Publishing Doctoral Research in the United States: A Professional Guide for PhD and DBA Scholars

It is an important stage in the publication of doctoral research work as the scholars develop their academic, professional or policy-based career in the United States. In contrast to the dissertation where the research competence is mainly proved to an examination committee, publication has a wider scope: it also contributes to the knowledge in the field, becomes a part of scholarly discussion, and identifies the author of the research as an academic figure. In the American educational system, research papers can be critical in postdoctoral chances, faculty placements, tenure, and professional standing.

Nevertheless, the American publishing environment is both confusing and challenging to many doctoral students, both local and foreign. There is a high standard of expectations in terms of originality, rigor, ethical standards, and journal fit. The guide offers a thorough description of the process of publishing doctoral research in the United States, which includes the strategic planning, selection of a journal, preparation of the manuscript, peer review, and professional aspects.

Appreciating the U.S. Academic Publishing Situation

Publishing in the US is very competitive and standardized. A majority of the reputable journals are based on a double-blind peer review model, have a strong focus on originality and contribution, and have a rigorous ethical code.

The main features of the U.S. doctoral publishing are:

• High level of focus on theoretical or practical contribution.
• Favour of argument-based manuscript.
• Great demands on methodological rigor.
• Distinctiveness between journal articles and dissertations.
• Ethical practices like approval by IRB, plagiarism and disclosures. 

These norms are best learned early in life, as doctoral researchers are likely to fall into such traps.

Preparing a Dissertation to Publishable Manuscript

Many doctoral candidates make the mistake of thinking that a dissertation chapter can be just submitted to a journal. As a matter of fact, U.S. journals require focused, concise and argumentative manuscripts that are generally between 6,000 and 10,000 words.

Key differences include: 

• A dissertation is competent; a journal article is contributory.
• The literature reviews provided in articles are never exhaustive, but selective. 
• The methods sections are concise and focused.
• Results are packaged in ways that develop a particular academic argument.

Effective doctoral writers have an article in which they rebrand their work around a single claim.

Locating the Right Journal

The choice of the journal is a tactical move that can influence the success of publications greatly. Journals in the United States are diverse in their area of coverage, influence and anticipations.

In choosing a journal, take into consideration: 

• Scope and audience: Is your work within the concentration of the journal? 
• Ranking and indexing: Does the journal include a Scopus, Web of Science or ABDC index? 
• Methodological fit: Does the journal give preference to qualitative, quantitative or mixed methods? 
• Acceptance rates and time lines of reviews.
• Open access and subscription.

It is also useful to look at recent issues of target journals so that you can correct your manuscript to editorial standards.

Writing a Powerful Contribution Statement

In the United States, journals have a strong emphasis on explicit contribution statements, which appear in the introduction and discussion parts.

• Proper contribution statements: 
• Make clear what is new or different with the study.
• Describe your research contribution to theory, practice, or policy.
• Place the research in an existing academic argument.

The reason why the article is important should be grasped by editors and reviewers immediately. 

Writing to an academic audience in the United States

The style of writing is very important in American academic publishing. Manuscripts should be: 

• Unambiguous, succinct and rationally organized. 
• Descriptive but argument-based.
• No rhetoric; not over-hedged.
• Devoid of useless jargon.

American critics appreciate the clarity of argument as highly as technical rigor.

Good sign postings, logical flow and correct language enhance better results of review.

Compliance and Ethical Requirements

U.S. publishing has no tolerance when it comes to ethical compliance. Most journals require:

• A copy of a letter of approval of human-subject research by an Institutional Review Board (IRB).
• Funding and conflict of interest disclosure. 
• Adherence to standards of plagiarism and data integrity.
• Open disclosure of procedures and restrictions.

Lack of ethical behaviour may lead to desk rejection or retraction. 

Obviously, I survived the Peer Review Process

Peer review is very strict and in most cases recursive. It can be initial decisions including:

• Desk rejection
• Revise and resubmit (minor or major re-write)
• Conditional acceptance

It is a common practice in the U.S. publishing to make revisions. Successful authors:

• Answer every comment of the reviewer systematically.
• Defend judgments in a respectful and professional manner.
• Make significant changes to manuscripts where necessary. 
• Regard peer review as cooperation as opposed to critique. 

One should be persistent enough; most of the articles published are revised severally.

Issuing a DBA or Practice-Based Doctoral Scholar

In the case of the Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) candidates, the U.S. journals are progressively giving emphasis to the practice based research, so long as it has rigor and contribution. 

DBA scholars should:

• Obviously connect practice knowledge to academic theory.
• Show the application of findings to managerial/policy choices.
• Do not use only descriptive narratives of cases. 
• Journals open to applied research in target.

Timely-placed DBA research can be used to connect theory with practice.

Collaboration Norms and authorship

Authorship conventions in the United States include:

• Significant intellectual input.
• Openness in the sequence of authors.
• Competing ethically with supervisors and co-authors.

Early publications of doctoral candidates are often co-authored with their supervisors. Efficient communication on roles and expectations is essential.

Publication and Open Access Expenses

Lots of U.S. journals provide open-access options with some of them requiring article processing charges (APCs). The doctoral researchers ought to: 

• Confirm finances of APCs.
•  Avoid predatory journals

Make sure that the open-access journals are reputable and indexed. Quality in publishing must in no way be made to be sacrificed to speed or cost.

Popular causes of rejection

The knowledge of why manuscripts are turned in assists in making the next submission better. Common reasons include: 

• Lack of clear contribution
• Poor journal fit 
• Weak theoretical framing 
• Methodological flaws 
• Overly descriptive writing

Even established scholars are likely to face rejection and it should be considered as a part of the academic process.

Creating a Publication Strategy that is Sustainable

Doctoral research is not an instant and immediate event when it comes to publication. Doctoral candidates should:

• Find several presentable elements of their study.
• Pick publication schedule in line with career aspirations.
• Striking a balance between quality and productivity.
• Ask people to be your mentors and provide feedback. 

Professional growth and academic visibility are promoted by a developed     publication strategy.

Conclusion 

In the United States, to be published with a doctoral research, one does not need good data only, but thinks tactically, places in the role of a scholar, and writes professionally. Learning about the U.S. academic standards, choosing the right journals, making clear contributions, and Landing in peer review, the doctoral researchers will be able to make the transformation of their work into the effective publications successfully.

Regardless of the direction a doctoral research takes in academia, leadership in the profession or policy, publication will build credibility and increase the impact of the doctoral research. Through patience, expression, and moral conscience, the doctoral student is able to practice as researchers and writers in the American scholarly publishing arena and make a difference in their subjects.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How can one publish a doctoral research in the American academic journals?

Yes. The doctoral study can be featured in the academic journals of the U.S. as long as it can be demonstrated to be original, contribute either in theory or practice, be vigorous in the approach that is employed to conduct the study as well as comply with the ethics that involve the IRB approval.

Does the United States have a dissertation that is equivalent to a journal article?

No. A dissertation shows competency of research, and journal article must have a limited scholarly contribution. The articles in the U.S. journals would require a short and argumentative paper of approximately 6,000 10,000 words.

What can I do with my PhD dissertation so as to make it a publishable article?

You must narrow down the research to a single statement, trim the literature section, lean the research plan and organize findings to create a coherent academic argument within the profession of the targeted journal.

What do U.S journals cherish the most?

The journals of the U.S. are described as unique, clear and useful has to be theoretically or practically relevant, rigorously methodological, ethical sufficiency and the high correspondence of the journal to the audience and scope.

Does the U.S. journals require IRB approval of the doctoral research?

Yes, most of the journals in the U.S. require providing the evidence of the Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval of the studies on human subjects. The desk rejection can occur due to the lack of IRB documentation.

How long does the peer review process take in the USA?

The peer review process usually takes 3-9 months, depending on the journal, to complete. It is normally considered to go through several revision stages and acceptance generally follows radical revision.

Could the international doctoral students be published in U.S. journals?

Yes. The U.S. journals feature various international scholars. These are the following: adherence to the regulations of writing academic papers in United States, moral necessity, and fulfilling the demands of journals.

Are DBA and practice-based doctoral researches acceptable in the U.S. journals?

Yes. DBA and applied doctoral research is taken into account by most of the journals in the U.S. provided it demonstrates rigor, theoretical foundation and implication into practice, policy or management.

What are common reasons behind the rejection of the manuscript by the U.S. journals?

Unclear contribution, lack of theoretic framework, methodological flaws, excessive description writing and failure to follow ethical or formatting standards are sometimes given as reasons.

Is it possible to rely on the open-access journals in the United States?

A large number of free American journals are established and are found in either Scopus or Web of Science. The authors would have to review the indexing, credibility of editorial boards, as well as have to stay out of the predatory publishers.

Can a number of publications be one based doctoral dissertation?

Yes, U.S. academic traditions allow two or more journal articles per dissertation, but the articles are to be written on a separate research question, contribution and focus of analysis.

Why is a statement of contribution useful in the U.S. academia?

Contribution statements are valuable also. The editors and reviewers would want the explanation of the new to be clear why it is important and how it can contribute to the theory, practice or policy.

Do students pursuing a doctoral degree write to their supervisors?

Yes, it is not uncommon in the United States to have your supervisors as co-authors, especially on early publications. The sequence of authorship must be grounded on the input of the intellect and must be openly handled.

How to implement a more long-term publication strategy among doctoral scholars?

The problems that researchers are supposed to do are not restricted to the following but they include; planning a few manuscripts, aligning match publication aims with career goals, mentorship, quality and productivity balance, and over time targeting the journals.

Why then should doctoral research be published in the United States?

Publication also establishes scholarly identity, offers academic credibility, leads to postdoctoral and faculty opportunities, and renders doctoral research play a more impactful role on the society and its profession.