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We regularly relay articles reporting the result scientific studies on quite varied topics. Whether we are talking about the human body, medical technologies or meteorology/climatology, all these studies have one thing in common. Their publication process is a complex and rigorous journey.
A process that happens most of the time far from the eyes of the general public, hence the interest in demystifying it a little.
From research to results
Scientific research begins well before the genesis or the very idea of writing an article. Discoveries often come from laboratory experiments, field observations or controlled environment analyses. Depending on the case, this can be a clever mix of these three methodologies, enriched by data from other researchers.
Once this valuable information has been collected, an analysis phase follows. This can take various paths: statistical processing, comparison with pre-existing results or even theoretical modeling (the recent example of the most difficult labyrinth in the world is a very telling example of this last way).
Next, scientists s’set to work on developing an explanation coherent and clear data . This step lays the first foundations for writing the scientific article. The latter adapts in length according to the scale of the results and the requirements of the journal targeted for publication, oscillating between a few sheets and several dozen pages.
Beyond the text, researchers must also enhance their publication with figures, tables, and diagrams to illustrate their findings. For most scientists, this arduous task rests essentially on their shoulders.
Collaboration and writing
Contemporary research is rarely a solitary quest. The majority of scientific investigations are carried out within multidisciplinary teams, thus promoting the obtaining of more exhaustive and robust results.
The co-authors, true pillars of this collective enterprise, contribute their expertise to the writing of the article, data analysis and content development. These collaborators may be research partners, key contributors to data collection, or students involved in the project.
Before submitting the final article, an essential step is required: a thorough review and critique by all co-authors. This process ensures the quality and rigor of the research. Once refined, the whole thing is then submitted to a scientific journal for evaluation.
Next step: the choice of the journal, which is a strategic decision since it will determine the visibility and impact of the research within the scientific community and the public.
Some journals, such as Nature or Science, enjoy a prestigious and generalist reputation and can significantly increase the influence of the study. Others, more specialized, can ensure a more targeted and relevant audience for the specific field of research.
Peer review and publication
Submission of the article marks the dawn of a new phase: peer review. An associate editor, usually a volunteer expert in the field, is responsible for recruiting reviewers. The latter, also volunteers, examine the published work and provide critical comments. This process can take several weeks or even months, depending on the availability of the evaluators.
The fate of the publication is sealed by the feedback from the reviewers. It may be accepted as is, accepted with minor revisions, require substantial changes, or be rejected. If revisions are required, the authors must respond to each comment, explaining the improvements made or justifying the retention of certain elements.
Once the revisions are made, the manuscript returns to the editor for a final decision. If the verdict is favorable, a final phase of proofreading and formatting follows before publication, a step that can also extend over several weeks.
As you may have understood, publishing a scientific article is a long and demanding project. The field of publishing itself is a business in its own right. Scientific journals, once tools for sharing knowledge within restricted communities, are now managed by large publishing companies that generate considerable profits (Elsevier, Springer Nature, Wiley, etc.)
Researchers, in order to advance their careers and obtain funding, are therefore strongly encouraged to publish in these journals, often at high costs. These costs include publication fees, database subscriptions and copyright fees. This economic model has been criticized for several reasons: it limits free access to knowledge, encourages a race for publication to the detriment of the quality of research and can encourage bias in the selection of articles.
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