Step 1: Select an appropriate journal

This is an important decision as it will affect the impact your article has. Shortlist possible journals and go through recent issues. If you are publishing for NMC approved promotion in a Medical College, check the latest indexing requirements and ensure that the journal you select has the required indexing. Start with journals which you are familiar with, discuss with mentors or stalwarts in your field who can guide you.

If it is your first publication, be realistic, it is rare for a first time author to be published in the top journals.

There are numerous advantages to choosing the journal prior to writing your paper. You will know exactly what format will be accepted and can follow their instructions easily. This will eliminate unnecessary rewrites. You can keep an appropriate example already published in that journal and use it as a template.

Step 2: Write up your paper

Most journals have clear instructions to authors, read these carefully and go through the editoral policies. It is easier to write the papers in their logical order.

Start with a brief introduction, stating the problem and paucity of literature. After reading the introduction, the reader should understand why you chose to do the study.

Aims and objectives should be brief, specific and measurable.

• Materials and methods

  While writing this section, think of a novice researcher who would like to replicate the study and put down what they would need to know. How did you select the participants. Specify the equipment used including the model number etc. Include pertinent details about statistical analysis.

• Review of literature

  Read at least 15-20 articles on the topic you are writing about. Write a brief review in your own words discussing what is already known about the subject. Cite recent articles on the topic and discuss their conclusions. Elaborate any ‘knowledge gaps’, discuss controversies and differing conclusions.

• Results

  Start with a paragraph about the demographic details. Write the results in brief, be sure to add p values, if available, to add strength to your paper. Add tables wherever appropriate. There is no need to discuss your results, just state the finding of your study.

• Discussion

  Start with the demographic details. If there were sub groups, were the groups comparable? Give possible reasons for any deviations eg if there were more males in your study give possible reasons.

• Discuss the results of your study , giving more words for the important results. Explain whether they are statistically significant. Compare you results with other similar studies, explain why your results are similar and possible reasons for any differences.

  Implications of your study can be discussed, along with short comings and suggestions for future studies.

• Conclusion

  Please write the conclusion of your study, try not to add facts which are already known, unless they are the result of your study. Make sure your conclusion addresses the aims you had given at the beginning of the paper.

• References

  Try to add recent articles, make sure you have numbered them in the order they appear in your article. At least 15 articles should be listed in Vancouver style.

Write a short abstract which gives the salient features of your study.

Come up with a catchy title which uses your keywords, so that your study will show up in search engines! Congratulations, if you have followed all these steps your article is ready to submit for publishing.

All the best in your career as an author. Please feel free to contact us with any doubts you may still have!