Dissertation to Journal Article

Prof. Madara OgotDirector Research and Extensionmadaraogot@uonbi.ac.ke

Dissertation & Journal Article: The Difference

❖ Abstract length: Journal article (JA) abstract is much shorter

❖ Introduction: Similar

❖ Literature review: Much shorter in a JA and more focussed

❖ Research Methodology: In JA, describes the methods used and not include an extensive discussion of research approach and philosophy as found in dissertations (D)

❖ Research Findings and Analysis: JA focusses only on main findings and analysis and will not focus on all results common in D

Dissertation & Journal Article: The Difference

❖ Discussion: Longer in the D than the JA

❖ References: Reduced in JA to only those cited

❖ Appendices: Normally limited in JA due to space requirements

Journal Process Model

Quality Authorship Selecting a Journal

TrimmingEditingDraft

SubmissionTargetJournal

1 2 3

6 5 4

❖ Use of PhD Dissertation to develop journal articles

❖ Dissertation MUST BE OF RIGHT QUALITY

❖ High quality Dissertation will ease conversion to journal publication

❖ Journal review process has no relationship to University dissertation review process

1: Quality

2: Authorship❖ Typically this will constitute the

student and supervisor(s)

❖ Supervisors may be one or both depending on the level of effort in the paper and what is agreed upon

❖ Additional member(s) may be brought on board if a particular aspect of the paper needs to enhanced that was not a part of the dissertation, but whose addition will significantly strengthen the paper

3. Journal Selection

❖ Was covered in previous presentation

4: Trimming❖ Paper must be written according to the journal’s rules,

regulations and style:

❖ Word limit, overall format, referencing style

❖ Readily found on a journal website

❖ Example: Emerald

❖ Read relevant articles in the journal to add (if not there already) as relevant references, AND to get a feel for STYLE

4: Trimming❖ Based on understanding of journal style, trimming is targeting and

reducing content from the D that will form the JA

❖ Several aspects need to be considered:

❖ Research questions: If the dissertation covers several distinct research questions, narrow the focus:

❖ You need TWO distinct areas for TWO papers

❖ Results: Try to bring results under control

❖ Conventions: Certain conventions in dissertations do not lend themselves to the presentation format for journals

4: Trimming❖ References: Be selective in the references that are reported

in the literature review.

❖ Writing style: Strive for clarity, delete extraneous words, avoid excessive reporting and repetition, be explicit, use the active voice, and use correct grammar

❖ Interpretation of data: Be careful not to over interpret the data. Show restraint in forming the conclusions.

❖ Careful conversion: Reviewers and editors easily recognize a manuscript that has been carelessly converted from a D

5: Editing Yourself❖ You can significantly improve the readability of your

paper by acting as your own editor

❖ On completion of your paper, read through for overall flow and completeness, making revisions as appropriate

❖ The purpose and audience. Have you accomplished your goal? Is it appropriate for the audience?

❖ The focus. Do your paragraphs express complete ideas?

5: Editing Yourself

❖ The organization. Considering the overall structure of your proposal, are your ideas ordered correctly?

❖ Do your paragraphs make sense?

❖ Content. Are your ideas well supported? What can be deleted or added?

❖ Consistency. Ensure that your use of words and formatting is consistent throughout the proposal

5: Editing Yourself : Proofreading

❖ Proofread the paper for grammatical, mechanical and punctuation errors.

❖ Common items to pay attention to include:

❖ Sentence length. Look for sentences that may be too long or awkward. Sentences should average twenty words or less. Shorter sentences tend to be clearer and easier to follow than longer ones

5: Editing Yourself : Proofreading❖ Repetition of words. Avoid using the same word over

and over again, especially in the same paragraph

❖ Use a thesaurus to look for alternative words with the same meaning or, even better experiment with rephrasing or changing the sentence structures

❖ Shortened words. Avoid the use of short forms for common phrases typically used in speech. Examples include, won’t (use will not), don’t (use do not), and shouldn’t (use should not)

6: Submission to Target Journal❖ Ensure that your manuscript is appropriate to the scope and progress

the goals of your target journal

❖ Typically four main types of papers:

❖ Report of original research using systematic data collection and analytical methods

❖ Review articles that critically review literature

❖ Methodological articles that describe innovative research methods, designs or paradigms

❖ Theoretical articles that present original theory or assess existing theory

Common Reasons Papers are NOT Accepted

Mismatch with Journal Interests

❖ Every journal has a page which states the Aim and Scope of the Journal

❖ Read carefully to make sure that your paper fits within, or paper may be rejected at initial screening

Articles prepared in a hurry

❖ A good proposal requires adequate time and preparation

❖ If done in a hurry, likely to be poorly written, and have logical flow gaps, especially as deriving from a larger D

The Required Proposal Format is Not Followed

❖ Discussed!!

The Intended Message is not Relayed❖ Absence of direction and key details - For example if thoughts and

ideas are not well organised, clear and consistent throughout paper

❖ Included information not relevant to the paper’s focus, and crucial information missing

❖ Nobody Cares! Does anybody care about what you are reporting in the paper

❖ Aim of the paper is not clear

❖ Paper difficult to read - grammar used incorrectly, terms used inappropriately, paper disjoint with no logical flow

Bowen’s SIX Rules

1. A Summary of D will not suffice❖ Key difference between dissertation and journal paper involve

content, format and length

❖ Simply summarizing the D will not suffice

❖ Journal paper from D can be:

❖ Critical literature review

❖ Methodological papers

❖ Research findings or results

❖ Policy, practice and research implications

2. Thick description is often necessary

❖ Mainly refers to qualitative papers

❖ Thick description of context, methodology and phenomena provides balance between interpretation and analysis

❖ Thin description often lacks context and meaning

3. There are advantages of collaboration

❖ Significant advantages of collaboration especially with those with expertise and previous experience in publishing

❖ Experienced colleagues (yup including your supervisor) can provide a critical eye on the manuscript in terms of quality and relevance to the journal

❖ As appropriate, co-authorship should be clear

4. Adhere to Guidelines and Deadlines

Dear Prof. Ogot: I write you in regards to manuscript which you submitted to the International Journal of XXXX. Thank you for an interesting submission.  However, your manuscript has been denied publication at this time.  Should you choose to amend your manuscript to conform to the technical requirements of the journal (specifically: 250-word maximum structured abstract must be included in the document; in-text references must be formatted to the journal's style - see the IJXX website for guidelines and examples;  maximum of 7 tables/figures combined; tables & figures must be uploaded as separate files at the end of the manuscript, not embedded in the text - see the IJXX website for more details), you are welcome to re-submit your manuscript as a new submission.

❖ Do NOT be discouraged

❖ Read papers and cite papers within the journal your are submitting to

❖ Shows you are progressing research in the journal

❖ Chance that you may cite a reviewers article making your article ‘attractive’ for consideration

❖ First form of paper submitted is rarely accepted in its current form - take constructive criticisms (they may sound quite harsh) - to improve the paper and resubmit

❖ Or submit to a different journal if paper was rejected - DO NOT SIMPLY SEND THE SAME PAPER TO ANOTHER JOURNAL

5. “Revise and resubmit” is common

❖ Journal publication process can be LONG and TEDIOUS

❖ May need to make two or more revisions to finally get accepted that can extend the publication process

6. Patience and Practice WILL Pay

Based on, and Further Reading❖ B. Thomas and H. Skinner, “Disseration to Journal Article: A Systematic Approach”, Education Research International, Vol. 2012,

❖ C. Lambert, “Revising the Dissertation for Journal Publication, Technical Communication Quarterly, Guidelines,” 2011.

❖ J. D. Cone and S. L. Foster, Dissertations and Theses from Start to Finish: Psychology and Related Fields, American Psychological Association, Washington, DC, USA, 2nd edition, 2006

❖ W. L. Belcher, Writing Your Journal Article in Twelve Weeks: A Guide to Academic Publishing Success, Sage, Thousand Oaks, Calif, USA, 2009

❖ G. A. Bowen, “From qualitative dissertation to quality articles: seven lessons learned,” The Qualitative Report, vol. 15, no. 4, pp. 864–879, 2010

❖ American Psychological Association (APA), “Calfee and Valencia’s Guide to Preparing Manuscripts for Journal Publication,” 2011, http://www.apa.org/journals/

❖ American Psychological Association (APA), “Preparing Manuscripts for Publication in Psychology Journals: A Guide for New Authors,” 2011, http://www.apa.org/journals/

❖ R. C. Calfee and R. R. Valencia, APA Guide to Preparing Manuscripts for Journal Publication, American Psychological Association, Washington, DC, USA, 2007.

❖ R. C. Calfee and R. R. Valencia, APA Guide to Preparing Manuscripts for Journal Publication, American Psychological Association, Washington, DC, USA, 2007

❖ R. P. Carver, Writing a Publishable Research Report in Education, Psychology, and Related Disciplines, Charles Thomas, Springfield, Ill, USA, 1984