My first attempt at scientific publication

    First attempt at publishing my research findings was around 2005.  Truthfully, I was not the one that initiated the process but my undergraduate project  supervisor. she did her best to push me to produce a publishable manuscript from my undergraduate thesis but I was not able, probably because of lack of interest then or can I say lack of understanding of importance of scientific publications.

  My second attempt was after my M. Sc. degree, I had moved from Teaching Hospital where I was working as a Medical Laboratory Scientist to a full faculty member at a University as an assistant lecturer. As a young academic/researcher, I was eager to have my work published in a reputable Journal, not just local but  foreign journal !!  I guess that you can agree with me that, that was a tall dream.

  I set out to put my research work in a publishable mode but because I lacked patience, training, guidance and mentoring  in act of  scientific publications, I sent the whole result of my M.Sc. thesis to a foreign Journal. I congratulated myself on a work well done but your guess is as good as mine. Yes, the reviewers did not pity me, they dissected the manuscript and of course,  the publication was politely declined. But something good came out of this failed attempt.

 First the reviewers gave me point by point reasons why the manuscript would not be accepted for publication. I was really disappointed by the rejection  but the reviewers comment gave me hope. The key point that the reviewers made was that  my manuscript lacked focus, they emphasized that each publication must have a point that it is addressing, a particular message you want the audience to comprehend. You should not send out  all the information from your research in a single publication otherwise you may confuse your readers. Putting the reviewers comments into consideration, I ended up producing three manuscripts out of the original one and then successfully published them in reputable journals both local and foreign.

I want to also mention that I approached a very senior colleague for guidance and mentoring in act of scientific publication. Suffice it to say that I ended up publishing my first degree research work with her ( the power of mentoring).

Popular adage says experience is the best teacher.

Yes, but I want to add that to get to your destination faster with less complication, you need a mentor.

Have you ever tried to publish your research findings in a reputable Journal?

What happened ?

Were you successful at first attempt?

Will you mind sharing your experience with us?