Workflow for writing a research manuscript

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Writing a research paper is like any scholarly work. Consider the need to

  • work from strong models
  • write the research you want to read
    • given your interest in an area, what paper would you have like to have read?
    • what questions would it address?

Preparation

  1. Create a folder in a shared drive with your co-authors with appropriate title and year of project (e.g., TeleTeaching_Consumer Forum_2024 MS)
    1. post link on Trello in multiple locations
  2. Create a shared reading list on Zotero
    1. Add key papers
      1. Feel free to add papers ( and associated pdfs), but only tag a paper as key if it is worth reading
        1. the goal is to be aware of what is out there (finding systematic reviews is ideal), but try to find 4-6 papers that provide a balance of (a) recent and (b) seminal
      2. The Introduction will contain a lit review which should demonstrate you are familiar with key papers, and current work, but this is not meant to be a systematic review of everything on this topic!
    2. tag papers as “Key Reading”, “Model paper”, “low priority”
    3. as you finish highlighting papers, tag to indicate their status ( “highlighted/reviewed”, “entered in table”)
    4. create an All Note for the paper you are writing, title it with the name for your topic
      1. add annotations from text you have highlighted in journal article – be selective of what you add to the All Note!
    5. copy and paste content from the All Note into a Thematic Table
      1. This will be helpful for the Introduction and Discussion sections
    6. consider whether you need to create a taxonomic table

 

Introduction

  • consider how you will answer a question for the reader
    • Dr. Karen’s Foolproof Grant Template works for the Introduction section of research papers, too
    • Think of your “to be taught content” as the answer, take the time to explain the importance of the question ( Willingham)
  • incorporate elements of SUCCES
    • watch for these as you read Key Papers (above)

Methods

  • work from strong models, and select elements that you think will address reviewer concerns as tersely as possible
  • include authoritative texts to support your approach

Results

  • present results in APA order

Discussion

  • focus on 3 big ideas, the key messages you want reader to take from your paper
  • contextualize your work