See my replies to this similar question: https://www.researchgate.net/post/How_can_I_publish_my_research

Publishing your first research article can be an exciting and fulfilling endeavor. Here's a step-by-step guide to help you navigate the process:

Choose a Relevant Topic: Select a research topic that is both interesting to you and relevant to your field of study. Conduct a literature review to ensure your topic hasn't been extensively covered already. If you have done a research project like an honours', Masters' or a PhD, you now have something to work from as you could use that information to concisely write your manuscript.

Conduct Thorough Research: Gather and analyze data related to your chosen topic. Ensure that your research is well-founded and contributes something new to the existing body of knowledge.

Outline Your Article: Organize your research findings into a coherent structure. A typical research article includes sections like Introduction, Literature Review, Methodology, Results, Discussion, Conclusion, and References.

Write the Manuscript: Start writing your article using clear and concise language. Make sure to provide proper citations for any sources you reference. Follow the guidelines of the target journal for formatting and style (Remember, every journal has its own format).

Select a Journal: Research and identify journals that publish articles in your field. Choose a journal that is appropriate for the level of your research and aligns with your topic. Look at factors like the journal's impact factor, scope, and target audience. (In the case of South Africa, choose from the yearly Department of Higher Education and Training accredited lists).

Review Journal Guidelines: Carefully read the author guidelines provided by the chosen journal. This includes information about formatting, word limits, citation style, and submission procedures.

Prepare Supporting Materials: Some journals might require additional materials such as graphs, images, or supplementary data. Make sure you have these prepared and formatted according to the journal's specifications.

Write a Cover Letter: Along with your manuscript, you'll often need to write a cover letter. This should briefly introduce your work, explain its significance, and highlight why your research is a good fit for the journal.

Peer Review Process: After submitting your article, it will go through a peer-review process. Reviewers, who are experts in your field, will assess the quality, validity, and significance of your research. They will provide feedback for revisions, which you should address thoroughly.

Revise and Resubmit: If your article receives feedback suggesting revisions, carefully address each point raised by the reviewers. Revise your manuscript accordingly and provide a response to each reviewer's comment.

Acceptance and Proofreading: If your article is accepted, the journal will provide you with the final version to proofread. Make sure to check for any errors and ensure the article is formatted correctly.

Publication: Once the final revisions are made and approved, your article will be published. It will become part of the scientific literature and accessible to others in your field.

Remember that the publishing process can take time, and rejection is not uncommon. Take feedback positively and use it to improve your work. With persistence and dedication, you'll increase your chances of successfully publishing your first research article.