The Importance of Postgraduate Publications in Ukraine in 2022

The final result of the postgraduate student's path is a successfully defended dissertation. For admission to its defense, it is necessary that he has at least 2-3 scientific publications. And the more such materials, the better. Each work published in a reputable publication significantly increases the chances of success during the defense. And the applicant for a scientific degree himself will feel much more confident during the defense of his dissertation if he is known in scientific circles, and his works are in demand and interest among colleagues.

1. Why should a graduate student publish scientific articles.
2. Where can a graduate student publish a scientific article.
3. What are the requirements for an article?
4. How many articles should a graduate student publish.
5. How difficult is it for a graduate student to publish a paper.
6. Как написать хорошую научную статью.

Why should a graduate student publish scientific articles.

Sometimes, just entering graduate school, a future degree applicant may not fully understand why he needs publications, and consider them an attempt to complicate life. But in practice, everything looks completely different, if you carefully understand the issue. The dissertation is the main goal. It can be said that this is the pinnacle of the postgraduate student's activity and evidence of his real interest in the research topic. But in order to reach this peak, you need to overcome intermediate goals, record successes. Scientific publications of graduate students can be considered as such successes.

            Where can a graduate student publish a scientific article.

The publication in which the material will be published must be peer-reviewed. What does this mean in practice:

1. The abstracts and studies on which they are based will be subject to comments and criticism from the scientific community.
2. Specialists who are in the role of reviewers will point out errors and give the author their expert advice.
3. The work within the framework of finalizing the article will be useful for the graduate student, as it will help to prepare not only a high-quality publication, but also better prepare for the subsequent defense of the dissertation.

Thus, the requirements for choosing a peer-reviewed scientific publication are quite justified. They are aimed at ensuring that the postgraduate student's research activities are consistent and can receive high-quality feedback. If you look at this issue from a strategic point of view, then the graduate student who honestly approaches independent writing of articles receives several advantages at once:

📌 feedback from more experienced colleagues, which makes it possible to develop;

📌 better preparation for dissertation defense;

📌 professional opinions from the outside, which allow you to take a fresh and more systematic look at the topic of your PhD thesis.

Therefore, publications are very important. Consider what criteria are relevant for them.

            What are the requirements for an article?

Scientific publications of graduate students must comply with the following parameters:

1. Connection with the topic of the dissertation. As already mentioned, each such article is a kind of intermediate link on the way to defending a scientific degree.
2. The relevance of research. Despite the fact that the word "relevance" has become a cliché in scientific circles, it is a significant criterion for evaluating work. Science in the countries of Western Europe and the United States is focused on ensuring that research has practical value and is aimed at improving the life of society. Ukrainian science does not lag behind this trend. Now there is no request to make materials written in a complex "clerical" language and differ in intricate wording. Good research is valued for the relevance of the ideas it contains.
3. Сcompliance with the requirements of the Higher Attestation Commissionregarding structure and design. Science is a complex and responsible branch of human life. In order for it to be orderly, and scientific works to be readable for other people, certain requirements and standards are put forward for their design. This will be discussed further.

In a word, this industry is systematized and understandable for those who take their first steps in it. Clear postgraduate requirementswhen they prepare publications, they give the opportunity to immediately write these works correctly. And if there are adjustments, then, rather, in meaning, rather than in form, when everything was observed.

             Сколько статей нужно опубликовать аспиранту

Як уже зазначалося вище, мінімально йдеться про 2-3 статті. Однак така цифра є актуальною в тому випадку, коли аспірант підходить до цього питання виключно з формальної точки зору, розглядаючи публікації як своєрідний пропускний квиток для захисту дисертації.

In practice, it is much better when there are more articles. And although their publications are associated with obvious costs, this issue should also be considered from the point of view of investment in the future of the researcher. PhD students who do not have an active experience of interacting with the scientific community sometimes underestimate the importance of publications for their professional self-realization. But it is worth considering this issue systematically. So:

1. Publication is an opportunity to express yourself, to become visible to the scientific community. We can carry as many ideas relevant to science as we like, but they remain only ideas until they find reflection in real works.
2. A good article is a chance to successfully disseminate valuable information. For people who realize themselves in science, as a rule, not only ambitious, but also altruistic goals are inherent. Therefore, a nice bonus of publishing articles is that really valuable developments serve science and contribute to the development of society.
3. Each new publication makes the graduate student's resume thicker and more solid. This increases the credibility in scientific circles, gives more confidence, gives reason to communicate on an equal footing with reputable experts, having the opportunity to share your thoughts and ideas with them.
4. Publications in reputable publications allow graduate students to submit their applications for solid grant programs, internships abroad. For a person to be interesting for communication within the framework of international projects, he must have developments that make it possible to become a useful specialist in professional interaction with experts from other countries. Articles are one of the ways to confirm your perspective.

In addition to all of the above, it is also important to note that publications in really reputable publications open up more opportunities for a young researcher to communicate with experienced colleagues. And this, in turn, is a chance to make good contacts - perhaps even find future reviewers for a PhD thesis.

            How difficult is it for a graduate student to publish a paper.

Despite all the advantages of publishing scientific articles for graduate students, many consider this requirement a big barrier for themselves. What is the basis of such an opinion? Sufficiently serious and objective facts. Among them:

1. The difficulty of selecting a publication, given that the lists are limited.
2. Strict requirements for the design of the article.
3. Length of the editorial cycle itself. Sometimes it even drags on for a year.
4. Rejection rate from publications, which leads to the fact that the degree applicant may not have time to publish the required article per year, if he hopes for only one scientific journal.

The rejection rate from publications, which leads to the fact that the degree applicant may not be able to publish the required article per year if he hopes for only one scientific journal. Ultimately, this leads to many graduate students choosing a path for themselves that looks more easy, but in fact is a complete profanation of scientific activity. We are talking about the publication of low-quality materials for money. And in this case, all the advantages discussed above are irrelevant. Firstly, a low-quality article, which is done “for show”, does not carry any scientific value. And respected and experienced scientists who conscientiously treat their work see such things very well. Secondly, due to the formal approach to the implementation of this task, the graduate student loses the opportunity to share really promising ideas that would make him visible for beneficial cooperation, friendship with like-minded people in the scientific community, and completeness of self-realization.

Therefore, despite the objective difficulties, there is only one option for those who want to build a career in academia. This is a responsible attitude to your work and conscious productivity. If an applicant for a scientific degree initially writes more articles than the minimum requirements provide, he can be reinsured against refusals of publications. It is unlikely that everyone will refuse at the same time. When a person is active, statistics itself works for him.

            How to write a good scientific article

To write an article in accordance with the requirements of the Higher Attestation Commission, you should pay attention to the following requirements:

1. Reasonable choice of topic, its reality and the relevance of using the results of the publication in practice.
2. Compliance with evidence-based science, the presence of real practical validity.
3. An obvious and traceable connection between the topic of the publication and its content. The creativity of the researcher's ideas should not be in line with "spreading thoughts along the tree." For a scientific publication, the consistency of all its elements is important.
4. A sufficient number of sources, as well as their consistency with each other. And, of course, the sources must also be authoritative and scientific.
5. Compliance with technical requirements for design.

The last point will be discussed in more detail below. Let's touch on the issue of the structure of the material and technical nuances.

            VAC articles for graduate students: important nuances of the design of the VAC article

Requirements for the design of the article can be divided into 2 conditional groups:

🎓 universal and relevant for all publications;

🎓 those put forward by a particular publication, taking into account its editorial policy.

Of course, the second group of requirements cannot contradict the first. Rather, she expands it, details it and adapts it to the editorial policy of the publication. Let's touch on this issue in more detail. In addition to those listed in the previous paragraph, these are the following technical requirements:

🎓 margin alignment 3*2*2*1.5 cm;

🎓 using Times New Roman font;

🎓 14 size;

🎓 1.5 line spacing.

The requirements for registration in technical terms are by no means an attempt to complicate the life of an applicant for a scientific degree. This is just an objective necessity, which takes into account the specifics of the layout of a particular publication.

Also, when writing an article, indicate:

🎓 information about the author (full name);

🎓 place of work;

🎓 personal contacts (this is related to the establishment of scientific communication).

Another important parameter is UDC. This is a universal decimal classifier. In this number, the keywords of the material name are encrypted. UDC is important from the position that it will be easier to find the article in library and other databases.

And, of course, the aspect of the structure of the material itself is important. VAC articles for graduate students is an important stage of professional growth. Therefore, it is worth adhering to the specified requirements for the technical design and structure of the article. So, the structure consists of the following elements:

1. Постановки проблемы. Если говорить более простым языком, данную часть материала можно назвать неким анонсом того, на исследование какой проблематики он направлен.
2. The state of the research question. It provides for analytics, which latest publications on this topic are presented in the scientific world.
3. Определения цели публикации. Важно указать задачи, на которые направлен материал. Аспирант Украины должен осознавать себя частью научного сообщества и понимать практический компонент своих исследований. В обозначении задач это можно сделать эффективно.
4. main material. Actually, we are talking about the key text of the article, which sets out the author's vision.
5. Conclusions and indications of subsequent research perspectives. It is important to be able to correctly summarize what final conclusions the graduate student came to in his small study presented in the publication.
6. Source list.

Когда идет речь об аспирантуре, публикации являются неотъемлемой частью жизни соискателя научной степени. Чтобы публикации аспирантов работали на них и открывали перспективы для самореализации в научном мире, важно ответственно подходить к вопросу подготовки материалов. Тогда результат непременно порадует.