How to Publish Your First Medical Research Paper

Publishing a first paper follows a predictable path: finish a complete, honest manuscript; choose a suitable, reputable journal; submit according to its instructions; respond constructively to peer review; and be prepared for rejection and resubmission. No step can be skipped, and no service can responsibly promise acceptance.

Step by step

1. Complete the manuscript with the reporting guideline checklist for your design.
2. Settle authorship and obtain every author's approval of the final version (see What Are the ICMJE Authorship Criteria?).
3. Check ethics, consent, registration and conflicts of interest statements.
4. Choose a journal by scope, audience, quality and cost (see How to Choose the Right Medical Journal).
5. Format to the journal's instructions and prepare a cover letter (see How to Write a Journal Submission Cover Letter).
6. Submit through the journal's system and keep the confirmation.
7. Await the editorial decision: desk rejection, reject after review, revise, or accept.
8. Respond to reviewers point by point (see How to Respond to Peer Reviewer Comments).
9. After acceptance: proofs, publication and sharing.

Realistic expectations

Rejection is common even for good work, and decision times vary from days to many months. Plan for resubmission to a second or third journal. MRN offers a free manuscript submission checklist.

Illustrative example

Invented for teaching. A resident submits a cohort study to a specialty journal and receives a desk rejection within a week because of scope. She reformats the manuscript for a second journal, adds a requested reporting checklist, and receives a "major revision" decision after eight weeks. After revision, the paper is accepted.

Common pitfalls

• Submitting to several journals at once.
• Ignoring the journal's instructions.
• Paying for any service that promises publication.

Key takeaways

• Complete, ethical, well-reported and well-targeted work is the best route.
• Expect revisions and rejection and plan for them.

This page is general educational information about research methods. It is not medical, legal or regulatory advice; follow your institution's ethics board and your target journal's instructions.