Preparing an Article for Publication: Steps for Success Mary E. Arnold, Ph.D. Associate Professor and Youth Development Specialist Program Research and Evaluation Department of Youth Development Education Oregon State University

Article Components Vary from journal to journal Every journal has a section that provides detailed expectations for different types of articles. Know what is expected and follow the guidelines!

Article Components Program ArticleResearch/Evaluation Article Introduction Review of Literature Methods and Procedures Results Discussion (Conclusions/Implications) References Abstract Introduction Articulation of need and research base Program objectives Program description Evidence of program success Discussion (Conclusions/Implications) References Abstract

Introduction The Introduction provides a few opening sentences to invite the reader “into” the study. These sentences need to catch the reader’s attention and set the stage for what follows: “4-H youth development programs provide opportunities for life skill development that contribute to the thriving and wellbeing of youth throughout childhood and adolescence, with the ultimate goal of helping youth develop into productive and positive adults. 4-H Camp counselor programs for teens offer a perfect setting for older youth to develop important life and personal skills.”

Introduction Review of the Literature (Articulation of need and research base) The goals of the literature review are: 1.To provide a reason for developing the program or to provide a theoretical base for the research study 2.To review the previous relevant research literature 3.To state the intention of the current program or study 4.To propose a hypothesis about the research (if appropriate; sometimes implicit)

Objectives and Description Program Article States what the program is trying to accomplish Provides a detailed description of the program

Methods and Procedures Research/Evaluation Article 1.Subjects (participants) – who participated in the study? 2.Instruments – what was used to measure the variables in the study? 3.Procedures – how was the study conducted? This needs to be very specific 4.Data analysis – how were the data analyzed?

Evidence of Program Success Program Article Describe how you know the program is meeting its objectives If a formal evaluation was conducted a brief description of the evaluation and its results should be provided Present evidence of program impact…. Who cares?

Results Research/Evaluation Article This section contains the results of the study: 1.How were the data analyzed 2.What results were found? 3.Helpful tables and charts can be presented here

Discussion, Conclusions & Implications Program ArticleResearch/Evaluation Article The discussion section summarizes the program or study, often referring back to the points highlighted in the introduction. Begin by telling what was learned in the program/ study What inferences/implications can be drawn? Admit any limitations of the program/study Suggest possible next steps

Helpful Writing Resources Belcher, W. L. (2009). Writing your journal article in 12 weeks: A guide to academic publishing success. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage. Boice, R. (1990). Professors as writers: A self-help guide to productive writing. Stillwater, OK: New Forums Press. Creswell, J. (2008). Research Design: Qualitative, Quantitative, and Mixed Methods Approaches (3 rd ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage. Darley, J. M., Zanna, M. P., and Roediger, H. L. (2004). The Compleat Academic: A Career Guide. Washington DC: American Psychological Association. The Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (6 th ed.) (2009). Washington DC: American Psychological Association. Silvia, P. (2007). How to write a lot: A practical guide to productive academic writing. Washington DC: American Psychological Association.