Tips for Publishing Qualitative Research

Sandra MathisonUniversity of British Columbia

Editor-in-Chief, New Directions for Evaluation

See Yourself as a WriterSee Yourself as a WriterWrite early, write often…Write early, write often…

• Read the current literature.• Attend conferences and present papers.• Contact journal editors/conference program chairs

and ask to be a reviewer.• Write book reviews.• Work as a contributing author in a study with

faculty or graduate student colleagues.• Always ask for advice (authors, editors, etc).• Write for yourself.

Tips on Writing

• Good writing takes time!• Take time/make time for

writing.• Write, re-write, write some

more.• Get feedback from colleagues.• Be direct and simple.• Stay on target.• Avoid cliches.• Use metaphors.• Use active verbs/voice.• Explore genres. • Find your own voice.

We write to taste life twice, in the moment and in retrospection.

Anais Nin

How do I know what I think until I see what I say.

E. M. Forster

Choosing a Publication Choosing a Publication VenueVenue

• Who is the audience? • Journal or book?• What kind of articles does the

journal publish ~ reports of original research; theory into practice; “how to” articles; conceptual or empirical research?

• Is a book a better fit for an extensive, in-depth qualitative study ~ who has a list that might be a good home for your work?

Choosing a Journal or Choosing a Journal or PublisherPublisher

• Prestige?• Discipline or field?• Refereed?• Acceptance rate?• Recent changes in editor

or editorial board?

Prepare & Submit Your Prepare & Submit Your ManuscriptManuscript

• Once you’ve chosen a journal or publisher, review the “author guidelines” and follow them.

• Talk to the editor ahead of time.

• Align your manuscript with the norms for length, readership, reference and editorial style.

• Submit your ms in the required format.

The Review Process: What to The Review Process: What to expectexpect

Ms or proposal reviews usually take between 6 weeks and 6 months—wait at least 2 months before status inquiry.

The Review Process: The Review Process: Criteria for Judging ManuscriptsCriteria for Judging Manuscripts

• Design• Conceptual Framework • Coherence• Content• Clarity• Format• Audience

The Review Process: The Review Process: DecisionsDecisions

• Accepted (in press)• Accepted with

revisions• Revise & resubmit• Rejected

(think of it as “returned”)

What Does Revise & Resubmit What Does Revise & Resubmit Mean?Mean?

• Revision process as important as initial writing.

• Send to another journal?

• Resubmission should include cover letter explaining revisions made; your reasoning (well-reasoned exceptions are okay).

• Separate what the editor suggests from what MUST be done in revision.

• Typically resubmission will be sent to original reviewers w/ copy of your cover letter.

Dealing with Rejection & Dealing with Rejection & CriticismCriticism

• Anticipate critiques.

• See reviews as a way to improve your work.

• Read responses; put away for a few days; separate your emotional response from comments of reviewers; re-read in detail reviewer comments; return to your ms.

References on Writing

• Writing in general• Qualitative writing

specifically• Style manuals• Autobiographies of

writers

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