Bonnie Stabile on Publishing Beyond the Evaluation Community

Hi – I’m Bonnie Stabile and I am Deputy Editor of the World Medical & Health Policy Journal. As an editor, I’d like to encourage evaluation practitioners and scholars to reach out beyond the evaluation community to share their findings and insights. Particularly in the areas of Health and Health Policy, I believe evaluators have much to offer towards improving the understanding and delivery of health care and related services.

Hot Tips:

  • Many content journals welcome articles about evaluation and data-based decision making. For example, we urge members of health related topical interest groups to submit work to World Medical & Health Policy. We would especially welcome contributions from the AEA TIG topical areas:
    • Alcohol, Drug Abuse and Mental Health
    • Community Psychology
    • Disabilities and Other Vulnerable Populations
    • Disaster and Emergency Management Evaluation
    • Health Evaluation
    • Human Services Evaluation
    • Social Work
    • Submit a high quality manuscript. Before submitting, evaluate and rework the material to meet ALL the publication demands of the specific journal.
    • Think outside the box. For most journals, you can submit more than just primary research articles; also welcome are book reviews on works published within the last year or commentaries on recent projects or initiatives.
    • If you receive a revise and resubmit, rise to the occasion. Remember they’re still interested in you! They want to see your manuscript improved and published. Respond to reviewers’ comments positively and constructively. When you send your revised manuscript back to the journal, include a detailed, point-by-point explanation of how you have addressed each of the reviewers’ and editor’s comments.
    • Document primary materials from a variety of sources. Manuscripts with slim documentation raise questions in the minds of reviewers
    • Writing technique matters! Poorly prepared manuscripts suggest sloppy scholarship. Check spelling, syntax, paragraph length (at least three sentences for most), word use, passive voice, and repetition.
    • Format and style. Do your homework. Adhere to the format and style page in the journal or on the journal’s website. For example, the journal may use footnotes rather than endnotes. The same can be said for font, type size, and page organization. Make sure to check if the journal permits headings and subheadings, images, maps, charts, and graphs.
    • Send what the journal requires. Do you need to send paper copies, a thumb drive, or can you submit electronically?Be sure to provide complete contact information, including a postal address, e-mail address, and telephone number. If you move don’t forget to update your contact information.

Rad Resources:

Do you have questions, concerns, kudos, or content to extend this aea365 contribution? Please add them in the comments section for this post on the aea365 webpage so that we may enrich our community of practice. Would you like to submit an aea365 Tip? Please send a note of interest to aea365@eval.org. aea365 is sponsored by the American Evaluation Association and provides a Tip-a-Day by and for evaluators.

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