Usually it takes months or even years to write a 5000 thousand words article and then edit and configure it according to the journal’s requirement, but you should know that for sending the article you need a cover letter. Most journals have clear-cut instructions on what should be written in a cover letter. Therefore, although there already are some details in cover letter, you can arrange it in your own language and state the difference between your article and those of others. A persuasive cover letter should persuade the editor that your findings are new and noticeable and your study is apt for their journal.
A cover letter that provides basic information only (such as the title of the article, the title of the journal and the writer’s contact information) is not worth sending. There are several article editing services, some of which include preparation and editing of cover letters. DoNotEdit helps you to prepare a professional cover letter and send it. An effective cover letter should include the following items:
- The title of the article and the detailed information of the responsible author
- The summary of your findings: Summarize the most important findings of your study in a simple language. To highlight the importance of your article you can use the following questions:
- How does my research add to the existing knowledge?
- Do my results define key findings in this field of study?
- which aspects of my study are innovative?
- Can this study have significant consequences in the future?
- The motivation for sending to the journal: Write a few sentences on how your study is within the scope of the journal or how it can be interesting to the journal’s readers.
- The ethical conformity: If there exist any ethical concern, pay attention to the fact that your study should get the confirmation of the review committee of the institute. About the clinical trials mention that the approval has been gotten consciously and the code of ethics prepared.
- The conflict of interests: Mention if there is any conflict of interest or not.
- Originality and the consensus of the authors: State that the article is not being reviewed by another journal and that all authors agree on the selected journal.
- Preferred and non-preferred arbitrators: Most journals persuade the authors to select the arbitrators, because this matter can affect the reviewing process. Authors must consciously choose the arbitrators and make sure that the arbitrators don’t have any interest. Be aware that the final selection of the arbitrator will be done by the journal which may accept your recommendation or not.
A cover letter is your chance of getting the attention of the editor; therefore, it must be over the expectation of the arbitrator to consider it for pint.
All of these information gives the editor the assurance that your article is suitable for their journal and that you are interested in their journal. Sometimes the excellent content of the article will be considered without the cover letter, but the existence of a cover letter is useful for the majority of the researchers who want to highlight their studies.