A Guide to WritingResearch Papers

Rob Briner

Organizational Psychology

Birkbeck

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Outline

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

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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

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Disciplinary differences

Humanities– Books often more valued than research papers

Social sciences– Mixed

Physical sciences– Usually papers most valued, conference and

posters

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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

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What’s 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?

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What’s 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?

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What’s 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

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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

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Writing

Develop detailed structure based on argument If you aren’t sure why you’re writing what you’re 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

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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 don’t give up! – Different journal?

Rework paper?

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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! It’s your research topic and there are

things you want to say about it…