For many researchers, publication feels like the final destination of a long, exhausting journey. After rounds of writing, revision, peer review, and formatting, finally seeing your work published brings a sense of relief, and rightly so. But one truth often gets overlooked: Publication is not the end of your research journey; it is the beginning […]
If there’s one silent truth in academic publishing, it’s this: Most papers are not ignored because they lack quality; many are ignored because they are invisible. Your title, abstract, and keywords are the three doors through which your research is seen. If those doors are unclear, uninviting, or mislabeled, even the most brilliant study becomes […]
A research proposal is more than a formality; it is your roadmap and your sales pitch. It tells reviewers: What you want to study Why it matters How you will carry it out A clear, well-structured proposal builds confidence in you as a researcher and increases your chances of approval or funding. The core elements […]
A strong research question is the backbone of any successful study. It shapes your literature review, guides your methodology, and determines the kind of conclusions you can draw. When the question is vague or weak, the entire project struggles. At AB Journals, we recommend using the CFCCA framework to craft a question that stands out: […]
Every researcher dreams of one thing: to be read, cited, and remembered. But what if your brilliant work never reaches beyond your university’s library shelf or a paid journal wall? That’s where self-archiving comes in, your ticket to visibility without breaking copyright rules. What Exactly Is Self-Archiving? Self-archiving means uploading a copy of your published […]
Plan S: The Big Push for Immediate Open Access Plan S is an international initiative launched by cOAlition S, a group of research funders primarily from Europe. Think of it as a movement saying, “If we, the funders, pay for the research, the final published work should be free for everyone to read and reuse […]
What “rights retention” really means When you publish research, you don’t have to give up all your rights to the publisher. Rights retention means keeping the legal ability to share, reuse, and build upon your own work, often through a Creative Commons (CC) license. These licenses let others use your work under certain conditions, while […]
The APC Playbook: Waivers & Discounts for Open Access Article Processing Charge (APC) waivers are a breath of fresh air for many researchers. In Open Access (OA), they can make the difference between shelving a finished manuscript and seeing it published, sometimes at a steep discount or even for free. Imagine unlocking that privilege as […]
Green, Gold, Diamond: Choosing the Right Open Access Route for Your Paper Open Access (OA) comes in a few flavours. The route you choose affects cost, timing, licensing, and how quickly readers can find and cite your work. Green Open Access (Self-Archiving) Green OA means the author makes a version of their work freely available […]
Open Access 101: What Authors Gain (and What You Don’t Lose) Open Access (OA) makes your research free to read online, no paywalls, no institutional barriers. For authors, OA usually means wider visibility, faster dissemination, and more collaboration, without giving up peer review. OA isn’t a trade-off; it’s a strategic advantage. Why Open Access Now? […]