Seminar on Writing for, and Publishing in, EnglishLanguage Journals, and Related Topics

Monday, 7 July 2008 1. Introduction  Review participants’ and seminar leader’s backgrounds and experiences.  Review the role, requirements, etc. of writing and publication within the academic setting: U.S. and Italian/Euro/Federico II models.  Define and refine seminar’s goals and objectives.  Discuss and set seminar’s structure and schedule/time frame.  Review course materials/readings and proposed exercises.  Share/discuss other suggestions, observations, and thoughts about the seminar and related activities, e.g., specific questions, tasks, and activities participants would like to address during this seminar. 2. The key precursor to publishing a research effort: What is “unique” here? What is the study’s “delta” relative to the existing literature: The topic; the methodology; and/or the context? (Exercise 1). Tuesday, 8 July 2008 3. Define and discuss the outline/structure of a typical academic manuscript, with examples from seminar participants, and the literature at large. (Exercise 2.) 4. Some useful websites, and related resources in seeking to publish one’s manuscript. Seminar participants are encouraged to identify those sites they have found to be useful/valuable in their own research efforts. (Exercise 3.) 5. Source types for publication of your academic manuscript. (Exercise 4.) 6. Introduction to the preparation of a publishable manuscript: Some examples of effective (published) Vs. less-than-effective (rejected) efforts. Participants are encouraged to bring examples of both types to the seminar for analysis and discussion. 6a. Five critical guidelines in the development of first-class research reports. (Exercise 5.) Wednesday, 9 July 2008 7. Ensuring an effectively organized manuscript: The basic “Five Ws.” (Exercise 6.) 8. A most useful skill for organizing and presenting your thoughts in an academic manuscript: Systems analysis and thinking.  Review of systems analysis and thinking as they relate to manuscript preparation.  Connecting systems thinking and the “5Ws” in manuscript preparation: defining boundaries of relevance.  Key visual and related tools of systems analysis.  Selected examples of systems thinking, use of visuals, etc.  Using Delp, et al. and related type visuals to better structure and present research material. (Exercise 7.) Objective: A manuscript that possesses a “clear and logical flow of thought.” Thursday, 10 July 2008 9. Preparing an effective academic manuscript for publication: Observations from an Editor-in-Chief.  Review of the basic manuscript structure. (See (3), above.)  Transitioning through the manuscript: Keeping the logic and flow of thought in tact. (Exercise 8.)  Outlining: A suggested process for creating/enhancing logical flow of thought. (Exercise 9.)  Selected observations on effective writing. (Exercise 10.)  Selected words and practices to avoid in preparing academic manuscripts: Never say never. (Exercise 11.)  The use of visuals (including, but beyond, Delp, et al.) in academic manuscripts: A powerful presentation and organizing tool.  Effective use of the literature in academic manuscripts: A critical dimension of building, supporting, and validating the storytelling. Friday, 11 July 2008 10. Preparing an effective academic manuscript for publication: Formal guidelines and strategies.  Writing Empirical Research Reports, 5th ed. (Pyrczak).  Evaluating Research in Academic Journals, 2nd ed. (Pyrczak).  The Craft of Research, 2nd ed. (Booth, et al.)  Research Report Assessment (U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs).  Review of U.S. Department of Health Services Research & Development Final Reports (HSR&D).  Exercise 12: Applying findings from the above sources to other authors’ work.  Exercise 13: Applying findings from the above sources to seminar participants’ own work.