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What goes in the cover letter

What goes in the cover letter. Sue Silver. Zhejiang University, Hangzhou – 15/16 December 2008. How to get published. What goes in a cover letter?. No cover letter A brief note A short letter A long letter. Zhejiang University, Hangzhou – 15/16 December 2008. How to get published.

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What goes in the cover letter

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  1. What goes in the cover letter Sue Silver Zhejiang University, Hangzhou – 15/16 December 2008 How to get published

  2. What goes in a cover letter? • No cover letter • A brief note • A short letter • A long letter Zhejiang University, Hangzhou – 15/16 December 2008 How to get published

  3. What goes in a cover letter? • Basic information • Title • Names of all authors • Contact information for corresponding author • The correct journal name! Zhejiang University, Hangzhou – 15/16 December 2008 How to get published

  4. What goes in a cover letter? • Scientific information • Background (workshop, interdisciplinary collaboration) • Scientific background information (short) • Explanation of article contents (short) • What is new • Why it is important • Why this journal? • Why now? Zhejiang University, Hangzhou – 15/16 December 2008 How to get published

  5. What goes in a cover letter? This manuscript is the product of a workshop which took place at the ESA’s meeting in Merida, Mexico, “Ecology in an Era of Globalization”…. Zhejiang University, Hangzhou – 15/16 December 2008 How to get published

  6. What goes in a cover letter? • Scientific information • Background (workshop, interdisciplinary collaboration) • Scientific background information (short) • Explanation of article contents (short) • What is new • Why it is important • Why this journal? • Why now? Zhejiang University, Hangzhou – 15/16 December 2008 How to get published

  7. What goes in a cover letter? In this manuscript we attempt to explain why, although the ecological processes that create treeline patterns across western North America are mechanistically similar, and are linked to climate, actual patterns differ greatly. We discuss what this means in terms of treeline response to climate change. Zhejiang University, Hangzhou – 15/16 December 2008 How to get published

  8. What goes in a cover letter? • Scientific information • Background (workshop, interdisciplinary collaboration) • Scientific background information (short) • Explanation of article contents (short) • What is new • Why it is important • Why this journal? • Why now? Zhejiang University, Hangzhou – 15/16 December 2008 How to get published

  9. What goes in a cover letter? Charcoal is generated in all biomass burning events and is one of the only legacies of forest fire. However, to date, it has received very little scientific attention. In this manuscript, we summarize the existing literature on charcoal deposition, ecological function, and storage in forest ecosystems. We alsoprovide an analysis of how forest management influences charcoal formation and discuss the implications for long-term carbon storage in forest ecosystems of the Rocky Mountain region. Zhejiang University, Hangzhou – 15/16 December 2008 How to get published

  10. What goes in a cover letter? • Scientific information • Background (workshop, interdisciplinary collaboration) • Scientific background information (short) • Explanation of article contents (short) • What is new • Why it is important • Why this journal? • Why now? Zhejiang University, Hangzhou – 15/16 December 2008 How to get published

  11. What goes in a cover letter? Our findings (on dramatic increases in nitrogen and phosphorus in freshwater ecosystems) have direct implications for stream management and restoration….. Zhejiang University, Hangzhou – 15/16 December 2008 How to get published

  12. What goes in a cover letter? • Scientific information • Background (workshop, interdisciplinary collaboration) • Scientific background information (short) • Explanation of article contents (short) • What is new • Why it is important • Why this journal? • Why now? Zhejiang University, Hangzhou – 15/16 December 2008 How to get published

  13. What goes in a cover letter? These findings should be of great interest to both applied scientists and policy makers. We therefore believe Frontiers would be the ideal forum to highlight these new insights. Zhejiang University, Hangzhou – 15/16 December 2008 How to get published

  14. What goes in a cover letter? • Scientific information • Background (workshop, interdisciplinary collaboration) • Scientific background information (short) • Explanation of article contents (short) • What is new • Why it is important • Why this journal? • Why now? Zhejiang University, Hangzhou – 15/16 December 2008 How to get published

  15. What goes in a cover letter? We think this is timely and of broad interest because of the recent discovery of quagga mussels in Lake Mead, MV, which has lead to a lot of management-related initiatives. Zhejiang University, Hangzhou – 15/16 December 2008 How to get published

  16. What goes in a cover letter? • Ethical information • Declare conflicts of interest • Assure Editor that the rules have been followed (study Instructions to Authors) • Contribution of each author • Mention peer reviewers who should or should • not be approached Zhejiang University, Hangzhou – 15/16 December 2008 How to get published

  17. What goes in a cover letter? Author of a paper criticizing the UN Convention on Desertification: I would like to take this opportunity to mention a possible conflict of interest. I undertook some consultancy work for the UN Convention on Desertification and did discuss some ideas with people there, regarding the political feasibility of the initiatives proposed in this paper…. Zhejiang University, Hangzhou – 15/16 December 2008 How to get published

  18. What goes in a cover letter? • Ethical information • Declare conflicts of interest • Assure Editor that the rules have been followed (study Instructions to Authors) • Contribution of each author • Mention peer reviewers who should or should • not be approached Zhejiang University, Hangzhou – 15/16 December 2008 How to get published

  19. What goes in a cover letter? All the authors have seen and approved the final version of this manuscript. (Useful) The text is just under 3500 words in length, as mentioned in the Instructions to Authors. (Not necessary) Zhejiang University, Hangzhou – 15/16 December 2008 How to get published

  20. What goes in a cover letter? • Ethical information • Declare conflicts of interest • Assure Editor that the rules have been followed (study Instructions to Authors) • Contribution of each author • Mention peer reviewers who should or should • not be approached Zhejiang University, Hangzhou – 15/16 December 2008 How to get published

  21. Dos and DON’Ts of manuscript submission Sue Silver Zhejiang University, Hangzhou – 15/16 December 2008 How to get published

  22. Submitting your manuscript • Three important things to remember • FIND the Instructions to Authors • READ the Instructions to Authors • FOLLOW the Instructions to Authors Zhejiang University, Hangzhou – 15/16 December 2008 How to get published

  23. Submitting your manuscript • Before submission, DO • Identify the main audiences • Find out if there are page charges or color charges • Examine a copy (or online version) of the journal • Find out how to submit the manuscript and in what • format • Use low resolution illustrations for peer review • Provide high resolution versions for publication Zhejiang University, Hangzhou – 15/16 December 2008 How to get published

  24. Submitting your manuscript • Before submission, DO • Send all figures and tables mentioned in the text • Check that all citations appear in both the text and the reference section • Check that all citations are correct • Check that any internet links are still live • Ask for a sample issue Zhejiang University, Hangzhou – 15/16 December 2008 How to get published

  25. Submitting your manuscript When writing the manuscript, DO • Follow the instructions on writing style • Avoid jargon and specialist terminology (where absolutely necessary, define/explain when first used) • Spell out acronyms when first used, then use only the acronym Zhejiang University, Hangzhou – 15/16 December 2008 How to get published

  26. Submitting your manuscript • Before submission, DON’T • Send the manuscript to more than one journal at the same time • Send a research communication to a review-only journal or an essay to a primary research journal • Ignore the upper word limit and requested number of references Zhejiang University, Hangzhou – 15/16 December 2008 How to get published

  27. Submitting your manuscript • When resubmitting to another journal following rejection, DON’T • Leave the references in the style for the previous journal • Send the same ms – follow Instructions to Authors of new journal Zhejiang University, Hangzhou – 15/16 December 2008 How to get published

  28. Submitting your manuscript • When preparing photos and graphics, DO • Provide low resolution versions for peer review • Provide high resolution versions for printing (study Instructions to Authors for details) • Get permission from the publisher before reproducing a previously printed illustration • Acknowledge source of each photo or graph that is not your own • DON’T scan photos/illustrations from other printed material Zhejiang University, Hangzhou – 15/16 December 2008 How to get published

  29. Perspectives on Peer Review: As an Author and Peer Reviewer Laura A. Meyerson Zhejiang University, Hangzhou – 15/16 December 2008 How to get published

  30. What is peer review? • Peer review is the process by which manuscripts submitted to scientifically oriented journals are evaluated by experts in the appropriate fields to determine if the manuscripts are of adequate quality for publication. • Reviewers are usually anonymous to the authors. • A “Peer Review Journal” is a scholarly journal which requires that each article submitted for publication be judged by an independent panel of experts. Zhejiang University, Hangzhou – 15/16 December 2008 How to get published

  31. What is the purpose of peer review? • Peer review is important to achieve clear, precise writing. • Peer comments should give you feedback on the quality and clarity of your ideas and approaches. • Ensures that your work meets scientific standards and the standards of the journal. Zhejiang University, Hangzhou – 15/16 December 2008 How to get published

  32. What are the benefits of Peer review for my papers? • An opportunity to have my work judged by colleagues. • A chance to receive valuable input on my work. • An opportunity to improve my paper and incorporate perspectives that I have not previously considered. • Improve my writing style. Zhejiang University, Hangzhou – 15/16 December 2008 How to get published

  33. What are the downsides of peer review? • Negative feedback • Frustration • Reviewers can sometimes “miss your point” • Paper may be rejected Zhejiang University, Hangzhou – 15/16 December 2008 How to get published

  34. How do I approach a paper that I am reviewing? • Make sure I have enough time to dedicate: • depending on the paper 4-8 hours • Make sure that I have enough expertise on the topic of the paper • If I am unsure, I contact the Editor. • Focus on those aspects of the paper that I know well. • Make sure that I have no conflict of interest or other ethical issues: • Close relationship with the author(s). • Competition that would be affected by the publication / rejection of the paper. • Follow the reviewing directions provided by the journal • These are usually very specific • Comments for the Authors • Private comments for the Editor Zhejiang University, Hangzhou – 15/16 December 2008 How to get published

  35. How do I approach a paper that I am reviewing? • Keep my comments constructive: • Criticism is fine, but it should be framed in a way that offers the author(s) suggestions for improvement: • Instead of “The approach the authors take in their analysis is out of date and completely wrong.” you could say, • “The authors would strengthen their paper and results by conducting an alternative analysis. For example, the approach employed by Hu and colleagues (2007).” Zhejiang University, Hangzhou – 15/16 December 2008 How to get published

  36. Why do I perform peer review? • My duty as a member of the scientific community: • If I want my papers reviewed and published, I must perform the same service for others. • Opportunity to see who is publishing what in my field • But remember, all manuscripts sent to you as a reviewer are confidential! Zhejiang University, Hangzhou – 15/16 December 2008 How to get published

  37. Why do I perform peer review? • Opportunity to dissect papers and think carefully about what makes a really good paper and what makes a bad paper. • This improves my own writing. • Increases my knowledge of the journals that I am reviewing for. • Credit from my university for performing this service to the scientific community. Zhejiang University, Hangzhou – 15/16 December 2008 How to get published

  38. Who does what in peer review Sue Silver Zhejiang University, Hangzhou – 15/16 December 2008 How to get published

  39. Who does what in Peer Review? ? Manuscript Decision Zhejiang University, Hangzhou – 15/16 December 2008 How to get published

  40. Who does what in Peer Review • The purpose of peer review is to make sure that a paper is: • scientifically correct • new information • right for the journal Zhejiang University, Hangzhou – 15/16 December 2008 How to get published

  41. Who does what in Peer Review Publisher Editor in Chief Assistant or “Senior” Editors (staff) Associate Editors Peer reviewers (referees) Zhejiang University, Hangzhou – 15/16 December 2008 How to get published

  42. Who does what in Peer Review • The Publisher • Sets the topic, the readership, and the aims of the journal • Provides the money • Hires staff and provides working space Zhejiang University, Hangzhou – 15/16 December 2008 How to get published

  43. Who does what in Peer Review Editor in Chief • Responsible for the overall content of the journal • Makes final decisions about accepting or rejecting papers • Chooses Associate Editors • Considers appeals Zhejiang University, Hangzhou – 15/16 December 2008 How to get published

  44. Who does what in Peer Review • Assistant Editors • Responsible for keeping manuscripts moving through peer review • After acceptance, responsible for keeping manuscripts moving through production • Senior Editors can also make final decisions about accepting or rejecting papers • Respond to questions Zhejiang University, Hangzhou – 15/16 December 2008 How to get published

  45. Who does what in Peer Review • Associate Editors • Give expert advice in their specialty • Read manuscripts • Choose peer reviewers • Read reports and make recommendations OR • Make decisions • Suggest ideas for papers to commission Zhejiang University, Hangzhou – 15/16 December 2008 How to get published

  46. Who does what in Peer Review • Peer reviewers • Read papers in their area of expertise • Write detailed, constructive reports • Make recommendations Zhejiang University, Hangzhou – 15/16 December 2008 How to get published

  47. Who does what in Peer Review Peer Reviewers usually DON’T • get a reward for their work • have much time to review the papers they are sent • see the whole paper before they agree to review So they may be impatient with • poor science • poor English • poor presentation Zhejiang University, Hangzhou – 15/16 December 2008 How to get published

  48. Who does what in Peer Review If asked to suggest reviewers for your paper • Suggest people whose work you respect • Avoid • high profile experts • close colleagues • Anyone with a conflict of interest Zhejiang University, Hangzhou – 15/16 December 2008 How to get published

  49. Who does what in Peer Review Decisions • Two poor reviews – Reject • One good review and one bad review • Associate Editor can decide which is correct • Associate Editor can ask for a third reviewer • Two good reviews • Minor revision or Accept • Reject Zhejiang University, Hangzhou – 15/16 December 2008 How to get published

  50. LUNCH!

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