Journal of Research Practice: Connecting Researchers

D. P. Dash & W. UlrichEditors, Journal of Research Practicehttp://jrp.icaap.org/

Aug 2, 2013

First Global Conference on Research Integration and Implementation, September 8-11, 2013, Canberra, Australia.

A New Publication Culture“Previous attempts to establish broad-scope practice-oriented transdisciplinary-focus journals . . . do not seem to have been particularly successful” (Kueffer et al., 2007, p. 26).

Question: Why?

Our answer: Insufficient engagement with the actual experiences and reflections of researchers and professionals

Kueffer, C., Hirsch Hadorn, G., Bammer, G., van Kerkhoff, L., & Pohl, C. (2007). Towards a publication culture in transdisciplinary research. GAIA, 16(1), 22-26. Retrieved from http://www.geobot.umnw.ethz.ch/publications/PDF_publications/804.pdf

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Connecting Researchers• Voice of the researcher• Critical reflection on research experiences• Six integrative focus areas, each with its own ‘Focus Editor’:

1. Research Applications2. Research Spaces3. Research Education4. Research Experiences5. Research Philosophy6. Research on Research

• Integrative themes for special issues | Integrative Research | Research Education| Interdisciplinarity | Autoethnography | Experiential Knowledge | Artistic Research | Psychodynamics | Research Assistantships* | Journal Rankings*

• ‘Viewpoints & Discussion’ section

* Forthcoming in 2013 & 20143

JRP: Editorial VisionConnecting Researchers … Extending Organised Inquiry …

• Understanding research as a type of social practice• Highlighting the dynamics of research practice• Deliberating on the challenges encountered by researchers• Exploring how research conventions arise and change• Triggering interdisciplinary dialogue and innovation• Enhancing research practice in various domains and spaces

JRP targets all researchers, scholars, professionals, and students, irrespective of disciplinary background.

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JRP: Sample Articles1. A Portrait of the Researcher as a Boundary Crosser | JRP, 3(1) | 2007 2. Advancing Transdisciplinary and Translational Research Practice | JRP, 3(2) | 20073. Clarifying the Imperative of Integration Research ... | JRP, 1(2) | 20054. Collaborative Research on Sustainability: Myths and Conundrums ... | JRP, 5(1) | 20095. Exploring Forms of Triangulation to Facilitate Collaborative ... | JRP, 2(2) | 20066. Forms and Levels of Integration | JRP, 9(1) | 20137. How and Why to Teach Interdisciplinary Research Practice | JRP, 3(2) | 20078. Improving Non-observational Experiences | JRP, 7(2) | 20119. Integration Initiatives at CSIRO | JRP, 1(2) | 200510. Learning Not to Think Like an Economist | JRP, 3(2) | 200711. My Life's Journey as Researcher | JRP, 2(2) | 200612. Practice-Near and Practice-Distant Methods ... | JRP, 8(1) | 201213. Research Skills for the Future | JRP, 9(1) | 201314. Science as Reflective Practice | JRP, 5(1) | 200915. Searching for an Appropriate Research Design | JRP, 2(1) | 200616. Strategic Integration: The Practical Politics ... | JRP, 1(2) | 200517. Unraveling Researcher Subjectivity ... | JRP, 6(1) | 201018. Voice of the Researcher | JRP, 3(1) | 2007

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Challenges Currently Faced• Financial Challenge | Maintaining free access and low publishing cost |

Maintaining current revenue model (institutional sponsorship + individual contributions + optional copyediting fees) | Maintaining editorial independence

• Quality Challenge | Attracting quality submissions | A peer-review process that benefits all participants (authors, reviewers, editors) | Balancing bibliometric criteria of quality with scholarly, educational, and practical criteria

• Innovation Challenge| Need to reflect new research thinking and practice: JRP Concept Hierarchy | Need to adapt to technological changes: strong technological partner (AU Press, Canada)

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Challenge Financial Quality Innovation

How well managed?

Satisfactory Well Very well

JRP: Experience & Prospects• Intellectual support from researchers around the world• Well-functioning ‘learning community’ of peer reviewers• Excellent technical support from our publisher, AU Press, Canada• Outstanding institutional support from Xavier, India, during the early stage• Expanded leadership team of six Focus Editors• New model of cooperation with universities (current cooperation with

Swinburne, Malaysia)• New sponsorships required from individuals and institutions• Relevance and utilisation of the journal need careful monitoring• Engagement with researchers needs enhancing in multiple fields

Invitation: Regardless of your field of research, use JRP to promote critical reflection on how research is conducted in your field | Share your ideas with us: journal.jrp@gmail.com

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