivated when tides are rough
5. ethics & integrity - be honest as its your work, take pride in it! never plagiarize!!if youre good in language, you are at an advantage of rephrasing intelligently.
6. enjoy your journey!!! :)