The Process Of Having A Research Project Published In A Journal - IELTS Listening Answers & Explanations
From Road to IELTS Academic Listening Test 3 · Part 3 · Questions 21–30
Audio
Questions
Questions 21–25 Note Completion
Complete the notes below.
Write NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS for each answer.
Part One - Checklist:
- Write an 21 – keep it brief.
- List relevant 22 .
- Have two academic advisors read over your 23 .
- Choose the journal you want to submit to.
- Apply the journal's 24 to your article.
- Sign the 25 .
Questions 26–30 Flow Chart Completion
Complete the flow-chart below.
Write NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS for each answer.
Part Two – Process
Submit 26 → Check e-mail for 27 of submission → 28 → Conditional acceptance of Revise & resubmit → Revise & send back with a 29
(branching from empty box above) → Acceptance or 30
Answers & Explanations Summary
| # | Answer | Evidence | Explanation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Q21 | abstract | So, firstly, you need to write an abstract. Make sure it's short and concise | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows the teacher telling the student that the first step is to write an abstract and reminds him to make it short. Answer Explanation: The answer is a short summary of the research paper that the student needs to write before submitting his work. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is "abstract" because the Supervisor explicitly tells Jeremy that the very first thing he needs to do is write one. The Supervisor also mentions that this summary should be "short and concise," which matches the description "keep it brief" found in the checklist notes. |
| Q22 | key words / keywords | But take some time to make a list of key words that are accurate and relevant | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows the supervisor explaining that Jeremy should choose words that perfectly match his work rather than just writing down the first things he thinks of. Answer Explanation: The answer means Jeremy needs to choose important words, called keywords, that describe his research topic and help people find his article. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is keywords because the supervisor suggests making a list of these starting with the word 'relevant'. In the transcript, the supervisor advises Jeremy to take time to create a list of 'key words' that are both 'accurate and relevant' to his project. |
| Q23 | final draft | Actually, at least two senior staff members should always read through a final draft, before submission | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript says that at least two important teachers at the school should look at the finished version of the writing before it is handed in for publishing. Answer Explanation: The answer "final draft" refers to the very last version of a piece of writing after all the changes have been made but before it is officially sent in. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is "final draft" because the supervisor mentions that two senior staff members (which matches the meaning of academic advisors) should read this specific version of the article before it is submitted. The transcript links the act of reading by senior staff directly to the "final draft" stage of the project. |
| Q24 | style guide | Make that decision soon. Because you'll need to adjust your article so that it matches the style guide of the journal you are submitting to | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows that once Jeremy chooses a journal, he must change his paper so it follows the special formatting rules (the style guide) that the journal requires. Answer Explanation: The answer is the specific set of rules for writing and formatting that a journal wants you to follow. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'style guide' because the supervisor tells Jeremy he needs to pick a journal quickly. This is so he can change his article to follow the 'style guide' (the specific set of rules) used by that specific journal. The phrase 'adjust your article so that it matches' is another way of saying 'apply'. |
| Q25 | copyright form | One more thing, you'll have to sign the copyright form - just confirming that it's your own work - and then you're good to go | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript says that the student needs to sign a paper called a copyright form to show that the work belongs to him before it can be sent to the journal. Answer Explanation: The answer is a legal document that you must sign to prove that you are the original author of the research project. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'copyright form' because, according to the supervisor, this is the final requirement for Jeremy to complete before submitting his article. The supervisor uses the verb 'sign', which matches the prompt perfectly, and explains that this document is used for 'confirming' that he did the work himself. |
| Q26 | the manuscript / manuscript | Well, the first thing is to just send it off. You've got to send in the manuscript before anything else can happen | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript explains that the first part of the process is sending the research paper, which the supervisor calls a 'manuscript', to the journal. Answer Explanation: The answer refers to the original version of the research paper that is sent to a publisher. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is identified by looking for the first step Jeremy needs to take in the submission process. The supervisor explains that the very first action is to 'send it off' and clarifies that he must 'send in the manuscript' before the rest of the process can begin. In the flow-chart, 'Submit' serves as a synonym for 'send in'. |
| Q27 | confirmation | all you have to do is just log onto your e-mail regularly because you will get a submission confirmation once they have processed the manuscript | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript explains that the student needs to look at his email often to find a 'submission confirmation' message that verifies the journal has received his paper. Answer Explanation: The answer means a formal message telling the sender that their work has been received. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'confirmation' because the supervisor tells Jeremy he should check his email frequently after sending his article. He explains that Jeremy will receive a 'submission confirmation' once the journal has received and started processing his paper. This matches the step in the chart where one must check email for a specific notice regarding the submission. |
| Q28 | peer review | The next stage is what is known as peer review. This is when experts in the field review your manuscript and decide whether to accept it | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript says that after the journal receives the paper, the next part of the process is called “peer review.” In this step, people who know a lot about the topic read the paper. Answer Explanation: The answer “peer review” describes the step where other experts in the same subject read and check the student's paper to decide if it is good enough. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is “peer review” because it is the next step in the process after the student receives a confirmation email. The supervisor explains that this is when experts look at the work to decide if the journal should accept it. In the flow-chart, this fits right after checking for the submission confirmation. |
| Q29 | rejection | Well, there are four possible outcomes. You might get an acceptance. But a first-off acceptance is very, very rare. Don't pin your hopes on it. You could also get a rejection, but these don't happen very often either. I don't think this will be a problem | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript lists the different ways a journal can answer a student. It mentions 'acceptance' and 'rejection' as two of the main possible outcomes after the paper is reviewed. Answer Explanation: The answer 'rejection' means that the journal decides not to publish the student's work. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'rejection' because the supervisor describes four possible results from the review process. Two of these outcomes involve more work from the student (conditional acceptance and revise & resubmit), while the other two are simple 'yes' or 'no' decisions: an 'acceptance' or a 'rejection'. |
| Q30 | cover letter | Yes, but include a cover letter that discusses the changes you have made | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows the supervisor telling the student that when he sends his fixed article back, he needs to include a 'cover letter' to show he followed the advice of the reviewers. Answer Explanation: The answer is a short letter sent with a report or document to explain what is inside or what changes were made. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is correct because the supervisor explains the final step of the revision process. When a student has to change their work (revise it) and submit it again, they must include a 'cover letter' that explains those specific changes to the reviewers. Keywords to note are 'revise', 'send back', and 'changes you have made'. |
Transcript
Section 3
You will hear a conversation between a research student, Jeremy, and his supervisor. They are talking about the process of having a research project published in a journal. First, you have some time to look at questions 21 to 25.
[20 seconds]
Listen carefully and answer questions 21 to 25.
SUPERVISOR: So, you're nearly ready to submit your article to an academic journal, are you?
JEREMY: Yes, I think so. I just wanted to go over all the things I need to do before I submit it. And then I wanted to go over the submission process with you.
SUPERVISOR: Great. So, firstly, you need to write an abstract. Make sure it's short and concise.
JEREMY: Of course, I forgot all about that. And what about key words?
SUPERVISOR: Yes, a lot of students overlook this part and just jot down whatever comes to mind. But take some time to make a list of key words that are accurate and relevant.
JEREMY: Okay. Another thing, could you have a look at my article before I submit it?
SUPERVISOR: Absolutely. Actually, at least two senior staff members should always read through a final draft, before submission. Do you mind if I give it to Professor Johnson to have a look at, as well?
JEREMY: Not at all. I'd be glad to have the feedback.
SUPERVISOR: Do you know which journal you want to submit to yet?
JEREMY: Not yet. I have a shortlist of about three that I'm interested in.
SUPERVISOR: Make that decision soon. Because you'll need to adjust your article so that it matches the style guide of the journal you are submitting to.
JEREMY: I bet that can take a while.
SUPERVISOR: Yes, but after that you are just about ready to submit. One more thing, you'll have to sign the copyright form - just confirming that it's your own work - and then you're good to go.
Before you hear the rest of the conversation, you have some time to look at questions 26 to 30.
[20 seconds]
Now listen and answer questions 26 to 30.
JEREMY: Now, the submission process. How does it work exactly?
SUPERVISOR: Well, the first thing is to just send it off. You've got to send in the manuscript before anything else can happen.
JEREMY: Sure. And then should I call to check if they have received it?
SUPERVISOR: No need for that, no, all you have to do is just log onto your e-mail regularly because you will get a submission confirmation once they have processed the manuscript.
JEREMY: And that will have comments on what they thought of it?
SUPERVISOR: No, no comments yet - that e-mail is just to let you know they have received it. The next stage is what is known as peer review. This is when experts in the field review your manuscript and decide whether to accept it.
JEREMY: Aagh, they'll never accept me. I'm only a Master's student!
SUPERVISOR: Don't worry about that, Jeremy. It's all done through a double-blind method. That means that whoever reads your manuscript has no idea whether you are a grad student or a Nobel Prize laureate. They'll only be judging your work, not you.
JEREMY: Well that's good to hear. And then what, once they've made their decision?
SUPERVISOR: Well, there are four possible outcomes. You might get an acceptance. But a first-off acceptance is very, very rare. Don't pin your hopes on it. You could also get a rejection, but these don't happen very often either. I don't think this will be a problem.
JEREMY: What do you think I'll get?
SUPERVISOR: If you're very lucky, you'll get a conditional acceptance. This means that they've accepted the article and it will be published, but you need to tweak a few things first: a sentence here, a heading there, nothing major.
JEREMY: That sounds good.
SUPERVISOR: But, to be honest, you will probably end up with a revise & resubmit. This means they are definitely interested, but you will need to rework the paper before it's accepted. The necessary changes will be outlined by the reviewers.
JEREMY: Okay, so I just fix the things that need changing and present it again?
SUPERVISOR: Yes, but include a cover letter that discusses the changes you have made. The same goes for a conditional acceptance, actually. It helps the reviewers see that you've taken their criticism seriously.
Narrator:
That is the end of section 3. You now have half a minute to check your answers.
[30 seconds]
Now turn to section 4.