Research Article & Conference Paper Preparation for ICE AKN Tarutung 2020

Research Synergy Foundation and Institut Agama Kristen Negeri (IAKN) Tarutung  was conducted a virtual workshop by the theme “Research Article & Conference Paper Preparation for ICE AKN Tarutung 2020” on September 24, 2020. The workshop was aimed to properly prepare all stages of writing manuscripts and related descriptions for International Conference of Education in the New Normal Era (ICE IAKN) 2020. Rector of IAKN Tarutung, Prof. Dr. Lince Sihombing, encouraged IAKN lecturers to make good research that can be published in international journals. The workshop was attended by 25 lecturers with a research background in theology and religion studies. Their research result will enrich global knowledge, and be applied in many other areas as well. Dr. Hendrati Dwi Mulyaningsih as a chairman of Research Synergy Foundation has served as the trainer of the workshop. Dr. Hendrati shared her perspectives and experiences on how to be global researchers and build a better research culture among lecturers. RSF has several established platforms to support the creation of global research ecosystem, including: Scholarvein, RSF Press, Research Synergy Institute, and Reviewer Track. Dr. Hendrati also gave advice on how to make a research design and develop a search strategy for a literature review. At the end of Dr. Hendrati presentation, the participants consulted their research that will be presented in the upcoming conference to the trainer.

In the next session, participants then learned some computer-based tools that can used to improve content and language quality in their manuscripts. The session was guided by Ms. Ani Wahyu as a Director of Research Synergy Institute. Participants were directed to follow step by step in translating, checking the quality of grammar, and paraphrasing. She also emphasized to all participants to keep checking the content and language quality to other expert and native speaker for better result.

RSF Research Academy Session 5: Quantitative Method I by Dr. Jayson Cham Tat-Huei

Today, on September 9, 2020, RSF Research Academy Day 5 on the theme “Quantitative Method I” was presented by Dr. Jayson Cham Tat Huei. In this webinar, participants learned the characteristics of a good research, how to formulate a research problem, writing a literature review, and quantitative research design. Participants also learned to summarize the literature review in a table format. Before ending the session, the trainer guided participants a method to conduct and evaluate a research questionnaires for a quantitative research. The second session of learning quantitative method will be continued next week.

Webinar #AskEditor3: Learn from Publisher: How to Publish Open Access Scopus/WOS Indexed Journal

Research Synergy Foundation in collaboration with Taylor & Francis organized a webinar on the theme “Webinar #AskEditor3: Learn from Publisher: How to Publish Open Access Scopus/WOS Indexed Journal”. The webinar addressed the publication issues and opportunities in Open Access Scopus/WOS Indexed Journal. RSF and T&F had earlier launch a webinar series ““How to Publish Open Access with Taylor and Francis”. The topic attracted hundreds of participants who were researchers and students from various countries. The organizers then decided to hold more than one session focused on helping researchers develop their skills in manuscript writing based on journal’s editor perspective and understanding OA as a form of scholarly publishing for researchers.

In this webinar, Victoria Babbit as Director of Researcher Development & Outreach, Taylor & Francis. Victoria provided information about types of open access journals and insight into how to write a proper manuscript based on editors’ perspective. Victoria shared an overview of F1000 research and ‘How Researcher’ program from Taylor & Francis. She offered some suggestions for authors on the craft of writing an effective manuscript. She also described general rules of writing abstract, discussion, citation, as well as some publication ethics issues. In the question and answer round, many questions from participants were answered very informatively by the speaker.

Road to UPN Conference Series 2020: Transforming Community Service Program Report into Good Research Paper

On August 27, 2020, Research Synergy Foundation in collaboration with UPN “Veteran” Yogyakarta conducted a virtual workshop for faculty members, lecturers, and professors in the fields of management, social sciences, technology, and engineering. The workshop focused on exploring data and perspectives on how to gain international exposure by developing a research culture in a university and improve the knowledge about writing a research. The workshop also provided a technical guidance to assist researchers preparing their manuscripts submission to international journals. There are more than 80 participants registered from UPN “Veteran” Yogyakarta, STIA Bina Banua Banjarmasin, Politeknik Bali, Universitas Diponegoro, and Universitas Islam Bandung.

Presented as the trainer, Dr. Hendrati Dwi Mulyaningsih first delivered some important data and perspectives related why Indonesian researchers should be global researchers. Dr. Hendrati then shared her experience of developing a research culture in a wider-way through Research Synergy Foundation by conducting international academic forum and facilitating publication opportunities for global researchers. RSF has several established platforms to support the creation of global research ecosystem, including: Scholarvein, RSF Press, Research Synergy Institute, and Reviewer Track.  RSF has also partnered with Taylor & Francis and F1000 as one of the publication gateways in several research fields. As RSF Chairman and a reviewer from some reputable journals, Dr, Hendrati also explained about what a good research is and how to be a productive researchers. Based on the insightful explanation, many participants asked many questions about their written manuscripts and international journals to the trainer.

The workshop then continued by Ms. Ani Wahyu guiding the technical process to improve content and language quality in a manuscript with a computer-based tools so that it can increase the possibility of acceptance in a high-indexed journal. Participants are guided to use applications such as grammarly, google drive, and etc. Ms. Ani also explained how to choose a reputable journal and avoid any predatory journals. By conducting the workshop, participants are expected to prepare their best manuscripts to be presented at upcoming UPN Conference Series 2020.

RSF Research Academy: Systematic Literature Review using Mendeley by Mr. Fulgensius and Mr.Benediktoharies

The August 26 online lecture session presentation “Systematic Literature Review using Mendeley” was presented by Mr. Fulgensius and Mr.Benediktoharies from Areopagus Indonesia. The participants received an overview of the Publish or Perish, Mendeley, and NVivo as computer-based applications which can help the researchers improve the quality of content and research writing of their manuscripts. Each of these software has its advantages. The session is divided into two learning days. All participants have been able to install the software properly and try to practice it with trainers guide during the session.

Publish or Perish is a software program developed by Professor Anne-Wil Harzing of the University of Melbourne. The software is designed to retrieve and analyze academic citations. Mendeley Reference Manager is a software that helps to manage research data and simplify reference management workflow in systematic way. While NVivo provides software tools to assist researchers undertaking analysis of qualitative data. NVivo can help researchers to manage, explore, and find patterns and insights in unstructured or qualitative data. Using the software in a research can bring in numerous benefit for researchers. It can also minimize the time and effort that takes to collect and analyze data, and simplifies the entire research process. Many researchers and students have found great help through some research tools and software, so it will increase productivity of researchers.

Universitas Katolik Parahyangan Scientific and Academic Writing: Pre E-Coaching Clinic Series

On August 13, 2020, Research Synergy Foundation in collaboration with Universitas Katolik Parahyangan conducted a webinar by the theme “Scientific and Academic Writing: Pre E-Coaching Clinic Series”. The webinar aims to encourage research productivity among lecturers, as well as facilitates them to use computer-based tools to be applied in every stage of research process. The coaching started by a brief introduction regarding Research Synergy Foundation as a global research ecosystem by Ms. Santi Rachmawati. The webinar was attended by 35 lecturers from Universitas Katolik Parahyangan, STIDKI Ar Rahmah Surabaya, and Universitas Padjadjaran.

The webinar then continued by a presentation from Dr. Hendrati Dwi Mulyaningsih as Founder and Chairman of Research Synergy Foundation. Dr. Hendrati began her presentation by sharing some facts and figures to be a World Class University and what is Indonesia’s position in the midst of world education level competition. Since WUS is now becoming a global obsession, the university must prepare the necessary prerequisites to achieve the status. The notion of World Class University includes some alignment of key factors. There are at least four key factors that are required to be WUS: teaching, research, knowledge transfer, and international outlook. Producing advanced research is one of the key characteristic of the WUS. So, university should have a high concentration to enhance research productivity and provide a number a scheme to facilitate it. Research Synergy Foundation as a global research ecosystem is committed to help universities or institutions to promote research excellence and global outlook with an established system of an extensive network and artificial intelligence. Currently, Research Synergy Foundation have collaborated with many partners and have many members.

Dr. Hendrati also shared some tips and strategies on how to structure a good academic paper to increase the opportunity to be published in any global education forums or reputable indexed journals. In this session, the participants were very enthusiastic in asking questions regarding their development of their respective research. The session then continued by Ms. Ani Wahyu as a moderator with a short training on several tools that researchers could use to improve academic paper quality. Ms. Ani demonstrated on how to use computer-based tools for improving language quality and writing style.

RSF Research Academy: Theory and Framework Development II by Dr. Evan Lau

On August 19, 2020, the online lecture by the theme “Theory and Framework Development II” have been conducted successfully. Research Synergy Foundation and Research Synergy Institute in collaboration with Universitas Islam Bandung (Unisba) continue to invite Assoc. Prof. Dr. Evan Lau as an expert in the 2nd Day of RSF Research Academy. The organizers are committed to encourage all participants to develop their research skill to work towards a better research process.

 

Dr. Evan Lau continued to review and discuss how to design conceptual framework. Dr. Evan gave an explanation about the conceptual/theoretical framework in the first place, then demonstrated an interconnected flow chart that illustrates an example of conceptual framework. He also described several important uses of theoretical framework that can help to strengthen a research and how to develop it. For most researchers, it is sometimes difficult to find the answer to the research question, so the expert reminded all the participants to read and review in depth the literature related to the research, also shared some tips for managing a research process. In this online lecture session, the participants were given to create and present their research conceptual frameworks. Dr. Evan then reviewed all the presented conceptual framework charts one after another in detail. The participants ended up getting a material that was very useful and informative for their research. In the next lecture, we will continue to facilitate the improved management of the research datasets, so we look forward to meeting all the participants in this insightful session!

Online Lecturing Series #askExpert2: Covid-19: Revival of Tourism and Hospitality Industry

Since the covid-19 outbreak, which have been declared as a pandemic by WHO, we cannot ignore its inevitable impacts in any industries and sectors worldwide. Hospitality industries are among those have been feeling the hardest hit. We are aware of this impact and as a form of our real knowledge contribution, we decided to invite Assoc. Prof. Dr.Vinay Chamoli, from Maharaja Agrasen University, India, to provide us as global researchers with rich insights and analysis in Research Synergy Foundation webinars by the theme: Covid-19: Revival of Tourism and Hospitality Industry. The webinars was held on Wednesday, 8 July 2020 using Zoom as a platform

This event has more than 160 participants that has been registered from 11 countries around the world, such as Indonesia, India, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Philippines, Nepal, Morocco, Myanmar, Nigeria, Canada, Afghanistan. In the opening session, webinars started by a brief introduction regarding Research Synergy Foundation as a global research ecosystem by Mrs Santi Rachmawati. The event then continued with a presentation session from the speaker Assoc. Prof. Dr.Vinay Chamoli which was moderated by Mrs. Ani Wahyu.

Dr. Vinay started his lecture by presenting an overview about tourism and hospitality industry in every regions. In terms of international tourism spending, China remains the world largest spender, followed by the United States. With a variety of reasons for travel, airplane is still the most widely used transportation by tourists. In 2019, tourism industry –mainly from a leisure industry- has contributed a lot to the total GDP worldwide. It reached 4,715 billion U.S. dollars in 2019 from global leisure tourism spending. The first position of the world’s major connection hub for international flights is Dubai International Airport, with over 86.3 million international passengers uplifted in 2019. While in terms of revenue, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines and United Continental Holdings are in the top position.

As for some of the impact of Covid-19 on this industry, Dr. Vinay explained in his several analysis. The first major impact of Covid-19 on tourism and hospitality industry was job and visitor loss. Covid-19 may not be the 1st infectious disease that the world faces, but this virus has forced hospitality industries to reimagine how they run their business. Almost all international travels are banned. Many countries and regions have imposed quarantines, so as the workers and visitors who are the core of the industry. Airlines sector, global hotel market, as well as restaurants are suffering a huge loss, and thus revenue decreasing cannot be avoided. Some hotels have even turned into quarantine places. This happens in some Asian countries, like India and Indonesia. People will fear to travel within such condition, so psychological problems with travelers will persist afterwards.

However, the Covid-19  does not mean to be a ‘case judge’ who decided that this industry seems unable to survive and there will be no choice at all.  The industry still has a chance to be able to survive by applying a Global Protocol for the New Normal as a ‘Safe Travels’ standard conducted by World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC). It includes:

  1. Operational and staff preparedness:

All tourism and hospitality industries must plan to start the operation based on Global Protocol standard. They must know and adopt WHO standard of cleanliness, food concerns, room services, and etc for the employees and tourists safety.

  • Ensuring a safe experience

Enhance sanitation based on WHO standard and discipline in practicing physical distancing. For example in the restaurant, regulations such as a menu and bills are transferred to the visitor’s phone to avoid physical contact.

  • Rebuilding Trust and Confidence

Building customer trust with applying ‘perform and inform’ that it is safe to travel with them and use their facilities.

  • Implementing Enabling Policies

New policies has to be implemented as a recovery efforts for various losses, like adding a new job and enhance promotion.

  • Clinically Clean is the New Level

We must be accustomed to applying an improved standard of our clean habits.

Before ending his presentation, Dr. Vinay displayed a video advertisement of one of U.S. Airlines which contains a message, ‘We are ready for you when you’re ready to fly’. He also quoted Paulo Coelho, ’The ship is safest when it is port, but that’s not what ships were built for’. The slogan seemed meaningful to strengthen each other and build readiness to go back to a normal condition together.

In this lecture, there was an interactive discussion with the participants, here we summarize some interesting questions along with the answers:

  1. Abderrahim Naim (Sultan Moulay Simane University, Morocco)

Q: How can tourist structure be able to revive their economy? And with what strategy?

A: Tourism sector still can run, as government has opened several potential sectors, but they have to ensure they must follow the guidelines to ensure safe travel, all employees must be trained well-enough how to maintain safety health standard

  • Eva (Bogor Agricultural University, Indonesia)

Q: Are there any difference for tourism industry at urban and rural area (particularly community based industry), related to the effort to revitalized the industry?

A: We can call that rural areas are the unexplored areas. Due to the psychological effects as the impact of covid-19, there will be a possibility for some peoples –especially urban people- will love to go to safe and less crowded places like rural areas. So, rural areas will be developed and it will help to increase the economic potential for the residents. People can still survive their own industry in urban and rural areas by applying the new normal and health protocol standards.

  • Prof. Revelina (Philippines)

Q: How government, academicians, and citizens help awaken the tourism industry?

A: By moving to organize any online classes or webinars, government, academicians and citizens still can make a meaningful impact. Like me, I still keep in touch with my students, one of them is the chef and his hotel is shut down. But he can still survive with his job, by managing community kitchen, host a party in their home, and as a chef he can go to customer’s house and served a good food for them. I always say that ‘human is not the strongest, it is dinosaurs, but it cannot survive, and human is the smartest, so they can manage to survive and keep supporting each other’.

  • Retno Budi Wahyuni (Indonesia)

Q: What is the most important part to be the 1st priority of recovery caused by covid19?

A: Being creative in any areas, people should protect their interest, planning any activities in any areas with a new standard, get rid a negative side of this pandemic, growing a self-belief that we can pass this condition together.

How insightful the discussion was, and many more questions to ask from the participants. The webinars has closed successfully and we look forward to your participation in RSF next events.

Fostering Data Analysis in Educational Research Using SPSS Software

Data collection, processing, and analysis represents an essential part of the research. It is not uncommon for researchers, educators, and even journals editors to find a statistical problem in a stage of the research process. Poor data analysis and lack of supporting evidence can be one of those important causes for global journal editors rejects a submitted manuscript. We can simply assumed that “bad data practice will lead to bad research”. In order to assist educators and researchers in improving the quality of research data analysis skills, we conducted a webinars by the theme Fostering Data Analysis in Educational Research Using SPSS Software. We invited Engr. Dr. Muhammad Mujtaba Asad, the Head of Educational Technology & TVET Research Sukkur IBA University as a trainer to deliver his knowledge and experience regarding SPSS Software and its application in a research. The webinar has more than 125 participants that has been registered from 10 countries around the world.

In the first session, webinars started by a brief introduction regarding Research Synergy Foundation as a global research ecosystem by Mrs Santi Rachmawati. The event then continued with an introduction of Statistical Package for the Social Science (SPSS) from the trainer Engr. Dr. Muhammad Mujtaba Asad which was moderated by Mrs. Ani Wahyu.

Dr. Asad presented a complete overview of the Statistical Package for the Social Science (SPSS) as an application to analyze scientific data related with the social science. Basically, all versions of this software can be used for managing and analyzing all sorts of data. He emphasized that the main thing that must be considered by qualitative or quantitative researchers is what method is used in a research. Choosing a research method will depend on: research questions, philosophy of research, researcher preferences and skills.

Either Qualitative or Quantitative researchers may favor focused on research data. Data is not a systematic or irregular part, so a researcher have to manage it properly and analyze it effectively. For students, research questions may be influence on supervisor’s beliefs, but at least, we have to consider several questions regarding unit of analysis, whether theory or data will come first, or it is cross-sectional or longitudinal.

Dr. Asad then gave an explanation about a key description about quantitative and qualitative approach. Quantitative approach attempts to explain existing phenomena by collecting and analyzing numerical data, using statistical methods. Quantitative researchers will worry about sample, statistical test, result and suitable methods. While qualitative researchers will worry about data coding, capturing a situation in a realistic manner, describe context detail, also whether the approach is flexible and able to change. Qualitative researchers also often have issues regarding respondents and ethical issue of the research process. In conducting a survey, researchers have to make sure that the interview is manageable and not overlapping.

In his presentation, Dr. Asad showed how descriptive statistical analysis can be analyzed using SPSS.

For descriptive analysis, SPSS is able to:

  • Create histograms
  • Frequency Distribution of Data
  • Calculate the Mean Scor
  • Calculate the Median and Mode
  • Standard Deviation (SD)
  • Scattered Graphs Plot
  • Pie & Bar Charts

Dr. Asad then explained about what is parametric and non-parametric statistical analysis.  He also demonstrated an exercise on how to run hypothesis testing like F test, T test, Annova, and coding variables using SPSS.

After the online training session was over, the webinars moved to the Q & A session. Here are we gathered some interesting questions from the participants.

  1. Dimas

Q: Is SPSS Similar to Winstep?

A: SPSS more advanced,detailed and extensive output, while winstep have more limited option

  • Christopher

Q: How to get a standard sample size?

A: I will recommend the morgan table of sample size based on your population.

  • Arik Susanti

Q: Is it ok to conduct blended/mix method in the research?

A: It is not always necessary to conduct a mix-method approach in a research. You can consult with a supervisor to find an authentic result of your research and depend on what your research needs.

  • Tuti Rahmi

Q: How about the questionnaire shared online or by social media which can be filled by anyone who is eligible? Can it be generalized? What kind of sampling techniques is it?

A: There is no issue you can share an online questionnaires or telephonic interviews, conducting panel discussion via online platforms due to current situation. You must target your respondents with a specific skill and particular respondents, and better to not make it as an open source. It is okay for qualitative research, based on your nature of your study that you are targeting either random or convenience sampling.

  • Desi Rahmawati

Q: What is the difference the use of Spearman and Pearson Product Moment?

A: It can be used for the linearity of data, we can find out the association between 2 variables, whether it is negative or positive. Pearson parametric, spearman non parametric

  • Hajra Ameer?

Q: Will the validity of questionnaire compromise after modification?

A: Modification is not about modifying the major part of that particular research, you are just going to align with your particular context. If it is not relevant, delete it, integrate other questionnaire and replace them (with a good reference), ensure and construct validity. You can also run validity practice to minimize an error.

How insightful the discussion was, and many more questions to ask from the participants. The webinars has closed successfully and we look forward to your participation in RSF next events.

Finally, we concluded this webinar successfully. We are glad to hold this webinar and we hope that it can help all researchers analyze their research data. So, we are waiting for you to take part in RSF Webinar Series.

Publication Opportunities in Scopus and WOS Indexed Journals: Advice and Recommendations from the Editors

For some researchers, publishing scientific articles in high-quality journals have been quite challenging. Publication of a scientific article becomes a stage that must be passed by researchers considering that this is a form of validation of the research done. By publishing an article, researchers are making their knowledge contribution available to a community of scholars and society. There are various reasons why an article is accepted or rejected, and sometimes this makes researchers feel a little bit frustrated with the research they are working on. In fact, the rejection and any kind of challenge when publishing scientific articles in high-impact journals are part of the process. All of the process will become beneficial to improve a research experience.

Facing the challenges of publication, all we need is to keep learning to improve in each process. Writing a research can be considered as an art, it involves skill to express complex ideas in a concise way, communicate with readers, benefit civil society, and contribute to a better life. Thus, we organized a Webinar that might be helpful for researchers to learn and understand a proper research publication from the point of view of journal editors by the theme: “Publication Opportunities in Scopus and WOS Indexed Journals: Advice and Recommendations from the Editors”. The webinar was organized by Research Synergy Foundation (RSF), Research Synergy Institute (RSI) in collaboration with Sarawak Research Society (SRS), Emerald Publishing (East Asia), Ikatan Dosen Republik Indonesia (IDRI), and Pampanga Research Educators Organization (PREO) Phillippines. Presented as trainers are the journal editors from Scopus and WOS Indexed Journal: Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mumtaz Ali Memon from NUST Business School Pakistan, Assoc.Prof. Dr. Evan Lau from Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, Malaysia, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Iris Lui from Ming Chuan University, Taiwan, and Mdm. Rozita Gee from Emerald Publishing.

There are more than 1.135 scholars from more than 30 countries across the globe registered to the Webinar. The event is not just a simple Webinar, it is also an opportunity for participants to submit their articles in the high-reputable journals edited by the trainers.

The first session of the webinar was opened with an explanation of Emerald Publishing by Mdm. Rozita Gee. Emerald Publishing was founded in 1967 with only 1 journal published. In this year, Emerald has more than 300 journals with any reputable indexed and 3000 books. Emerald opened its branch in Asia on 1983, located in Singapore, and then in Kuala Lumpur on 1995. Emerald now has 8 regional offices worldwide. All journals in Emerald have been indexed by well-known indexation institution such as DORA, Scopus, Web of Science, ProQuest, EBSCO, and etc. Some Emerald journals currently open its special issued for certain themes.

In the subsequent sessions continued with an explanation of the special issue in each journals and its submission deadline. One of the journals that have a special issue is Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Technology that later be presented by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Iris Lui. The journal is opening a special issue with a theme: Challenges and Prospect of AIoT Application in Hospitality and Tourism Marketing. The journal wishes to expand the knowledge regarding an application of IoT in the hospitality and tourism fields, like the using of Disney Magic Band and West-Western Alexa Deployment.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mumtaz Ali Memon explained the special issue of Electronic Journal of Applied Statistical Analysis by the theme “digitalization and its impact on contemporary marketing strategies and practices”. The topics include digital marketing, cross cultures comparative studies, multi group analysis, marketing analytics, and etc. The journal will prioritize the advanced methodological papers or the research using PLS Path Modelling as a statistical analysis software.

The next journal is International Journal of Business and Society. This session was explained by Assoc.Prof. Dr. Evan Lau as a Journal Editor. International Journal of Business and Society is published by University Malaysia Sarawak and it has been indexed by Scopus from 2009. The journal publish 3 times a year with the main topics are high-quality papers using multidisciplinary approaches with a strong emphasis on business, economics and finance. The theme of special issue of the journal is: the coronavirus pandemic: economic impact, challenges, opportunities, and recovery paths for emerging countries.

The 2nd session of the webinar was 2nd Topic Advice for submission to the special issues and expectation from the guest editors that presented by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mumtaz Ali Memon and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Iris Lui. The session began with the emphasis from Dr. Iris that as an editor she did not expect a paper like a compile of information from textbook. To start writing a proper scientific article, researchers should consider:  study from recent literature on subject matter, solicit ideas from the practitioners and observation of the real world, read recent papers of each journals and author guideline to know how the manuscript should be prepared.

From the perspective of Dr. Mumtaz, as an editor he expects the submitted articles that are:

  1. Relevance: it means the paper suits the theme and topics of the journal
  2. Quality and Contribution: it is okay not always using PLS, but make sure it contributes a new knowledge.
  3. Complete: complete all parts of the research sections, like implication and discussion of findings which are often incomplete in a research.
  4. Balance: put the same efforts between analysis and other sections, such as theoretical, findings, or background.
  5. Efforts: make your manuscript worthwhile and do not use outdated references.

The 3rd webinar session is Reasons for Manuscript Acceptance, Revision (Major & Minor) and Rejection that was presented by Assoc.Prof. Dr. Evan Lau. In this sessions, the participants learned about crafting an excellent research paper. Researchers should consider what a journal looking for and what should be inside the research. Here are some consideration in crafting a research paper:

  • Solid, interesting and attractive intro (the research should attract the editors in the first reading)
  • Unique dataset
  • Good presentation and discussion of results
  • Solid set of empirical robustness tests
  • Importance of abstract and conclusion
  • Contribution and what is new
  • Localized issue with international appeal

Dr. Evan also showed common issues why the papers are being rejected.

  • Lack of motivation (too outdated reference, not sufficient contribution)
  • Out of scope (easy to reject)
  • Fundamental flaws
  • Topic is dated
  • Key sections are missing
  • Unreadable
  • Unethical practices

He also showed what common major and minor corrections. For major correction, generally caused by several factors: lack of justification of contribution, poor storyline (needs to improve the storyline), lack of theoretical support, underdeveloped hypotheses, key information is missing, key references are missing. For minor corrections caused by linguistic issues, not following submission guidelines, and less recent literature. To improve minor correction, researchers needs a proofreading and improve citations.

The topic of the next session was Editorial Decision to Accept and Reject a Manuscript that presented by Dr. Iris. She showed a chart of decision process and important dates so that Authors can understand the journal publication process and see how the editors work together to accept or reject manuscripts (you can see the chart in the webinar recording).

Mdm. Rozita also shared tips for writing more effectively. All Emerald journals does a double blind review, so make sure to craft a high-quality research and find a suitable journal.

She highlight five important things:

  1. Structure your journal submission
  2. Writing a literature
  3. Writing simply
  4. Proofreading
  5. Writing collaboratively with your peers

Dr. Evan also advised 3 golden rule:

  1. Read and explore the literature
  2. Do not write a murder mystery – adopt KISS method
  3. Do not rush your article for publication – select the right journal

The last advice was given by Dr. Mumtaz

  1. Attend all comments
  2. Prepare response sheet and highlight revisions/changes
  3. Be polite, honest, and appreciative

When a reviewer give a comment, Authors must understand that the reviewers also given a lot of time and efforts to suggest your manuscript. So, we need to appreciate each other, even author can ask their peers to make sure that the social writing in response to a reviewer comments is a good-enough.

The last topic was presented by Dr. Iris regarding 3 criteria to determine a manuscript publishability. It includes more attention to originality of the research, findings, and rigors.

The webinar was closed by concluding remarks from the moderator. After the webinar, make sure as researchers we do not rush to publish our manuscripts, make it worthwhile, also put a learning-mindset when we revise a manuscript. So we hope there should be no particular difficulty if Authors can match the high quality manuscript and high-reputable journal.

For more complete lecture access, please check out the link below: