English 497 Project 4

Journal Analysis

The purpose of this assignment is to acquaint you with the journals in your field and with the publication standards of a specific journal. It will also help you prepare to write the research article and the editorial review.

1. Find a refereed journal that publishes articles on topics related to your project. You may choose either a primary journal (one that publishes original research articles or theoretical pieces) or a secondary journal (such as a trade journal or a popular journal). The journal should be a plausible outlet for an article on your project.

2. Obtain a statement of the guidelines for authors. In some journals, this statement appears in every issue; in others, it may appear once a year or in a specified back issue (e.g., the first issue under a new editor). If you can't find guidelines, call or write the editor to obtain a copy. If all else fails, choose a different journal. You must turn in a copy of the guidelines with your assignment.

3. Write a 1-2 page memo addressed to me that analyzes the readership of the journal. To support your analysis, you may draw on information from the guidelines and from the types of articles you find in a few issues. Your memo should answer the following questions:

Who reads this journal? Why do they read it? What kind of educational background or training have the readers probably had? What kinds of problems or issues are they interested in? Are they all from the same field or do they represent discrete subgroups?

Who publishes this journal? Is it sponsored by an organization or printed by a publisher? How is the journal regarded in your field? What, if anything, do you know about the editor or members of the editorial board? (To find answers to these questions, you will probably need to consult the reference materials in Pattee or consult with faculty members and other colleagues in your discipline.)

Why is this a plausible outlet for an article on your project? Has the journal printed articles on related topics? Does the topic area and methodology of your project satisfy the guidelines for authors? What information might you need to develop about your research project in order to write about it in this journal? What aspects of the project might be omitted from an article about this project for this journal?

Note: The questions listed above are not at all easy to answer, but they are quite important for anyone expecting to publish technical or scientific work. So do your best to answer the questions as thoroughly as you can.

English 497 Project 4

Journal Article or Formal Report

In this assignment you will describe some outcome of your research project. Depending on the nature of your project, you will either write a journal article or a formal report. You should write a journal article if your project involves basic research of a scientific or technical issue. You may write a formal report if your project involves an internal policy decision within an organization or corporation.

Journal Article

Purpose. Write a 10-15 page (double-spaced) article about your research for a journal in your discipline. The general purpose of the article is to report on your project to people who are interested in the problem or issue.

Choice of journal. Choose a refereed journal that publishes work on topics related to yours or whose readers would be interested in the latest developments in your field. You may choose either a primary research outlet or a trade or popular journal. In most cases, the journal should be the one you analyzed in your memo.

Content and format. Follow the general format for reports described in Olsen and Huckin, with modifications as required by the journal's guidelines for writers. Be sure to open by defining the problem in a way that makes it seem significant for your readers and that sets up a description of your methods. Describe your methods and results in appropriate detail for that journal and readership. Close by drawing more general implications for future activity in this area. Note: the format of a research article is fairly conventional. However, I will be looking for effective use of headings, preview and layout to increase the accessibility of the article.

Front and end matter. Your article should include any or all of the following as appropriate: an abstract, tables and figures, list of references, relevant appendices.

Purpose. Write a 10-15 page (double-spaced) article about your research for your sponsor. The general purpose of the report will generally be to recommend a policy or course of action. In order to support your recommendation, you must reestablish the importance of the problem, show that you have conducted a thorough and responsible investigation of possible solutions, and argue for the solution of your choice.

Content and format. Follow the general format for reports described in Olsen and Huckin, (and the outlines discussed in class). Be sure to open by defining the problem in a way that makes it seem significant for your readers and that sets up a description of your methods. Describe your methods and analyze alternative solutions in appropriate detail for your readership. Close by making a strong recommendation for your solution.

Front and end matter. Your report must include a letter of transmittal, title page, table of contents, and executive summary, and some visual aid. As appropriate, it should also include: tables and figures, list of references, relevant appendices.

Note: the key to a successful report is its accessibility. I will be looking for effective use of previews, headings, and layout to guide your readers through the report.