A Guide to Writing Research Papers Rob Briner Organizational Psychology Birkbeck

2 Outline Types of research publication/output Disciplinary differences Why write research papers? Whats the target and audience? Planning to write Writing Submission and the review process Concluding comments

3 Types of research publication/ output Journal article (refereed/non-refereed) Conference paper (refereed/non-refereed) Book/monograph Chapter in edited book Report for organization Professional journals and magazines Theoretical, empirical, critique, review

4 Disciplinary differences Humanities – Books often more valued than research papers Social sciences – Mixed Physical sciences – Usually papers most valued, conference and posters

5 Why write research papers? You have something to say Duty to the field Obligation to others (supervisors, co- investigators) Career Test ideas with a wider audience

6 Whats the target and audience? [1] Target – Topic specific or discipline-wide journal – Specialist or generalist conference – Status of target – rejection rate, impact factor Audience – Size – Other PhD researchers, established researchers in the field, others in related parts of discipline?

7 Whats the target and audience? [2] The Conversation Metaphor – Who are the people having the conversation in your field – More importantly, what are they saying? What are main debates issues? – What will you contribute or add to this on-going conversation? – How will those people react to what you say?

8 Whats the target and audience? [3] Some trade-offs and choices – What status journal/publisher – go for the best means higher chance of rejection – Getting your ideas out there quickly versus spending time on numerous rewrites – Narrow highly specific focus versus big debate – Easy hits versus the-best-paper-you-could-write- ever – Finish thesis versus getting publications

9 Planning to write What, exactly do you want to say? Why do you want to say it? What contribution does it make to the field? How can you support what you have to say (theory and evidence) Get the argument and structure clear before you write Discuss and negotiate with potential co-authors

10 Writing Develop detailed structure based on argument If you arent sure why youre writing what youre writing stop and go back to argument Revise argument and structure as often as is necessary Try to set deadlines for sections and final draft Ask for others to read and comment Re-read many times yourself Revise and craft as much as you can bear to

11 Submission and the review process Accompanying letter and other documentation Accepted for or rejected without review Reviews returned Reject, or revise and resubmit Maybe many iterations Final decision – accept or reject If reject dont give up! – Different journal? Rework paper?

12 Concluding comments Do write research papers Be clear about the contribution you want to make and who your audience are Get as much help as possible Look for external deadlines (e.g. special issues, conferences) Can be an extremely good way of focusing and developing your PhD Try to enjoy it! Its your research topic and there are things you want to say about it…