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Remember the time when you and your friends used to do school projects? Each student brought their own expertise and together you came out with an amazing project that mesmerized the whole class. But how we used to mesmerize the whole class and also our teacher? 

It is because we used to solve a complex problem which no one was able to solve. But how did we solve the problem? It is with these diverse perspectives and expertise of the project members. This is what we will be covering in this blog. Not the problem-solving process of the project members but the problem-solving process of the researchers.

I am not only going to help you to select a journal for your interdisciplinary research but also this blog will cater to computer science, management research and project management students. So, let us start the blog by getting some knowledge of what Interdisciplinary research is.  

Interdisciplinary research is an approach to academic inquiry that involves collaboration among scholars from different academic disciplines to address complex problems or questions that require diverse perspectives and expertise. It involves bringing together researchers from different fields to combine their expertise, knowledge, and methods to tackle a problem that cannot be fully understood or solved from the perspective of a single discipline.

Now, we have gathered a little idea about what interdisciplinary research is, so now the question arises, “why should we choose interdisciplinary research”? Many researchers have said many things about it but we have gathered the views of the expert researchers and come to this answer:

• Tackling complex problems: Many of the most pressing challenges facing society today, such as climate change, require a multidisciplinary approach. By working across different fields and bringing together a range of expertise, PhD researchers can develop more comprehensive and effective solutions.

• Innovation: Interdisciplinary research often leads to new ideas and approaches that would not have been possible through a single discipline. This can lead to breakthroughs and advancements that have a significant impact on the field.

• Career development: PhD researchers who engage in interdisciplinary research are often better equipped to work in a variety of settings, including academia, industry, and government. This can open up more career opportunities and increase their competitiveness in the job market.

• Collaborative skills: Interdisciplinary research requires effective communication, collaboration, and teamwork. PhD researchers who engage in interdisciplinary research develop these skills, which are highly valued in many professional settings.

• Broader perspective: Working across different fields can provide PhD researchers with a broader perspective on their research topic, as well as on the world more broadly. This can lead to a deeper understanding of the complexities of the issues they are studying, and help them to develop more nuanced and sophisticated analyses.

Now, let’s come to the other side of the coin, which is the “challenges associated with interdisciplinary research”. It has not only helped me but also helped 760+ researchers in selecting the best journal required for interdisciplinary research. So, the challenges are described below:

• Language barriers: Different fields often use different terminology and jargon, which can make communication between researchers challenging. This can lead to misunderstandings and difficulties in collaborating effectively.

• Different methodologies: Each discipline may have its own unique research methodologies, which can create challenges when trying to integrate these approaches. Researchers may need to spend additional time learning new methods and techniques, which can be time-consuming.

• Time management: Engaging in interdisciplinary research often requires more time and effort than focusing on a single discipline. Researchers may need to balance multiple responsibilities and demands, which can be challenging and stressful.

• Funding and resources: Interdisciplinary research often requires more resources and funding than research conducted within a single discipline. Securing funding can be challenging, as many funding agencies may not prioritize interdisciplinary research.

• Evaluation and assessment: Evaluating interdisciplinary research can be difficult, as traditional metrics may not adequately capture the impact of interdisciplinary work. This can create challenges when seeking academic recognition and promotion.

• Institutional support: Institutional support for interdisciplinary research may be limited, which can create additional challenges for PhD researchers. This may include limited resources, lack of mentorship, and insufficient support for interdisciplinary research programs.

Now, as this blog is about computer science, project management and management research, we have to know about the journals available in this field. Hence let us know the journals used by these students.

• Computer Science Journals: Computer science journals typically focus on research related to computing technology, including hardware, software, networking, and data analysis. Some of the most well-known computer science journals include ACM Transactions on Computer Systems, IEEE Transactions on Computers, and Journal of Computer Science and Technology.

• Project Management Journals: Project management journals typically focus on research related to project management practices and methodologies, including project planning, scheduling, resource allocation, risk management, and team management. Some of the most well-known project management journals include Project Management Journal, International Journal of Project Management, and Journal of Project Management.

• Management Research Journals: Management research journals typically focus on research related to various aspects of management, including organizational behaviour, human resource management, marketing, and strategy. Some of the most well-known management research journals include the Academy of Management Journal, the Journal of Management, and the Strategic Management Journal. 

Now, before the most important question of this blog comes, we need to know why we should even select a journal for conducting interdisciplinary research. Why not other publication methods? So, the reason for selecting the journal is described below:

• Peer review: Journals typically undergo a rigorous peer-review process, in which experts in the field evaluate the quality and originality of the research. This helps to ensure that the research is of high quality and meets academic standards.

• Visibility: Journals are often widely circulated and can reach a large audience of researchers, academics, and practitioners in the field. This can help to increase the visibility and impact of the research.

• Credibility: Publishing in a reputable journal can enhance the credibility and reputation of the researcher and their institution. It can also help to establish the researcher as an expert in the field.

• Career advancement: Publishing in high-impact journals can be an important factor in academic promotion and career advancement. It can also help to establish the researcher's research program and attract funding and collaborations.

• Citation impact: Publishing in journals with high citation impact can increase the visibility and impact of the research, as well as the researcher's citation count. This can help to establish the researcher's research program and attract funding and collaborations.

Overall, choosing a journal over other forms of publication can have several important benefits for researchers. It can help to ensure the quality and originality of the research, increase its visibility and impact, enhance the credibility of the researcher and their institution, advance their career, and increase their citation impact. As a result, researchers should carefully consider their publication options and aim to publish in high-quality and reputable journals in their field.

Now, we have come to the main question. That question is becoming the “one-man army” because this is what interdisciplinary research is about. But how to become the one-man army? By Selecting the right journal required for Interdisciplinary research. So let us jump into selecting the journal required for interdisciplinary research.

Selecting a journal for interdisciplinary research in fields such as computer science, project management, and management can be challenging. Here are some tips that can help you select a suitable journal:

• Identify relevant journals: Start by identifying journals that publish research in your field of interest and in related fields. Look for journals that are open to interdisciplinary research and that have published articles on similar topics.

• Consider the journal's scope: Check the scope of the journal to make sure it covers the topic of your research. Look for journals that publish research that crosses traditional disciplinary boundaries and that are open to publishing work from multiple fields.

• Check the journal's impact factor: The impact factor is a measure of the journal's influence and prestige within the academic community. Choose a journal with a good impact factor to increase the visibility of your research.

• Look at the editorial board: Check the editorial board of the journal to see if there are experts in your field of research. If the journal has a strong editorial board that includes experts in your field, it's more likely that your research will be read by the right audience.

• Consider open-access journals: Open-access journals allow for maximum dissemination of research and are often more accessible to readers outside of academia. Additionally, some funders mandate open-access publishing, so it may be beneficial to choose a journal that offers this option.

• Consult with your advisor: Your academic advisor or mentor may have experience publishing in interdisciplinary journals and can offer guidance on the best journals for your research.

By following these tips, researchers in computer science, project management, and management can select a suitable journal for their interdisciplinary research and increase their chances of publication.

Now, another important question arises. How can the research scholars in Computer Science, Project Management, and Management research fields evaluate the quality of a journal while choosing a better journal? It portrays an essential role in choosing a better journal. They can consider the following factors:

• Impact Factor: As mentioned before, the Impact Factor (IF) is a widely used metric to evaluate the quality of journals. Scholars in these fields can consider the IF of a journal to gauge its prestige and importance.

• Relevance: Scholars should assess whether the journal is relevant to their field of research. The journal should publish articles that are related to their research topic and are likely to be read by other researchers in the field.

• Peer-Review Process: The peer-review process is crucial for ensuring the quality of the published research. Research scholars should consider whether the journal has a rigorous peer-review process that involves subject experts.

• Indexing: Journals that are indexed in well-known databases, such as Scopus or Web of Science, are generally considered to be of high quality.

• Open Access: Open access journals provide unrestricted access to articles, making them more accessible to a wider audience. Scholars should consider whether the journal is open access or not and whether there are any associated costs for publishing their work.

• Publication Ethics: Scholars should ensure that the journal adheres to ethical publishing standards, such as avoiding plagiarism, conflicts of interest, and data fabrication.

• Publisher Reputation: The reputation of the publisher can also impact the quality of the journal. Scholars should research the publisher's reputation and ensure that it is reputable and respected in the academic community.

Now, I can bet this question didn’t come to your mind. Let me give you a hint. It’s a question on the manuscript. Try to think your best and comment your thoughts and then proceed with the topic.

The question is how to prepare manuscripts in line with the journals. Try to understand the depth of this question while selecting the best journal for your research. 

• Read the submission guidelines: Carefully review the submission guidelines provided by the journal. The guidelines will include information on formatting, length restrictions, reference styles, and any other requirements for submitting the manuscript.

• Follow the formatting guidelines: Ensure that the manuscript is formatted correctly according to the journal's guidelines. Using the appropriate font, margins, and spacing are part of this.

• Write a clear and concise abstract: The abstract should provide a brief summary of the research and its findings. It should be written clearly and concisely and should accurately reflect the content of the manuscript.

• Use clear and concise language: Write the manuscript using clear and concise language. Employ concise language and stay away from superfluous jargon.

• Cite sources correctly: Use the correct citation style specified by the journal. This may include APA, MLA, or another citation style. Ensure that all sources cited in the manuscript are included in the reference list.

• Include figures and tables: If necessary, including figures and tables in the manuscript. Ensure that they are formatted correctly and that they are relevant to the content of the manuscript.

• Check for errors: Proofread the manuscript carefully for errors in spelling, grammar, and punctuation. It may be helpful to have someone else read the manuscript as well to catch any errors that may have been missed.

Now, as we have learnt everything about the journals, now it's time to understand the submission and review process of the journals. Because to score the highest number in the class, you have to maintain the criteria for submission ????. So, let us know the submission criteria:

• Submission: The author submits their manuscript to the journal's editorial office. You can do this online or via email. The author typically provides information such as the title, abstract, and author names and affiliations.

• Initial Editorial Assessment: The editor-in-chief or associate editors of the journal will review the submission to determine whether it is appropriate for the journal. This may involve checking that the manuscript meets the scope of the journal, follows the submission guidelines, and meets ethical standards.

• Peer Review: If the manuscript passes the initial editorial assessment, it will be sent out for peer review. The editor will select reviewers who are experts in the field to evaluate the manuscript. Peer reviewers will provide feedback and suggest revisions.

• Decision: After receiving the peer reviews, the editor will make a decision on whether to accept or reject the manuscript. In some cases, the editor may request revisions before making a final decision.

• Author Revisions: If revisions are requested, the author will have a specified amount of time to make the revisions and resubmit the manuscript.

• Final Decision: The editor will make a final decision on whether to accept the manuscript after reviewing the revisions.

• Production: If the manuscript is accepted, it will be copyedited, typeset and prepared for publication.

• Publication: The final version of the manuscript will be published in the journal, either in print or online.

We are not done yet. If you think that we haven’t covered some important questions required on this topic, please comment below and if you also want us to cover a certain topic, you can also comment below.

Thank you for reading this blog.