TOOLS AND TIPS TO SUPPORT YOUR RESEARCH Prepared by Debra Umberson Department of Sociology and Population Research Center University of Texas, Austin umberson@prc.utexas.edu

TOOLS AND TIPS AGENDAS. I always keep an “agenda” that keeps track of my professional and research goals for the year. You can use any variety of formats for an agenda and I’ve included two examples here. You may not meet all of the goals on your agenda each semester/year but having an agenda will help to keep you focused and organized. I update my agenda every few months (this might mean just changing the dates for more realistic deadlines). FLOWCHART—THE EDITORIAL PROCESS. I’ve included a flowchart that shows the decision points that editors follow when reviewing manuscripts. This flowchart shows the process that we follow at Journal of Health and Social Behavior. But most academic journals follow a similar model. QUESTIONS THAT REVIEWERS WILL ASK THEMSELVES WHEN THEY REVIEW YOUR MANSUCRIPT. Before submitting a manuscript for review, you should consider how reviewers are likely to answer these questions. If you see problems ahead, fix them before you submit your manuscript for review. HOW TO STRUCTURE THE INTRODUCTION TO A PAPER. There is a basic recipe that you can follow when you write the introduction to your paper. You can save yourself a lot of time and headaches if you follow the recipe. I’m not saying this is the only recipe that works—but this one is simple and straightforward.

RESEARCH AGENDA-EXAMPLE Articles to Complete & Submit Dissertation chapter on gender and health (JMF by June 30) Dissertation chapter on widowhood and health (AJPH by Dec 30) Research Project Tasks Recruit subjects by Feb 1 Complete interviews by March 30 Analyze interviews by Nov 30 Job Search Tasks Prepare research & teaching statement by August 30 Send letters of interest through the fall Prepare job talk by Sept 30 Go on interviews late fall and early spring

RESEARCH AGENDA-EXAMPLE Manuscripts to complete and submit Relationships and Health (submit to JHSB by July 30) Stress and BMI (submit to SSM by October 30) Widowhood and Depression (Submit to J GER by December 30) Grant proposal-NIA Compile material for lit review by Jan 1 Draft of proposal by Feb 5 Request comments from colleagues and revise through March Submit to NIA June 5 Conferences & presentations ASA (August) RWJF annual meeting (October) APHA (November)

Flow Chart—The Review Process Reject Without Review  Send Out For Review  Conditional Accept  Reject  Revise and Resubmit  ACCEPT REJECT: MER ROLE AND EIC. 2nd opinion. What we’re looking for (RQ, angle, relevance, etc.). Mission statement. Send out for review. Usually to 3. Tell how we choose reviewers. Reject  Revise and Resubmit Again  Conditional Accept  ACCEPT Population Research Center The University of Texas at Austin

QUESTIONS REVIEWERS WILL ASK What is the unique contribution to the literature? What does this article tell us that we didn’t know before and why is that important. Is the contribution to knowledge substantial, modest, limited, or negligible? Is the method of analysis commendable and appropriate or does it have problems or serious flaws? Will this article stimulate additional research (substantially, modestly, a limited extent, negligibly)?

Fatal Flaws—The Reviewers’ Perspective The most common problems identified by reviewers: Poor theoretical framing, underdeveloped theory/argument Inadequate data Underdeveloped or flawed analysis Weak link between theory/framing and analysis The “so what” factor They are busy. They are good at what they do. They are experts. Population Research Center The University of Texas at Austin

Basic Format for Writing the Introduction to a Paper (usually no more than 2 pages, double-spaced) Paragraph 1: the big picture, the hook. Focus on the public problem/issue: For example, “the most important debate in sociology is…” This is where you think about why your Congressman should care; why your mom should care. The last sentence of this paragraph should raise the SPECIFIC TOPIC of your paper. Paragraph 2: Specifically, what you are going to do. “Therefore, I will….” OR “In this spirit, this study will…” Don’t talk about the data/method as special or important UNLESS that’s part of your contribution (e.g., you are applying a particular technique to the data in order to provide new insights…). Your research question(s) here. Paragraph 3: This study is important because…