Advice from the editor’s desk: an introductory guide to success in education publishing
Quality Assurance in Education
ISSN: 0968-4883
Article publication date: 9 February 2024
Issue publication date: 18 March 2024
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to investigate basic/core principles and practical tools behind successful manuscript writing for education journals. Drawing on the insights of journal editors and related literature, this paper seeks to clarify the craft of preparing quality manuscripts to meet the expectations of academic journals.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper uses an interpretivist framework by incorporating a qualitative analysis of the literature with the authors’ experiences to identify key principles and issues in academic publishing. These narratives provide an empirical basis for understanding the mechanics and essence of effective manuscript crafting. The study integrates theoretical knowledge with actionable strategies, focusing on identifying the objectives and processes of writing, determining common challenges and directing readers toward comprehensive resources for guidance in article writing.
Findings
This study reveals that manuscript rejections often transcend technical shortcomings. Issues that are central to nonacceptance include misalignment with a journal’s thematic focus, absence of a coherent and persuasive argument, methodological weaknesses and insufficient evidence underpinning the assertions. Successful publication depends not just on data presentation and adherence to submission norms but also on developing a narrative that enriches the prevailing scholarly discourse. Our findings advocate for manuscripts that strike an appropriate balance between lucidity and analytical rigor, avoid superfluous technical language and express a mix of assertiveness and scholarly modesty.
Originality/value
Although there is literature on academic writing, very few recent articles have been uncovered that probe the intricacies of crafting education manuscripts and point to resources.
Keywords
Citation
Alstete, J.W. and Flavian, H. (2024), "Advice from the editor’s desk: an introductory guide to success in education publishing", Quality Assurance in Education, Vol. 32 No. 2, pp. 232-245. https://doi.org/10.1108/QAE-09-2023-0161
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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