COLLOQUIUM: Turning Class Papers into Publications
Facilitated by Dr. Derek R. Lane
October 25, 2007
Getting your ideas and research published in a scholarly journal is not simply a matter of having good ideas and doing sound research. According to Knapp and Daly (2004) “whereas rigorous thinking and methodological precision increase your chances for publication, you must also understand and follow certain rules associated with the publication process. Success in publishing is a result not only of what one produces, but how, when, where, and to whom it is presented.”
There are two primary motives for publishing: (1) sharing research findings and (2) advancing your career. Sharing research findings addresses the responsibility of scholars to advance the frontiers of knowledge. Graduate students attending the University of Kentucky are expected to publish—regardless of where their professional career takes them. In fact, today’s competitive job market requires that graduate students successfully publish at least two or three manuscripts before they leave graduate school.
The shortest and fastest path to rejection is to submit a manuscript with a spotty literature review or a superficial discussion section. Never submit a manuscript just to “see if it flies.” Success in publishing involves answering the “so what?” question, ensuring that the manuscript “says something smart” and soliciting feedback from your professor or advisor. Knapp and Daly (2004) suggest that “even manuscripts that are technically acceptable but do not significantly further our understanding of some aspect of communication will usually be rejected.” Class papers and conference papers (even manuscripts that receive awards) may be rejected because journal submissions are typically judged on an absolute standard rather than a comparative standard. The comparative standard of excellence may or may not hold up when the manuscript is evaluated for inclusion in the literature of the field.
The Submission Process
Graduate students must consider the quality, reputation, and circulation of the journals in which their work is published. Carefully examine submission guidelines before deciding whether or not to submit. Timing is critical. Knapp and Daly (2004) argue that “the highest volume of manuscripts is received immediately following submission deadlines for conference papers and during the weeks following professional conferences.”
The Publication Process in Brief
Step 1: Submission (follow submission guidelines; notification within 2 weeks)
Step 2: Review (one of three decisions: accept, reject, R&R: 2-4 months- varies widely)
Step 3: Revision and Resubmission
Workshop References
Bach, T. E., Blair, C., Nothstine, W.L., & Pym, A. L. (1996). How to read “How to Get Published.” Communication Quarterly, 44(4), 399-422.
http://www.uky.edu/~drlane/cjt651/publishing/htrhtgp.pdf
Chesebro, J.W. (1993). How to Get Published. Communication Quarterly, 41, 373-382.
http://www.uky.edu/~drlane/cjt651/publishing/htgp.pdf
Baumeister, R.F. (1992). Dear Journal Editor, it’s Me Again. Simulation and Gaming, 23(2), 219-221.
http://www.uky.edu/~drlane/cjt651/publishing/dearjournaleditor.pdf
A "Sample Cover Letter for Journal Manuscript Resubmissions " (subtitle of original version) is displayed. Issues such as editorial boards, reviewers, revision, literature reviews, and acknowledgments are surveyed and analyzed from the typical editor's view of a typical author's view of a typical review process.
Knapp, M. L., & Daly, J. A. (2004). A guide to publishing in scholarly communication journals. (3rd Ed.). Washington, D.C.: International Communication Association. (AVAILABLE THROUGH NETLIBRARY.COM)
