How to Publish Your Thesis or Dissertation in an International Journal

Completing a Master’s thesis or a PhD dissertation is a significant academic milestone. It represents years of research, analysis, and writing, often culminating in hundreds of pages of detailed scholarly work. Yet, once the thesis is submitted and defended, many graduates face an important question: What comes next?

For most researchers, the natural next step is to share their findings with the wider academic community by publishing in an international peer-reviewed journal. Publication ensures that your work is not only archived in your university library but also read, cited, and built upon by scholars around the globe. More importantly, publications in Scopus- or Web of Science–indexed journals enhance your academic profile, improve your career prospects, and may even be required for future academic appointments, grants, or postdoctoral opportunities.

But here’s the challenge: a thesis or dissertation cannot simply be uploaded as it is into a journal. While it is absolutely possible to publish your work in an international journal—regardless of whether it was written in Arabic, French, Russian, or any other language—there are specific terms, conditions, and guidelines to follow. In this guide, we will explain step by step how to transform your thesis into publishable journal articles and navigate the path to successful international publication.

Is It Possible to Publish a Thesis or Dissertation in International Journals?

Publishing thesis in an international journal

Yes, it is possible—but not in its original form. Journals have strict requirements when it comes to article length, structure, and focus. A typical thesis is far too long and detailed for journal publication. Instead, the content must be condensed, rewritten, and adapted into the format of one or more research papers.

Think of your thesis as a mine of raw materials. To publish, you must extract the most valuable parts—the novel results, the innovative methods, the strongest arguments—and shape them into concise, well-structured research papers. Journals want articles that are focused, clear, and relevant, not entire books.

Translating Your Thesis into English for Journal Publication

Many international journals, especially those indexed in Scopus and Web of Science, require submissions in English, even if your thesis or dissertation was originally written in Arabic, French, Russian, or another language. This does not mean your research cannot be published—it simply requires careful translation and adaptation.

Translating Your Thesis into English

Steps to Translate and Prepare Your Thesis in English:

Professional Academic Translation: Avoid literal translations. Journals expect clear, precise academic English. It is best to use professional translators or language editing services with expertise in academic writing.

Preserve Technical Accuracy: Ensure that technical terms, data descriptions, and references are translated correctly without losing meaning. Misinterpretation during translation can weaken your research.

Adapt Writing Style: Academic English emphasizes clarity, concise wording, and logical flow. Long and descriptive passages common in other languages should be adjusted to match international journal standards.

Proofreading and Editing: Even after translation, manuscripts often require proofreading by a native or near-native English editor who is familiar with academic writing in your field.

Check Journal Guidelines: Some journals accept manuscripts in multiple languages, but most leading indexed journals prefer or require English. Always verify this before submission.

By translating your thesis effectively, you ensure that your research is accessible to a global audience, improves its chances of acceptance, and increases citations once published.

Step One: Understanding the Difference Between a Thesis and a Research Paper

Before converting your thesis, it’s essential to understand the differences between a thesis and a journal article:

Length:
- A Master’s or PhD thesis often ranges from 100 to 300+ pages.
- A typical journal article is only 6,000–10,000 words (15–25 pages).
Purpose:
- A thesis demonstrates your competence as a researcher to an academic committee.
- A journal article communicates new and original findings to the broader academic community.
Content Style:
- A thesis includes comprehensive literature reviews, methodology details, appendices, and long discussions.
- A research paper condenses these into focused, concise sections highlighting originality and contribution.
Audience:
- A thesis committee reads to evaluate your mastery of the subject.
- A journal readership seeks relevant knowledge that can be applied, cited, or extended.

Understanding this distinction is critical. You cannot simply “copy-paste” your thesis into a journal template—you must restructure and rewrite it into a format journals expect.

Comparison Between Thesis/Dissertation and Journal Research Paper

Section	Thesis / Dissertation	Research Paper (Journal Article)
Title	Long, descriptive, often 15–25 words.	Short, precise, impactful, usually 8–15 words.
Abstract	Extended abstract, ~300–500 words.	Concise summary, ~150–250 words.
Introduction	Very detailed background, may include history and context. 20–40 pages.	Short and focused, introduces research gap and objective. 2–4 pages.
Literature Review	Comprehensive, exhaustive review of all relevant works. 30–60+ pages.	Selective and focused, highlights only most relevant and recent works. 2–4 pages.
Methodology	Very detailed, includes full experimental setup, tools, materials, and procedures. 20–40 pages.	Concise but sufficient for reproducibility. 2–5 pages.
Results	Complete presentation of all findings, often hundreds of tables, figures, and appendices. 40–100 pages.	Focused on main findings with selected tables/figures. 4–6 pages.
Discussion	Extended interpretation, may overlap with results, 20–40 pages.	Concise interpretation linking results to research questions and literature. 3–5 pages.
Conclusion	Multiple pages, may include summary of each chapter, limitations, and future research. 5–10 pages.	Short and direct, summarizes contribution and implications. 1–2 pages.
References	Hundreds of citations, 20–50+ pages.	Limited, selective references. 2–4 pages.
Appendices	Contains questionnaires, raw data, extra analyses, additional figures. 20–100+ pages.	Rarely included; if needed, published as supplementary materials online.
Total Length	100–300+ pages, 30,000–100,000+ words.	15–25 pages, 6,000–10,000 words.

Step Two: How to Convert Your Thesis into a Research Paper

Here’s a practical guide on how to transform each section of your thesis into a publishable article:

Title:
- Thesis titles are often long and descriptive.
- Article titles should be short, precise, and impactful, capturing the essence of your findings.
Abstract:
- Rewrite a concise 150–250 word summary.
- Focus on problem, method, results, and implications. Avoid excessive background detail.
Introduction:
- Shorten drastically compared to the thesis version.
- Explain the research gap, your objective, and the contribution. Avoid lengthy historical reviews.
Literature Review:
- Reduce from dozens of pages to 2–4 pages.
- Cite only the most relevant and recent works. Highlight how your study builds on or challenges them.
Methodology:
- Keep it clear but concise.
- Provide enough detail for reproducibility, but avoid unnecessary procedural descriptions.
Results:
- Present your most important findings using tables, graphs, or figures.
- Leave out minor or supplementary results (these can go in appendices or later articles).
Discussion:
- Interpret your results, linking them to the research question and literature.
- Highlight originality, significance, and practical/theoretical implications.
Conclusion:
- Keep it brief and powerful.
- Emphasize contribution, limitations, and possible directions for future research.
References:
- Reformat references according to the journal’s style guide (APA, MLA, Chicago, Vancouver, etc.).

By following this process, you can often produce two or three journal articles from one thesis, each focusing on a different theme, dataset, or aspect of your work.

Sections to Remove When Converting a Thesis into a Research Paper

Thesis Section (Common)	Research Paper Adaptation	Keep or Remove?
Extensive Literature Review	Condensed, focused review	Condense
Detailed Methodology (instruments, pilot studies, procedures)	Essential methods only (replicable)	Condense
Appendices (raw data, transcripts, surveys)	Not included (or supplementary files if allowed)	Remove
Acknowledgments, Dedication, Institutional forms	Short acknowledgments only	Remove/Shorten
Long Theoretical Explanations	Only framework relevant to research	Condense
Multi-chapter Results & Discussion	Key findings + focused discussion	Condense
Administrative Sections (CV, ethics forms, declarations)	Not included	Remove

Step Three: Choosing the Right Journal

Once your papers are ready, the next crucial step is selecting a journal that matches each article. The wrong journal choice can lead to desk rejection, no matter how strong your research is.

Here’s what to consider when selecting a journal:

Scope: Ensure the journal’s aims and scope match your paper’s subject.
Indexing: For visibility and recognition, prioritize journals indexed in Scopus or Web of Science.
Access Type: Decide between open access (freely available, often with publication fees) or subscription-based (restricted access, sometimes free to publish).
Timeline: Consider how quickly the journal processes papers—do you need a fast publication for graduation or funding requirements?
Reputation and Impact Factor: Higher-impact journals are more competitive but provide greater visibility.

Check mark

You can use tools like Elsevier Journal Finder, Springer Journal Suggester, or the Web of Science Master Journal List to identify suitable journals.

Step Four: Formatting Your Paper According to Journal Guidelines

Every journal has strict submission guidelines covering formatting, style, figures, tables, and references. Ignoring these can lead to immediate rejection.

Where to find them?

Check the “Author Guidelines” section on the journal’s official website.

Key formatting elements include:

Word count, page limits, and section structure.
Reference style (APA, MLA, IEEE, etc.).
Figure and table resolution.
Ethical statements and conflict of interest declarations.

Take time to carefully reformat your paper according to these rules before submission.

Step Five: Submitting and Waiting for the Response

With your paper prepared and formatted, it’s time to submit through the journal’s online submission system. Upload all required files (manuscript, figures, cover letter, supplementary materials) and double-check for accuracy.

After submission, expect one of these outcomes:

Desk Rejection (if the paper is out of scope or poorly formatted).
Peer Review (if the paper passes initial checks).
Decision: Accept, minor revisions, major revisions, or reject.

Be patient—the process can take weeks to months. Use this time productively by preparing other papers from your thesis.

Final Thoughts

Publishing your thesis or dissertation in an international journal is a challenging but achievable goal. While you cannot submit the entire thesis, you can successfully convert it into one or more focused research papers. By carefully adapting each section, selecting the right journal, formatting precisely, and navigating the submission process, you can transform your graduate research into recognized, citable contributions to your field.

No matter the original language of your thesis—Arabic, French, Russian, or others—with proper translation, adaptation, and formatting, your work can find its place in Scopus or Web of Science journals.

Your thesis represents years of dedication. Publishing it allows your hard work to inspire, inform, and advance knowledge for years to come.

Converting Your Thesis or Dissertation into Publishable Research Articles with SITA Academy

At SITA Academy, we make the journey from thesis to published research seamless. Simply send us your thesis—whether it’s in Arabic, French, Russian, or any other language—and our expert team will:

Graduate student

Analyze your work and determine the number of extractable research articles along with suggested titles.

Once you approve, we will convert your thesis into high-quality, English-language papers ready for publication.

Recommend journals tailored to each paper based on scope, impact, and indexing.

Handle the entire publication process on your behalf, if you choose, including formatting, submission, and follow-ups.

Send your thesis via the channels below, and our team will provide a detailed plan including process steps, fees, and timelines—making your research ready for international journals like Scopus and Web of Science.

Verified Contact Channels

If you have any questions, inquiries, or would like to learn more about our services, please don't hesitate to reach out to us. Our dedicated team is ready to assist you.

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