Professor Irwan Trinugroho, a Finance expert at the Faculty of Economics and Business, Sebelas Maret University Surakarta (UNS), outlined key reasons why leading international journals often reject many journal articles submitted by Indonesian students. These include poor English usage and writing, insufficient depth in research analysis, lack of relevance to current issues, failure to contribute to existing literature, fundamental errors in empirical models, and inadequate research samples.
According to Prof. Irwan, producing a high-quality journal article requires a clear contribution to existing literature, coherent and well-organized writing in English, and unique research data.
Prof. Irwan shared these insights during an Academic Writing seminar titled “How to Respond to Journal Rejection and Strategies for Getting an Acceptance Letter”, organized by SBM ITB, on Tuesday (12/11). Open to the public, the seminar attracted SBM ITB students and participants from outside the campus.
With 90 published journal articles and 836 citations, Prof. Irwan emphasized the importance of publishing in academic journals. He noted that the quality of their published research often measures the ranking of educational institutions. However, he advocated prioritizing quality over quantity in publications, stressing that a few high-quality articles are far more valuable than numerous low-quality ones.
Prof. Irwan advised researchers to begin by selecting a compelling research topic. A good topic should contribute to existing knowledge, include comparisons of relevant research subjects, and offer cross-country perspectives. Researchers must present a unique, innovative angle while ensuring the topic remains relevant to existing problems. He also recommended using highly detailed research data to build upon previous studies and addressing current issues in ways that appeal to policymakers, academics, and other stakeholders.
A successful research journey, he said, requires a realistic plan, a positive outlook, and adherence to timely scheduling. Researchers must possess proficient English skills, build synergistic partnerships, and tailor their writing structure to the target journal’s requirements. An engaging title is essential to capture readers’ interest and highlight the research’s importance.
Prof. Irwan also emphasized the need to showcase contributions and discoveries in journal submissions. A thorough literature review can help formulate research questions or hypotheses, while the methodology must be robust, using appropriate instruments. The research analysis should also align with the literature review and conceptual framework.
Finally, Prof. Irwan highlighted the importance of carefully selecting the journal for publication. Researchers must consider the journal’s target audience, scope, research trends, acceptance rates, and publication fees. He recommended seeking colleague feedback and maintaining proper communication throughout the submission process.