Writing for Publication in Core Social Work Research Journals: Considering Strengths and Sustainability

This workshop brings together a distinguished panel of editors from eminent, generalist, social work research journals to discuss the topic of writing for publication, with emphasis on the four journals represented. These journals are diverse in their sponsorships and affiliations, in their balance of publishing empirical research and other scholarship, and in their degree of international and interdisciplinary focus. The four journals are highly regarded in the profession and share commitment to rigor in social work research and writing. The editors describe their respective journals, offer guidelines for submission, explain the editorial decision-making process, and provide their best advice on the process of creating an article. In keeping with the SSWR conference theme for the meeting in New Orleans, the editors share their views on writing publishable work that promotes sustainability and builds or re-builds strengths. Recognizing and strengthening the social assets of individuals and communities dates to the earliest years of the social work profession. Strengths-based analyses and sustainable social development continue to be important emphases for social work research. In this workshop, the editors assist participants by addressing a range of topics, including: 1) Identifying the appropriate journal for a publication. Panel members discuss the purposes, histories, and philosophies of their journals, noting the types of manuscripts generally favored by each. In the process, they highlight the distinguishing characteristics of each journal; 2) Going through the review process. Panelists explain how they select reviewers, how editors work with reviewers, and how authors of manuscripts can make their intent and contribution clear to reviewers and editors; 3) Emulating key features of highly-rated articles. Editors identify characteristics that distinguish manuscripts accepted for publication; 4) Discovering publication priorities. Panel members note research topics that are of high priority to their respective journals; 5) Reflecting strengths and sustainability. The editors share thoughts about their journals' historical and current records in advancing the Conference themes, and 6) Using technology for electronic submissions and reviews, pre-publication access, and ranking of journals. Panel members discuss the state of the art in publication of social work journals. During a ninety-minute workshop session, the panel chair provides an introduction, and each editor gives a brief (12-minute) prepared statement addressing the topics discussed above. The chair of the panel then opens the floor for questions and further discussion among the editors and the workshop participants. The workshop is geared particularly to those early in their careers as researchers and scholars. PowerPoint slides and a handout provide key, take-away facts about each journal and contact information for each editor.