RISEBA Course specification VV 009-02
Course/ module title: / How to write academic article for international journalProgrammes in which to be offered / Joint doctoral programme ‘Business Administration’
Credit value: / 3 (4,5 ECTS) ECTS=credits x 1.5
Academic hours: / 60 / Contact hours / 30
Independent studies / 30
Language: / English
Faculty member: / Asoc. prof. Arnis Sauka
Pre-requisites: / Course is designed for 2nd year doctoral students. Preferably students should have passed Research Methods and New Scientists Lab- advancing skills for developing doctoral thesis courses.
Aim of the course/module: / The key aim of this course is to provide doctoral students with the basic skillset required for publishing in international academic. Students will learn which are the ‘top’ journals in business and management area as well as related areas as well as how to select relevant journal. We will talk about-and practice- publication process, including how publications are reviewed and how to react to reviewers’ criticism. Most importantly, however, we will work on preparing academic article to be submitted for review in good quality academic journal and present our efforts to wider academic audience prepare To do that, focus of the course will be on acquiring and practicing skills on working with data bases, writing abstract, introduction (includes emphasizing contribution), literature review, method and conclusion parts of the paper as well as preparing presentation for academic conference.
Requirements for obtaining credits (assessment structure): / Course evaluation will be based on:
-Home assignment 1 and 2(25%),
-Home assignment 3(25%)
-Home assignment 4 (50%)
Students will be required to actively participate in classes. Attendance is mandatory given the method of learning used within the course.
Date, time / Syllabus outline (themes, teaching and learning methods: seminars, practical assignments and other): / Contact hours
Lecture 1. Introduction to the course. The role of publications and aim of the research activity.Types of publications. Which are the ‘top journals’ in your area of study?Citation. Impact factor. Publishing policy. How to choose the right journal?
Lecture 2.What data will I need and how it is accessed? Structure of journal article. How to make contribution, fitting your research question. How to write (extended and short) abstract.
Practical assignment 1. Writing extended and short abstract for your journal article. Emphasizing your contribution.Preparing title of your paper.
Home assignment 1. Find top journal publication in your area (classic or new),prepare presentation focusing on structure, contribution, methodology. / 1
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Lecture 3. Writing introduction, theoretical framework, methodology, results and discussion sections
Practical assignment 2. Present top journal publication in your area, concentrating onexploring structure, contribution, use of data/ method(Home assignment 1).
Home assignment 2. Review selected doctoral dissertation, submit review.
Deadline: submit review of doctoral dissertation by October 18 to the course director. / 3
3
Lecture 4. Presentation of resources for writing academic article, how to use them efficiently (Christopher Riebel).
Practical assignment 3.Working with data bases, preparing ‘own library’ of relevant journal articles to be used for writing theoretical framework (and methodology) of your article. Start writing your article, focusing on the theoretical framework part.
Home assignment 3. Work on your article (focus on introduction and theoretical framework parts). / 2
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Practical assignment 4.Continue working with data bases to further advance your article, add other parts, i.e. methodology, etc.). Q&A on challenges faced while conducting a literature review for your article.
Home assignment 3 continued. Continue work on the article. Submit draft of your article (extended and short abstract, introduction and theoretical framework parts).
Deadline: Bring printed version of your draft article to Day 5. / 3
Lecture 5.Discussion of doctoral dissertation reviews(Home assignment 2).
Lecture 6. Draft article submission (Home assignment 3). How to react to on reviewers’ comments, revise and resubmission process in academic journals. How to prepare a good review and learn by reviewing.
Practical assignment 5. Prepare review of the articlewritten by a fellow PhD student.
Home assignment 4.Continue working on the journal article taking into consideration reviewers’ comments. When doing that, return to SSE Riga library for further work with data bases, if necessary. Include abstract, summary, introduction, theoretical framework, methodology, (and if possible) results and discussion sections. / 1
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Lecture 7 and Practical assignment 6. Discussing work in progress on articles, including challenges. Q&A.Continue working with data bases to further advance your article.
Home assignment 4 continued.Prepare article, presentation and opposition for a conference in Day 7.
Deadlines:
By December 3: Submit article to your opponent and course director.
By December 11: Submit your presentation and opposition to the course director. / 3
Conference: article presentations and oppositions in front of a wider audience (invited faculty). Further feedback and discussion(Home assignment 4).
Home assignment 5. Finalize and submit article to peer reviewed academic journal. / 6
\total / 30
Independent studies organization and tasks: / Academic hours
- Home assignment 1.
- Home assignment 2.
- Home assignment 3.
4. Home assignment 4. / 9
5. Home assignment 5. / 2+
total / 30
1Credit =40 Academic (contact hours + independent studies) hours
On successful completion of the course/module, student will be able to (knowledge, skills ans competences):
Learning outcomes: / Assessment criteria
(40-69%) / (70-89%) / (90-100%)
Knowledgeof publication types, journals, data bases, principles of publication / Understanding of fundamental concepts / Substantial understanding of fundamental concepts / Deep and critical understanding, originality
Ability to search relevant data bases, to find right publications, to analyse citations / Satisfactory use of given possibility / Selecting the data base or journal with well justified argumentation / Critical evaluation of given possibilities, creativity in application
Ability to write abstract and summary / Satisfactory or adequate in relation to the specified outcomes / Apply these methods in a varity of contexts / Originality and creativity
Ability to prepare a manuscript and review / Satisfactory or adequate in relation to the specified outcomes / Application in a variety of possibilities, valid and well founded conclusions / Originality and creativity. The conclusions from results are valid, original and advanced
Ability to communicateand present the results, react to criticism / Communication is satisfactory, discussion satisfactory / Communication is fluent, clear, discussion is interesting / Communication and discussion is original, creative and giving general overview and perspectives
No more than 5-6 learning outcomes
Evidence of obtained learning outcomes: / Learning outcomes /
- …
Assessment methods
Work with literature and data bases / Demonstrate skills of literature and citation search / Analysis skills:
Choice of appropriate papers / Knowledge of main data bases and journals / Writing skills
Preparation of extended and short abstract, ability to find and emphasize contribution / Critical thinking skills / Synthesis skills / Writing skills
Preparing review for academic article / Critical thinking / Writing skills / Analysis skills
Writing academic article / Ability to apply knowledge and write a manuscript / Ability to formulate title, abstract etc. parts of a paper and draw a valid conclusions / Analysis skills / Synthesis skills / Writing kills
Presenting paper and reacting to criticism / Communication skills / Critical thinking / Ability to criticise and react to criticism
Submitting journal article, revise and resubmit process / Ambition / Team work with other scholars
Recommended literature
Selected literature will be provided during the course
Approved/Updated: / August 24, 2016
Department director: / ______(signature)
Programme director: / ______(signature)
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