Publication of a Scientific Article: What Authors Need to Know

Abstract

Science is a tireless systematic pursuit of knowledge, where researchers, using established methods, invest their time and dedication to contribute to a better world. 1 Scientific communication is a precious way to disseminate the knowledge acquired by researchers to others interested in the subject and must be done in a clear, concise manner that conveys the authors' intentions to the article's readers. One of the most important ways to share the results of the quest for knowledge is through the publication of articles, which are scientific documents that describe research through the discussion of ideas, innovative methodologies, techniques, processes, and results in various areas of knowledge. 2 Data from the Bori Agency indicate that Brazil, although it continues to hold fourteenth position in the ranking of the highest number of scientific article publications, experienced a decrease of 7.4% in article publications in 2022 compared to 2021. 3 One of the main reasons for this reduction is the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic; however, Brazil was the country that experienced the most significant decline in article publications. Thus, it is crucial to understand the processes involved in the preparation and submission of articles and to contribute to higher acceptance rates.The publication of scientific articles is one of the most important ways to subject the knowledge produced to peer review, an essential process for the production of accurate knowledge; it is also crucial for the community of interest regarding certain themes and objects of investigation. 4 Nowadays, the main means of disseminating these articles are journals. Therefore, it is by means of journals that the information the author presents is transformed into scientific knowledge, which is in the public domain. If the article is adequately disseminated, it can be read, cited, and used by healthcare professionals in their daily activities. 5 The process of article publication can be considered complex. Therefore, the purpose of this editorial is to address, in a practical manner, the main characteristics that lead a scientific article to be approved or rejected by a journal, thus serving as a guide for authors seeking to transform the results of their research into publications. 6 The large volume of submissions to high-impact journals also reinforces the emphasis on effective communication of scientific work. 6 The thorough evaluations by editors and reviewers require authors to pay greater attention not only to the content of their texts but also to how they are written. 7 Therefore, it is not enough to simply publish; instead, authors must follow a series of steps to ensure that their text is evaluated and interpreted in the most appropriate manner.Commonly, standout articles are those that have social and scientific relevance, innovative potential, originality, well-organized information, and up-to-date references. 8 However, several authors, whose articles meet these highlighted criteria, sometimes have their work approved with reservations...