Publishing Educational Research: Guidelines and Tips - American ...

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Publishing Educational Research: Guidelines and Tips
Building Your Manuscript
REVIEWING THE FIRST DRAFT
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After writing your first draft, put it away for a few days so that you
can look at it from a fresh perspective. Read your work on a hard
copy, rather than from a computer screen. You will notice things
more often that you may want to change.
Make notes in the margins about ideas that come to mind as you
read.
Make sure that you have stated clearly what you are doing (what
the research is about), and why it's so important. Make a case for
your work right up front!
Put yourself in the place of the reader who may have no
background on the topic. Ask: Are my points logically
arranged Have I avoided or at least defined jargon
Have I been consistent with my use of terminology Have
I clearly included a theoretical foundation and
methodology
Keep in mind that your critical examination of other
researchers' work in your piece is appropriate. However,
you don't want to "bully" your way into the pulpit, so be
neutral and as objective as possible when referring to
others whose work you may be refuting or challenging. To be
considered as a peer in the field of publishing, proving yourself
"right" does not necessarily mean that you have to prove
everyone else "wrong." Ultimately, the reader will make the
decision as to which claims to accept.
Contents
Introduction
Writing for
Publication
Manuscript Review &
Decision Process
Criteria for Judging
Manuscripts
Ethics & Etiquette
Ideas for Junior
Faculty
Ideas for Graduate
Students
The Culture of
Publishing
How to Choose a
Journal
Frequently Asked
Questions
References
NEXT: The Second Draft
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