Strategy in Publish the Appropriate International JournalsCahyorini Kusumawardani

A survey published by Scientific American indicated that in 1994 the contribution of Indonesian scientists and scholars to the body of world knowledge, science, and technology annually represents only 0,012%, which is far below Singapore which contributes 0,179%, and highly insignificant if compared to that of the US scientists and scholars which amount to over 20%.

Some observers stated that the efforts of Indonesian scientists and scholars to participate in advancing science and technology represented lost science in the third world. They acknowledged the voluminous work being done but unfortunately the results never reached their peers simply because they were being published in numerous periodicals that unfortunately never went beyond the fence of the publishing agencies.

A closer examination at the situation does indeed reveal that in general Indonesian scientific journals are

published in a very limited numbers (many only 300 copies per edition)

circulated only locally (and often privately) not subscribed by major libraries (not even in

Indonesia!) written in Indonesian (only recently being provided with

English abstracts) not being used by university lecturers as source of

teaching material haphazardly produced, managed, and edited ignored by the scientific world

Correlation between Country Productivity and Number of Publication and Citation (1997–2001)

Country Number of Number of GDP per capita

Publication Citation

India 77.201 118.481 487

Cina 115.339 341.519 989

Jerman 318.286 2.199.617 24.051

Jepang 336.858 1.852.271 31.407

USA 1.265.808 10.850.549 36.006

The evaluation of the scientific significance of one’s finding will be made easier by understanding the ‘position’ of the research results to be contributed in the following system of classification of science and technology achievement (in ascending order of importance): technology transfer, adaptation, innovation, invention, discovery

Transference of technology: the result of an activity which only represent the transfer of known production technique or knowledge to other location or situation, in order to widen their utilization (mainly in industry) or to improve their understanding, normally with necessary adjustment but without any meaningful contribution to the advancement of science and technology.

Research reports presented in partial fulfillment of the requirement for Sarjana degree is expected to be at least of this category.

Adaptation: Result of research or study undertaken by applying methods or approaches of known technological usefulness to other problems or objects, or undertaking similar research or study using different methods, approach, or angles, resulting in contributions with wider horizontal perspectives (but not in-depth in nature) in order to improve knowledge, science and technology. In rare occasions results of technological development and engineering activity undertaken in this way can be patented.

A master thesis should be based at least on results of an adaptive research or study.

Innovation: Results obtained from well planned research or study on complex problems, or applying significantly modified methodology or approach on unsolved problems or objects, so that the conclusions achieved will considerably contribute in advancing the frontier of science and technology. In many cases innovations developed during the course of the activity resulted in patents.

It is imperative that doctoral dissertations should produce innovative results, based on research and study especially aimed at satisfying the need and demand of the international audience of scientists and scholars

Invention: Systematic research activity and or in-depth study which significantly produce original results containing novelties which are really new to science and technology, or successful in creating novel and highly useful products previously much desired, or satisfactorily elucidate ambiguous phenomena or puzzling situations, or in launching important theories. As a rule, patents are granted to successful research, development, and engineering activity geared towards inventions.

The invention of cakar ayam foundation, the employment of conidiation in fungal taxonomy, plate tectonic theory, and the development of penicillin injection, are examples of research and study resulting in major invention.

Discovery: Research, study, or observations producing major discovery which elucidate the nature of things, phenomena, and concepts, and often with related grand theory of pioneering nature which significantly change the body of opinion globally.

Among the important discoveries which are worthy of Nobel Price should be mentioned those of penicillin by Ian Fleming, the structure of DNA by Watson and Crick, the evolution theory by Charles Darwin, and the grand theory of relativity by Einstein.

One can begin by identifying and classifying the content of the articles from the narrowest field of specialization in order to ascertain that it is suitable to the type of audience to be addressed:

the super-super spesialists the super specialist scientists the specialists or just generalist experts

Do not be too dishearten if the identification reaches the lowest mark, because it is possible that the data and information revealed by the research or study isof

interdiscipilnary cross sectoral or transdisciplinary

in nature. If it is inter- or transdiciplinary, then decide which sector has the highest potentials readers.

To be considered having an International merit, a journal should

accomodate articles written in one of the UN languages.

contain high quality original articles which contribute significantly to the advancement of the disciplin being much sought after by specialists all the world over

be managed openly by a team of editors from all over the world, and the mechanisms of blind review by the peer group system is used in screening, selecting, and evaluating articles to be accepted for inclusioan

has contributors that come from notable institutes in many countries having experts specializing in disciplin covered

has a global circulation because it is subscribed by specialized institutes from all over the world.

Specialized journals are published by scientific profesional associations of

international renown (such as the British Mycological Society, the American Chemical Society)

major publishing houses (like Elsevier Group, Cambridge University Press, Springer Verlag)

resarch institutions (such as Boyce Thomson Institute, Royal Botanic Gardens Kew, Rijksherbarium at Leyden)

It pays to join and become a member of a scientific profesional association because it will enable one to

receive regularly free scientific journal published by the society

submit article to be published in the society journal, often free of charge

establish networking and cooperative research venture with fellow members

keep up with the news about new development, scientific events and other related happenings as well as the progress of the specialized disciplin

Some important websites to brows for finding suitable major international journals:

Cambridge Univ. Press (UK): www.journals.cambridge.org

International Institute for Asian Studies: www.iias.nl Ingenta Environment (contains some 4500 journals): www.ingentaconnect.com Elsevier: www.sciencedirect.com Springer: www.springer.com Wiley Interscience: www.interscience.wiley.com Taylor & Francis: www.taylorandfrancis.com

After a journal has been chosen

study two or three latest issues or editions peruse carefully its instructions to contributing authors

(which may up to 64 pages long) find out if the journal also issues further instructions in

its website ensure that the instructions and all requirements are

fully understood to their minutest details read carefully four or five sample articles (preferably

ones closely related to topics being dealt with) and compare them closely them with the instructions to authors

When the style and format of the journal have been completely understood and mastered, then one may start preparing the draft article to be submitted. In doing so, ensure that every items (title, byline, abstract, punctuations, list of references etc.) are executed wholly in line with the instructions to authors issued by the journal.

It cannot be overemphasized thar in preparing the manuscript to be submitted, it is compulsary to follow the instruction to the authors very closely if one really wishes that the article be accepted by the journal. Small deviations may make the computer employed by the journal to scan incoming contributions to reject automatically the article being sent.

After completing and revising the first draft, it is not a bad idea ti hand it over––together with a copy of the instruction to authors––to one or two close associates to read and comment on it. Based on criticisms and suggestions received, revise the draft accordingly to prepare the final draft to be sent to the editor of the journal chosen.

After sending the draft to the appropriate address, take a rest, and wait patienly for the answer and respond from the editor(s) . . . and pray.

Upon receiving an answer, promtly respond to it accordingly (normally within a fortnight by post or within 48 hours by e-mail).

Indonesian editors often complain on the habit of Indonesian authors who generally are very slow or event reluctant to respond if asked to revise their draft as suggested by their peers.

Two small popular handbooks written in Indonesian are available

Mikrajudin Abdullah. 2004. Menembus Jurnal Ilmiah Nasional Internasional: Petunjuk Ringkas dari Penulisan Paper hingga Koreksi Proof. Jakarta: Gramedia Pustaka Utama. ix + 112 pp.

Zifirdaus Adnan & Indrawati Zifirdaus 2005. Merebut Hati Audiens Internasional: Strategi Ampuh Meraih Publikasi di Jurnal Ilmiah. Jakarta: Gramedia Pustaka Utama. xv + 136 pp.

Types of paper1. Original research papers (Regular Papers)2. Review articles3. Short Communications

Original research papers should report the results of original research. The material should not have been previously published elsewhere, except in a preliminary form.

Review articles should cover subjects falling within the scope of the journal which are of active current interest. They may be submitted or invited.

A Short Communication is a concise but complete description of a limited investigation, which will not be included in a later paper. Short Communications should be as completely documented, both by reference to the literature and description of the experimental procedures employed, as a regular paper. They should not occupy more than 6 printed pages (about 12 manuscript pages, including figures, tables and references).

Before you begin (1)

Ethics in PublishingFor information on Ethics in Publishing and Ethical guidelines for journal publication see http://www.elsevier.com/publishingethics and http://www.elsevier.com/ethicalguidelines.

Conflict of interestAll authors are requested to disclose any actual or potential conflict of interest including any financial, personal or other relationships with other people or organizations within three years of beginning the submitted work that could inappropriately influence, or be perceived to influence, their work. See also http://www.elsevier.com/conflictsofinterest.

Before you begin (2)

Submission declarationSubmission of an article implies that the work described has not been published previously (except in the form of an abstract or as part of a published lecture or academic thesis), that it is not under consideration for publication elsewhere, that its publication is approved by all authors and tacitly or explicitly by the responsible authorities where the work was carried out, and that, if accepted, it will not be published elsewhere including electronically in the same form, in English or in any other language, without the written consent of the copyright-holder.

Before you begin (3)

CopyrightUpon acceptance of an article, authors will be asked to complete a 'Journal Publishing Agreement' (for more information on this and copyright see http://www.elsevier.com/copyright). Acceptance of the agreement will ensure the widest possible dissemination of information. An e-mail will be sent to the corresponding author confirming receipt of the manuscript together with a 'Journal Publishing Agreement' form or a link to the online version of this agreement. Subscribers may reproduce tables of contents or prepare lists of articles including abstracts for internal circulation within their institutions. Permission of the Publisher is required for resale or distribution outside the institution and for all other derivative works, including compilations and translations (please consult http://www.elsevier.com/permissions). If excerpts from other copyrighted works are included, the author(s) must obtain written permission from the copyright owners and credit the source(s) in the article. Elsevier has preprinted forms for use by authors in these cases: please consult http://www.elsevier.com/permissions.

Before you begin (4)

Retained author rightsAs an author you (or your employer or institution) retain certain rights; for details you are referred to: http://www.elsevier.com/authorsrights.

Role of the funding source You are requested to identify who provided financial support for the conduct of the research and/or preparation of the article and to briefly describe the role of the sponsor(s), if any, in study design; in the collection, analysis and interpretation of data; in the writing of the report; and in the decision to submit the paper for publication. If the funding source(s) had no such involvement then this should be stated. Please see http://www.elsevier.com/funding.

Before you begin (5) Funding body agreements and policies

Elsevier has established agreements and developed policies to allow authors whose articles appear in journals published by Elsevier, to comply with potential manuscript archiving requirements as specified as conditions of their grant awards. To learn more about existing agreements and policies please visit http://www.elsevier.com/fundingbodies.

Language and language services Please write your text in good English (American or British usage is accepted, but not a mixture of these). Authors who require information about language editing and copyediting services pre- and post-submission please visit http://www.elsevier.com/languageediting or our customer support site at http://epsupport.elsevier.com for more information.

Before you begin (6) Submission

Submission to this journal proceeds totally online and you will be guided stepwise through the creation and uploading of your files. The system automatically converts source files to a single PDF file of the article, which is used in the peer-review process. Please note that even though manuscript source files are converted to PDF files at submission for the review process, these source files are needed for further processing after acceptance. All correspondence, including notification of the Editor's decision and requests for revision, takes place by e-mail removing the need for a paper trail.

Submit your article Please submit your article via http://ees.elsevier.com/still/

Before you begin (7)

Referees

Please submit, with the manuscript, the names, addresses and e-mail addresses of 4 potential referees.

Note that the editor retains the sole right to decide whether or not the suggested reviewers are used.

Preparation

Use of wordprocessing software It is important that the file be saved in the native format of the wordprocessor used. The text should be in single-column format. Keep the layout of the text as simple as possible. Most formatting codes will be removed and replaced on processing the article. In particular, do

not use the wordprocessor's options to justify text or to hyphenate words. However, do use bold face, italics, subscripts, superscripts etc.

Do not embed "graphically designed" equations or tables, but prepare these using the wordprocessor's facility.

When preparing tables, if you are using a table grid, use only one grid for each individual table and not a grid for each row. If no grid is used, use tabs, not spaces, to align columns.

The electronic text should be prepared in a way very similar to that of conventional manuscripts (see also the Guide to Publishing with Elsevier: http://www.elsevier.com/guidepublication).

Do not import the figures into the text file but, instead, indicate their approximate locations directly in the electronic text and on the manuscript. See also the section on Electronic illustrations.

To avoid unnecessary errors you are strongly advised to use the "spell-check" and "grammar-check" functions of your wordprocessor.

Introduction

State the objectives of the work and provide an adequate background, avoiding a detailed literature survey or a summary of the results.

Materials and Methods

Provide sufficient detail to allow the work to be reproduced.

Methods already published should be indicated by a reference: only relevant modifications should be described.

Results

Results should be clear and concise

Discussion

This should explore the significance of the results of the work, not repeat them.

A combined Results and Discussion section is often appropriate.

Avoid extensive citations and discussion of published literature.

Conclusions

The main conclusions of the study may be presented in a short Conclusions section, which may stand alone or form a subsection of a Discussion or Results and Discussion section.

Appendices

If there is more than one appendix, they should be identified as A, B, etc.

Formulae and equations in appendices should be given separate numbering: Eq. (A.1), Eq. (A.2), etc.; in a subsequent appendix, Eq. (B.1) and so on.

Essential title page information Title

Concise and informative. Titles are often used in information-retrieval systems. Avoid abbreviations and formulae where possible.

Author names and affiliationsWhere the family name may be ambiguous (e.g., a double name), please indicate this clearly. Present the authors' affiliation addresses (where the actual work was done) below the names. Indicate all affiliations with a lower-case superscript letter immediately after the author's name and in front of the appropriate address. Provide the full postal address of each affiliation, including the country name, and, if available, the e-mail address of each author.

Corresponding authorClearly indicate who will handle correspondence at all stages of refereeing and publication, also post-publication. Ensure that telephone and fax numbers (with country and area code) are provided in addition to the e-mail address and the complete postal address.

Present/permanent addressIf an author has moved since the work described in the article was done, or was visiting at the time, a "Present address" (or "Permanent address") may be indicated as a footnote to that author's name. The address at which the author actually did the work must be retained as the main, affiliation address. Superscript Arabic numerals are used for such footnotes.

Abstract

A concise and factual abstract is required. The abstract should state briefly the purpose of

the research, the principal results and major conclusions.

An abstract is often presented separately from the article, so it must be able to stand alone. For this reason, References should be avoided, but if essential, then cite the author(s) and year(s).

Also, non-standard or uncommon abbreviations should be avoided, but if essential they must be defined at their first mention in the abstract itself.

Abbreviations

Define abbreviations that are not standard in this field in a footnote to be placed on the first page of the article.

Such abbreviations that are unavoidable in the abstract must be defined at their first mention there, as well as in the footnote.

Ensure consistency of abbreviations throughout the article.

Acknowledgements

Collate acknowledgements in a separate section at the end of the article before the references and do not, therefore, include them on the title page, as a footnote to the title or otherwise.

List those individuals who provided help during the research (e.g., providing language help, writing assistance or proof reading the article, etc.).

ReferencesJournal abbreviations source

All citations in the text should refer to:

Journal names should be abbreviated according to Index Medicus journal abbreviations: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/tsd/serials/lji.html;

List of serial title word abbreviations: http://www.issn.org/2-22661-LTWA-online.php;

CAS (Chemical Abstracts Service): http://www.cas.org/sent.html.