If you’ve ever wondered how researchers share their discoveries with the world, the answer lies in one key word: publishing. But publishing an academic article isn’t just about writing and submitting. No. It’s more like stepping into a parallel universe—with its own rules, its own language, and a bureaucracy that can feel like it’s from another planet.

For many, especially those just starting out, publishing can feel like a major headache. Not because the content isn’t valuable, but because the process is long, demanding, and sometimes frustrating. You have to choose the right journal, follow strict formatting guidelines, go through tough (and anonymous) peer reviews, and have patience… lots of patience.

Now, I think it’s important to clarify my opinion: having publications doesn’t automatically make you a better professional. Publishing academic articles can be a valuable experience, yes, but it’s not an absolute measure of competence, ethics, or real-world impact. There are excellent professionals who have never published, and there are people with dozens of articles who don’t necessarily apply that knowledge meaningfully in their environment.

We also can’t assume that having publications means you know more about a topic. Publishing requires specific skills: knowing how to write in academic language, understanding the editorial system, having access to resources, time, and often, professional networks. But that doesn’t always translate into deep understanding, critical thinking, or the ability to teach, communicate, or transform realities.

And let’s be honest: the publishing system can be complex, exclusionary, and even elitist. Many journals are in English, which is already a barrier for those who don’t speak the language fluently. Others charge high publication fees, making it inaccessible for researchers without funding. And in some cases, the system favors those already within academic circles, while new, critical, or underrepresented voices struggle to be heard.

This doesn’t mean publishing isn’t worthwhile. It means we need to look at the system critically, value other ways of generating and sharing knowledge, and avoid reducing a professional’s worth to the number of articles they’ve published. Because in the end, what truly matters is the impact we create with what we know—not just how many times we appear in a database.

Still, despite all of that, publishing remains one of the most powerful ways to validate and share knowledge. It’s the bridge between what we research and what the world can learn from it. So if you’re thinking about publishing your first article, or simply want to better understand how this academic world works, here’s a clear and simple explanation to guide you.

How does the academic publishing process work?

Although it can vary slightly depending on the journal or field of study, the general process follows these steps:

1. Choosing the right journal

Before you start writing, it’s essential to know where you want to publish. Each journal has its own focus, style, and rules. Some are more technical, others more theoretical. Some are highly selective, while others are more accessible. Below are some ideas on how to find journals that are a good fit for you.

Where to find academic journals by discipline?

If you already have an article ready or are thinking about writing one, the next step is to find the right journal. Fortunately, there are platforms and databases that allow you to explore journals by field of knowledge. Here are some of the most useful:

📚 Scopus (Elsevier)
One of the largest and most recognized databases.
You can search for journals by topic, country, publisher, and more.
Ideal for checking a journal’s impact factor and citation index.
👉 https://www.scopus.com/sources

🧪 Web of Science (Clarivate)
Another highly prestigious database.
Allows you to search for journals indexed in the Journal Citation Reports (JCR).
Very useful for fields like natural sciences, engineering, medicine, and social sciences.
👉 https://mjl.clarivate.com/

🧠 DOAJ (Directory of Open Access Journals)
Ideal if you’re looking for open access journals.
Covers all disciplines and allows filtering by language, country, review type, etc.
👉 https://www.doaj.org/

📖 Latindex
Excellent for academic journals from Latin America, Spain, and the Caribbean.
Very useful if you write in Spanish or Portuguese.
👉 https://www.latindex.org/

🧾 Redalyc and SciELO
Platforms that group open access scientific journals from Ibero-America.
Highly valued in social sciences, humanities, education, and health.
👉 https://www.redalyc.org/
👉 https://scielo.org/

🧰 Google Scholar Metrics
Although not a formal database, it lets you see the most cited journals by area.
Useful for getting a general idea of a journal’s impact.
👉 https://scholar.google.com/citations?view_op=top_venues

2. Preparing the Manuscript

This is where you put all your work into words. You follow a clear structure (introduction, methodology, results, discussion, etc.) and make sure everything is well-cited and well-written.

Let’s look at an example structure for a Literature Review Article:

Title
What is it? The first impression of the article.
Purpose: Accurately reflect the central topic of the review.
Tip: Be specific and avoid vague titles. You can include terms like “review,” “state of the art,” or “literature analysis.”

Abstract
What is it? A brief paragraph summarizing the entire article.
Purpose: Quickly inform the reader about the content, focus, and main findings.
Includes:

• General topic
• Objective of the review
• Criteria for source selection
• Main findings or conclusions

Keywords
What are they? Key terms that represent the topics covered.
Purpose: Help index and locate the article in academic databases.

Introduction
What is it? The section that provides context for the topic.
Purpose:

• Present the topic and its relevance
• Justify the need for the review
• Establish the objectives or research questions
  Tip: Briefly show what is known and what is still unknown.

Review Methodology
What is it? Explanation of how sources were selected and analyzed.
Purpose: Provide transparency and rigor to the review process.
Includes:

• Databases used (Scopus, PubMed, Google Scholar, etc.)
• Search keywords
• Inclusion/exclusion criteria
• Time period covered
• Types of documents reviewed
  Important: In systematic reviews, a PRISMA diagram may be used.

Thematic Development or Body of the Article
What is it? The central part where information is organized and analyzed.
Purpose:

• Synthesize existing knowledge
• Identify patterns, debates, gaps, and advances
  Possible structures:
• By themes or subtopics
• By theoretical approaches
• Chronologically
• By methodologies
  Tip: Don’t just describe—analyze critically.

Discussion
What is it? A reflection on what was found.
Purpose:

• Interpret the findings
• Compare approaches
• Identify limitations in current knowledge
• Propose future research directions

Conclusions
What is it? The closing section of the article.
Purpose:

• Summarize key contributions
• Reaffirm the importance of the topic
• Offer recommendations or practical implications

References
What is it? A list of all cited sources.
Purpose: Credit the authors and allow others to consult the sources.
Tip: Use the citation style required by the journal (APA, Vancouver, etc.)

3. Submitting the Article
This is done through online platforms. You usually include a cover letter and statements of originality. Often, you’re asked to remove your name and any identifying information from the document.

4. Editorial Review
An editor checks whether the article fits the journal’s scope. If it doesn’t meet basic requirements, it may be rejected at this stage.

5. Peer Review
This is the heart of the process. Other experts in the field read your article and provide feedback. They may suggest changes, ask for clarifications, or even reject it. It’s a rigorous process, but it ensures quality.

6. Revision and Resubmission
If changes are requested, you make them and resubmit the article. Sometimes this cycle repeats several times.

7. Acceptance and Publication
Congratulations! If everything goes well, your article is accepted, edited, and published. It now becomes part of the scientific knowledge available to everyone.

Why is publishing so important?

Publishing is not just an academic formality or an obligation for those in university. It’s much more than that. Publishing an academic article has a real and profound impact—on the author, the scientific community, and society as a whole. The ultimate goal of any research is to share knowledge.

When you publish, you’re sharing your ideas, findings, and reflections with the world. Your work is no longer stored away on your computer or buried in a forgotten thesis—it becomes part of a global conversation. Other researchers, students, and professionals can learn from what you’ve done, apply it, question it, or even improve upon it. That’s how knowledge grows: by being shared.

Moreover, publishing in a scientific journal means going through a peer review process, where other experts in your field evaluate your article. This not only ensures that your research meets standards of quality and rigor, but also helps you improve. Reviewer feedback can be tough at times, but it’s often incredibly valuable for strengthening your work.

Each publication is like a professional calling card. The more articles you have, the more visible you become in your field. It positions you as an authoritative voice—someone who not only studies a topic but actively contributes to its development. This is key if you want to advance in academia, attend conferences, join research networks, or lead projects.

Every researcher has an ORCID

ORCID (Open Researcher and Contributor ID) is a unique digital identifier assigned to researchers and academic authors to distinguish their work from that of others—even if they have similar names or change institutional affiliations throughout their careers.

🧾 What exactly is it?
It’s a 16-digit alphanumeric code (e.g., 0000-0002-1825-0097) that acts like an academic ID card. This identifier links to an online profile where researchers can list:

• Publications
• Research projects
• Institutional affiliations
• Awards, grants, and recognitions
• Peer reviews and other academic contributions

🎯 What is it for?

• Avoids confusion between authors with similar names
• Centralizes your academic output in one place
• Facilitates article submissions and grant applications
• Integrates with platforms like Scopus, Web of Science, Crossref, Publons, and university or funding agency systems

🧠 Why is having an ORCID important?

• It’s free and internationally recognized
• Many journals and publishers require it when submitting an article
• It helps keep your academic record up to date and visible
• It increases transparency and traceability of your work as a researcher

🛠️ How to get one?
Just register at https://orcid.org with your email. The process is quick, and you can start filling out your profile right away.

Science and knowledge don’t move forward on their own. Every published article is like a brick in the construction of something bigger. Even studies that don’t yield expected results—or that show something doesn’t work—are valuable, because they help others avoid repeating mistakes and explore new directions. Publishing is a way to leave your mark on the development of your field.

Having academic publications can also make a big difference when applying for a scholarship, a PhD program, a promotion, or a research job. Many institutions and funding calls consider your publication record as a sign of commitment, analytical ability, and scientific productivity. In other words, publishing opens doors.

And as a bonus—not a minor one—the process of writing, revising, and defending your article forces you to think critically, argue with evidence, and anticipate objections. It’s an intellectual exercise that helps you grow as a researcher and as a professional.

Predatory Journals

Predatory journals are publications that appear to be scientific but, in reality, do not meet basic standards of quality or editorial ethics. Their main goal is not to disseminate knowledge, but to charge authors for publishing without offering a serious peer review process or genuine academic evaluation. They operate deceptively: they accept articles quickly—often without reviewing them—promise very short publication times, and frequently charge hidden fees. Additionally, they use names similar to reputable journals to confuse authors, list fake members on their editorial boards, and are not indexed in trusted databases like Scopus, Web of Science, or DOAJ.

The problem with these journals is serious. Publishing in them can damage an author’s reputation, as the work has not been validated by experts. They also contribute to the spread of unverified information, which can negatively impact science and society. Often, those who fall into these traps are early-career researchers or scholars from developing countries who feel pressured to publish quickly and may not know how to identify a legitimate journal.

So, how can you recognize them? There are several red flags: generic emails inviting you to publish, promises of publication within a few days, lack of clear information about the editorial process or fees, poorly designed websites with errors, and absence from recognized academic databases. To avoid falling into these traps, it’s recommended to check whether the journal is indexed in trusted platforms like DOAJ, Scopus, or Web of Science, consult resources like Think. Check. Submit., and seek advice from colleagues or mentors.

Check out the list here Beall’s List

Publishing is a fundamental part of academic work, but doing so in predatory journals can have negative consequences. That’s why it’s important to stay informed, carefully review journals before submitting, and always prioritize quality and transparency.

Publishing an academic article is much more than fulfilling an institutional requirement—it’s about actively participating in the construction and dissemination of knowledge. While the process can be complex, demanding, and even frustrating, it’s also an opportunity to grow as a researcher, contribute to your field, and connect with a global community. However, it’s essential to approach it with critical awareness: to understand how the system works, recognize its limitations, avoid unethical practices like predatory journals, and value other ways of sharing knowledge.

Publishing doesn’t define you as a professional, but it can be a powerful tool when used with purpose and responsibility. That’s why, beyond accumulating publications, what truly matters is generating impact, opening conversations, and contributing to a more open, inclusive, and meaningful science.