Abstract
Publication of research is an essential part of science. Indeed, a key characteristic of science is the accumulation of knowledge. This accumulation depends not only on the completion of research but also on preparation of reports that disseminate the results. Publication can serve other goals as well. Preparing a manuscript for publication helps the investigator to consider the current study in a broader context and chart a course for a series of studies. There are of course many professional and career goals served by publishing one’s research. Publication of one’s research signals a level of competence and mastery that includes developing an idea, designing, executing and completing the study, analyzing the results, preparing a written report, submitting it for publication, and traversing the peer-review process. This chapter focuses on publishing one’s research. The topics include preparing a manuscript, selecting a publication outlet, submitting the manuscript for review, and revising the manuscript as needed for publication.
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Notes
- 1.
Preparing a manuscript for publication entails several format requirements, such as print style and size, citations of sources, use of abbreviations, structure of tables and figures, and order in which sections of the article appears. These are detailed in the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association(APA, 2010) and are not covered in this chapter.
- 2.
An objective quantitative measure of impact has multiple uses for different parties who have interest in the impact of a journal (e.g., libraries making subscription decisions, publisher evaluating the status of a particular journal they have published). Administrators and faculty peers often use impact of the journals in which a colleague publishes as well as how often their work is cited by others among the criteria used for job appointments and promotions in academic rank, and salary adjustments.
- 3.
Excellent readings are available to prepare the author for the journal review process (The Trialby Kafka, The Myth of Sisyphusby Camus, and Infernoby Dante). Some experiences (e.g., root canal without an anesthetic, income tax audit) also are touted to be helpful because they evoke reactions that mimic those experienced when reading reviews of one manuscript.
- 4.
Thanks to my dissertation committee for letting me quote from their comments.
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Kazdin, A.E. (2013). Publishing Your Research. In: Prinstein, M. (eds) The Portable Mentor. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-3994-3_10
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