WritingSkillsforShar ingProjectResults

RHR ConsortiumMonitoring & Evaluation ProgramWorkshop V: Developing Writing Skills for Sharing Project ResultsNew York, June 3-5 2002: 

Writing for Publication: The Basics RHR Consortium Monitoring & Evaluation Program Workshop V: Developing Writing Skills for Sharing Project Results New York, June 3-5 2002

Why publish?: 

Why publish? Organizational credibility and prestige Professional development Forces clear thinking and understanding To share results to improve programs

Steps in publishing: 

Steps in publishing Identify the purpose of your article Choose a relevant journal / audience Write, following journal’s criteria Edit, share drafts, revise Submit article to journal, following “Instructions to authors” Revise based on reviewers’ comments, resubmit Make copies widely available. Send copies to everyone !!!

Step 1: Identify the purpose of your article: 

Step 1: Identify the purpose of your article Possible purposes Report of project results (e.g., survey findings) Project component description and results (e.g., training) Multi-project or literature review Policy analysis, conceptual piece Letters to the Editor

Step 2:Choose a relevant journal / audience: 

Step 2: Choose a relevant journal / audience Match journal to purpose Types of journals RH  International Health  Regional Relief  National Medical, including AIDS journals Social science

Step 3:Write, following journal’s criteria: 

Step 3: Write, following journal’s criteria What do journals look for? Originality Interest to scientists and/or practitioners Relevance to the field Coverage of appropriate existing literature Adequacy of methodology, analysis and interpretation Significance of contribution Clear, concise and jargon-free writing Logical organization

Step 4:Edit, share drafts, revise: 

Step 4: Edit, share drafts, revise Edit your own writing Share draft Revise Share draft Revise Share draft Revise

Step 5:Submit article to journal, following instructions: 

Step 5: Submit article to journal, following instructions Pay careful attention to “Instructions to authors” Read articles published in journal for section headings, length, style Usually double spaced Format tables and graphs as instructed Format citations as instructed Email or mail n copies of article, as instructed

Step 6:Revise and resubmit: 

Step 6: Revise and resubmit Submissions are screened by journal’s editor Then reviewed by 2-3 professionals in double-blind process Reviewers give detailed comments and recommendation to: accept with no or few revisions reconsider after major revision revise and resubmit reject why? start over with Step 1.

Step 7:Make copies widely available : 

Step 7: Make copies widely available You will receive or can buy hard copy ‘reprints’ Distribute them widely Learn if journal makes articles available on its web site; publicize link Ask permission to post it on your organization’s and RHRC’s web site

Keep in mind …..: 

Keep in mind ….. Process takes a long time. Rejection is discouraging. Keep submitting. Publishing does not substitute for other types of dissemination. Include Acknowledgements (especially donors)