10 Publishing Mistakes to Avoid as a New PhD

Completing your PhD is a big achievement. But your work isn't complete until you share it with others. That's how you make everyone aware of your research work.Publishing your thesis or synopsis is the next step. It helps people read...
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Completing your PhD is a big achievement. But your work isn't complete until you share it with others. That's how you make everyone aware of your research work.

Publishing your thesis or synopsis is the next step. It helps people read your research. It can also help you grow in your career. But many new PhDs make mistakes when they try to publish for the first time.

This happens because:

  • They don't know how the publishing process works
  • They chose the wrong journal or website
  • They don't fix or edit their writing
  • They don't follow the rules for submission

These mistakes can stop your work from getting published. This article will show you 10 common publishing mistakes. You will learn what they are and how to avoid them. If you want to publish your thesis or synopsis the right way, this guide is for you.

Mistake #1: Choosing the Wrong Journal or Publisher

Many new PhD authors send their work to the first journal they find. This can lead to problems. Not every journal is right for your research. Some may not cover your topic. Others may not follow good publishing standards.

If you choose the wrong place, your work might:

  • Get rejected
  • Reach the wrong readers
  • End up in a low-quality or fake journal

To avoid this:

  • Check if the journal accepts your subject
  • Read a few articles they have published
  • Look at the journal's website—check if it's clear and updated
  • Search the journal in trusted databases like Scopus or Web of Science
  • See if the publisher is known and respected
  • Stay away from journals that ask for money quickly or promise fast publishing

Think about your goals. Do you want more readers? Do you want to build your academic name? Choose a journal that fits your plan. Don't rush. Take time to find a good match for your thesis or synopsis.

A good journal can help your work get noticed and respected. A bad one can do the opposite.

Mistake #2: Not Understanding Submission Guidelines

Every journal or publisher has rules. These are called submission guidelines.

Many new PhD authors don't read them. That's a big mistake. If you don’t follow the rules, your work may be rejected.

Here are some common rules:

  • What file type to send (like Word or PDF)
  • How many words you can write
  • Which font and spacing to use
  • How to add references
  • Where to put images or tables
  • What kind of topics they accept

Before you send your thesis or synopsis:

  • Go to the journal’s website
  • Find the "Submission Guidelines" or "Author Instructions"
  • Read every step carefully
  • Make sure your paper follows all the steps
  • Ask someone for help if you are not sure

Some journals give you a format or template. Use it.

Don't guess. Follow what they ask for. It shows that you care about your work. It also gives your paper a better chance of getting published.

Mistake #3: Submitting an Unedited Thesis or Synopsis

Many PhD scholars send their thesis or synopsis without editing it. This is a common mistake.

Your thesis was written for examiners. A journal or publisher has a different audience. They expect clear, short, and focused writing.

If you don’t edit it first, your work might:

  • Be too long
  • Repeat the same points
  • Have grammar or spelling mistakes
  • Use hard words that confuse readers

To fix this:

  • Read your work out loud to catch unclear parts
  • Cut long sentences and remove extra words
  • Check grammar and spelling with simple tools like Grammarly
  • Ask a friend or mentor to review it
  • Hire a professional editor if you can

Keep your writing simple. Use short sentences. Focus on your key message.

Make sure your synopsis or thesis is clean, clear, and ready for publishing.

Good editing shows that you care about your work. It also gives you a better chance of getting published.

Mistake #4: Overlooking Plagiarism and Copyright Issues

Plagiarism means using someone else's work or ideas without giving credit. Many new authors do this by mistake. But journals take it seriously.

Your thesis may include quotes, charts, or parts from other studies. If you don't give credit, it's seen as copying—even if you didn't mean to.

Some researchers also copy parts of their own old work. This is called self-plagiarism. Most journals don't accept it unless you tell them.

Copyright is also important. If your thesis has images, tables, or long quotes from books or articles, you may need permission to reuse them.

To stay safe:

  • Always give credit when you use someone else's work
  • Use quotation marks for direct quotes
  • Paraphrase carefully and add a source
  • Don't reuse your old writing without checking the rules
  • Get permission if you use material owned by someone else
  • Use plagiarism check tools like Turnitin or Grammarly

Before you submit, check your thesis or synopsis for copied content.

Being careful with this shows honesty. It also helps your work get accepted.

Mistake #5: Not Adapting Thesis for Journal Articles

A thesis and a journal article are not the same. Many new authors try to publish their thesis as it is. This does not work.

Your thesis is long. It has detailed chapters, background, and long explanations. A journal article is short and focused. It must be clear and easy to read.

If you send your full thesis, journals may reject it.

To fix this:

  • Choose one clear idea or result from your thesis
  • Write only what supports that idea
  • Use simple and short paragraphs
  • Remove extra theory or long background sections
  • Keep the title and abstract short and clear
  • Follow the structure the journal asks for

Each article should focus on one topic. You can write more articles later based on other parts of your thesis.

Also, change the tone. A thesis is written for examiners. An article is written for readers who may not know your full work.

Take time to rewrite your content. Keep it short, clear, and to the point.

This helps more people read and understand your research. It also improves your chance of getting published.

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Mistake #6: Ignoring Peer Review Feedback

Peer review is part of academic publishing. Experts read your work and give comments. Their feedback helps you improve your paper before it gets published.

Many new authors take this feedback personally or ignore it. That's a mistake.

The goal of peer review is not to reject your work. It's to make your writing better.

You may not agree with every comment. But it's important to read each one carefully.

Here's what you should do:

  • Stay calm. Don't rush to reply.
  • Read all comments more than once.
  • Make a list of the changes you need to make.
  • Fix what you can, clearly and honestly.
  • Write short notes explaining the changes you made.
  • If you don't agree with something, explain why in a respectful way.

Don't take feedback as a failure. It's part of the process. Most published papers go through changes after review.

Making these changes shows that you are serious about your work. It also increases the chances of your paper getting accepted.

Peer review helps turn good research into publishable work. Use it to your advantage.

Mistake #7: Underestimating the Importance of Abstract and Title

The title and abstract are the first things people see. Many readers decide whether to read your paper based on these two parts.

Still, many new authors treat them as an afterthought. That's a big mistake.

A clear title tells readers what your paper is about. A short and focused abstract explains your main idea, method, and result.

If these are weak, your paper may get ignored, even if the research is good.

Here's how to fix that:

  • Keep your title short, clear, and direct
  • Avoid long or confusing words
  • Use keywords related to your topic
  • Make sure your abstract answers three things: What did you study? How did you do it? What did you find?
  • Stay within the word limit
  • Remove extra details or theory

Check how titles and abstracts look in the journal you're sending to. Match the style.

A strong title and abstract help search engines find your paper. They also help readers understand your work faster.

Take time to write them well. They can make the difference between getting noticed or not at all.

Mistake #8: Neglecting Ethical and Author Contribution Standards

Publishing isn't just about writing well. It also means following clear rules.

Many first-time authors skip these rules. That can lead to big problems later.

Every journal checks if your work is honest and fair. This includes how you collected data and how you treated people (if involved in the research).

It also checks who helped write the paper. If someone did real work, their name should be listed. If someone is listed without doing any work, that’s wrong too.

To stay on track:

  • Get permission from all co-authors before you submit
  • List only the people who truly helped with the research or writing
  • Clearly say who did what in the "author contributions" section
  • Follow rules for ethics, like getting approval from your research board
  • Tell the journal if there's any conflict of interest
  • Don't make up data or change results

These rules protect your work and your name.

Journals take ethics seriously. Even one small mistake can lead to rejection or a ban from publishing.

Always be honest about your work and your team's role. It builds trust and helps your research move forward.

Mistake #10: Rushing the Process

Publishing takes time. Many new PhD authors try to finish it too fast. That often leads to poor results.

Rushing means:

  • Skipping the editing step
  • Ignoring feedback
  • Choosing the first journal without research
  • Not checking for plagiarism or copyright issues
  • Sending the full thesis without rewriting

Publishing is not a race. Each step matters.

Slow down and focus on doing it right:

  • Take time to choose the best journal
  • Read the submission rules carefully
  • Revise your thesis into a short, clear article
  • Check grammar, spelling, and structure
  • Ask others to review your work
  • Respond to reviewer comments with care

Give yourself space to think and revise. Don't send your paper just to "get it done." Good publishing builds your academic name. Bad publishing can hurt it. One well-prepared paper is better than three rushed ones.

Be patient. Let quality guide your timeline.

Conclusion

Publishing your PhD work is an important step after finishing your research. It helps you share your ideas with others and grow in your career. Many new authors make simple mistakes. These mistakes can delay or stop their work from getting published. But the good news is, most of these problems can be avoided.

Take time to choose the right journal. Read all the rules before you submit. Always check your writing for errors. Make sure your paper is clear and easy to read. Give credit to others if you used their work. Listen to feedback and use it to make your paper better. Write a short and clear title and abstract. Follow all the rules about honesty and fairness in publishing.

Don't be in a hurry to finish. Good work takes time. If you rush, you may miss small things that matter. When you publish your work the right way, more people will read it and trust it. Your research can help others and bring value to your field. Take each step with care. Your work is worth it.

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