Publishing in an EI Compendex indexed conference is a valuable milestone for researchers, as it enhances visibility and credibility in academic and industry circles. However, navigating the submission process requires careful planning and attention to detail. Below is a step-by-step guide to help you successfully submit your work to an EI conference.
The first and most critical step is to select a reputable conference that is currently indexed in EI Compendex. Avoid predatory conferences, which may falsely claim EI indexing. To verify a conference’s status:
- Check EI Compendex: Use the Elsevier EI Compendex database to search for the conference name or its proceedings. Look for recent indexing records (within the past 1–2 years) to ensure ongoing inclusion.
- Review the conference website: Legitimate conferences clearly state their EI indexing status, often with a link to the EI Compendex listing. They also provide details about the organizing committee (affiliated with universities or reputable institutions) and a history of past proceedings.
- Consult peers or advisors: Experienced researchers can recommend trusted conferences in your field.
Once you’ve chosen a conference, prepare your paper according to its specific guidelines. EI conferences strictly enforce formatting rules, as non-compliant papers may be rejected without review.
- Download the template: Most conferences provide a LaTeX or Word template on their website, specifying font size, margins, section headings, and citation style (e.g., IEEE, APA).
- Structure your paper: Typical sections include:
- Title, authors, and affiliations
- Abstract (150–300 words) and keywords
- Introduction, literature review, methodology, results, discussion, and conclusion
- References (ensure all citations are accurate and formatted correctly)
- Check for plagiarism: Use tools like Turnitin or iThenticate to ensure originality (most conferences require a similarity score below 20–30%).
- Proofread: Eliminate grammatical errors, typos, and inconsistencies. Ask colleagues to review your work for clarity and coherence.
Most conferences use an online submission platform (e.g., EasyChair, EDAS, or a custom portal). To register:
- Visit the conference website and navigate to the “Submissions” or “Authors” section.
- Create an account using your academic email (use a professional address, not personal domains like Gmail if possible).
- Fill in your profile details, including affiliation, research interests, and ORCID ID (optional but recommended for credibility).
Follow these steps to upload your paper:
- Log in to the submission system and select “New Submission.”
- Enter metadata: Title, authors, abstract, keywords, and a brief biography (if required).
- Upload your manuscript as a PDF (most conferences prefer PDF to preserve formatting). Ensure the file name follows guidelines (e.g., “LastName_ConferenceName.pdf”).
- Review the submission for errors: Double-check that all authors are listed correctly and the PDF is complete (no missing pages or figures).
- Submit before the deadline: Note the deadline timezone (e.g., UTC) to avoid late submissions, which are often rejected.
After submission, your paper will undergo peer review, typically involving 2–3 experts in your field. The process takes 2–8 weeks, depending on the conference. You may receive one of the following decisions:
- Acceptance: Your paper is approved for publication with no or minor revisions.
- Revise and Resubmit: Major changes are required, but the paper has potential. Address all reviewer comments in a detailed response letter and resubmit by the revised deadline.
- Rejection: The paper is not suitable for the conference. Consider feedback for future submissions to other venues.
If your paper is accepted, complete these tasks to finalize publication:
- Pay the registration fee: Most EI conferences require authors to register (and often attend) to have their paper published. Fees range from $200–$800, depending on the conference and registration type (early, regular, late).
- Submit the final revised version: Incorporate any minor changes requested by reviewers and ensure the manuscript adheres to the final formatting guidelines (e.g., adding a copyright notice).
- Sign the copyright agreement: Conferences typically require authors to transfer copyright or grant a license for publication in the proceedings.
- Optional: Register for the conference: Attend to present your work, network with peers, and participate in discussions.
After the conference proceedings are published, it may take 2–6 months for the paper to appear in EI Compendex. To verify:
- Search for the paper title, author name, or conference name in the EI Compendex database.
- Check the conference website for updates on indexing status.
- Start early: Begin preparing your paper 2–3 months before the submission deadline to allow time for revisions.
- Follow guidelines strictly: Non-compliant papers are often rejected without review.
- Choose conferences wisely: Prioritize those with a strong reputation, experienced organizers, and a history of timely EI indexing.
By following these steps, you can navigate the EI conference paper submission process confidently and increase your chances of successful publication. For more details, refer to the specific guidelines of your target conference.
