Dr. Martaria Rizky Rinaldi, M.Psi., a psychologist and lecturer at the Faculty of Psychology, Universitas Mercu Buana Yogyakarta (UMBY), served as the keynote speaker for a training session on international publication strategies. The event was organized by the Department of Psychology at Universitas Malikussaleh (Unimal), Aceh, on Thursday (October 16, 2026). Held online via Zoom, the session focused on practical strategies for preparing scholarly articles for Scopus-indexed journals, as well as understanding the systematic steps for conducting a Systematic Literature Review (SLR).

Addressing approximately 20 lecturers from the fields of psychology and nursing, Martaria emphasized the importance of grasping the underlying logic of research rather than getting bogged down by the initial complexity of writing. She shared practical tips and publication strategies—ranging from developing research ideas, identifying research gaps, and constructing scientific arguments to strengthening research contributions and selecting journals that align with the article’s focus.

"Getting published in a Scopus-indexed journal doesn't have to start with something overly complex. What matters most is understanding the logic of a scholarly article, knowing the contribution you intend to make, and structuring each section in a purposeful way," said Martaria.

Regarding the SLR component, participants were introduced to the entire process: formulating review questions, developing literature search strategies, establishing inclusion and exclusion criteria, conducting article selection, and systematically extracting and synthesizing research findings.

Martaria stressed that an SLR is more than just collecting and summarizing a large number of articles; it requires a transparent and accountable procedure.

"An SLR is not merely about reading many articles and writing a summary. It requires clear research questions, a replicable search strategy, a transparent selection process, and a synthesis that generates new insights within a given field," she explained.

The participants showed great enthusiasm throughout the session. The discussion was highly active, as many of the attendees had limited prior experience in preparing articles for Scopus-indexed journals or conducting research using the SLR methodology. Participants’ questions largely focused on how to begin a manuscript, identify novelty, devise search strategies, and develop review findings into a publishable article.

The structured approach to the material presented by the speaker from UMBY was warmly received by the leadership and participants from Unimal. The Head of the Psychology Department at Unimal, Riza Musni, S.Kp., M.Kes., noted that mastering this material is crucial for enhancing faculty research productivity.

Meanwhile, the Secretary of the Psychology Department at Unimal, Dwi Iramadhani, M.Psi., Psychologist, praised the approach, describing the material as clear and highly applicable.

"I am very pleased to have participated in this session because the material was presented in a clear and practical manner. Many other participants also remarked that this type of approach is exactly what is needed, as the steps are easier to follow and can be applied immediately," said Dwi.

This four-hour training is intended to serve as a starting point for participants, helping them gain greater confidence in developing scholarly articles—whether based on empirical research or Systematic Literature Reviews (SLR)—with the ultimate goal of publication in reputable international journals.

The involvement of Dr. Martaria Rizky Rinaldi in this event also highlights the contribution of UMBY Psychology faculty members toward enhancing the research and publication capacity of academics across various higher education institutions in Indonesia.