Scientific and Scholarly Publishing

Contents
This course explores the “art of scholarly writing” (and how to “tell a good story” about a research project and its outcome. The similarities and differences of writing a primary empirical research article, a literature review article, a meta-analysis, and a book chapter are discussed. The course also looks at some aspects of “APA-Style”as the primary writing style within the field of psychology. This course also describes the “review process” in scholarly publishing, both in terms of the author role and getting involved as a reviewer (and what is expected of one as a reviewer).

Objectives
The objective of this course is to improve the overall science writing skills of the participants (as well as to prepare them to become reviewers in the publishing process).

Ects
Completed course provides 2 ects.

Learning requirements
Learning APA-Style. Learning to use the APA Publication Manual and related products such as the Presenting/Displaying Finding guidebooks. The new Sixth edition of the APA Publication Manual was released on July 1, 2009 – so the changes in the new edition will be reviewed.

Required prerequisites
Knowledge of English, understanding of computer word processing programs, and some awareness of the technical aspects of scientific writing.

Recommended prerequisites
Completion of Norwegian degree as a psychologist (or equivalent education), entry into the PhD program, and drafting of 2-3 “rough draft” manuscripts planned for potential submission for publication.

Description of learning materials and media
The students in this course should own a copy of the APA Publication Manual. They may wish to have the two small volumes published by APA on “Presenting” and “Displaying” findings.

Teaching semester
Autumn

Language of instruction
English – both in terms of verbal discussion in the classroom and in terms of the writing

Teaching methods
Lecture and class room discussion. Participates will be expected to read and comment on the writing drafts of others in the course and provide suggestions on how they would have drafted the manuscript in a different manner (and why).

Tutorial registration
The candidates need to sign up for the course, as well as submit a draft manuscript 14 days before the course.

Compulsory activities (separate requirements)
Participants in the course must submit a draft (or submitted but not accepted yet) manuscript for review and comment by the instructor as well as other seminar participants.

Evaluation
Verbal and written editorial feedback on manuscript. Evaluation of presence of all seminar meeting time as well as level (and quality) of seminar participant, as needed.

Assessment / examination format
Seminar participation, amount and quality of comments.

Course coordinator
Professor II Gary R. VandenBos, PhD, UiB:
Gary R. VandenBos, PhD, Publisher, American Psychological Association, 750 First Street N.E., Washington, DC 20002, USA or at gary@apa.org

Contact person