1. Publishing Through a Research Internship

One of the best ways to get your research published is by securing a research internship.

This is how I published my first paper. Since my undergraduate college lacked strong research facilities, I worked hard to secure an internship at a reputed institute with better research resources. After sending emails to professors, I landed my first research internship at IIT Kharagpur.

These internships usually last for about two months during the summer break, whereas publishing a research paper can take one to two years.

The key is to choose a small research topic that can be completed within the internship period. Focus on finishing the experimentation during the internship, and later coordinate with your guide to analyze results and write the paper.

When it comes to publishing, you have two main options. You can either: Submit your research to a journal for publication or Present it at a conference and publish it in the conference proceedings.

After my internship at IIT Kharagpur, I presented my work at two conferences—one as a poster presentation and another as an oral presentation. The second conference accepted my paper for publication, but my guide preferred submitting it to a journal instead.

If you want to learn how to write emails to professors for research positions, check out the video below:

2. Publishing Through During Your College Semesters

If you cannot secure a research internship, you can still publish a research paper while continuing your regular college semesters.

However, before starting your research, assess the facilities available in your college. Choosing a research area purely based on interest might not work if your college lacks the necessary equipment for experiments.

Many students from average engineering colleges struggle more with arranging research facilities than conducting the actual research.

If your college lacks proper equipment, opt for computer-based research, which relies on theoretical analysis or simulations. This type of research doesn’t require lab experiments but still holds academic value and can be published in good journals.

To maximize your chances of getting published, start your research early—preferably from your second or third year—so that you have enough time to complete the work and submit it before graduation. Since you will be working on your research alongside regular coursework, early planning is crucial.

To know how to start research from scratch, check out the video below:

3. Publishing a Review Paper

If you don’t have access to research facilities or proper guidance, you can still get published by writing a review paper.

A review paper does not require new experiments but involves analyzing existing research in a particular field, summarizing findings, comparing different studies, and providing your insights.

To write a review paper:

1. Choose a relevant research area.

2. Study and analyze existing literature in the field.

3. Compare findings, identify gaps, and provide a detailed evaluation.

4. Compile all this information into a well-structured review paper.

To learn how to write a review paper, check out the video below:

Publishing a research paper in college is not as difficult as it seems. With the right approach, proper planning, and dedication, you can successfully get your research published. Whether through an internship, regular semester research, or writing a review paper, there are multiple paths to achieving this goal.

I hope this blog gives you a clear understanding of how to publish your research paper in college. If you found this helpful, do share it with your peers. Wishing you all the best in your research journey!