Navigating the Publishing Process An Introduction to Submission

Navigating the Publishing Process: An Introduction to Submission, Review, and

Part One: Submission

Topics: • • • Framing the project Key features of a good paper Selecting a journal Submission The review process When to contact the editor

TO ASK QUESTIONS!

Framing: 5 key questions 1. What do you have to say? 2. Who’s going to be interested? 3. How does it build on what we already know? 4. How significant is your message? 5. How sure are you of the findings?

Answers should indicate: • Manuscript length • Scope • Writing style • Type of journal

What I look for in a manuscript ü Early overview ü Clear, compelling statement of purpose ü Conceptual grounding ü Intro that clarifies / connects key constructs ü Hypotheses / research Q’s that are clear, meaningful, answerable, interrelated, flow logically from introduction

What I look for in a manuscript ü Appropriate sample -- full details ü Procedures / measures – enough info for replicability / trust ü Systematic, sensible analyses ü Tables / figures that speed comprehension ü Low – fat, no – bull Discussion (key findings)

What I look for in a manuscript ü Directives for research and practice ü Awareness of limitations

5 little things that bug me v Silly typos v “Little is known” as justification v Over – referencing v Cryptic tables / figures (SPSS / SAS) v “Star Trek” Discussions

Selecting the right journal • • • Consult colleagues Consider your citations Read the journal’s articles / TOC Look for mission statement Review editorial board, associate editors • Communicate with editor

A good cover letter. . . Ø Ø Ø is short Indicates purpose / significance highlights special features explains relevance to readership notes special circumstances suggests reviewers? ? ?

Agree No Assoc Ed review Disagree Letter to author Editor screening Maybe Assign Find Action Ed. reviewers Reviews returned

When should / can I contact the editor? • No acknowledgment • Two weeks past editor – specified decision date • Three months past submission

End of Part One. Comments?