Publishing Your Literature Review: Turning Your Dissertation Into a Journal Review Paper

Considering the extensive effort and dedication that goes into completing a dissertation, it is natural to ponder the prospect of furthering your academic influence through the publication of your literature review as a journal review paper. This article provides a comprehensive guide to navigating this process, ensuring your work is tailored to the specific requirements and expectations of academic journals.

Selecting a Suitable Journal

The first step in turning your dissertation literature review into a review paper is to identify a suitable journal. Research various journals in your field of study to find one that aligns with your topic and target audience. Look for journals that frequently publish review papers and have a strong reputation in your field. This will not only increase the likelihood of acceptance but also ensure that your work reaches the appropriate scholarly audience.

Formatting and Structure

Before you begin writing, familiarize yourself with the journal's guidelines and formatting requirements. These guidelines can often be found on the journal's official website or in the instructions for authors. Adhering to these guidelines is crucial, as failure to do so may result in your manuscript being rejected. Ensure that your literature review is well-structured, with a clear introduction, body, and conclusion. Pay particular attention to word count limitations and structural elements such as headings, subheadings, references, and figures.

Adapting Your Dissertation

A literature review for a dissertation and a review paper for a journal can differ significantly. While your dissertation literature review may be extensive and detailed, a journal review paper should provide a comprehensive, yet concise, overview of the existing literature on your topic. You may need to revise and adapt your dissertation literature review to make it more suitable for a journal audience. Consider the following points:

Focusing on Relevance: Highlight the most relevant and significant aspects of the research, while omitting less pertinent details. Word Count Limitations: Stay within the specified word count limits. Be concise and to the point. Relevance to Field: Ensure that your review paper remains focused on the specific research question or topic that your dissertation addressed.

Writing a Comprehensive Review

Your review paper should provide a thorough overview of the existing literature on your topic. This includes discussing various theories, methodologies, and studies that are relevant to your research question. Ensure that your review is inclusive, addressing multiple perspectives and highlighting any controversies or gaps in the existing literature. This will demonstrate a clear understanding of the field and an ability to synthesize complex information.

Demonstrating Novelty and Contribution

To make your review paper appealing to journals, emphasize its novelty and contribution to the field. Highlight any new perspectives, insights, or gaps in the existing literature that your review addresses. This will not only increase the appeal of your paper but also strengthen its academic value. Consider including a discussion on the implications of your findings and how they contribute to the broader research landscape.

Peer Review Process

Once you submit your review paper to a journal, it will undergo a peer review process. This involves evaluation by experts in the field, who will assess the quality, accuracy, and relevance of your work. Be prepared to respond to comments and suggestions from the reviewers, and make necessary revisions. This process can be iterative, and it may take several rounds of revisions before your paper is accepted for publication.

Publication Timeline

The publication timeline can vary depending on the journal and the review process. It is important to be patient, as the entire process, from submission to publication, may take several months. Each journal has its own time frame, so it is essential to check the estimated timeline on the journal's website or in their instructions for authors. During this process, it is crucial to remain in regular communication with the journal and to address any feedback promptly.

By following these steps, you can successfully transform your dissertation literature review into a compelling journal review paper. Remember that the process of academic publishing is rigorous, but it is also an opportunity to make a lasting contribution to your field.