Author Guidelines: Research Articles

Analytics accepts manuscripts that engage the theory and/or use of writing analytics.  Analytics publishes research articles of up to 10,000 words (approximately 40 double-spaced manuscript pages, including references).

The WAC Clearinghouse and the Journal of Writing Analytics endorse the Anti-Racist Scholarly Reviewing Practices. Accepted manuscripts will:

  • Appeal to a broad audience by defining key terms, using accessible language, and providing data visualizations
  • Qualify claims by foregrounding local contexts and avoiding unsupported assumptions about practices and people
  • Enact citational practices that build upon existing knowledge, engage a diverse body of scholarship, validate alternative ways of meaning making, and recognize alternative forms of expertise

Formatting References

References should be formatted using APA style. For instructions on formatting references, see the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association, 7th edition.

Formatting Text

Please adhere to the following guidelines for formatting the submission.

  • Use brackets to identify the type of submission BEFORE the manuscript title: [Research Article] Manuscript Title.
  • Upload submission in the Microsoft Word document file format.
  • Provide digital object identifier (DOI) URLs for references when available.
  • Double space text and use a 12-point Times New Roman font.
  • Use italics instead of underlining (except for URL addresses).
  • Place figures and tables at the end of the document. Use the phrase "Insert Table (or Figure) X here." to indicate their placement in the document.
  • Follow the instructions in Ensuring Anonymous Review for submissions to a peer-reviewed section of the journal.

The following titles should be used for the main section headings, and the issues below should be addressed for the corresponding sections.

Abstract

The abstract (250 words or less) is written in accessible language, presents a structured overview of the study, and uses the following headings: literature review, research questions, methodology, results, discussion, and conclusions.

Background

The background section positions the study by sharing information on

  • The study's focus
  • The study's relevance to readers of The Journal of Writing Analytics
  • The research question or problem statement that the study addresses

The background section concludes with a brief overview of the significance of the study.

Literature Review

The literature review positions the reported research in the context of work by other researchers, identifies needed advances, and establishes justification for the present study.

Research Questions

The research questions should be framed in terms of the needed work identified in the literature review. They should also align the needed work with the chosen research methodology.

Research Methodology

The research methodology section consists of a comprehensive description of how the study was executed. The section should be written so that others should be able to replicate the study. The structure typically includes information on design, sequence, collection, sampling plan, and analytic method. When describing data collection, the article should provide information about the following aspects, as appropriate for the study.

  • Research Design: The manuscript should provide a description of the general study design and position the study within known and developing programs of research
  • Sampling Plan: The manuscript should describe the method for securing the sampling plan and include a statement indicating that the study was approved by a Research Ethics committee or that it was exempt from approval. The manuscript should disclose the number of participants, along with any relevant demographic information or other characteristics. The manuscript should use power analysis to support inferences from the study sample to the general population at hand and should report attrition.
  • Instruments: The manuscript should identify the analytic methods used in the study and the aims of these methods. The manuscript should describe the kind of information collected and establish necessary qualifications to aid later discussion.
  • Procedures: The manuscript should provide a step-by-step description of how data were collected.
  • Data analysis: The manuscript should describe how the data were analyzed and provide justification for the analytic methods used.

Results

The results section should provide evidence that the research questions have been addressed. Results should be reported according to standards identified by the American Psychological Association in terms of sample size, disaggregation by sub-group, descriptive and inferential statistics, and effect size. Foundational categories of evidence related to fairness, validity, and reliability are essential. When possible, high-quality visualizations should be used to communicate results.

Discussion

Because of the complex reporting involved in writing analytics, this section features a discussion of the interpretation, use, and consequences of the results. The manuscript should exhibit attention to claims, warrants, and qualifications regarding the evidence presented.

Conclusions

The conclusions section provides justification that the results have answered the research questions with any attendant qualifications. Special attention should be paid to applications, especially to groups of diverse learners, and, also, to fairness as a category of evidence.

Directions for Further Research

The manuscript should conclude with directions for further research intended to advance the body of knowledge and program of research reported in the study.

Reviewers' Expectations

See the Reviewer Instructions for the review criteria used by reviewers of research articles.