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Writing for academic publishing Griffith College, Dublin

Dec 04, 2014

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Education

Helen Fallon

This is a presentation on writing for publication I delivered at Griffith College, Dublin on 19th September 2013
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Page 1: Writing for academic publishing Griffith College, Dublin
Page 2: Writing for academic publishing Griffith College, Dublin

Goals of this workshop

By the end of the course participants will • Have drafted an article or other piece of writing• Understand the mechanics of writing (including

structure and style)• Know more about the publishing process• Know more about increasing the visibility of their

publications• Have developed increased confidence and

motivation to write

Page 3: Writing for academic publishing Griffith College, Dublin

Why Publish?

• To share your practice with others

• To increase the impact/visibility of your work

• To disseminate your research findings

• To explore topics of interest

• To add to the existing body of knowledge and create new knowledge

• To gain recognition and establish a track record in a particular field - credibility/expertise

• To enhance your curriculum vitae

• To promote your institution

• To express yourself in a creative way/personal satisfaction

Page 4: Writing for academic publishing Griffith College, Dublin

Different Types of Publications

• Newsletter• Professional magazine • Popular Magazine• Academic (peer-

reviewed) Journal• Hybrid Journal• Poster

• Book Review• Book Chapter• Book (single author)• Book (edited collection)• Other opportunities –

conference presentation, radio broadcast, television, social media

Page 5: Writing for academic publishing Griffith College, Dublin

Sources for writing

• Research/thesis• A particular project• Your practice/everyday work• Topic that interests you• A paper you presented• Other• Consider whether you want to collaborate (principal

author)

Page 6: Writing for academic publishing Griffith College, Dublin

6

What to Publish

• Research-based article• Practice-based article• Case Study• Conference Presentation/Poster/Paper• Book chapter• Book

Page 7: Writing for academic publishing Griffith College, Dublin

Identifying Publishing Outlets

• Do a database search on your topic to see where else articles on this topic have been published

• Databases in Griffith College – Ask your Librarian• www.rian.ie (publications by staff in Irish Universities)• Search on Google Scholar • Directory of Open Access Journals – DOAJ.org• Professional Networks - EDIN, AISHE, Academia.edu,

researchgate.net etc. electronic discussion lists etc.• Calls for papers/book chapters/themed issues of journals• AISHE-J - www.aishe.org• Who is your audience? What is the purpose of your piece of

writing?

Page 8: Writing for academic publishing Griffith College, Dublin
Page 9: Writing for academic publishing Griffith College, Dublin

Structure of practice-based article

• Introduction• Background/Context• Case Study• Results/Reflection• Conclusion• Possibly some references

Page 10: Writing for academic publishing Griffith College, Dublin

Research-based article

• Abstract (informative or structured)• Introduction• Background/Context• Literature Review• Methodolgy• Results/Analysis• Discussion• Conclusion• References

Page 11: Writing for academic publishing Griffith College, Dublin

Journal analysis

Who is the publisher?Who is the editor/on

the editorial board?Is the journal national

or international?What do the guidelines

for contributions stipulate?

Is some or all of the content peer-reviewed?

How many issues are there per year and how many of these are themed?

What types of material are published?

Are articles illustrated?How many references do

typical papers include?How long is the average

article?

Page 12: Writing for academic publishing Griffith College, Dublin

Drafting a query e-mail

• Before writing/submitting• Editor• Single sentences– I am writing an article on…–My experience is this area…– I think that readers of your journal would be

interested in… because…

Page 13: Writing for academic publishing Griffith College, Dublin

Outlining

• Order ideas• Sift & eliminate ideas• Contextualise/Give

framework• View structure at a

glance• Can work on different

sections – writing is not a linear process

• Makes the process manageable

The reason many aspiring authors fail

is that they throw themselves

immediately into the activity of

writing without realizing it is the

forethought, analysis and preparation

that determine the quality of the

finished product

Day, A. (2007) How to Get Research

Published in Journals. Burlington, VT.:

Ashgate. P. 9

Page 14: Writing for academic publishing Griffith College, Dublin

Outlining/Structuring

• There are different ways to structure articles• Study the structure of articles in your target

journal• Read first for story then for structure• Model articles on other articles that work well

(template)• Different structures can achieve the same results

ways• Be aware of your audience

Page 15: Writing for academic publishing Griffith College, Dublin

Outlining Murray, R. (2005) Writing for Academic Journals. Maidenhead: McGraw-Hill/Open

University Press, p. 9

Context/Background

Literature review

Method/approach

Results/Analysis

Discussion

Conclusion

Topic 1 – 250 words

Topic 2 – 250 words

Topic 3- 250 words

Introduction

Page 16: Writing for academic publishing Griffith College, Dublin

Title• Stimulate reader’s interest• Working title/final title• Final title should summarise the main idea of the

manuscript• Attract and inform the reader• Stand out• Be accurate• Be fully explanatory when standing alone• Facilitate indexing and retrieval (avoid using abbreviations)• Suggested length no more than 12 words (APA Publications

Manual)

For more on titles consultHartley, J. (2008) Academic Writing and Publishing: A practical handbook. London: Routledge, p. 23-27

Page 17: Writing for academic publishing Griffith College, Dublin

Author’s Name & Institutional Affiliation

• Use the same form throughout your career• Omit all titles and degrees (e.g. Dr., PhD)• Where the is more than one author, names

should appear in the order of their contributions

• Institutional affiliation should appear under the author’s name

• Provide an e-mail address for correspondence

Page 18: Writing for academic publishing Griffith College, Dublin

Abstract

• Generally only required with a peer-reviewed article

• Two types – informative and structured

• Synopsis

• Details essence (not the same as introduction)

• Length determined by journal – typically range from

150 to 250 words

Page 19: Writing for academic publishing Griffith College, Dublin

Abstract

• Compare the abstract with an outline of the manuscript’s headings to verify its accuracy

• Use clear and concise language• Use verbs rather than their noun equivalent

(investigates rather than investigation)• Use active rather than passive verbs • Begin the abstract with the most important

points

Page 20: Writing for academic publishing Griffith College, Dublin

Informative Abstract

04/09/2023 20

By surveying reference practitioners on their perceptions of chat reference training, this study presents effective training techniques that could enhance the professional preparation for chat reference personnel. Results indicate that the most effective training techniques involve hands-on practice among trainees and easy access...

Page 21: Writing for academic publishing Griffith College, Dublin

Structured Abstract

04/09/2023 21

• Purpose • This article explores the benefits of a writing support programme in developing the skills and motivation of

librarians to write for academic publication. • Design/methodology/approach • A brief review of the literature is presented. The model developed and implemented by this author is

outlined. Findings from a survey of participants are discussed. • Research limitations/implications • The formal programme commenced in 2007. The publication process takes time, particularly in the case of

peer-reviewed journals. This is exploratory work. It will take time to build up a body of information and a community of librarians writing for publication. Initial evidence indicates there is significant value to the programme.

• Practical implications • The model is transferable and could help in building skills and confidence in academic writing. In addition

academic writing could serve as a bridge between lecturing and library staff, addressing issues of common concern across the academy.

• Originality/value • This is the first formal writing support programme for librarians in Irish universities. Models exist in the US.

A similar model is used in the UK and Ireland to support lecturing staff writing for publication. • Paper Type • Case Study • Keywords • Librarians, publication, academic writing, writing intervention

Page 22: Writing for academic publishing Griffith College, Dublin

Keywords

• Indexing terms• The way your article will be retrieved by

databases/search engines etc.• Avoid unnecessary prepositions especially in and of -

use library marketing rather than marketing of library • What terms do you use to do searches on this topic?

Page 23: Writing for academic publishing Griffith College, Dublin

Introduction

• Introduces the substantive content of the paper/the research question/the problem

• Tells why this issue/problem is important

• Sets the scene• States the purpose• States the scope• States how issue is

addressed/Describes the research strategy

• Explains how this work relates to previous work in this area

• Usually starts from the general and progresses to the specific

• Generally quite brief - no more that a sixth of the total article length

Page 24: Writing for academic publishing Griffith College, Dublin

Literature review• Tells what others have

found on the topic• Provides a context from

which to illustrate how the work documented in the rest of the paper extends or advances understanding and knowledge

• Demonstrates that the author is familiar with thinking on a topic and understands where their work fits

• Highly selective and specific, referring to other pieces of work most relevant to the argument being made

• Link your findings and conclusions back to the literature review

Page 25: Writing for academic publishing Griffith College, Dublin

Method

• Describes how the study was conducted/how research was carried out

• Different types of studies have different methodologies

• Subsections where relevant e.g. Participant characteristics, sampling procedures, research design

Page 26: Writing for academic publishing Griffith College, Dublin

Results

• Summary of collected data• Analysis of data stating findings and how they are

being interpretedWhere required should supplement the argument made with evidence e.g. statistics, tables, charts, maps, or quotes

Page 27: Writing for academic publishing Griffith College, Dublin

Discussion

• Examine, interpret and qualify results• Draw conclusions and inferences from results• Emphasize any theoretical or practical consequences • Sometimes combined with results section if relatively

brief and straightforward• Reaffirm how the research advances understanding and

knowledge• Acknowledge the limitations of research• Outlines how future studies could build on and extend

the research and argument reported

Page 28: Writing for academic publishing Griffith College, Dublin

References & Footnotes

References • Follow journal guidelines • Complete• Accurate

Footnotes• Provide additional content

Page 29: Writing for academic publishing Griffith College, Dublin

Appendices & Supplemental Materials

• Appendix – suitable for material that is relatively brief and easily presented in print format e.g. List, copy of survey etc.

Page 30: Writing for academic publishing Griffith College, Dublin

On Writing

If you’re clear in your mind about what you are going to paint, there is no point in painting it (Picasso)

I have to start to write to have ideas (Françoise Sagan)

Writing is a process of discovery. Sometimes you don't know what you know. You may know it but have no idea how it fits together (Alice Walker)

04/09/2023 30

Page 31: Writing for academic publishing Griffith College, Dublin

Writing

• To begin writing you have to begin writing

• Writing generates ideas• Don’t look for

perfection, just write• Give yourself

permission to write badly

• All writing is rewriting

I just put down any sort of rubbish,” a celebrated critic once remarked about his first attempts. And putting down rubbish is good advice…the truth is that once a sentence is lying on the page, it is often shatteringly clear what is right and what is wrong with it. Put it down, and go on putting more of it down. Everything can be mended later

Watson, George (1987) Writing a thesis: a guide to long essays and dissertations. London: Longman, p. 39

Page 32: Writing for academic publishing Griffith College, Dublin

Writing

• Can start at any point, but generally not conclusion• Scientists often write the results section first• Write in sentences• Structure and Narrative• Storytelling• Tone (verbs, tense, first or third person, adjectives)• Sentences • Logical movement from sentence to sentence• Paragraphs• Transitions and signposts• All add up to movement/coherence/flow

Page 33: Writing for academic publishing Griffith College, Dublin

Writing as Storytelling

• Writing as storytelling• Beginning, middle and end (not necessarily in that

order)• What makes a story interesting?• A story has a theme• A story has movement• A story has a flow• Something happens/changes• Perhaps try to write your piece from start to finish

before beginning editing

Page 34: Writing for academic publishing Griffith College, Dublin

Drafting and Redrafting

• All writing is rewriting• Draft and redraft• Number, date and save drafts• Refer back to your abstract• Ask a critical colleague to read• Revise title, abstract & article• Check references against journal guidelines

Page 35: Writing for academic publishing Griffith College, Dublin

Drafting and Redrafting

• When finished put aside for a period then reread

• Spell check• Date and File preprint (pre-refereeing)• Let go• If you have already sent a query e-mail to the

editor refer to that in your submission

Page 36: Writing for academic publishing Griffith College, Dublin

Submission

• Professional Journal – editor • Academic Journal – peer-review• Usually double blind peer review– Accept as is– Accept with revisions– Revise and resubmit– Reject

Note: some content in academic journals may not be peer reviewed e.g. book reviews, editorial content, some case studies

Page 37: Writing for academic publishing Griffith College, Dublin

Peer review • Reply to editor indicating what you are going to do• Make changes as quickly as possible• Reread• Resubmit outlining what you have done• If you don’t take particular suggestions on board

explain why• Keep postprint (post refereering)

Page 38: Writing for academic publishing Griffith College, Dublin

Why editors reject manuscripts

• Author guidelines not followed• Not thorough (little substance)• Bad writing (lack of clarity and style) and/or

grammatical errors• Subject of little/no interest to readers• Poor statistics, tables, figures• Subject or data out of date• Unprofessional appearance• Title• Too simple – reporting• Written at the wrong level

Page 39: Writing for academic publishing Griffith College, Dublin

Writing for a themed issue of a journal or edited collection

• Papers on a related topic• Audience• Guest Editor• Invited contributors or call for contributors• Brief• Deadline

Page 40: Writing for academic publishing Griffith College, Dublin

Publicising Your Work

Deposit in institutional or other repository Policy available at www.sherpa.ac.uk

Set up slideshare account for presentations www.slideshare.net

Create a profile using google scholarhttp://scholar.google.co.uk/intl/en/scholar/citations.htmlProfessional Network Profile

Page 41: Writing for academic publishing Griffith College, Dublin

Professional Networking

www.mendeley.com

Researchgate.net

www.colwiz.com

www.ssrn.com

Academia.edu

academic.research.microsoft.com

Page 42: Writing for academic publishing Griffith College, Dublin

Moving on with your writing

• Write• Describe, reflect and

evaluate• Talk/Network• Notebook• Data• Collaborate• Be strategic – Have a plan –

look for links/connections in what you do

• Cite key people• Set realistic goals• Give and look for peer

support• Consider everything you

do as potential material for a presentation/paper

• Set up a writing circle• Develop a culture of

celebration around publication/presentation

Page 43: Writing for academic publishing Griffith College, Dublin

Further Resources and Bibliography on Academic Writing

http://www.academicwritinglibrarian.blogspot.ie/