What is publishable? In particular in Educational Studies in Mathematics (ESM) Tommy Dreyfus

MERGA 28 June 2008Upgrading a conference paper2 Appropriateness Educational Studies in Mathematics

MERGA 28 June 2008Upgrading a conference paper3 Educational Research reports relevant to any aspects of mathematical education –Content –Learning –Teaching –Other and combinations Practical implications if they follow from the research

MERGA 28 June 2008Upgrading a conference paper4 Study Theoretically framed Methodology explicit and suitable Careful and cogently argued analysis Of interest to an international readership

MERGA 28 June 2008Upgrading a conference paper5 Mathematics Mathematics plays a significant role The study is specific to mathematics

MERGA 28 June 2008Upgrading a conference paper6 Some questions to reviewers 1.Is it an educational study in mathematics? 2.Does it make a substantial original contribution? 3.Does it have educational significance and is it of interest internationally? 4.Does it have a suitable theoretical framework, and is this framework used for aims and analysis. Is it focused? 5.Is previous work (literature) appropriately taken into account? 6.Are the aims clear? Are they satisfied? 7.Is the methodology appropriate? 8.Is the analysis well founded (theoretical framework) 9.Do the conclusions follow from the analysis by cogent argument? 10.Is the substance to length ratio high?

How to go about it? Some comments

MERGA 28 June 2008Upgrading a conference paper8 Overall considerations Read journal articles Choose the most appropriate journal –In terms of style –In terms of content –In terms of level Don’t be discouraged by a couple of rejections Learn from reviewers’ comments

MERGA 28 June 2008Upgrading a conference paper9 MERGA / PME to MERJ / ESM The criteria are the same, but they are more stringently applied by the journals For example, I am satisfied for PME if I can gather that there is an original contribution, and it does not have to be very substantial Hints at a theoretical framework and its use are satisfactory A very brief literature review is satisfactory A partial description of the methodology is acceptable Etc.

MERGA 28 June 2008Upgrading a conference paper10 Sit down and do it properly Most importantly: Decide on a clear focus and stick to it. Describe the theoretical framework in detail and explain how it is used in your study Refer only to the directly relevant literature, but do it explicitly (the author may be the reviewer); show how it is relevant and how you have used it, for example in defining the aims of your research Give sufficient methodological detail for the reader to know what you have done Show (e.g., by example) how you have analysed the data Carefully argue how you reached the conclusions