How to Publish a Research Paper in Computer Science
A practical guide to publishing research in computer science
A practical, field-specific guide to publishing research in computer science, covering norms, challenges, the step-by-step process, where to publish, and how to choose between journal types.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I publish in a CS conference or a journal?
It depends on the subfield. In machine learning, systems, and HCI, top conferences are primary. In theoretical CS, software engineering, and information systems, journals carry more weight. Many researchers publish a conference paper followed by an extended journal version.
Do CS journals require open-source code?
Most reputable venues now expect a public code repository for empirical work, often as a condition for acceptance or for an artifact evaluation badge.
How long does CS publication typically take?
Conferences run on fixed cycles of 4 to 8 months from submission to publication. Journals range from 6 weeks for structured low-cost titles to 12 months for flagship ACM or IEEE journals.
Can I cite my own arXiv preprint?
Yes, provided the target venue permits preprints. Most journals and conferences in CS explicitly allow arXiv submissions, but some require anonymisation during double-blind review.
What is a realistic acceptance rate in CS?
Top conferences accept 15 to 25 percent of submissions. Indexed journals vary from 20 to 40 percent. Structured low-cost peer-reviewed journals can accept above 60 percent of well-prepared manuscripts.