Author Guidelines: Research Notes

Analytics accepts research notes that identify promising areas for research, pose queries about these areas, and propose further investigation through principled analysis.

Analytics publishes research notes of up to 3,000 words (approximately 12 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 submission text.

  • Use brackets to identify the type of submission BEFORE the manuscript title: [Research Note] Manuscript Title.
  • Upload article submissions 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: aim, problem formation, methods or discussion, and directions for further action.

Aim

The aim section positions the research note and explains its purpose and significance.

Problem Formation

The problem formation section identifies and explains the gap that the note will discuss.

Methods and/or Discussion

This section describes the methods used or information collected related to the problem. This section provides justification that information collection process has identified the problem discussed in the note. 

Directions for Further Action

The note concludes with directions for further action intended to address the identified problem or highlight any related problems also in need of additional research. All attendant qualifications to claims made should also be included. 

Reviewers' Expectations

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