BHS 204-01 Methods in Behavioral Sciences I June 4, 2003 Chapter 15 (Ray) Overview of the Publication Process

Where to Send Your Paper This is a decision that should be made before you write the paper. Introduction and discussion should be written for the audience of the journal. Paper should focus on a question relevant to that journal. “Instructions to Authors” describe the kinds of articles sought by each journal, length, content, who to send the paper to, etc. Read the journal you are sending your article to.

The Review Process A journal editor selects 3-5 experts in your field to read your paper. Reviewers are anonymous. “Blind” review can be requested – you must remove all identification from your draft. The editor makes the final decision and communicates back to the authors. Acceptance percentages are low.

What Happens After Acceptance The editor and reviewers may request revisions. If they have not requested revisions, you may not change anything about your accepted article without the editor’s permission. A copy of the disk file and figure graphics files is frequently required. Authors proofread the typeset manuscript. Lag times to publication may be months-years

What Makes a Good Article? See Box 15-2 – list of expected contents for each section of the article. Focus upon one clearly communicated main idea – do not try to describe everything that was done or learned in the study. Include results that support your arguments and claims, exclude those that do not bear upon it. Do not exclude results unfavorable to your point

Are Your Findings Publishable? Do they extend previous understandings or knowledge? Is the question important to current theory? Studies of gender differences, age differences, cultural differences must be related to theory. Are the effects strong enough? Are results consistent across measures and statistical tests?

Ticks and Buts A “tick” is a claim of a specific comparative difference, such as a treatment effect observed between two means. Ticks need to be qualified by a statement of the context in which the difference was observed. Do not describe or claim obvious differences, just interesting ones. A “but” relates to the context of the result and qualifies or limits it in specific ways. Too many buts weaken an argument. Interactions are buts.

Language to Avoid The result was significant at the .07 level… The result was marginally significant (p=.07). Although the result did not reach the conventional .05 level, it is nevertheless highly suggestive… Because of the limited number of subjects, the result just missed the .05 level, nevertheless…

Interestingness Scientific interest – does the finding have the potential to change what scientists believe? Interest arises from surprising results on an important issue. Wilson & Herrnstein – criminality is inherited. Papers with too many flaws are not interesting because they will not be believed.

Importance Importance is a direct function of the number of consequences for relationships between variables describing a construct. Importance depends on connections to other important issues. People differ on what they consider important. It is up to the author to explain the importance of the research presented.

Credibility Research claims lack credibility when: The claim is based on poor methodology. It contradicts a strongly held theory or world view (or common sense). Sometimes methodological criticisms are a screen for conceptual objections. “We are rejecting your article because we just don’t believe it.” Address such criticism by strengthening methods.