If a paper is innovative but written poorly, but the ideas are clearly expressed, what is the likelihood of it being accepted?
Writing plays a significant role in the acceptance of a paper for publication. While the research content and methodology are crucial factors, the way the paper is written can greatly impact its chances of acceptance. Here's why writing matters:
It's important to note that writing quality should not compensate for weak research or inadequate methodology. Ultimately, the scientific rigor, validity, and significance of the research are of paramount importance. However, combining strong research with clear and effective writing increases the paper's chances of being positively received and accepted for publication. Therefore, authors should invest time in polishing their writing skills and seeking feedback from colleagues or professional editors to improve the overall quality of their papers.
According to my experience writing must not be poor, otherwise the paper is rejected, even if the content is good.
When I was a student I had a professor who unfortunately passed away a few years back. I only had him in a small class during my first year. He was a literary scholar, and he told me that the same idea could be presented in two essays, one could be published in a prestigious review and the other not pass an exam.
It is also a fact that almost no academic paper ever presents any original ideas. Most of what happens at the university is either rehashing of old ideas (we are all plagerizing our parents sex life), or it is routine analysis of data and numbers, following basically a sort of double blind randomized template, in which new annual numbers are plotted once every year. This makes presentation important. Most professors present three or four original ideas in their career. And most fiction writers also have a limited range.
In addition to the fact that it must appear well structured, another aspect has emerged in tests. Academics are always haunted by the fear of "not appearing smart enough". It has been demonstrated that when you place certain fashionable terms in papers they actually gain more traction. It is very bizarre.
However, clarity is always the best option. You cannot communicate if you don't understand. The dedicated followers of acadmic fads will not survive over a period of time. When you see something that is chrystal clear, it may appear simple. But it is in fact extremely hard to arrive at that text.
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