Publication Process Writing the manuscript

When to start writing? Phases 1 through 4 are iterative Can go on forever because of moderators, mediators, new measures, new manipulations, new participants, etc. If 1 study: “short report”, follow-up study, descriptive, conclusive after one study, moderate importance If 2+ studies: common research question? complimentary strengths and weaknesses? conclusive after two or more?

Writing a journal article Overall Structure –Title –Abstract (telling a story) –Introduction - Hypotheses: past and present –Method - How hypotheses operationalized –Results - If hypotheses confirmed or not –Discussion - Hypotheses: implications and future –References –Figures/Tables –Appendices

Writing a journal article (1) Introduction –Prior Research –Present Research –Hypotheses (2) Method –Design –Participants –Materials –Procedures (3) Results –Evaluate participants –Evaluate materials –Evaluate procedures (4) Discussion –Restate results –Interpret results –Implications –Limitations of study –Future Research

Write Method first –As you are collecting data, can write method section describing blueprint for study Write Results second –As you are analyzing data, can write each part of the Results section Write Introduction third –Need to analyze results before writing Introduction because you need to know what “story” you are going to tell in Introduction Write Discussion fourth –Write Discussion section after the others because it is restatements and summary of prior sections Write Abstract last –Can only summarize in Abstract after you have locked in place what you need to summarize Writing a journal article

What is “APA format” APA style officially refers to The Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association, which is a style manual of over 430 pages now in its fifth edition. Millions of copies sold; thousands of rules and guidelines; dozens of professions (such as psychology, sociology, business, economics, nursing, social work, justice administration, and other disciplines).

Basic Formatting Rules There is a common set of formatting for all pages: –Paper – 8.5 x 11 inches –Margins – 1 inch on all sides –Page numbers – top right –Major Headings – centered, capitalize words –Spacing – double-spaced throughout paper –Font size – 12-point font –Font Type – Time Roman –Indentation – Indent when starting new paragraph Here are some websites that provide a concise overview of essential formatting rules: – – –

Predetermined order of pages

Title page

Body

References

The formatting is different for each “type” of reference, such as journal article, book, etc. Here are some websites that provide a concise overview of how to format each type of reference – – – –Here is a website that formats the reference for you: How to format references

“Guide to publishing in Psychology Journals”, edited by Sternberg –Part 1 and 2 of the book are about how to write each section of a psychology article. “The Psychologist’s Companion”, written by Sternberg –Many good chapters on how to write a psychology article, including common misconceptions, using APA format, and how to write different sections. Advanced Sources